Wildlife Photography Gear - Using a Gimbal Head on a Monopod (2020)

[@EmmettKing-gu5op]

Great idea ill use this on my next shoot

[@drumbatter100]

Nice video. I have used a gimbal on my monopod for years but now I have gone back to a ball head. I use it as a poor mans gimbal where you place the bar into the slot on the side of the head as you would when taking in portrait mode, then you can slide your lens plate into the clamp side kick style and balance. This way you only have up and down movement but that is all you need as you can twist the monopod for horizontal movement. You don’t get the dreaded lens flop using like this and I find it considerably lighter and cheaper the the gimbal. The only drawback is that the weight of the lens isn’t over the centre of the monopod but personally don’t find this a problem.

[@michaelaagaardphoto]

Hi Alan, yeah that should do the trick! Why did you stop using the gimbal?

[@CamillaI]

You certainly make some good points here! It is a good technique to use in the field. I tend to use a trolley these days but it is an age thing related to old injurys! I do often use the mono gimbal option though where you cannot get a trolley. Good video thanks for sharing 👍😀

[@michaelaagaardphoto]

Thanks a lot! Yeah I think the monopod is a great way of sparing you body a bit.

[@NishitDave]

Totally agree with the swivel head dangers! It really hurts when a thumb or finger gets squished! I got a Sirui monopod with feet to shoot stable videos, but with a long lens and no damping of the panning movement, it did not work as intended. Perhaps I should try my unused gimbal head once with it.

[@michaelaagaardphoto]

Thanks for your comment! Yeah it is definitely a different game with long lenses. I tried to many different setups and the gimbal is, in my experience, by far the best solution. Take the gimbal/monopod combo for a spin and see how you like it.

[@Mencheperure]

Thanks for this video. I am usually a handholder I only have to carry the Canon 100-400, but even with this lens for extended periods of time I cannot aim for a bird after a couple of minutes my arms will give up. For a while I was wondering if I should go for a tripod but I like to be mobile and rarely shoot from a hide. This video was pretty useful for me, as I actually wondered if a gimbal on a monopod makes sense. Thank you! I might go for a similar option

[@michaelaagaardphoto]

Thanks a lot and sorry for my late reply!

[@patricohgren3161]

Hello ! I use a videohead on my monopod and my tripod , and realy like it .. I realy like your videos , keep it up ..

[@michaelaagaardphoto]

Thanks a lot for you comment and sorry for the late reply!

[@NikCan66]

Excellent review

[@alexabadi7458]

Thank you !

[@billcecil2889]

Just wait until you hit 70! Then those heavy lenses are killer.

[@bngr_bngr]

Once they are on the monopod you really don’t feel the weight.

[@ddphotoadventure2657]

Over 40 , I understand your concern about holding a heavy lens for along time or at goofy angles.I am going on 50 and like using a monopod. Which model do you use? I need to upgrade. Also did you get the deer pic? Lol

[@michaelaagaardphoto]

Thanks for your comment! I use a monopod from Miller. It is reasonably priced and very stable, I can recommend it. The mini gimbal is from Jobu and it's the Jubo Jr. 3.

[@MCBCHC27]

Very helpful thank you. Liked and subbed.

[@michaelaagaardphoto]

Thanks a lot :)

[@davidcoombes4172]

Thanks Michael, this set up looks interesting. You convinced me to give it a try for birds in flight photography. I'd like to know what IS mode you use with this set up or do you turn IS off? Love your videos and how excited you are about nature.

[@michaelaagaardphoto]

Thanks a lot David and sorry for my late reply! I'm a Nikon guy so I usually just use the Normal VR mode. I usually just leave it on and don't really think about it too much.

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[@yahiradan9028]

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[@chaos2kProductions]

I'm trying to decide between the Jobu jr3 and the JR3 deluxe any thoughts? I have the Canon R5 Gripped and RF 100-500

[@joeymac2563]

Great video! Question please- with the gimbal monopod combo how do you safely and easily mount the big lens like 600mm f4 to the gimbal bracket? With the tilt head I usually laid down the monopod flat on the ground with towel or some kind of protective materials and angle the head facing up to install big lens. Thank you in advance.

[@michaelaagaardphoto]

Thanks Joey! I've been using my 400mm F2.8 FL with this mini gimbal / monopod setup. I usually just mount the lens on the gimbal with the monopod in upright position. Haven't had any "close calls" yet : ) I'm just careful and make sure that I've got a good grip on the lens. But there is a small risk of dropping it involved with that approach. If you kneel down while mounting it, you should be safe. Thanks!

[@ralffroberg1322]

Did you get any pictures of the deers?

[@emeraldshrimp7428]

Thanks vor the video. I used to shoot handheld all the time until I started shooting from hides and noticed the pictures were a bit sharper, I'm guessing using a monopod would have the same effect on IQ.

[@michaelaagaardphoto]

Thanks for your comment Emerald! Yeah the monopod is an advantage in low light / low shutter speed situations for sure!

[@Elbwobbler77]

Sehr schön.👍👍 Viele liebe Grüße Jörn 😊

[@josefgerl1150]

I've ordered the jobu jr. 3 for my nik 200-500 in combination with the D780. I have a manfrotto carbon monopod, but may be, it is not the best for the gimbal. Which monopod would you recommend? Super video! Thank you for good information.

[@michaelaagaardphoto]

Hi Josef - sorry for the late reply! I'm currently using a Miller 311 Solo Carbon Fibre Monopod. It is awesome for big lenses as it is super solid. I can recommend it. I've used other ones that are less "stiff" and they can create a lot of camera shake if you are using a big heavy lens.

[@karmachameleon600]

I have the same camera lens combination and looking for a stand. I dont know if a ballhead would be better or a gymbal head.

[@kiench]

Thanks. Do you have a link for both tripod and head? How does this compare with a uniqueball head which is also compact?

[@michaelaagaardphoto]

Hi Kien - thanks for your comment and sorry for the late reply! I haven't tried the Uniqueball myself, but I've read about it. I think I'd still prefer a gimbal head. The Uniqueball seems to work better than a normal bullhead, but you still have to look it down and that makes it less practical. Here are the links:www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/905990-REG/Jobu_Design_bwg_j3kdlx_Jobu_Jr_3_Deluxe.html and www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/469672-REG/Miller_311_311_Solo_Carbon_Fiber.html

[@crestonburks2141]

Very nice video. I enjoy your channel. I have a question. I've been considering getting that Miller monopod also. But, it seems that the latest model now has a swivel foot. Does yours have a swivel foot or just a standard rubber foot tip?

[@michaelaagaardphoto]

Thanks Creston! I have the older version without the swivel foot on it, so just standard rubber tip. The swivel foot on the new miller monopod looks pretty small (compared to other swivels) and I don't think it'll be an issue out in the field.

[@crestonburks2141]

@@michaelaagaardphoto Thanks for your response. I really don't know how the swivel foot can work in some situations. Will the monopod be free to spin left to right easily? and will it be usable on small/medium pebble or rocky surface? Seems that a regular rubber tip or spike tip would serve better purpose.

[@michaelaagaardphoto]

@@crestonburks2141 I wonder if you can lock the swivel or maybe just remove it and use a regular rubber foot on it?

[@crestonburks2141]

@@michaelaagaardphoto I decided to order the Induro GIM304L monopod. It has a good sized rubber foot that is 3/8" screw mounted. So I can replace it with a spike when necessary. 39lb capacity. Fairly large diameter sections. The top plate is more than large enough to mount gimbal head, if I chose to and it has lock down set screws. $200.

[@crestonburks2141]

ALSO: I saw a close up image of the Miller monopod with the swivel foot. Although the swivel foot appeared to be sturdy, it did not appear that it was capable of allowing the monopod to spin and it did not appear to be easily removed nor 3/8" screwed in.

[@kristinzhivago6838]

Well, you never do anything halfway! Good video.

[@michaelaagaardphoto]

Ha ha ha - that's about right : ) Thanks a lot Kristin!

[@bluejays5660]

Would you suggest turning off lens stabilization when using a gimbal head on either a mono or tri pod?

[@michaelaagaardphoto]

Hi Jay, not with modern telephoto lenses. Some of them have a VR tripod mode that I sometimes use. But I don't really have an issue with my modern Nikon lenses. I think it is mainly older lenses with older technology where VR kan cause problems when on a mono- or tripod.

[@chadelosreyes342]

what kind of monopod you are using?

[@michaelaagaardphoto]

Hello! I'm currently using a Miller 311 Solo Carbon Fibre Monopod. It is awesome for big lenses as it is super solid. I can recommend it.

[@chadelosreyes342]

@@michaelaagaardphoto thank you so much sir. 😊

[@wcsdiaries]

Can you zoom in and out with a big telephoto lens on a gimbal head or will that throw off the balance? Primes are one thing, but for example I want to use the sigma 60-600, but wouldn't the zoom throw off the balance and render the gimbal head useless? Or oculd the gimball head handle it?

[@michaelaagaardphoto]

With something like the Sigma 60-600mm you would in all likelihood have to adjust the gimbal each time you zoom in and out. That can be an issue. But I imagine that in most cases where you are photographing e.g. birds in flight and need a tripod or monopod, you'd be zoomed out at 600 and not using the zoom function very much. In that case It would work fine.

[@wcsdiaries]

@@michaelaagaardphoto Thank you

[@beverlykune5109]

Great video, very helpful. I'm wondering if you ever use a monopod with feet attached, or what you think of that. Thanks.

[@michaelaagaardphoto]

Hi Beverly, thanks a lot! I've considered feet in the past, but never ended up trying them out. I think for video on a smooth and even surface they probably help a bit in reducing shake. But for most wildlife photography I find I'm mostly out in rough terrain where I think the foot would get in the way or at least not add any benefits. Let me know if you try one out :)

[@alpinist3178]

What is the lowest shutter speed u use for sharp pics?

[@freddyacosta2358]

It just doesn’t depend on the shutter speed. Handling of the camera, gimbal, monopod, light conditions are some other things that can interfere with sharpness. Btw, if shoot with Nikon telephoto lens, disable the VR. It can cause movement inside your lens. You don’t need it if you’re shooting with a tripod and shutter speeds of 1/2000 or higher. It will be enough to freeze motion.

[@michaelaagaardphoto]

So sorry for the late reply Altima! It very depends on the lens and whether I'm handholding or not. But using the Gimbal I can get sharp shots of static subjects down to around 1/50th of a second.

[@alpinist3178]

@@michaelaagaardphoto ok thanks i decided to get a tripod😁