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Archive 2023 · Leofoto gimbal PG-1 question

Imagery
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Leofoto gimbal PG-1 question

Hello,
So I am on the fence to get the Leofoto PG-1 gimbal to go with my Leofoto LO-324C Tripod Carbon Fiber with built-in leveling center column.

I would like to know if tightening the knobs will change the composition, does it shift the frame a tiny bit when you tighten or loosen the knobs if anybody who already had experience with it?

The Promedia GKJRC Katana has this issue from the reviews I have read so it's out of my scope.

Thank you.
Hai

Sep 29, 2023 at 09:44 AM

Cinstance
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Leofoto gimbal PG-1 question

All panning bases as far as I've used have a shift when tightened, unless they use Sachtler style locks from the above instead from the side.

I now use the Benro WH15 head exclusively with telephoto lenses and I am not going back to any gimbo head. The Benro has a Sachtler style panning lock that does not move the composition after tightening. It is expensive if buying in the US, but I got mine brand new from Aliexpress for about $400. I am not recommending it to you though because it has a 80mm base that is too big for the Leofoto tripod you have.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/images500x500/benro_wh15_long_lens_wildlife_1660558827_1721520.jpg

Sep 29, 2023 at 04:10 PM

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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Leofoto gimbal PG-1 question

Thank you Cinstance for the reply.
Yes, that is a big base.

I have read the review that the Wimberley WH-200 doesn't shift when tighten the control knobs but there must be other brands that don't shift the composition.
Hai

Sep 29, 2023 at 08:04 PM

Cinstance
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Leofoto gimbal PG-1 question

I had the PG-1 briefly and it does show noticeable shift when tightened. Even my $700 RRS gimbal does the same, but to a lesser degree.

I don't have the WH-200, but it also locks from the side (the original Wimberley locks from the top and probably will not have the issue), so I doubt it is completely shift free. From the quality I have seen from Wimberley products, the WH-200 probably reduces it to a hard-to-notice level without magnifying the view.

Sep 29, 2023 at 09:01 PM

Alan Olander
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Leofoto gimbal PG-1 question

I don't think you're going to find anything that has zero shift. I don't ever lock my gimbal down anyway. What type of photography are you doing with a gimbal that needs it locked down with zero shift?

Oct 01, 2023 at 11:14 AM

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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Leofoto gimbal PG-1 question

Alan Olander wrote:
I don't think you're going to find anything that has zero shift. I don't ever lock my gimbal down anyway. What type of photography are you doing with a gimbal that needs it locked down with zero shift?

I see. Because I had a cheap one and it shift a bit when I tight down so I wonder if it's worth to upgrade to a better one.
I am photography owls, and birds.
I might be just picky?... lol

Oct 04, 2023 at 09:27 AM

nmerc_photos
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Leofoto gimbal PG-1 question

having owned all of the following, I found a shift in each one. I think it's just guaranteed. I can't think of a time in my own use where it has mattered.

FWIW, the Leofoto PG-1 and the Acratech Long Lens heads are the ones I chose to keep

Oct 29, 2023 at 11:07 PM

jeffbuzz
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Leofoto gimbal PG-1 question

I have the PG-1 and yes there is a slight shift when tightening the panning base. The Locking knob is offset to the side of the base so this makes sense.

Neither of my Jobu gimbals shift when tightened. The locking knob is centered on the base so the torque doesn't seem to induce any rotation of the base.

Nearly every other gimbal I've ever used has some amount of shift. This is especially noticeable due to the typically long lenses in use on them.

Gimbals are designed to be used loose. So the shifting on locking isn't often a design consideration. If you need angular precision, consider a geared or 3-way fluid head instead.

Oct 30, 2023 at 11:49 AM

gbinoz
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Leofoto gimbal PG-1 question

Cinstance wrote:
All panning bases as far as I've used have a shift when tightened, unless they use Sachtler style locks from the above instead from the side.

I now use the Benro WH15 head exclusively with telephoto lenses and I am not going back to any gimbo head. The Benro has a Sachtler style panning lock that does not move the composition after tightening. It is expensive if buying in the US, but I got mine brand new from Aliexpress for about $400. I am not recommending it to you though because it has a 80mm base that is too big for...Show more →

I was considering the WH15 until I came across this Youtube review.
You not seeing these problems? Thanks.

Nov 08, 2023 at 12:46 AM

Cinstance
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Leofoto gimbal PG-1 question

gbinoz wrote:
I was considering the WH15 until I came across this Youtube review.
You not seeing these problems? Thanks.

Wasted a few minutes watching the video.

1) the first problem is because of the lens foot he used is too wide. None of my lens plate from various manufactures like RRS, Kirk and even Leofoto has the problem fitting on it. So it is more like a lens foot problem.

2) I always set my counter balance level into one of the clicks, and that is how most fluid heads with stepped counter balance work. Once it is set to a position, it would take significant mount of force to change it to another position and there is little chance that it could be incidentally bump out of the position. He also complains that the counter balance force is too high at position 8 (around 30 lbs) without thinking that there are people with video rigs that need such a high level drag. Not to mention that the high counter balance capacity is clearly stated in the specs as one of the selling point, and if he don't needs such a high drag, just set it to a lower level. Again, people just like to complain.

3) The pan drag knob does increase the drag even at the start of the turn, it is just that the drag level does not increase in a linear version. That said, I don't use it for video so I do not care much about the drag knob. What I care is the panning lock lever, which is excellent, locking tightly with a singe flip and does not cause any shifting in position. It is smoother than any tripod head I've used that is not a fluid head.

Nov 08, 2023 at 08:09 AM

CanadaMark
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Leofoto gimbal PG-1 question

There are no heads that have literally zero sag but some are worse than others. In my experience this is relatively easy to deal with, just aim the frame slightly higher than your desired composition before locking down, and you get used to how much that is very quickly.

From what I have seen anyway, Promediagear Katanas are best gimbals out there. None of them are perfect but that is what I would buy money no object. The ProMediaGear GKJr Katana Pro is only $150 more than the Leofoto and it's a better head. They are also the smoothest in terms of rotation, which for me would matter more than a bit of sag, but of course you may feel differently. I'm also not someone that would lock down a gimbal very often.

This is probably the best of the "value" gimbals and it's on sale right now for an extremely affordable price - might be cheap enough for you to forget that it isn't quite as good as the $650+ models depending on how much use you expect it to see:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1379234-REG/oben_gh_30_gimbal_head.html

The really good ballheads such as the ones from Markins have *almost* zero sag, and a ballhead would be OK for perched birds but for anything moving you will wish you had something else.

Nov 09, 2023 at 03:25 PM

gbinoz
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Leofoto gimbal PG-1 question

Cinstance wrote:
Wasted a few minutes watching the video.

1) the first problem is because of the lens foot he used is too wide. None of my lens plate from various manufactures like RRS, Kirk and even Leofoto has the problem fitting on it. So it is more like a lens foot problem.

2) I always set my counter balance level into one of the clicks, and that is how most fluid heads with stepped counter balance work. Once it is set to a position, it would take significant mount of force to change it to another position and there is little chance...Show more →

Thanks for that, will take another look at it.

Nov 09, 2023 at 10:11 PM

Cinstance
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Leofoto gimbal PG-1 question

nmerc_photos wrote:
having owned all of the following, I found a shift in each one. I think it's just guaranteed. I can't think of a time in my own use where it has mattered.

FWIW, the Leofoto PG-1 and the Acratech Long Lens heads are the ones I chose to keep

You might want to double check the 502AH. That one actually does not shift because it locks from the top. The 500AH has the shift but the 502AH does not.

Nov 09, 2023 at 10:49 PM

nmerc_photos
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Leofoto gimbal PG-1 question

Cinstance wrote:
You might want to double check the 502AH. That one actually does not shift because it locks from the top. The 500AH has the shift but the 502AH does not.

thanks for the clarification. I definitely may have talking about an incorrect model number...

I no longer use those big beasts so I can't double check unfortunatelly

Nov 10, 2023 at 10:05 AM


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