I have started dabbling in bird photography and am trying to assess the utility of a gimbal.
I don't ever see myself sitting in a blind waiting for something to photograph - don't have the patience/temperament for this. I usually am on a bike, with the camera and lens in a backpack, cruising around the lagoons and looking for interesting stuff. And when I am not on a bike I am more likely to be walking through the mud in rubber boots that sitting stationary. A gimbal also feels like it would be of limited utility for ground level shots, unless I am in a wader with the tripod in the water - another highly unlikely scenario for a dabbler.
So my preliminary assessment is "not for me". But it seems like decent gimbals can be had used for well under $200 (Movo GH800, Sirui PH20) so the real question is "why not". That Z8 + 180-600 is fairly hefty, and for pelican season I am more likely to be fairly stationary.
Thoughts? Any other budget gimbals to consider? The Oben GH-30C seems to have mixed reviews, with several reviewers pointing out that it has substantial wobble. Yes, I am familiar with the buy once cry once mantra, but birding feels like something I will grow out of fairly soon, so I don't want to drop $500+ on a high end rig.
Jeffrey wrote:
Groovy, If you think this bird thing may pass quickly, just use a regular ballhead. Or if you want a double purpose head try a Flex Shooter.
Good suggestion. I already own many ballheads, the BH40 (which I don't like because of its low profile) happens to sit on an RRS TVC-24L that I never use outside winter when I need the height. Seems that a Wimberley sidekick is the way to go for me. At least for now.
I have never found monopods to be useful, particularly since I will almost always shoot birds that are a) on a surface b) landing or c) taking off. Perhaps as I gain experience I will change my opinion.
I found a used Sidekick on Adorama for $120, have ordered it and will hold off on spending more for now.
For my 500/4L IS, I've used the Wimberley Sidekick on a Manfrotto 468MG ball head for a dozen+ years. It's relatively small and easy to pack, and you simply attach it to the ball head when you want to use it. No swapping heads or centre posts to change from 'normal' to 'long lens'.
Sidekick arrived today. Looks untouched by human hands and only cost me $120.
It is going on a Leofoto LS-284C with an Acratech ball head, which should be convenient for close to the ground to waist level shots. I can't see how I will ever need anything more... unless I develop a serious passion for wildlife photography.
Was it the first or second version? I got the original version about 21 years ago for the 500/4 IS. Wimberleys used to sell the knob upgrade kit and then the extra plate for use with RRS levers. The side mount was always more risky and painful to keep swapping in/out with heavy body/lens changes. Maybe there are lighter alternatives to the SideKick now, but for the mid-sized lenses like 200-600/6.3 the 1.5 lbs. full gimbal is easier to use than 1.3 lbs. Sidekick plus 1.x lbs. ball head. I can also use the Jobu Jr.3 Dlx with the 500/4 IS II, but that is tight and near the limits. It won't fit the Wimberly modular system with a big tele due to the width. Nowadays I only use the Sidekick for ~gigapixel multi-row landscapes with the BH-55 on a 3-series tripod.
I’ve been using a Sidekick for a few years on my 200-500 and it’s been fantastic. Super light to carry, and I can quickly attach it to a ballhead when I want. For biking around and quick shots, it’s way easier than lugging a full gimbal around. You might find it overkill if you mostly shoot from a tripod, but for something handheld-ish or low to the ground it’s perfect.
