Richard Nye
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 p.1 #1 · RRS PG-02 full gimbal | |
These are my first impressions of the RRS PG-02 full gimbal after owning it for a very short time. Right now I have a 300 f/2.8 IS and 500 f/4 IS with 1.4X and 2X TCs. I’m also using a Gitzo GT3541LS tripod and Canon 1DsIII and 1DIV camera bodies.
Ordering/Shipping:
I phoned in an order mid day on Thursday to RRS, and the gimbal arrived the next day via UPS ground. I live about 300 miles south of San Louis Obispo. The packaging was very protective. Can't ask for more than that.
Out of box quality:
The gimbal came in 3 pieces, the base (PG-02 HB), the vertical arm with vertical rail attached (PG-02 VA & PG-VR), and cradle clamp (PG-CC). A single page, double sided, instructions were included. You can view these instructions HERE. The quality was what you’d expect from RRS. Very impressive. There are laser engraved markings every 5 degrees on the rotational part of the base, every millimeter on the horizontal part of the base, every 2.5 degrees on the rotational part of the vertical arm, every mm on the vertical (swinging) rail, and every millimeter on the cradle clamp. The markings are very easy to read. There is one bubble level on the base that is easy to see when the gimbal is mounted on the tripod. There are many milled out sections to minimize weight, and the look and feel of the gimbal exudes strength, stability and precision. But it does seem more like a piece of precision optical equipment than something you want to drag through the brush to photo wildlife.
Assembly:
Assembling the gimbal was straightforward and simple. You simply slide the vertical arm onto the base and align the edge of the arm at the 110mm mark then tighten the smaller knob on the vertical arm. Then you slide the cradle clamp onto the vertical rail and tighten. Simple as that. No tools required. If you need to remove the vertical rail from the vertical arm, you will need 2 different allen wrenches (included) to remove 3 screws. However it won’t gain you much additional storage space by doing so. Overall, the assembly and disassembly into 3 pieces is quick and helps reduce the amount of space needed to store or transport the gimbal.
Size & weight:
The RRS gimbal weighs about 10 – 15% more than competitive gimbals, and the height is comparable. However, the RRS gimbal is much wider. The Wimberley and Jobu are somewhat tapered at the bottom where the CB and particularly RRS gimbals are widest at the bottom. This adds significant bulk to the gimbal. The RRS gimbal will not fit in the LensCoat gimbal pouch where the Wimberley and Jobu will.
RRS PG-02: 58oz, 9.25”H X 10.75”
Wimberley WH200: 50.4oz, 9.25”H X 9.73”W
Jobu BWG Pro: 53oz, 11.5”H X 9”W
Custom Brackets CB: 53oz, 9.75”H X 8.5”W
Flexibility:
One of the main advantages of the RRS gimbal is its flexible, modular design. RRS claims the gimbal can be used as a side mount gimbal, single row pano head, or multi-row pano head – AT A COST! In order to shed some weight (for smaller lenses maybe) and use the gimbal as a side-mount gimbal, you can remove the vertical rail and cradle clamp and install a quick release clamp (like a B2 LLR II) for $132 plus shipping (and CA tax). If you want to use the PG-02 HB as a single row pano head, you will need to buy a clamp (like the FAS clamp) that slides on the base and clamps the camera plate. The FAS plate is $140 plus shipping/tax. Finally, if you want to have a multi-row pano head you will need a B2 LLR II ($132) clamp and a nodal slide/clamp like a 192 FAS package ($200). This is assuming “no parallax” panos.
Side mount gimbal: B2 LLR II, $132 (plus shipping & CA tax if req’d)
Single row pano: FAS clamp, $140
Multi-row pano: B2 LLR II & 192 FAS package, $332
Operation:
Setting up the RRS gimbal is no different than any other. To get the centerline of the lens above the center of the tripod head you adjust the vertical arm position at the 110mm mark on the horizontal arm. The cradle clamp was easy to adjust up and down and locked positively. The graduated markings on the vertical arm help quickly adjust the gimbal for different lenses. This is the first time I’ve used a lever clamp, and I’ve got to admit, it’s nice, quick and positive. The clamp also worked with my Markins and 4th Generation lens plates/replacement foot. RRS says the lever clamp is a new design that automatically adjusts to accept all Arca-Swiss plates. The clamp is 3.12 inches long, which offers a stabile platform for long lens plates on large lenses.
When all knobs were tightened down the tripod/gimbal/lens was easy to sling over your shoulder for a short hike. Everything was solid and stayed put. I never detected any type of looseness or instability.
With the Canon 1DIV, 500 f/4 IS and 2X TC mounted on the PG-02 and GT3541LS, I got a very stabile and sharp images. I need to take it out to the wetlands to really test it in action however.
One disappointing aspect of the gimbal was in the amount of friction in the bearings. When I adjusted the tension knobs all the way “loose” there was still more friction that I would have liked. Tightening the knobs increased friction in a predictable way. Someone said the bearing friction may decrease with time, and I will be contacting RRS to get their thoughts on this. I’ve used the Jobu BWG HD2 and the vertical panning bearing was virtually frictionless. The RRS bearings are not like that.
Unlike the CB gimbal, you cannot use this gimbal as a side mount gimbal with ballhead (like the Sidekick). That would be a nice feature if you want to take both large and small lenses and minimize weight and tripod head changes. If you put the side mount option on the PG-02, you could use the gimbal like a ballhead however, if your camera had an L plate.
Pros:
1. Build quality is outstanding
2. Very stable, no sign of looseness
3. Lots of graduation marks to make set up easy
4. Easy to assemble/disassemble without tools
5. Components can be used for pano head or side mount gimbal
Cons:
1. Too much friction in the bearings
2. Built like a precision optical device, not something to drag through the bush
3. Big and bulky
4. Cost, and cost of accessories for pano head, side mount gimbal
5. Can’t be used as a side mount gimbal with ballhead
Conclusions:
If you want your gimbal to do multiple tasks like full gimbal, side mount gimbal and pano head, then the RRS PG-02 is a good choice. Once you use a full gimbal I see very few reasons to convert it to a side mount gimbal unless you can use it with a ballhead like the Sidekick. The pano options are a useful benefit however.
If you have a big lens and you only want a gimbal and no other features, then the Wimberley, Jobu or Custom Brackets gimbals are probably better choices because they are smaller, somewhat lighter, and a couple hundred dollars less.
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