p.1 #1 · Recommendations for tripod and gimbal heads?
I recently picked up a new Telephoto Prime, and I want a sturdy base that I can feel confident in. I have been looking for some gimbal heads that fit my budget, but I realized none will fit my tripod (Smallrig ct-10). I was meaning to upgrade it anyways, but there is so many options. Is there any good recomendations for good tripod and gimbal pairs (that are not crazy expensive). Would a monopod be enough for wildlife? Thanks!
p.1 #3 · Recommendations for tripod and gimbal heads?
Imagery wrote:
What telephoto lens did you get?
I use both tripod and monopod depend on situations.
And what is your budget for the head and tripod you plan to get?
This is a great list of questions that will help us provide some guidance on appropriate tripods and heads. Based on your recent posts it sounds like you were leaning towards purchasing a Canon 500mm f/4. That's an expensive and large/heavy lens and you should aim to get a proper support system for it. The last thing you want is a tripod/head that causes excessive vibrations under heavy load or worse, that fails because it's poorly made or can't support the load. There are absolutely budget options out there that can work but like anything you usually get what you pay for.
p.1 #5 · Recommendations for tripod and gimbal heads?
Sorry, that would definitly be helpful info. The lens is the 500mm f/4 l is usm mki (super front heavy) Its paired with a 1dx. Idealistically I would love around $200 dollars, but that is unrealistic so around $400. I think my current shooting style would work better with monopod, as in the past with my tripod I feel unispired and slow. If I get a monopod is it essential that I get a head for it? Thank you!
p.1 #6 · Recommendations for tripod and gimbal heads?
Fritz photos wrote:
Sorry, that would definitly be helpful info. The lens is the 500mm f/4 l is usm mki (super front heavy) Its paired with a 1dx. Idealistically I would love around $200 dollars, but that is unrealistic so around $400. I think my current shooting style would work better with monopod, as in the past with my tripod I feel unispired and slow. If I get a monopod is it essential that I get a head for it? Thank you!
I shoot off a tripod with a lighter kit. Many people feel locked in place by a tripod. If the gimbal you get has a quick release or even a knob that you can spin quickly, it's easy to get off the tripod to get down low, move quickly or shoot directly overhead. My gear is not related for your load so I can't help with that. Look at used sites such as MPB.come and KEH.com as you can save quite a bit.
p.1 #7 · Recommendations for tripod and gimbal heads?
Fritz photos wrote:
Sorry, that would definitly be helpful info. The lens is the 500mm f/4 l is usm mki (super front heavy) Its paired with a 1dx. Idealistically I would love around $200 dollars, but that is unrealistic so around $400. I think my current shooting style would work better with monopod, as in the past with my tripod I feel unispired and slow. If I get a monopod is it essential that I get a head for it? Thank you!
Monopods work fine without a head for most sports since the athletes are usually at ground level, but for wildlife it'll be harder to track birds higher in the sky or that are changing elevations rapidly without a head. I've never used the MH-100 though so I can't speak to how it would work with your setup. I personally use a Benro TMA38CL Long Series 3 Mach3 carbon fiber tripod with a ProMediaGear GKJr Katana Pro gimbal. Not a cheap setup but I wanted something that I can keep using if I ultimately get a heavier lens. I opted for a tripod because I spend a lot of time out in the cold in the winter and wanted to be able to go "hands off" for periods of time to keep my hands warm when there isn't much action.
p.1 #8 · Recommendations for tripod and gimbal heads?
The only thing to be aware of with a gimbal on a monopod and particularly the Wimberly MH-100 is that the weight of the setup is offset to one side. A lot of people like the MH-100 on monopods but I find the MH-100 as well as other gimbals on monopods VERY awkward to control as the weight is offset. I much prefer either attaching the setup directly to the monopod with no head, using a smaller fluid head or a Flexshooter Mini which is a great but much pricier option to keep the weight directly on top of the monopod.
p.1 #9 · Recommendations for tripod and gimbal heads?
Subject matter interests may help with developing answers?
(I'm not sure there is a "fast" way to get a lens that size on or off a tripod or monopod. Just by it's size and weight, it's going to take careful handling. A tripod is easier than a monopod as it's self supporting. But that may be a side issue?)
I've found that I can pretty usefully deal with the relatively smaller Sony 200-600 for "ground" large mammals, or rafting sea otters, etc. by flipping a balanced ball head over into it's gimbal slot. Now, these haven't been fast moving subjects, or things like birds or planes that move randomly or overhead, etc. the movements needed, like panning or some tiltings isn't "very expensive premium gear" smooth, necessarily. But it can be done with fairly inexpensive gear. By moving into the side slot, it won't crash to a side if released like a load mounted on top of a ball head, but if unbalanced, like a pan/tilt head. could tilt up/down. There can be some clearance issues on high/low angles.
The tripod will still have to be up to the weight of the lens/body so could mean keeping shutter speeds up higher than a real high end tripod might when it comes to damping vibration. But it may serve the goal of holding the gear up so you don't.
p.1 #10 · Recommendations for tripod and gimbal heads?
That lens is heavy and with your budget of $200-$400, you can go with both tripod and monopod depend on how you are shooting.
For sure, you cannot get those Wimberly, RRS etc but you have a lot of room going with some decent leg + leveling head:
- I like the 2 way pan tilt heads, small and very portable compared to a gimbal.
- Leofoto makes some very good decent price leg + head ( clone of RRS )
( and many of those Sunwayfoto, Innorel, Waylan, Bexin, Andoer brands... )
You can look those into those brand and see. Some places you can get very decent prices.
My style of shooting is I move a lot with wild life, so the smaller and the lighter gear the better.
I don't leave my lens on tripod unattended ( meaning no hand off my gear ), I just use mono and tripod to have a firm support.
So I can use safely a head that rated for 4-6 ib for my big lens.
And if you are crafty with your hands, you can save some $$ in making accessories to support your gear.
I did a lot for my gear.
p.1 #11 · Recommendations for tripod and gimbal heads?
My main subject matter is birds because that is all that I have found lol. I have also shot some antelope and bison and what not, so sometimes bigger things. Same situation as you, I want my fingers to be warm. Thanks for the input!
p.1 #12 · Recommendations for tripod and gimbal heads?
I am thinking about possibly the 3legged thing lance, because it would allow me to still walk around, and just not have to physically support the lens all the time.
p.1 #13 · Recommendations for tripod and gimbal heads?
SIRUI PH-Series Carbon Fiber Gimbal Head (PH-10) is less than $200 at amazon or BH. Very light and sturdy, can carry a lot of weight. Takes my 800mm with ease.
Not that the other suggestions would be bad at all. Especially the Wimberley and the Profotogear ones are definitely superb. Also quite a bit over $200...
p.1 #14 · Recommendations for tripod and gimbal heads?
Three-Legged Thing Winston 2.0 can be used as a monopod, and can carry 80 lbs. Fairly lightweight and very nicely made. I use it with an RSS head but they have an option for their own.
p.1 #15 · Recommendations for tripod and gimbal heads?
IMO tripods for birds are a PITA unless your main shooting style is staying in one strategically selected place and waiting for the action to come to you.
Regarding the weight being offset on a MH-100 - I don't find that problematic. I typically shoot with the monopod at an angle behind me. I pull the camera towards me which creates a pivot and makes it fairly easy to track birds.
Since I already own (too many) ball heads and don't see myself shooting on a tripod too much I opted for a Wimberley Sidekick. Works well enough. I just acquired a knock off Groundskimmer from Etsy and intend to use it mostly with that.
Someone recommended the Jobu Design Jr 3 for an excellent and reasonably priced ball head. The under $200 ones seem to have some loosenes issuesz at least if the YT reviews are to be believed.
p.1 #16 · Recommendations for tripod and gimbal heads?
I really like the wembly sidekick because it is light and works well enough with my 600 mm pf lens but light is my thing as carrying big stuff has become a challenge
