I have the Wimberley WH-200 and I don‘t miss any „features“. I have a level bubble on my Gitzo Series 5 tripod. The gimbal does the job and never lets me down, no other gimbal convinced me when i was looking for some rigid and reliable gear. A friend of mine bought a cheaper one and after I tested this one i was very glad that had chosen the Wimberley one.
I have been using the Oben GH-30 for over a year and I absolutely love it. Paid $179 for it and am totally satisfied with build quality and smooth functionality. Only complaint is it is a bit heavy. Not sure I agree with your assessment of the knob being flimsy. I crank mine pretty good and have never had any problem with it. Thanks for the review.
Wish you’d been able to test the Fotopro E-9 (or even the E-7) rather than the E-6. Much more in line with the others in the range. The E-6 is a compact, lower bearing version. Also, the 45 degree detent is useful for lowering the center of gravity and balancing the bigger lenses, a feature the others don’t have. Much more useful than being able to get out of focus shots of (too close) foxes! Thanks for the time you took on this comparison!
I bought my Benro the non carbon model about seven years ago when I first got into telephoto shooting, now using it with a 600 F4 and it's still going strong. Needed to replace the springs in the plate locking part and contacted Benro and they sent me a couple at no charge. I'm sure they are not expensive but I couldn't find replacements anywhere and would've paid but they took care of me. If I ever have to replace my gimbal I'll go with the new carbon fiber one.
Very informative review. Nothing can replace real hands on experience in the field. Some comment on the FotoPro E-6H: I think you missed a bit the intention of the lower axis. It is certainly not made to use as an alternative to the upper tilt axis. Instead, it gives a lot of extra flexibility. You also can use the +-90° degree positions if you raise the cradle a bit. Even in +-45° position it allows you to look straight up or down, which none of the conventional gimbals do. It also can be handy to shift the weight more towards front or back over your tripod. Or bring the camera closer to you if necessary. Also folding down for transport can be really handy. All that said, i think it is not the right tool for many who just need a solid support for their 600/F4 and those extras have zero benefit.
Excellent! I am using the metal version of the Benro (GH 2) which is 1.44kg. It is a very good gimbal. This video is excellent! BTW for those in the buying market, I bought my gimbal that was a demo model along with a set of carbon fiber legs and saved $400.00! The legs and gimbal were complete in box and like brand new.
Those are both of my GoTo's. The Fotopro E-9H is just so versatile it's crazy. The LeoFoto PG-1 is pretty much the Katana Jr. And the LeoFoto Tripod legs are awesome. I have some ProMedia gear stuff too. And while it's great stuff, some of the "Extras" aren't there like on the LeoFoto stuff.
When doing scoring type of comparison, it would be very useful to put a table up at the end to show all products and relevant information like categories and scores as a summary of the descriptions.
Good review all around but I have a bone to pick. In the Fotopro 90 degree demonstration, the cradle was extended out to its absolute lowest possible setting and your hand was covering the knob that controls that up and down adjustment. Furthermore when demonstrating the tilt of the lens, you had a long Arca swiss rail on the bottom of the lens. Most people do not have a long Arca swiss rail mounted to the bottom of their lens.
I own a Wimberley side mount version. This is lighter and more compact than the version with the cradle. The Kirk foot replacement on the 500 F4 has the arca swiss grooves. In operation the Wimberley is beautifully smooth and the knobs are designed and built so it just works how you want it to. True, it is expensive but for the work it does for me, the sheer functionality is far more valuable than accessories I don’t want or need. If you think bags and accessories plates etc are more important, the in my opinion is that is an “interesting” choice. In reality the accessories belong in the cupboard at home because the real task is making the process of following birds in flight and you don’t need accessories to actually do that.
A good (gimble) head to head review, Matt. I own the Benro GH5C & am very happy with it. I compared both the Benro & the Wimberley & nice as the Wimberley is the price difference here in the UK killed the Wimberley for me. Benro £314, Wimberley £665 (UK Pounds). The Benro GH5C won hands down. That was a couple of years ago & it was been in fairly regular use ever since & still looks & feels like it's brand new. What difference, if any would UK prices have made to your value scores when comparing the Benro & the Wimberley, I wonder? Thanks once again for your time & effort in putting comparative reviews like this together. It's very much appreciated, Matt.
Another alternative that I've found does the trick exceedingly well (and replaced my Wimberley Sidekick) is the Flexshooter Arca ballhead. Far smaller and lighter, and works as well as a gimbal for 90% of the time for sports. Really an interesting alternative.
Hey Matt!! 2 things to correct in your video for the Profoto Eagle E6-H. One is that if you take out the cradle and mount your lens on the arca swiss holder, you will get lens balance with say a Nikon 500 f/4 with a Z9. Also if you can raise the height of the cradle to get the 90degree angle you could not do in the video. For me, i had bought the wimberly 200. But it was simply too heavy to carry on flight and i realised i simply stopped taking it along. I have ordered the fotopro hoping it will solve my needs of a compact gimbal weighing 700 grams (without the cradle) instead of 1.4 kg of the wimberly for my 500mm f/4. Thanks for the awesome content you keep posting!
Interesting video. I have also owned and tested a number of different gimbal heads. Wimberly original 100 and current 200 model. Benro GH2, Induro, Gitzo fluid head, Leofoto PG1, and Custom Brackets. The one I liked the least was the Benro. I sold it and bought another Wimberley. I have more than one gimbal head. If all you want is something to chase birds in flight, then there's not much difference in performance among the gimbal's I've had. However, if you want to shoot something that is temporarily static and quickly get the framing perfect before it moves, then you want something that is very smooth without stiction. Wimberley does that better than anybody. The Benro I had was the worse....couldn't stand it. And say you have the framing perfect and want to tighten down the knobs without the gimbal moving....Wimberley wins again. Tighten the knobs on, say, the Leofoto and your lens will move as you tighten. Same with the others, the only exception being the Custom Brackets. The Leofoto is the lightest I've tried, and stiction is not a problem, but it's easier to dial in the Wimberley to the right amount of resistence. However, the Leofoto moves the lens when you tighten the knobs and the knob fine tuning is crazy. They used much too fine a thread on the main knobs and much too course a thread on the plate holder knob where you put your lens foot. The Gitzo is maybe a little too damped with fluid resistance for following birds...at least my copy never loosened up that much. The Custom Brackets has too many knobs and adjustments. Bit of a pain to use. The Induro is like a cheap Wimberley, it has some stiction, but better than the Benro. All that said, I've had an issue with all these Gimbals if a bird flys straight overhead. Makes me wonder about the Fotopro tilting to the side so you can point your lens straight up.
i've been looking at the fotopro e9-h as a future purchase, mostly because it has side to side adjustments which i might be able to use for panos. one of the nice things about the fotopro is that the cradle can be removed, and the side clamp is also arca-swiss compatible, giving you a side mount gimbal and regular gimbal all in one. for fatter lenses/small refractor telescopes, or even smaller lenses and my l-bracket, the side mount option is nice. i could even get a nodal rail to help w/ balancing for the side mount. regarding the issue of not being able to point down at the ground, if you used the 45 degree tilt forward, you'd have the clearance to point lower than other gimbals. tilting backwards would similarly allow you to tilt the camera higher up towards the sky. the higher resistance of the fotopro is good to note, and a little worrisome. ideally i would like it to replace the cheap knockoff gimbal that is very very similar to the non carbon oben gimbal you reviewed. being about $100 cheaper, the grease made it almost unusable though, so i immediately took it apart and regreased it, and it's very smooth now. works great w/ my sony 200-600. i like the idea of having a perfectly balanced gimbal setup compared to using my ball head--not a fan of my lenses dropping suddenly when i undo the tension. the fotopro theoretically would allow me to use any camera lens combo balanced w/ the side mount (using my l bracket or an additonal nodal rail + clamp), and adjustments for perfect panoramas. i do have a leveling base, so the low clearance for knobs don't bother me. anyway, enjoyed your video as always.
Exactly why I got the Fotopro E9-h. And the click stops for pano's is a nice addition too. I heard the grease inside is heavy and that's what slows down the movement. I've wondered if it's able to change to a lighter grease. For for Pano's I kind of like it being a lil heavier to move.
@@mverick160 I had the same issue with the Nest gimble I purchased a few years ago, pan action was really tight. But I found a video that explained how to replace the grease and now it's very smooth. The grease was more like a mix of Super Glue and STP, extremely thick and sticky. I replaced it with a high quality bearing grease. So, it may be possible to replace the grease on the E9 but I'd be very careful in putting it back together. But I like both the Fotopro E6 and E9.
Apologies if this shows up twice but my original comment disappeared when I refreshed the page. I own the Wimberly WH-200, and while more expensive, in my opinion it's well worth it. The pan & tilt are very smooth and can be set with just the right amount of tension. I find the lack of bubble levels on gimbal heads to be irrelevant. You are tilting fore and aft anyway, so being level in that axis is unnecessary. Plus, large lenses have a collar to allow rotation of the lens, and I tend to shoot with that loose, so no need to be level in that axis. If you really need a level, pretty much all tripods will have one nowadays, as well as modern cameras having electronic levels. If you're interested in the Wimberly I would order directly from them. The reason being that you can order it without the cradle from Wimberly. Then order the PG-CC cradle from Really Right Stuff as it's designed to fit the Wimberly. This is a much better cradle with a lever lock, which I find so much easier to use than knobs. I found this to be the best combination out there, to be frank. The cost savings of ordering the WH-200 w/o a cradle doesn't offset the cost of the RRS cradle, but they also offer discounts for blemished items. So, if they have a blemished WH-200 available I found that the additional savings to offset the cost of the RRS cradle. And their standards for what constitutes a blemish are pretty high as I couldn't find anything I would consider a blemish. These are just my experiences from when I bought mine 3 years ago. If you're interested in going down that route, call Wimberly and see what they have available. They are very helpful. Matt- I am curious as to why you prefer to use the gimbal with the upright along the left side of the lens rather than the right? Did you find it easier to stabilize? I find it easier to have the upright on the right side of the lens as that opens up access to the left side switches on the lens, plus allows you to rest your hand on top of the lens for stability rather than the gimbal. This also gives you easy access to the AF buttons as you're shooting.
Great video on the Gimbal Heads, I got the Sirui PH-10 & PH-30, use them both for DSLR Cameras & Precision Rifle Shooting, like the Carbon Fiber Material, Weight Capacity, Fast Lockout Feature, & the Price of them.
Like you, I LOVE my Katana Jr. and I have the Wimberley II as well . But I use RRS leveling bases with both which include bubble levels so the Wimberley without one is no problem
How important is the bubble level for people though? Most cameras around have a build in level anyway and I find it more convenient to look on that one rather than have one or two bubble levels on the head/tripod
Did you test any others out? A lot of people go with them as they are 'the best', but there are lots of new options in the market - hence this video :)
@@mattgranger Hey Matt, No. I never looked at any other units. I saw a video on the Wimberly and was sold on it. I also had a buddy who had one so i was able to play with it before i made my purchase. I think it will outlive me.
Wonderfully detailed. Thank you for going through them. I also appreciate your honesty in not including the Promedia because you are sponsored by them.
I own the Benro GH5C gimbal head and I love it for my Nikon 600mm /4.0 with my Benro TMA48CXL Mach3 tripod. Thank you for reviewing the gimbal heads.........
I can join in on the Induro. After a couple of years the horizontal and vertical locks have loosened with respect to them being either tight or loose. Difficult to adjust or use with friction. I also find that I have to tighten them more to get them to lock. I also feel that I can force them to move. Secondly, I find that it is sticking at least in the horizontal direction, if I have to move just slightly or a little more to the side to get on a subject. It seems to move in a step or click fashion, where if you have a bird who is hopping to different positions on a fence, your first movement will go past the bird. If I ever replace the gimbal, I would not get another Induro.
Your concerns about FotoPro customer support / service (being china only) were spot on. Purchased an E9 tripod & gimbal thru one of the major NYC photo stores (at a much discounted price). Nice feature set, could be a great design, but POOR manufacturing & quality control. Received unit that had one bad leg lock joint and a pan drag MUCH greater than the tilt friction. Worked (slowly) with manufacturer in china to get repair parts for the leg, but was told that I would need to ship the (brand New) head back to china, , at my cost both ways for service. The NYC store was accommodating to accept the return and put a new one on back order. I'm not holding my breath as they no longer list the package on their web site. Saving for a pro media gear package.
The fotopro looks like a great hybrid but if the panning is stiff that's a major downgrade.Might go Wimberley or promedia gear and use a quick release to swap between ballhead and gimbal.
I have a Wimberley WH100 (the original from Wimberley), it supports my Nikon 400 2.8 brilliantly. If I were in the market for any of these, I would only look at the Wimberley. Their stuff is expensive, but it's brilliant.
@@gewglesux Not a huge amount. The main difference is the locking mechanism for the base. On the 100, there is a knob on the top to clamp the arm, where as on the 200 the knob is on the side. The knobs are easier to use on the 200, especially if you're wearing gloves.
@@creynolds247 Thanks for the reply. I guess if there's a V2 there must be a V1 ! Sadly I've only had mine out in the wild a few times. I have a 500pf that's the biggest Lens i have. I know it's built for more but that what i have currently.
It appears the 3 in 1 design of the Fotopro is meant to fold to those 90* up or down positions when your camera's L-bracket is attached to the head instead of the gimbal arm. Over all it's a clever design but leaves me a bit leery as the RRS L-bracket on my D850 doesn't have slide stops on the side plate (I can imagine turning my back to grab a filter and hearing a crash) also in this mode the head really requires a set of legs with a leveling plate.
Great video, Matt. Really informative. I own the Wimberley Mono Gimbal which is a fantastic piece of gear. On the basis of that even though the value proposition is not as good as others I'd probably go for WH-200. In the end you can't beat quality.
I recently bought the Oben GH 30C (carbon) from B&H at the sale price. I have an Oben tripod too, so that influenced my selection as well as the price. I have only had it for a few days, so I can't speak to dependability, but it seems good enough for my needs with a Canon 100-500 lens. I bought a longer Oben ARCA plate thinking I might need more adjustment, but I found the standard plate had enough adjustment to account for the balance changes when racking the lens between 100 and 500 mm. After watching this video I think I will buy an add-on spirit bubble, as the one on my tripod gets covered up by the gimbal head.
First time viewer and new subscriber here. Thanks for the concise review of these heads! I'm in the research phase in considering getting my first gimbal and it was very inciteful. You have me leaning toward Benro already 😀 I'm a bit biased that way already as I love my Benro Mach 3 legs and Benro ball head combo already.
I'm curious, as all of these are single arm gimbals. I use a Manfrotto 393 gimbal which has a "tuning fork" configuration (two mounting points) as I shoot with an 800mm f5.6 AI-S with TC-301. It's a very economical gimbal and I've taken planetary photos with great success with it as I wanted maximum stability (combined it with a Fiesol Elite CT-3372 Rapid 3 carbon tripod). Each gimbal in terms of its structure will have certain vibrational tuning characteristics as well. The 393 is interesting because you can easily tighten it so that it's movement can also be tuned for resistance. Too bad it wasn't included since it's a different type of gimbal from the group you tested.
what are some of the best options for small gimbals? For general purpose use, not for telephoto. I prefer to use gimbals but I don't really want to carry a huge gimbal around all the time 😅 thanks in advance ❤
I use a Wimberly with a Benro leveling base.. You will need this anyway and it has a bubble level..! It runs around 70-100.00 US Not only that the hight of the leveling base will give you more clearance to turn lower knobs. Important thing to ask yourself, am I really gonna adjust the legs to get my tripod level..? Just get the base when you buy the head!:) This pertains to any pan-tilt type head
I'm a video guy. Is there a significant difference between these and the actions of a panning and tilting video head? (apart from the bar sticking out the back.)
I guess it depends on how much one values many of these accessories (and most of them are of little value to me). The one "accessory" not mentioned is the most valuable (IMHO): customer service. If you're in the US, that puts Wimberly and Pro Media at the top of my list. Again, the mileage of others may vary :-)
Hi, I think you missed Fotopro E-9H which is the full version like others. I use Wimberley versi 2 as my primary gimbal, the sidekick that I never use, and the Fotopro E-6H that you review. The 6H is good for smaller lens, and very portable, and it has a holder that you did not show to us. Nice product. I am satisfied with mine. The Katana is not available in Indonesia, but it seems it is similar to Leofoto version (I know who copied who). The one that I really interested is RRS. I wish you review it with others. Thanks anyway. Cheers.
Function, function, function. You don't need any "features" or accessories, you need a Wimberley!! You will NEVER regret the price, and may never want to use a ball head again. I put everything on that Wimberley, binoculars, prime lenses, long glass, point and shoots, everything!
5:50 I find most lens footplate locks I've used to be inadequate in this way. Either like you said, disengaging with the slightest of turns, or just no real purchase on the knob to ensure adequate tightening. Even the venerable WH200 is guilty of this.
Although not in the review because of the sponsorship…. I too have the same Pro Media Gear gimbal and Arca Rails. I am a hobby photographer at the moment… I do enjoy using my Gimbal having switched from the Induro for the exact reasons that Matt mentioned.
I also think that the horizontal and vertical joint bearings, as in what smoothness ball bearings can give is very important. That in conjunction too the size and grip of the two directions control knobs is quite important.
I had a gimbal which was OK but I eventually found that it’s limitations got in the way. I find the Wimberley very good to use. It just gets out of the way and makes the process easier.
Thanks Matt - this is actually something I've been looking for in the near future. I do have a Neewer one, but it's a cheapie (although value would be high at under 100/150 cf). So as often been my choices in the tripod field .. Benro vs Sirui it seems. Grateful for this review .. TY.
Thanks for another informative review. About 2 weeks' ago I bought a Leofoto PG-1 Gimbal Head in Canada for about C$500 which is about US$390. I don't know if you know this company but so far it has worked well for me. I wonder how it compares to the ones you reviewed. My carbon fibre tripod is also Leafoto, which I've had for months and very happy with it. It's brand they do not carry at B&H I think.
I just purchased the GKJr. Katana Junior, based largely on your glowing recommendation - but hugely DISAPPOINTED. It arrived suspiciously packaged (and was shipped directly from the manufacturer) with only a layer of bubble wrap and no type of foam or case (don't even know if it's supposed to have such). Worst of all, a key part was not included - no Arca plate. I dearly wish I had instead gone with the Wimberley. For $650 I expect much, much better than this!
@@mattgranger Re-watching this video to help me decide what to replace this pitiful ProMediaGear on with. There is no excuse for shipping me an obvious used/returned item with marks and missing parts - and passing it off as new. My attempt to engage their customer service has gone unanswered. I'd rather have a slightly inferior product that is made by a more reputable company. BTW - very much like and appreciate your videos and perspective on things - this is in no way a reflection on this excellent channel.
Thanks Matt for another informative post. Any thoughts on the Wimberley vs the Gitzo in terms of performance? Also, how's the fluid dampening on the panning on the Gitzo when doing some video pans? Although I would use it mostly for photography, I do some light video work and I'm thinking it may be nice to have some dampening on the panning function. Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Good video. One comment: you remark that the Gitzo is not priced at their typical premium. However, it is also rated at only 17 pounds, which is substantially less than many others in the price point. I see you do mention that at the ending summary.
Lately when I'm getting serious about buying something I always search for your videos and they never disappoint. Within the last 4 months I've purchased to Voigtlander lenses based on your reviews so I appreciate the gimbal comparisons. In my mind I had pre-selected the Benro and your review confirmed by selection but now I am wondering whether your mind has changed about the ProMedia gimbal or is it still you choice? Do you have a review of it? Thanks again Matt!!
I have the wimberley and the katana prodemdiagear gimball. For panning the promedia gear is better , more fluid . The promediagear will shift if you completely tighten the knobs, the wimnerley doesn't. The wimberley is more sturdy, has better rubber knobs but is heavier . Another useful option for traveling lighter is a monopod with the wimnerley monogimball! That's a beautiful light setup that work as good as a full gimball.
I would be interesting to see a comparison using the gimbal heads on a monopod. It’s offend not practical or it’s not allowed to use a tripod at sporting events.
OMG. I recently returned from Africa. The lodge would provide permanent photo blinds equipped with Benro gimbals. Granted, the Benro heads had seen a lot of use from clients but they performed poorly. For many years now, my personal gimbal has been the Wimberley. Folks, there is no comparison between Wimberley and Benro. There may be a gimbal somewhere as good or better than the Wimberley, but it sure ain't Benro. My advise, spend the extra money, get a Wimberley and you're done.
The folks at Wimberley dont take any risks printing accessory prices. Indeed those are so high that they can survive years of inflation, both on material and productions costs.
i bought the Benro carbon one a few years ago for my 600mm and small telescope and i've had no reason to change it, performs well i went with the benro initially as i already had a couple of their carbon tripods, when stuff works you tend to stick with a brand i would say after watching this video the only thing i see better in a couple of the others is the nicer pouch, the benro does come with a bag but i like the look of the pouch.
Its a pity that the OBEN's didn't have better knobs and stoppers, don't know why manufacturers skimp on such details that won't add much to their production cost.
If you can't trust yourself to be unbiased just because PMG has become a sponsor, does that mean that we should trust you less? You were honest and up front, and that has its own value for your reputation and what you present. You should have included the PMG in your assessment, even after letting us know that there is a monetary connection. The best is still the best, no matter if they sponsor you or not. I'd like to see you list things in columns, such as accessories included, or the cost to acquire them. Rate the accessories separately. Rate the knobs and clamps separately. Are upgrades available from the manufacturer, or possibly from aftermarket sources? Then let the viewer add up what matters to them and their own decision. I value your input, but I think this could have been done better. I have the PMG Tomahawk Half-Gimbal. It's a wonderful device. However, I don't like their tiny metal knob for the Arca-Swiss clamp. For $10 I got 5 knobs and now I have something I can grab, plus 4 spare ones for friends or other projects.
@@mattgranger Thank you for replying, which I didn't expect, and for being clear about your stand. I appreciate that you are willing to stick to that standard. You have always been honest, which is why your reviews are worth watching. Keep up the good work.
Fluid heads are much more versatile options than gimbals especially for wildlife and bird photography. Gimbals are only useful for fast panning shots but will never be as stable as fluid heads when shooting at slow shutter speed whilst fluid heads can do both.
@@TheSpiv Up to one’s preference. I’ve been using both FSB8 and ACE XL heads after I’ve dumbed my Gitzo fluid gimbal. Will never use gimbal again. Just useless if you needed to shot at slow shutter speeds. Panning with fluid head is as smooth as if not better than with gimbals.
I think this topic is interesting. I use prime lenses with my gimbal set up. The stability is in no way an issue if you lock the Wimberley. That said, that is my experience with the tripod and gimbal I own now. It was not the case with a different brand. Wide generalisations are often much wider of the mark than they need to be. The specific gear you choose is really really important as is your technique. Gimbals do need a good working knowledge of how to use it to get the best out of it. (See Backcountry Gallery for tips on the correct way to balance the lens on a gimbal and how to place your arms and even your forehead to get the best out of it) For some of us a great gimbal ( I love the Wimberley) and good technique will be excellent for others a fluid head may suit their style of photography and subjects better.
@@TheSpiv I seldom shoot video. (That may change with a Z9 -🤔) I can see how a fluid head would be useful if you did. To do video with a non damped gimbal you would need a really good one. I think the Wimberley would work better as a video head than a fluid head would tracking fast moving birds in flight. I agree it is the type of shooting involved. BIF has its own specific needs. In my case I have opted for something I know works reliably.
The photopro gimbal he positioned it so the knob for panning was over the leg. He then complained about bumping his knuckles. The footplate is for balancing your camera and lens, once it is set you can move through the vertical axis. He moved the footpate fully forward and complained that it hit the tripod when pointing down. It only hit the tripod because he moved the footplate so far forward. It was at this point that I lost interest in this reviewer. He created the problems he criticised.
To be fair, RRS's full size gimbals (PG-02 & FG-02) are no longer available. All they currently have in their lineup is their compact pano-gimbal PG-01 (when it's in stock), which is designed for taking panoramic images. It's not designed to hold a full size DSLR with a 500mm or 600mm lens like a traditional gimbal is. Plus, the PG-02 & FG-02 were super expensive as I recall ($800-$1000).
@@Robert-R I think PG-02 should be included. From their website: "Our PG-02 mates ideally with Series-3 size tripods. Its robust capacity shines with super-telephoto lenses to smoothly track wildlife (or people) in motion and is perfectly designed for shooting panoramas." RRS makes expensive gear, but the video does not qualify pricing as a factor or inclusion
@looseshoulders Sumali If you look through their website you'll find the PG-02 and FG-02 are no longer available. It will show them when you go the main Gimbal Heads section and provide a brief description, but if you click on the Shop link under the PG-02 or FG-02 it will take you to a 404 Page Not Found. If you click on the Shop All link at the top of the Gimbal Head section it will only show you the PG-01 option. RRS just haven't fully updated their website to reflect the fact that they're no longer available. I remember noticing they weren't available back in June when I was looking at the PG-01 for panos. Actually, I remember that they had a note on their PG-02 page earlier in the year that they were in the process of redesigning it, so that would make sense as to why it is currently no longer available. Maybe they'll have a new one next year.
Correction, Payboo is 2.5% a MONTH. Either pay it off when the bill comes or transfer to another card. It will quickly cancel out the savings from the sales tax
Hello Matt, Just like to say that I was for years I use Manffrot tripod and heads, apart from my gimbal head which was a Indro and not the bast. But about a year ago I have switched to Benro tripod and geared heads and finding them very good. I have not tried the gimbal head get.
Hey Mat, i have tested the benro with the Nikon 200-500. The Tripod clamp is not arca swiss, and the screws are to short , so i can‘t put it together safety, with the plate. Must i buy a 3td Party Tripod clamp? Hope you can help me. Nice Video 👍🏻
- RRS (Really Right Stuff) - (and Novoflex) + I dont know of, I did not have to research the options as you should have) : Is it Promediagear that did not allow You to throw them in into your "allowed to compete" merchandising ? Or self sensoring ? Or truly ignorance ? Take our pick. In any case : This way to play decency to us is despicable.
I feel like I’ve wasted 30 minutes. Not only was some of your conclusions flawed on some of those gambols, perhaps because of a lack of experience with those brands but your removal from the list of your favourite gimbal because they sponsored the previous Z9 review was a mistake as the whole point in a fair comparison is to compare them all, especially your favourite and why it’s your favourite. I was interested in this gimbal and am now none the wiser so I’ll have to find another review of it. Also a BIG factor in gimbal design is nodel point position over the centre column, these gimbals vary widely.
Sorry, Matt, but I'm a little disappointed in your video. I had hoped to see a video that was more comprehensive I could direct people to when discussing gimbals. Let me explain. First, I was hoping to see more of a comparison of the different types of gimbal heads: J-type (all the ones you reviewed), side-mount, U-type and gimbal adapters. All of those types have their uses, pluses and minuses. J-type such as you showed and was popularized by the original Wimberley 25 or 39 years ago is the most common and serves well. There are myriad copies of that original, some of which have added features or mods. Those can be a plus or a minus, as you demonstrated with the click stops on the Fotopro,vwhich might be useful for some purposes but may compromise smoothness. That head also was the most compact of the bunch, part of the reason the one knob was a bit difficult to operate. However, to be fair that particular knob is one most people would only use once during setup and then not need to manipulate again until they removed the lens. You also noted restricted tilt movements, but only after tilting the lens much farther than would ever be necessary. In fact, your lens undoubtedly can't even focus anywhere near that close. Side-mount gimbal heads save some weight, but typically cannot accommodate quite as much gear weight. U-type or shaped gimbals (like the Manfritto) with a "cradle" between two uprights are less common and can handle a whole lot of weight, but also are bulky and heavy themselves. I'm always suspicious of load capacity ratings, anyway. It's just a number the manufacturer came up with somehow. Who knows if or how they tested it to arrive at that rating. Some of the heads you showed were rated for 44 lb. and I think one even for 100 lb. Ridiculious! No one is ever going to haul that heavy gear in the field and I really doubt those heads would support it, anyway. There are several gimbal adapters available too, such as the Wimberley Sidekick. These work in conjunction with a ballhead that remains on the tripod, allowing it to be switched back and forth quickly and easily for gimbal or "regular" use. The adapter provides only the tilt movements, while the ballhead provides the panning axis movements. Personally I've been using a Sidekick in conjunction with a Kirk BH-1 ballhead for 20 years on my most frequently used tripod. It goes with me and gets used on nearly every shoot (sits atop a Gitzo Series 3 Systematic tripod with no center column, instead with a leveling platform for quicker setups). I also use a full size J-type gimbal on another, similar tripod. But that's pretty much dedicated to "large telephotos only" since I'd have to remove the gimbal and replace it with a standard head for any other use. This is the case with all the types of gimbals, other than the adapters. I choose not to carry around a second head or any tools needed to make that swap, so the tripod I've got set up with the full size gimbal is more specialized and only goes on shoots where I'm pretty sure I'll need it. Finally, you cited a lack of features on and accessories with the Wimberley. That's true.... But some of the items you noted in their catalog aren't supplied with any of the other heads, either. The modular flash brackets, for example. I think the Wimberley is one of few that also can be changed back and forth between side and bottom mounting. Also, many lenses today require a special plate or even a replacement foot or tripod ring to be used properly in a gimbal (not to mention generic plates are cheap and widely available). Some lenses even come now with an Arca dovetail built right into their tripod ring foot, so no plate is needed. For those reasons, I don't see lack of a plate included with the head as a very big deal. And, a pouch? Seriously? I've never seen or used one with a gimbal head. I do use spare lens pouches to protect ballheads, but they really aren't néeded because I keep each of my tripods in a protective carry bag anyway. Your video is fine as far as it goes. You did a good job demonstrating setting up and using a lens on a gimbal, plus gave good advice about tripod selection and practical budgeting. A good tripod can last a lifetime, but many people buy too cheap, then end up spending more on replacements. I just wish you had done a bit more showing the different types of gimbal heads.
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I have the Wimberley WH-200 and I don‘t miss any „features“. I have a level bubble on my Gitzo Series 5 tripod. The gimbal does the job and never lets me down, no other gimbal convinced me when i was looking for some rigid and reliable gear. A friend of mine bought a cheaper one and after I tested this one i was very glad that had chosen the Wimberley one.
I have been using the Oben GH-30 for over a year and I absolutely love it. Paid $179 for it and am totally satisfied with build quality and smooth functionality. Only complaint is it is a bit heavy. Not sure I agree with your assessment of the knob being flimsy. I crank mine pretty good and have never had any problem with it. Thanks for the review.
Same experience here with GH-30. Knobs actually look like the Wimberley knobs to me. Very smooth.
Wish you’d been able to test the Fotopro E-9 (or even the E-7) rather than the E-6. Much more in line with the others in the range. The E-6 is a compact, lower bearing version. Also, the 45 degree detent is useful for lowering the center of gravity and balancing the bigger lenses, a feature the others don’t have. Much more useful than being able to get out of focus shots of (too close) foxes! Thanks for the time you took on this comparison!
I bought my Benro the non carbon model about seven years ago when I first got into telephoto shooting, now using it with a 600 F4 and it's still going strong. Needed to replace the springs in the plate locking part and contacted Benro and they sent me a couple at no charge. I'm sure they are not expensive but I couldn't find replacements anywhere and would've paid but they took care of me. If I ever have to replace my gimbal I'll go with the new carbon fiber one.
Very informative review. Nothing can replace real hands on experience in the field.
Some comment on the FotoPro E-6H: I think you missed a bit the intention of the lower axis. It is certainly not made to use as an alternative to the upper tilt axis. Instead, it gives a lot of extra flexibility. You also can use the +-90° degree positions if you raise the cradle a bit. Even in +-45° position it allows you to look straight up or down, which none of the conventional gimbals do. It also can be handy to shift the weight more towards front or back over your tripod. Or bring the camera closer to you if necessary. Also folding down for transport can be really handy.
All that said, i think it is not the right tool for many who just need a solid support for their 600/F4 and those extras have zero benefit.
Excellent! I am using the metal version of the Benro (GH 2) which is 1.44kg. It is a very good gimbal. This video is excellent! BTW for those in the buying market, I bought my gimbal that was a demo model along with a set of carbon fiber legs and saved $400.00! The legs and gimbal were complete in box and like brand new.
For the Fotopro it probably would have been to compare the other with the Fotopro E-9H. I would have also added the Leofoto PG-1 to the lineup.
Those are both of my GoTo's. The Fotopro E-9H is just so versatile it's crazy. The LeoFoto PG-1 is pretty much the Katana Jr. And the LeoFoto Tripod legs are awesome. I have some ProMedia gear stuff too. And while it's great stuff, some of the "Extras" aren't there like on the LeoFoto stuff.
When doing scoring type of comparison, it would be very useful to put a table up at the end to show all products and relevant information like categories and scores as a summary of the descriptions.
Good review all around but I have a bone to pick. In the Fotopro 90 degree demonstration, the cradle was extended out to its absolute lowest possible setting and your hand was covering the knob that controls that up and down adjustment. Furthermore when demonstrating the tilt of the lens, you had a long Arca swiss rail on the bottom of the lens. Most people do not have a long Arca swiss rail mounted to the bottom of their lens.
I own a Wimberley side mount version. This is lighter and more compact than the version with the cradle. The Kirk foot replacement on the 500 F4 has the arca swiss grooves. In operation the Wimberley is beautifully smooth and the knobs are designed and built so it just works how you want it to. True, it is expensive but for the work it does for me, the sheer functionality is far more valuable than accessories I don’t want or need. If you think bags and accessories plates etc are more important, the in my opinion is that is an “interesting” choice. In reality the accessories belong in the cupboard at home because the real task is making the process of following birds in flight and you don’t need accessories to actually do that.
A good (gimble) head to head review, Matt. I own the Benro GH5C & am very happy with it. I compared both the Benro & the Wimberley & nice as the Wimberley is the price difference here in the UK killed the Wimberley for me. Benro £314, Wimberley £665 (UK Pounds). The Benro GH5C won hands down. That was a couple of years ago & it was been in fairly regular use ever since & still looks & feels like it's brand new. What difference, if any would UK prices have made to your value scores when comparing the Benro & the Wimberley, I wonder? Thanks once again for your time & effort in putting comparative reviews like this together. It's very much appreciated, Matt.
Another alternative that I've found does the trick exceedingly well (and replaced my Wimberley Sidekick) is the Flexshooter Arca ballhead. Far smaller and lighter, and works as well as a gimbal for 90% of the time for sports. Really an interesting alternative.
Hey Matt!! 2 things to correct in your video for the Profoto Eagle E6-H. One is that if you take out the cradle and mount your lens on the arca swiss holder, you will get lens balance with say a Nikon 500 f/4 with a Z9. Also if you can raise the height of the cradle to get the 90degree angle you could not do in the video. For me, i had bought the wimberly 200. But it was simply too heavy to carry on flight and i realised i simply stopped taking it along. I have ordered the fotopro hoping it will solve my needs of a compact gimbal weighing 700 grams (without the cradle) instead of 1.4 kg of the wimberly for my 500mm f/4. Thanks for the awesome content you keep posting!
Thank you, Matt. For products like this, I much prefer these side-by-side comparisons, over just doing a video on a single product. Details matter!
Interesting video. I have also owned and tested a number of different gimbal heads. Wimberly original 100 and current 200 model. Benro GH2, Induro, Gitzo fluid head, Leofoto PG1, and Custom Brackets. The one I liked the least was the Benro. I sold it and bought another Wimberley. I have more than one gimbal head. If all you want is something to chase birds in flight, then there's not much difference in performance among the gimbal's I've had. However, if you want to shoot something that is temporarily static and quickly get the framing perfect before it moves, then you want something that is very smooth without stiction. Wimberley does that better than anybody. The Benro I had was the worse....couldn't stand it. And say you have the framing perfect and want to tighten down the knobs without the gimbal moving....Wimberley wins again. Tighten the knobs on, say, the Leofoto and your lens will move as you tighten. Same with the others, the only exception being the Custom Brackets.
The Leofoto is the lightest I've tried, and stiction is not a problem, but it's easier to dial in the Wimberley to the right amount of resistence. However, the Leofoto moves the lens when you tighten the knobs and the knob fine tuning is crazy. They used much too fine a thread on the main knobs and much too course a thread on the plate holder knob where you put your lens foot.
The Gitzo is maybe a little too damped with fluid resistance for following birds...at least my copy never loosened up that much. The Custom Brackets has too many knobs and adjustments. Bit of a pain to use. The Induro is like a cheap Wimberley, it has some stiction, but better than the Benro. All that said, I've had an issue with all these Gimbals if a bird flys straight overhead. Makes me wonder about the Fotopro tilting to the side so you can point your lens straight up.
i've been looking at the fotopro e9-h as a future purchase, mostly because it has side to side adjustments which i might be able to use for panos.
one of the nice things about the fotopro is that the cradle can be removed, and the side clamp is also arca-swiss compatible, giving you a side mount gimbal and regular gimbal all in one. for fatter lenses/small refractor telescopes, or even smaller lenses and my l-bracket, the side mount option is nice. i could even get a nodal rail to help w/ balancing for the side mount.
regarding the issue of not being able to point down at the ground, if you used the 45 degree tilt forward, you'd have the clearance to point lower than other gimbals. tilting backwards would similarly allow you to tilt the camera higher up towards the sky.
the higher resistance of the fotopro is good to note, and a little worrisome. ideally i would like it to replace the cheap knockoff gimbal that is very very similar to the non carbon oben gimbal you reviewed. being about $100 cheaper, the grease made it almost unusable though, so i immediately took it apart and regreased it, and it's very smooth now. works great w/ my sony 200-600.
i like the idea of having a perfectly balanced gimbal setup compared to using my ball head--not a fan of my lenses dropping suddenly when i undo the tension. the fotopro theoretically would allow me to use any camera lens combo balanced w/ the side mount (using my l bracket or an additonal nodal rail + clamp), and adjustments for perfect panoramas. i do have a leveling base, so the low clearance for knobs don't bother me.
anyway, enjoyed your video as always.
Exactly why I got the Fotopro E9-h. And the click stops for pano's is a nice addition too. I heard the grease inside is heavy and that's what slows down the movement. I've wondered if it's able to change to a lighter grease. For for Pano's I kind of like it being a lil heavier to move.
@@mverick160 I had the same issue with the Nest gimble I purchased a few years ago, pan action was really tight. But I found a video that explained how to replace the grease and now it's very smooth. The grease was more like a mix of Super Glue and STP, extremely thick and sticky. I replaced it with a high quality bearing grease. So, it may be possible to replace the grease on the E9 but I'd be very careful in putting it back together. But I like both the Fotopro E6 and E9.
Apologies if this shows up twice but my original comment disappeared when I refreshed the page.
I own the Wimberly WH-200, and while more expensive, in my opinion it's well worth it. The pan & tilt are very smooth and can be set with just the right amount of tension. I find the lack of bubble levels on gimbal heads to be irrelevant. You are tilting fore and aft anyway, so being level in that axis is unnecessary. Plus, large lenses have a collar to allow rotation of the lens, and I tend to shoot with that loose, so no need to be level in that axis. If you really need a level, pretty much all tripods will have one nowadays, as well as modern cameras having electronic levels.
If you're interested in the Wimberly I would order directly from them. The reason being that you can order it without the cradle from Wimberly. Then order the PG-CC cradle from Really Right Stuff as it's designed to fit the Wimberly. This is a much better cradle with a lever lock, which I find so much easier to use than knobs. I found this to be the best combination out there, to be frank. The cost savings of ordering the WH-200 w/o a cradle doesn't offset the cost of the RRS cradle, but they also offer discounts for blemished items. So, if they have a blemished WH-200 available I found that the additional savings to offset the cost of the RRS cradle. And their standards for what constitutes a blemish are pretty high as I couldn't find anything I would consider a blemish. These are just my experiences from when I bought mine 3 years ago. If you're interested in going down that route, call Wimberly and see what they have available. They are very helpful.
Matt- I am curious as to why you prefer to use the gimbal with the upright along the left side of the lens rather than the right? Did you find it easier to stabilize? I find it easier to have the upright on the right side of the lens as that opens up access to the left side switches on the lens, plus allows you to rest your hand on top of the lens for stability rather than the gimbal. This also gives you easy access to the AF buttons as you're shooting.
Great video on the Gimbal Heads, I got the Sirui PH-10 & PH-30, use them both for DSLR Cameras & Precision Rifle Shooting, like the Carbon Fiber Material, Weight Capacity, Fast Lockout Feature, & the Price of them.
Like you, I LOVE my Katana Jr. and I have the Wimberley II as well . But I use RRS leveling bases with both which include bubble levels so the Wimberley without one is no problem
This video actually convinced me to buy the Promedia Katana. Gave me all the detail. I was on the fence until I saw the competition
I replaced my Wimberly with a Katana Jr this week. So far I am very pleased. The Pro Media Gear products are made very well, right here in the USA.
Jobu Heavy Duty was my choice back in the day. Still is. Their Algonquin tripod too.
How important is the bubble level for people though? Most cameras around have a build in level anyway and I find it more convenient to look on that one rather than have one or two bubble levels on the head/tripod
Wimberly for the win.. when I picked up my 500mm The Wimberly is where I went to.
Did you test any others out? A lot of people go with them as they are 'the best', but there are lots of new options in the market - hence this video :)
@@mattgranger Hey Matt,
No. I never looked at any other units. I saw a video on the Wimberly and was sold on it. I also had a buddy who had one so i was able to play with it before i made my purchase. I think it will outlive me.
Wonderfully detailed. Thank you for going through them. I also appreciate your honesty in not including the Promedia because you are sponsored by them.
I own the Benro GH5C gimbal head and I love it for my Nikon 600mm /4.0 with my Benro TMA48CXL Mach3 tripod.
Thank you for reviewing the gimbal heads.........
Great video. Some of those small control knobs may be a problem when wearing gloves in the cold!
I can join in on the Induro. After a couple of years the horizontal and vertical locks have loosened with respect to them being either tight or loose. Difficult to adjust or use with friction.
I also find that I have to tighten them more to get them to lock. I also feel that I can force them to move.
Secondly, I find that it is sticking at least in the horizontal direction, if I have to move just slightly or a little more to the side to get on a subject. It seems to move in a step or click fashion, where if you have a bird who is hopping to different positions on a fence, your first movement will go past the bird.
If I ever replace the gimbal, I would not get another Induro.
Thanks for the feedback 👍🏼
Your concerns about FotoPro customer support / service (being china only) were spot on. Purchased an E9 tripod & gimbal thru one of the major NYC photo stores (at a much discounted price). Nice feature set, could be a great design, but POOR manufacturing & quality control. Received unit that had one bad leg lock joint and a pan drag MUCH greater than the tilt friction. Worked (slowly) with manufacturer in china to get repair parts for the leg, but was told that I would need to ship the (brand New) head back to china, , at my cost both ways for service. The NYC store was accommodating to accept the return and put a new one on back order. I'm not holding my breath as they no longer list the package on their web site. Saving for a pro media gear package.
Sorry to hear that.
Great review Matt, I'm now in a quandary... I had my sights on the Sirui PH-20, but the Benro is now a contender. More research required. :)
Very good comparison. This is a piece of kit I don't have yet, and have been confused by the choices - this video has been valuable assistance!
The fotopro looks like a great hybrid but if the panning is stiff that's a major downgrade.Might go Wimberley or promedia gear and use a quick release to swap between ballhead and gimbal.
I'd love to see you take a look at the Leofoto gimbal head (I think it's something like "PG-1)
I have been looking into gimbal heads, so the timing of this video was perfect. Thank you.
You’re welcome!
I have a Wimberley WH100 (the original from Wimberley), it supports my Nikon 400 2.8 brilliantly. If I were in the market for any of these, I would only look at the Wimberley. Their stuff is expensive, but it's brilliant.
It pays to see what’s new. Wimberly haven’t innovated much in a decade.
Maybe I missed it .. what’s the diff between the 100 and the 200?
@@gewglesux Not a huge amount. The main difference is the locking mechanism for the base. On the 100, there is a knob on the top to clamp the arm, where as on the 200 the knob is on the side. The knobs are easier to use on the 200, especially if you're wearing gloves.
@@creynolds247 Thanks for the reply. I guess if there's a V2 there must be a V1 ! Sadly I've only had mine out in the wild a few times. I have a 500pf that's the biggest Lens i have. I know it's built for more but that what i have currently.
@@gewglesux The newer Model 200 is lighter and the knobs are nicer. I also believe it's smoother.
It appears the 3 in 1 design of the Fotopro is meant to fold to those 90* up or down positions when your camera's L-bracket is attached to the head instead of the gimbal arm. Over all it's a clever design but leaves me a bit leery as the RRS L-bracket on my D850 doesn't have slide stops on the side plate (I can imagine turning my back to grab a filter and hearing a crash) also in this mode the head really requires a set of legs with a leveling plate.
Great video, Matt. Really informative. I own the Wimberley Mono Gimbal which is a fantastic piece of gear. On the basis of that even though the value proposition is not as good as others I'd probably go for WH-200. In the end you can't beat quality.
I recently bought the Oben GH 30C (carbon) from B&H at the sale price. I have an Oben tripod too, so that influenced my selection as well as the price. I have only had it for a few days, so I can't speak to dependability, but it seems good enough for my needs with a Canon 100-500 lens. I bought a longer Oben ARCA plate thinking I might need more adjustment, but I found the standard plate had enough adjustment to account for the balance changes when racking the lens between 100 and 500 mm. After watching this video I think I will buy an add-on spirit bubble, as the one on my tripod gets covered up by the gimbal head.
First time viewer and new subscriber here. Thanks for the concise review of these heads! I'm in the research phase in considering getting my first gimbal and it was very inciteful. You have me leaning toward Benro already 😀 I'm a bit biased that way already as I love my Benro Mach 3 legs and Benro ball head combo already.
Thanks Matt, that was very informative and helpful!
I'm curious, as all of these are single arm gimbals. I use a Manfrotto 393 gimbal which has a "tuning fork" configuration (two mounting points) as I shoot with an 800mm f5.6 AI-S with TC-301. It's a very economical gimbal and I've taken planetary photos with great success with it as I wanted maximum stability (combined it with a Fiesol Elite CT-3372 Rapid 3 carbon tripod). Each gimbal in terms of its structure will have certain vibrational tuning characteristics as well. The 393 is interesting because you can easily tighten it so that it's movement can also be tuned for resistance. Too bad it wasn't included since it's a different type of gimbal from the group you tested.
what are some of the best options for small gimbals?
For general purpose use, not for telephoto.
I prefer to use gimbals but I don't really want to carry a huge gimbal around all the time 😅
thanks in advance ❤
I use a Wimberly with a Benro leveling base.. You will need this anyway and it has a bubble level..! It runs around 70-100.00 US Not only that the hight of the leveling base will give you more clearance to turn lower knobs. Important thing to ask yourself, am I really gonna adjust the legs to get my tripod level..? Just get the base when you buy the head!:) This pertains to any pan-tilt type head
@@TheSpiv It is the same diameter as the gimble base which means it is make especially for the Benro gimble head.. Or any gamble head. !:)
I'm a video guy. Is there a significant difference between these and the actions of a panning and tilting video head? (apart from the bar sticking out the back.)
I guess it depends on how much one values many of these accessories (and most of them are of little value to me). The one "accessory" not mentioned is the most valuable (IMHO): customer service. If you're in the US, that puts Wimberly and Pro Media at the top of my list. Again, the mileage of others may vary :-)
Hi, I think you missed Fotopro E-9H which is the full version like others. I use Wimberley versi 2 as my primary gimbal, the sidekick that I never use, and the Fotopro E-6H that you review. The 6H is good for smaller lens, and very portable, and it has a holder that you did not show to us. Nice product. I am satisfied with mine. The Katana is not available in Indonesia, but it seems it is similar to Leofoto version (I know who copied who). The one that I really interested is RRS. I wish you review it with others. Thanks anyway. Cheers.
Function, function, function. You don't need any "features" or accessories, you need a Wimberley!! You will NEVER regret the price, and may never want to use a ball head again. I put everything on that Wimberley, binoculars, prime lenses, long glass, point and shoots, everything!
Love this, the Benro sounds like a bargain.
I got the Leofoto PG-1 Gimbal Head for $500AUD to use with my Sony 200-600G I found it was quite enjoyable to use, nice and smooth operations.
5:50 I find most lens footplate locks I've used to be inadequate in this way. Either like you said, disengaging with the slightest of turns, or just no real purchase on the knob to ensure adequate tightening. Even the venerable WH200 is guilty of this.
Although not in the review because of the sponsorship…. I too have the same Pro Media Gear gimbal and Arca Rails. I am a hobby photographer at the moment… I do enjoy using my Gimbal having switched from the Induro for the exact reasons that Matt mentioned.
The PMG is great right! Enjoy
I also think that the horizontal and vertical joint bearings, as in what smoothness ball bearings can give is very important.
That in conjunction too the size and grip of the two directions control knobs is quite important.
I had a gimbal which was OK but I eventually found that it’s limitations got in the way. I find the Wimberley very good to use. It just gets out of the way and makes the process easier.
Coming from a 'hybrid' standpoint, I like the Leofoto one (Fotopro). I'm currently looking for a pano head for landscapes.
I use the Neewer alloy gimbal with a Neewer carbon tripod, not had any issues as yet
Thanks Matt - this is actually something I've been looking for in the near future. I do have a Neewer one, but it's a cheapie (although value would be high at under 100/150 cf). So as often been my choices in the tripod field .. Benro vs Sirui it seems. Grateful for this review .. TY.
Wow actually needed this review. Been noticing your gimbal use and was thinking about getting one.
awesome, i’m just about to buy my dream lens, the 400mm f/2.8 G ED VR, and i’ve been curious about gimbals!
Read my comment first.
Thanks for another informative review. About 2 weeks' ago I bought a Leofoto PG-1 Gimbal Head in Canada for about C$500 which is about US$390. I don't know if you know this company but so far it has worked well for me. I wonder how it compares to the ones you reviewed. My carbon fibre tripod is also Leafoto, which I've had for months and very happy with it. It's brand they do not carry at B&H I think.
I have two smooth fluid heads, one for the field, and one for the studio. What benefits does one gain with a gimbal head over a fluid head?
I was hoping to hear your opinion on the Leofoto PG-1. It looks very similar to your favorite Promediagear head?
Great comparison, thanks.
I just purchased the GKJr. Katana Junior, based largely on your glowing recommendation - but hugely DISAPPOINTED. It arrived suspiciously packaged (and was shipped directly from the manufacturer) with only a layer of bubble wrap and no type of foam or case (don't even know if it's supposed to have such). Worst of all, a key part was not included - no Arca plate. I dearly wish I had instead gone with the Wimberley. For $650 I expect much, much better than this!
I’m sorry to hear that - use it and you’ll see how good it is.
@@mattgranger Re-watching this video to help me decide what to replace this pitiful ProMediaGear on with. There is no excuse for shipping me an obvious used/returned item with marks and missing parts - and passing it off as new. My attempt to engage their customer service has gone unanswered. I'd rather have a slightly inferior product that is made by a more reputable company. BTW - very much like and appreciate your videos and perspective on things - this is in no way a reflection on this excellent channel.
@@JustinOpinionChannel Wimberley is an excellent company to do business with. I've had experience and have been very satisfied.
Thanks Matt for another informative post. Any thoughts on the Wimberley vs the Gitzo in terms of performance? Also, how's the fluid dampening on the panning on the Gitzo when doing some video pans? Although I would use it mostly for photography, I do some light video work and I'm thinking it may be nice to have some dampening on the panning function. Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Good video. One comment: you remark that the Gitzo is not priced at their typical premium. However, it is also rated at only 17 pounds, which is substantially less than many others in the price point. I see you do mention that at the ending summary.
I always wonder how the various manufacturers measure the weight rating for their equipment.
Hi Matt,…What is the make and model of the tripod in this video. Thanks…
Lately when I'm getting serious about buying something I always search for your videos and they never disappoint. Within the last 4 months I've purchased to Voigtlander lenses based on your reviews so I appreciate the gimbal comparisons. In my mind I had pre-selected the Benro and your review confirmed by selection but now I am wondering whether your mind has changed about the ProMedia gimbal or is it still you choice? Do you have a review of it? Thanks again Matt!!
Hey, how about producing a travel tripod shootout? dpreview did a realy cool one, but I would like to hear your opinion!
I have the wimberley and the katana prodemdiagear gimball. For panning the promedia gear is better , more fluid . The promediagear will shift if you completely tighten the knobs, the wimnerley doesn't. The wimberley is more sturdy, has better rubber knobs but is heavier . Another useful option for traveling lighter is a monopod with the wimnerley monogimball! That's a beautiful light setup that work as good as a full gimball.
Hi Matt. What are the tripod legs you are using in this video?
Linked in description 👍🏼 geni.us/TR424L
I would be interesting to see a comparison using the gimbal heads on a monopod. It’s offend not practical or it’s not allowed to use a tripod at sporting events.
This is exactly what I want to do. Carbon fiber monopod and carbon fiber gimbal head sounds interesting to me
check out the Wimberley MH-100 Gimbal Head for Monopods. I use it for Wildlife on a Sirui tripod and it's great.
Fantastic review ! Thank you!!
Glad it was helpful!
I have the Gitzo, like it.
OMG. I recently returned from Africa. The lodge would provide permanent photo blinds equipped with Benro gimbals. Granted, the Benro heads had seen a lot of use from clients but they performed poorly. For many years now, my personal gimbal has been the Wimberley. Folks, there is no comparison between Wimberley and Benro. There may be a gimbal somewhere as good or better than the Wimberley, but it sure ain't Benro. My advise, spend the extra money, get a Wimberley and you're done.
Benro gear is superb in my experience.
Great 👍 review. B&H has good prices but not the best.
Replace your lens foot with a lower profile arca Swiss compatible... Get rid of the plate all together.
It’s a loaner lens
The folks at Wimberley dont take any risks printing accessory prices. Indeed those are so high that they can survive years of inflation, both on material and productions costs.
i bought the Benro carbon one a few years ago for my 600mm and small telescope and i've had no reason to change it, performs well
i went with the benro initially as i already had a couple of their carbon tripods, when stuff works you tend to stick with a brand
i would say after watching this video the only thing i see better in a couple of the others is the nicer pouch, the benro does come with a bag but i like the look of the pouch.
Its a pity that the OBEN's didn't have better knobs and stoppers, don't know why manufacturers skimp on such details that won't add much to their production cost.
This is great to see
If you can't trust yourself to be unbiased just because PMG has become a sponsor, does that mean that we should trust you less? You were honest and up front, and that has its own value for your reputation and what you present. You should have included the PMG in your assessment, even after letting us know that there is a monetary connection. The best is still the best, no matter if they sponsor you or not.
I'd like to see you list things in columns, such as accessories included, or the cost to acquire them. Rate the accessories separately. Rate the knobs and clamps separately. Are upgrades available from the manufacturer, or possibly from aftermarket sources?
Then let the viewer add up what matters to them and their own decision. I value your input, but I think this could have been done better.
I have the PMG Tomahawk Half-Gimbal. It's a wonderful device. However, I don't like their tiny metal knob for the Arca-Swiss clamp. For $10 I got 5 knobs and now I have something I can grab, plus 4 spare ones for friends or other projects.
I stick to my standards. I won’t ‘review’ something if payment is involved.
@@mattgranger Thank you for replying, which I didn't expect, and for being clear about your stand. I appreciate that you are willing to stick to that standard. You have always been honest, which is why your reviews are worth watching. Keep up the good work.
No leveling dish with any of these?
not included with the head. That is usually an option with the tripod itself (and yes I have one for my PMG tripod)
Super having the side by side. Too bad Really Right Stuff was not included.
Fluid heads are much more versatile options than gimbals especially for wildlife and bird photography. Gimbals are only useful for fast panning shots but will never be as stable as fluid heads when shooting at slow shutter speed whilst fluid heads can do both.
Thanks for your thoughts. Maybe I can compare fluid heads in another video.
@@TheSpiv th-cam.com/video/j7zjh56o6qQ/w-d-xo.html
@@TheSpiv Up to one’s preference. I’ve been using both FSB8 and ACE XL heads after I’ve dumbed my Gitzo fluid gimbal. Will never use gimbal again. Just useless if you needed to shot at slow shutter speeds. Panning with fluid head is as smooth as if not better than with gimbals.
I think this topic is interesting. I use prime lenses with my gimbal set up. The stability is in no way an issue if you lock the Wimberley. That said, that is my experience with the tripod and gimbal I own now. It was not the case with a different brand. Wide generalisations are often much wider of the mark than they need to be. The specific gear you choose is really really important as is your technique. Gimbals do need a good working knowledge of how to use it to get the best out of it. (See Backcountry Gallery for tips on the correct way to balance the lens on a gimbal and how to place your arms and even your forehead to get the best out of it)
For some of us a great gimbal ( I love the Wimberley) and good technique will be excellent for others a fluid head may suit their style of photography and subjects better.
@@TheSpiv I seldom shoot video. (That may change with a Z9 -🤔) I can see how a fluid head would be useful if you did. To do video with a non damped gimbal you would need a really good one. I think the Wimberley would work better as a video head than a fluid head would tracking fast moving birds in flight.
I agree it is the type of shooting involved. BIF has its own specific needs. In my case I have opted for something I know works reliably.
The photopro gimbal he positioned it so the knob for panning was over the leg. He then complained about bumping his knuckles. The footplate is for balancing your camera and lens, once it is set you can move through the vertical axis. He moved the footpate fully forward and complained that it hit the tripod when pointing down. It only hit the tripod because he moved the footplate so far forward. It was at this point that I lost interest in this reviewer. He created the problems he criticised.
Happy Thanksgivings Granger “that Nikon guy”……
Same to you!
Hmmm....no Really Right Stuff gimbal?
To be fair, RRS's full size gimbals (PG-02 & FG-02) are no longer available. All they currently have in their lineup is their compact pano-gimbal PG-01 (when it's in stock), which is designed for taking panoramic images. It's not designed to hold a full size DSLR with a 500mm or 600mm lens like a traditional gimbal is. Plus, the PG-02 & FG-02 were super expensive as I recall ($800-$1000).
@@Robert-R I think PG-02 should be included. From their website: "Our PG-02 mates ideally with Series-3 size tripods. Its robust capacity shines with super-telephoto lenses to smoothly track wildlife (or people) in motion and is perfectly designed for shooting panoramas." RRS makes expensive gear, but the video does not qualify pricing as a factor or inclusion
@looseshoulders Sumali If you look through their website you'll find the PG-02 and FG-02 are no longer available. It will show them when you go the main Gimbal Heads section and provide a brief description, but if you click on the Shop link under the PG-02 or FG-02 it will take you to a 404 Page Not Found. If you click on the Shop All link at the top of the Gimbal Head section it will only show you the PG-01 option. RRS just haven't fully updated their website to reflect the fact that they're no longer available. I remember noticing they weren't available back in June when I was looking at the PG-01 for panos. Actually, I remember that they had a note on their PG-02 page earlier in the year that they were in the process of redesigning it, so that would make sense as to why it is currently no longer available. Maybe they'll have a new one next year.
@@Robert-R They are doing a poor job of not updating their own website.
Correction, Payboo is 2.5% a MONTH. Either pay it off when the bill comes or transfer to another card. It will quickly cancel out the savings from the sales tax
Definitely - pay it off immediately.
Hello Matt, Just like to say that I was for years I use Manffrot tripod and heads, apart from my gimbal head which was a Indro and not the bast. But about a year ago I have switched to Benro tripod and geared heads and finding them very good. I have not tried the gimbal head get.
Hey Mat, i have tested the benro with the Nikon 200-500. The Tripod clamp is not arca swiss, and the screws are to short , so i can‘t put it together safety, with the plate. Must i buy a 3td Party Tripod clamp? Hope you can help me. Nice Video 👍🏻
- RRS (Really Right Stuff)
- (and Novoflex)
+ I dont know of, I did not have to research the options as you should have) :
Is it Promediagear that did not allow You to throw them in into your
"allowed to compete" merchandising ?
Or self sensoring ?
Or truly ignorance ?
Take our pick.
In any case : This way to play decency to us is despicable.
No one had creative control over the video other than me. I included the heads I had access to.
@@mattgranger Usually at this point I would not add anything. But here I just do.
I came just for the confirmation of my Pro Media Gear choice and you excluded them from the test 😭😭 😢😢
I also said it’s my favourite
@@mattgranger I heard but not sure everyone did. I love their products just wish I could afford more.
"Sirui" is actually pronounced "SHEE-ROY".
I’m happy with my Benro tripod
On a scale of 0 to 10, average quality/value would be 5/10… so all these gimbals are above average? Doubt it.
Scale is wrong. It’s 10 is perfect and 0 is garbage. The mean average score is not 5
I feel like I’ve wasted 30 minutes. Not only was some of your conclusions flawed on some of those gambols, perhaps because of a lack of experience with those brands but your removal from the list of your favourite gimbal because they sponsored the previous Z9 review was a mistake as the whole point in a fair comparison is to compare them all, especially your favourite and why it’s your favourite. I was interested in this gimbal and am now none the wiser so I’ll have to find another review of it. Also a BIG factor in gimbal design is nodel point position over the centre column, these gimbals vary widely.
Well I disclosed that I was eliminating it at the start. Sorry you feel you wasted your time.
Yep .100 of dollars yo start and the other option is letting you 11k rental fall to the concrete
Sorry, Matt, but I'm a little disappointed in your video. I had hoped to see a video that was more comprehensive I could direct people to when discussing gimbals. Let me explain.
First, I was hoping to see more of a comparison of the different types of gimbal heads: J-type (all the ones you reviewed), side-mount, U-type and gimbal adapters. All of those types have their uses, pluses and minuses.
J-type such as you showed and was popularized by the original Wimberley 25 or 39 years ago is the most common and serves well. There are myriad copies of that original, some of which have added features or mods. Those can be a plus or a minus, as you demonstrated with the click stops on the Fotopro,vwhich might be useful for some purposes but may compromise smoothness. That head also was the most compact of the bunch, part of the reason the one knob was a bit difficult to operate. However, to be fair that particular knob is one most people would only use once during setup and then not need to manipulate again until they removed the lens. You also noted restricted tilt movements, but only after tilting the lens much farther than would ever be necessary. In fact, your lens undoubtedly can't even focus anywhere near that close.
Side-mount gimbal heads save some weight, but typically cannot accommodate quite as much gear weight.
U-type or shaped gimbals (like the Manfritto) with a "cradle" between two uprights are less common and can handle a whole lot of weight, but also are bulky and heavy themselves.
I'm always suspicious of load capacity ratings, anyway. It's just a number the manufacturer came up with somehow. Who knows if or how they tested it to arrive at that rating. Some of the heads you showed were rated for 44 lb. and I think one even for 100 lb. Ridiculious! No one is ever going to haul that heavy gear in the field and I really doubt those heads would support it, anyway.
There are several gimbal adapters available too, such as the Wimberley Sidekick. These work in conjunction with a ballhead that remains on the tripod, allowing it to be switched back and forth quickly and easily for gimbal or "regular" use. The adapter provides only the tilt movements, while the ballhead provides the panning axis movements. Personally I've been using a Sidekick in conjunction with a Kirk BH-1 ballhead for 20 years on my most frequently used tripod. It goes with me and gets used on nearly every shoot (sits atop a Gitzo Series 3 Systematic tripod with no center column, instead with a leveling platform for quicker setups).
I also use a full size J-type gimbal on another, similar tripod. But that's pretty much dedicated to "large telephotos only" since I'd have to remove the gimbal and replace it with a standard head for any other use. This is the case with all the types of gimbals, other than the adapters. I choose not to carry around a second head or any tools needed to make that swap, so the tripod I've got set up with the full size gimbal is more specialized and only goes on shoots where I'm pretty sure I'll need it.
Finally, you cited a lack of features on and accessories with the Wimberley. That's true.... But some of the items you noted in their catalog aren't supplied with any of the other heads, either. The modular flash brackets, for example. I think the Wimberley is one of few that also can be changed back and forth between side and bottom mounting. Also, many lenses today require a special plate or even a replacement foot or tripod ring to be used properly in a gimbal (not to mention generic plates are cheap and widely available). Some lenses even come now with an Arca dovetail built right into their tripod ring foot, so no plate is needed. For those reasons, I don't see lack of a plate included with the head as a very big deal.
And, a pouch? Seriously? I've never seen or used one with a gimbal head. I do use spare lens pouches to protect ballheads, but they really aren't néeded because I keep each of my tripods in a protective carry bag anyway.
Your video is fine as far as it goes. You did a good job demonstrating setting up and using a lens on a gimbal, plus gave good advice about tripod selection and practical budgeting. A good tripod can last a lifetime, but many people buy too cheap, then end up spending more on replacements. I just wish you had done a bit more showing the different types of gimbal heads.
Thanks for your feedback
Does anyone know if Stephanie and Matt are a couple? They have so mush sexual chemistry ⚛️
We are not a couple, and the only chemistry we have is as goofy friends. We are both married to other people.