Gimbal Heads: A Wildlife Photography MUST-HAVE (And How to Use It)

[@BandH]

What are your questions about using a gimbal head?

[@108u9]

Can they be used for setups with lenses without tripod collars?

[@teresainil2904]

I have a manfrotto tripod that I bought from B&H. Can I use any gimbal head on it? I would like to be able go from a spotting scope to my canon r5 quickly.

[@BandH]

@@teresainil2904 Yeah, you can use a gimbal head on your Manfrotto tripod. Just mind the weight limit on your tripod. Also, it's recommended to use gimbal heads with a photo tripod, basically a tripod without a fluid head, just the sticks. If you want to know what gimbal heads what would fit best with your tripod, reach out to one of our photo experts. Email [e-mail] with the model of your tripod, and they would recommend the best gimbal head for you.

[@BandH]

@@108u9 absolutely, gimbal heads can use used with any camera. Just made sure you have the compatible plate to connect to the gimbal head from your camera.

[@wcsdiaries]

@@BandH isn't a downside that you can't really use a zoom lens without throwing the balance off? I want to get one for my 100-500 but that would make it impossible to use if I am constantly zooming correct?

[@PhotoTrekr]

Gimbal heads are great for long lenses. I had a full size Wimberley that I used with my 300mm and 600mm lenses when I shot Canon dslrs. After selling the lenses because they were big and heavy and I didn't use them that often, I also sold the Wimberley gimbal head. But, recently I decided to buy another gimbal head for my Sony 200-600mm lens. Although it isn't as big as the long prime lenses, it still benefits from a gimbal head. I decided on the Jobu Jr. gimbal head which is smaller than their full size models. And it's fine for my current needs. Anything bigger or heavier and I would recommend a full size head.

[@jordanmcwilliams5993]

Greatly appreciate the lesson, just picked a gimble head up on a chance I would like it and after seeing a lot of wildlife photographers using it I now know how to properly balance it

[@BandH]

Glad we were here with this video for you! Thanks for watching!

[@BarbaraGunner]

Thanks Matt, I've just purchased a secondhand Wimberly 2 and hope it comes with the collar. I shoot with a Canon 5D mk 4 , but damaged my shoulder so the choice was cough up for a gimbal or give up Photography. Well, that didn't take much thinking about. All I need now is a donkey or two to carry my stuff. I so want to get out there and take photos again.

[@jvcarvay]

Thank you! my Sony 200-600 is an upper body workout every time I get out to chase birds :) I struggle with properly configure my gimbal and this helped a lot.

[@BandH]

And that's why we make these kinds of videos. Glad it worked out for you!

[@averymcdaniel423]

What type of tripod are you using for mounting?

[@gewglesux]

I have this head.. works well!! I'm still shooting Nikon DSLR with my biggest lens the 500pf Shooting Wildlife and panning it's really a good head.

[@dominic81634]

What is the tripod used in this video? Thx!

[@Gogogordy1]

Re; balance. Can it be used with a non-internal zoom lens such as a Sigma 150-600?

[@Henry30065]

Your still images always appear to be pin sharp. Do you turn off the image stabilising system on you cameras and lenses when using a tripod and/or monopod. Thank you for the excellent videos. Alun

[@BandH]

Thanks for watching! I typically leave stabilization on for photos but off for videos if on a tripod. I haven't noticed a huge difference in that area overall. - Matt

[@OpenDGuitar]

I’ve played a bit with these at the Canon booth at NAB. They seem very sweet, and even though I’m a video guy, I can see it being useful.

[@WaddyMuters]

I would just add an asterisk. If your shooting in a confined space like a photo hide, a fluid head can often be a better option since it allows for more maneuvering without hitting the walls of the hide.

[@johnjuby6184]

BH. Only one thing wrong, if you care. You need to put the gimbal and its controls on the other side of the camera and lens. Why? If you are shooting birds at long range, for example, and you want to get a quick eyeball peak at where the birds are, you'll want to take a fast peek to the left of your camera. The gimbal and knobs would be in your way. Do a 180 with your illustrated mount and they are not. So what makes me an expert, actual practice and the advice of Jan Wegener who mounts his that way. He is one of the best birders in the world, if not the best.

[@lafonevc5663]

Or put the controls where it’s easier to use them and the camera vs following advice you found on the inter web. The controls aren’t in the way of looking and you shouldn’t be taking your eye off anyway…if you are chances are you’re starting too zoomed in or looking in the wrong place. Practice practice.

[@Teeb2023]

It isn't wrong, for two reasons; 1 - It's just one way not the wrong way, and 2 - It's far more natural to have one hand on the gimbal controls while the other is on the camera controls. This makes controlling the direction of the lens much easier. Putting the gimbal controls on the right means your right hand is having to jump from camera to gimbal and back again, all the time. If I need to peek into the distance, I look over the lens.

[@alessandropicchiowildphoto]

Thanks a lot for this content...i use gimbal head for my wildlife photography

[@BandH]

Glad this was useful for you, thanks for watching!

[@Wildlife_rk]

How to balance a zoom lens?

[@WildlifeandNatureNorthBorneo]

Awesome tips, thanks.

[@guitaristwagner]

Is it possible to use this style of head with a 24-70 as well instead of having to buy a gimbal and a ball head?

[@BandH]

Photographic gimbal heads are most often designed for use with telephoto lenses that have a built-in tripod foot. As such, it is not designed for use with shorter standard zoom lenses such as a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens. That being said, depending on the gimbal head you are using, it may be possible to purchase a nodal rail similar to the *Sunwayfoto DPG-210R Multi-Purpose Rail,* _B&H # SUDPG210R,_ which may allow you to mount your camera to the gimbal without the need of a tripod foot, and the length of the rail may still allow you to balance the camera/lens setup on the gimbal head. www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1120235-REG/sunwayfoto_dpg_210r_multi_purpose_rail.html

[@perigosu8449]

you ever try this gimbal with a monopod? I feel like for hiking, a monopod is a must and tripod wouldn't work at all unless you're at a very specific place for a long period of time.

[@BandH]

It's not recommended to use a gimbal head with a monopod. You need that stability from the tripod to balance the gimbal head.

[@kylecarter3024]

Thats one dumb ass comment. I use a gimble with a monopod on a daily basis. If you shoot and move, theres no better way to do it.

[@sanjayatri3855]

Sir, should we keep Vibration Reduction button on Lens (,,,,,,,or Image Stablization in Camera Body OR Steady Shot in Sony cameras) ON or OFF or in SPORTS Mode when mounted on Gimbal Head with Stable Tripod on three legs for bird photography or while doing sports photography like cricket match or soccer

[@ClickDecoClick]

No, image stabilization should be turned of when on a head like this. Image stabilization would be fighting your tripod head and killing your batteries for no reason.

[@RishiRajKoul]

thanks

[@alanwilliams9842]

Should vr be turned off?

[@BandH]

Yes! Best to turn off VR when shooting with a motorized gimbal stabilizer. The gimbal will handle the stabilization duties very nicely. This is a classic case where more is less. >Mark

[@5filmphotography]

What tri pod did u use with the gimbal head ?

[@BandH]

Matt was using the Gitzo GIGT2545T Traveler Series 2 Carbon Fiber Tripod: bhpho.to/3qpyZvJ

[@eloyramos4648]

I have noticed that you have placed the gimbal arm on your left, but I see other professional photographers place it on the right side and rest their left hand on the lens for greater stability. Are both methods valid or is one better than the other? Thanks for the video.

[@BandH]

It really comes down to preference and what is comfortable for you.

[@wcsdiaries]

@@BandH also where can I get an adjustable collar so I can flip my camera vertical?

[@kapilbhallafoto]

Very useful

[@close2arwa]

What an amazing video thank you.. I had mine in storage i thought It was bad quality turns out it was not good because it was not balance hahahhaha😅 thank you for such great video

[@BandH]

That's why we're here to help!

[@magician9927]

Tripod model name pls ?

[@BandH]

The tripod Matt is using is the Gitzo GIGT2545T Traveler Series 2 Carbon Fiber Tripod: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1328233-REG/gitzo_gt2545tus_traveler_tripod_ser_2_4s.html

[@zemudikat]

what is this tripod?

[@BandH]

Matt is using the Gitzo GIGT2545T Traveler Series 2 Carbon Fiber Tripod: bhpho.to/3qpyZvJ

[@steffenrosmus9177]

Only those 4 thigs are a must have, but all in excellent quality: tripod, gimbal head, fast high resulution camera , 1:2.8 400 or 1:4 500/600 lens.

[@dcurleyifa]

Why use a gimbal head with a tripod when many of the modern Mirrorless cameras have up to 8 stops of IS or IBIS ?

[@mauricevandalfsen]

Try handholding your 200-600 for a few hours….

[@dcurleyifa]

@@mauricevandalfsen agreed but a Carbon Fibre Monopod with Sirius head will do the same job and is more manageable and much lighter, but it’s all about what your comfortable with 👍🏻

[@BandH]

That is true, but it can provide comfortability. Telephoto lenses can get heavy and if you are moving around a lot with it, it can be straining. I see below you mentioned a monopod, that works too with relieving the weight of the lens. But, it doesn't have that nice easy fluid motion that this gimbal head offers when moving fast with the lens.

[@ashleymadison9380]

How can something from B and H have such poor audio? I have volume maxed out and still can't hear most of what is said. You guys don't master your audio for videos?

[@lubanestube]

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