Camera Labs

I`ve been told for wildlife photography a gimbal is the way to go on my tripod, some of the prices are incredible! obviously i don`t want to put my 1000d and sigma 500 lens on something that won`t take the weight so i`d like some advice from anyone who has some experience of this, Many Thanks

I was recommended the Manfrotto 393 Long Lens Monopod head previously. It is rather affordable compared to most. I did get one, but I never used it as the 300/2.8 lens I bought it for I didn't keep around long enough...

On that note, basically if you can get away with holding the lens by hand, do it. Only if you have a bigger lens that's too heavy to carry does this start to make sense.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

The most respected gimbal head for wildlife is the Wimberly. I tried it recently and loved it for stills, but it wasn't so good for video. For video, I preferred the Manfrotto 393 bracket, but it is much bigger and heavier...

In both cases I was using an EOS 7D and EF 500mm f4L lens.

If you're a serious wildlife shooter & can afford a Wimberley, they are reckoned to be the best. They also make a `sidekick` which is about half the price.
A cheaper option again is the Manfrotto 393. It's bulkier (though not much heavier) but seems well made & easy to use even on a monopod.
My mate borrowed mine a couple of days ago & liked it.

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Nikon D800E & D700 bodies + Nikon AF-S 80-400mm f4.5-5.6G ED VR, 50mm F1.4G, 16-35mm f/4G VR, 105 F2.8 VR macro, 70-300mm lenses. A couple of filters, Giotto tripod & ballhead. Lowepro Slingshot 302 AW

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcarlos/

Hmmm, I used the 393 with the lens hanging down!

Hi Gordon. I find it easier to use in the `cradle` position. It feels more natural, less top heavy & more stable somehow.
It also negates having to rotate the lens foot & collar.

I guess using it `on the top` would give extra height on a shorter monopod/tripod though.

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Nikon D800E & D700 bodies + Nikon AF-S 80-400mm f4.5-5.6G ED VR, 50mm F1.4G, 16-35mm f/4G VR, 105 F2.8 VR macro, 70-300mm lenses. A couple of filters, Giotto tripod & ballhead. Lowepro Slingshot 302 AW

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcarlos/

It varies with the lens and tripod mount it comes with, and therefore where you put the centre of gravity in the configuration.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

It comes with the long 357PLV sliding plate.

It locks into the `gimbal` by tightening a levered screw on the side & extra security is by means of a spring loaded pin to stop your lens sliding out, but because you can slide it forward or backward before locking it off, you can balance it for centre of gravity.

http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources ... 393_1.html

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Nikon D800E & D700 bodies + Nikon AF-S 80-400mm f4.5-5.6G ED VR, 50mm F1.4G, 16-35mm f/4G VR, 105 F2.8 VR macro, 70-300mm lenses. A couple of filters, Giotto tripod & ballhead. Lowepro Slingshot 302 AW

http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldcarlos/