A few months ago, I sold my Promediagear Katana Jr gimbal as it was not seeing any use. Now, of course, I am looking to replace it for an upcoming workshop in Spain (Iberian lynx) in which a gimbal will be very beneficial to use. The Katana Jr was fantastic and I will definitely keep it as an option if I can find one used in nice condition at a decent price.
Having said that, I am also looking at the gimbal options offered by Leofoto. I really like the idea of the folding gimbals that they offer so that the gimbals are more compact for travel. The small one (PG-2S) has a low weight at 1.87 lbs, which also adds to its attractiveness, but the size may be too small. The larger folding gimbal (PG-2) is the heaviest of the gimbals that I am looking at and weighs 2.84 lbs, which is not so attractive. I cannot find any information on whether or not the ability to fold allows for more vibrations in the support system. Does anyone have experience with this or how well these gimbals function in general?
Also, their other gimbals also look very good and I would consider those as well. The two full size non-folding options that I have on the consideration list are the PG-3, which is carbon fiber and weighs 2.65 lbs, and their original (which is very similar to the Katana Jr) PG-1 which weighs 2.4 lbs.
At this point, the largest lens that I have that would be used with a gimbal is the Sony 200-600mm, although for my trip, I will probably take the Sony 300mm. Not yet sure if I will take the 200-600mm. We will be in a hide for long sessions on several days.
I am not ruling out the idea of a gimbal attachment like the Promediagear Tomahawk or Leofoto MPG-02, but prefer the cradle mount rather than side mount.
If anyone has experience with the gimbals mentioned here, I would appreciate you sharing your experience. Also, not really looking at other options at this time.
I have used the Jobu Jr.3 Dlx extensively for the Sony 200-600. Weight is only 1.5 lbs (680g), but I have used it to hold a 500/4 and modern 600/4 just fine. (Width is tight if you use the Wimberly Modular flash setup with a 500/4 or 600/4.)
I also have used larger gimbal heads such as Jobu HD4 and the old Wimberly.
Another option is a FlexShooter. I don't like them, but many have migrated from the gimbals to those.
EB-1 wrote:
I have used the Jobu Jr.3 Dlx extensively for the Sony 200-600. Weight is only 1.5 lbs (680g), but I have used it to hold a 500/4 and modern 600/4 just fine. (Width is tight if you use the Wimberly Modular flash setup with a 500/4 or 600/4.)
I also have used larger gimbal heads such as Jobu HD4 and the old Wimberly.
Another option is a FlexShooter. I don't like them, but many have migrated from the gimbals to those.
EBH
Thanks for your suggestion. I was not aware of the Jobu Jr. E Dix and will check it out. The low weight sounds very good and it is also good to know that you can use with with heavier gear than what I have and that it works fine.
I briefly had a FlexShooter. It may have been defective but was so awful that I returned it to the company that I purchased it from. I can fully understand why you don't like them. For the brief period that I had one, I also tried to contact the company about the issues that I had with it and they never responded to me at all.
I know some people that had issues with the FlexShooter getting loose, and that is not user fixable. To me it is the Jack of all trades and master of none.
My primary gimbals for several years have by the original Leofoto PG-1 and a Jobu Jr. Deluxe. The PG-1 is bigger and heavier, but it is easier to set up for different lenses. The height adjustment is quick release and range is more than enough to accommodate almost any lens and foot. Movements are smooth with 3kg+ lenses.
The Jobu is easier to carry, but adjustments are limited. Fitting significantly different diameter lenses can require unbolting the arm with a hex wrench to adjust the height. It works best when matched with a single lens. It balances the 200-600mm with a Hejnar foot. The 300mm is smaller so it should be fine unless you're using a high foot. You'd need to figure out if the center of gravity is different enough to warrant gimbal height adjustment.
jeffbuzz wrote:
My primary gimbals for several years have by the original Leofoto PG-1 and a Jobu Jr. Deluxe. The PG-1 is bigger and heavier, but it is easier to set up for different lenses. The height adjustment is quick release and range is more than enough to accommodate almost any lens and foot. Movements are smooth with 3kg+ lenses.
The Jobu is easier to carry, but adjustments are limited. Fitting significantly different diameter lenses can require unbolting the arm with a hex wrench to adjust the height. It works best when matched with a single lens. It balances the 200-600mm with a Hejnar foot. The 300mm is smaller so it should be fine unless you're using a high foot. You'd need to figure out if the center of gravity is different enough to warrant gimbal height adjustment....Show more →
Thanks for this - very valuable information. I had not thought about the ease height adjustments for different lenses. It would be, of course, preferable to have the easy adjustment.
Do you use the Leofoto PG-1 with their leveling base? I read some reviews of the leveling base and some people had issues with it coming loose from where it mounts on the tripod.
Abuttolph wrote:
Thanks for this - very valuable information. I had not thought about the ease height adjustments for different lenses. It would be, of course, preferable to have the easy adjustment.
Do you use the Leofoto PG-1 with their leveling base? I read some reviews of the leveling base and some people had issues with it coming loose from where it mounts on the tripod.
I'm not a fan of bolt-on leveling bases. They tend to be the weakest link in the whole support system with the lowest weight limit. Many have load limits less than 3kg. So they can slip under the weight of moderate size lenses like the 200-600. I prefer an integrated bowl in the tripod over a leveling base. Bowls don't slip and they're easier to adjust.
Abuttolph wrote:
I read some reviews of the leveling base and some people had issues with it coming loose from where it mounts on the tripod.
Tripods and leveling bases have locking screws to prevent the head from coming loose.
jeffbuzz wrote:
I'm not a fan of bolt-on leveling bases. They tend to be the weakest link in the whole support system with the lowest weight limit. Many have load limits less than 3kg. So they can slip under the weight of moderate size lenses like the 200-600. I prefer an integrated bowl in the tripod over a leveling base. Bowls don't slip and they're easier to adjust.
Makes sense. At this point, I probably won't get a new tripod for travel, but I definitely understand what you are saying.
jeffbuzz wrote:
I'm not a fan of bolt-on leveling bases. They tend to be the weakest link in the whole support system with the lowest weight limit. Many have load limits less than 3kg. So they can slip under the weight of moderate size lenses like the 200-600. I prefer an integrated bowl in the tripod over a leveling base. Bowls don't slip and they're easier to adjust.
The RRS 75mm bowel with the long lever is pretty good especially with the integrated A-S clamp for QR that is held on with 4 bolts. They also have an inline leveler with ears that replaces the platform on the RRS standard (not systemic tripods) and is held by screws on the side. Anything is better than being dependent on only a 3/8 screw.
I tried two different copies of the Leofoto large folding gimbals (1 from Leofoto USA and 1 from Amazon), and the swinging adjustment was so tight that the gimbals were unusable. I've had the Leofoto PG-1 for several years, and to me, the performance is indistinguishable from the Promediagear Katana Jr. After I purchased the OM System 150-600mm, there wasn't enough adjustment height on the PG-1 when my Olympus E-M1X + 150-600mm were mounted to keep the bottom of the camera from hitting the panning base; I purchased the Leofoto BV-20 video head, and there are no problems with adjustments, but the video head is probably larger and heavier than you would prefer.
Russ L. Miller wrote:
I tried two different copies of the Leofoto large folding gimbals (1 from Leofoto USA and 1 from Amazon), and the swinging adjustment was so tight that the gimbals were unusable. I've had the Leofoto PG-1 for several years, and to me, the performance is indistinguishable from the Promediagear Katana Jr. After I purchased the OM System 150-600mm, there wasn't enough adjustment height on the PG-1 when my Olympus E-M1X + 150-600mm were mounted to keep the bottom of the camera from hitting the panning base; I purchased the Leofoto BV-20 video head, and there are no problems with adjustments, but the video head is probably larger and heavier than you would prefer. ...Show more →
That is really good to know about the Leofoto folding gimbals. They look like a nice option for travel, at least the larger one, in terms of space, although the weight is greater than the non-folding gimbals.
Thanks too for sharing your experience with the PG-1. That is what I may end up buying if I can't find a Katana Jr. within the next few days.
Interesting that you mention the fluid heads because I took a quick look at those yesterday, just to see if it seemed like a good alternative. I think that in some situations, they would be perfectly fine. However, like you said, they are larger and heavier than I am looking for, particularly when traveling.
