I’ve watched a ton of gimbal videos and this one is by far the most informative. Now I feel I fully understand the mechanics of the gimbal. Thanks so much.
This video and Steve Perry's are the best gimbal adjustment videos I've seen. Nice, accurate work! The only suggestion I'd add for people watching this is, you can find the correct vertical position. If you set it too low, the camera will tend to level. if you set it too high, it will tip forward or back (so be careful). As James says, when it stays where you put it with all friction controls loosened, then it's correctly adjusted. One more tip: loosen your lens collar so you can freely rotate it between landscape and portrait if you want. No need to tighten it to shoot. Very freeing!
Excellent video. Thank you so much, especially explaining that the side of the gimbal (left or right) is a personal preference and will not affect the balance.
hi James. tks for sharing this very useful information. I didn't know this until I watched your video. Happy New Year 2021 to you and your family. stay healthy and stay safe
Clear, concise and to the point. Excellent info and instructions/tips on how to properly setup the gimbal. I also particularly liked the caveat at the end about how lens are getting smaller and with IBIS there might be less of a need for a gimbal head. I use a canon mirrorless R6 camera and plan on buying a RF 800mm lens do u think a decent ball head will be sufficient in preventing ball-head creep. I like gimbal heads but they are certainly more bulky to move around with than a bullhead.
Regardless of personal preferences, a ballhead will never be as stable as a balanced gimbal when you are adjusting the camera angle. As you said, the tradeoff is in the weight of carrying it around. My suggestion is that you try both before making a choice, esp with a super long 800mm that has little jitter tolerances for focusing at full length.
Thanks so much for such detailed and informative video! James, may I know is the jobu gimbal (one of the gimbal you used to produce the video) working as smooth as a wimberley?
The 'smoothness' of the rotating axis on all gimbals depends on the quality of the ball-bearings used. Yes, the Jobu Jr3 that's featured is very smooth and works as it should. It has 3 fixed vertical positions which may not be suitable for every long lens as compared to a sliding vertical rest. You should compare and select one that works for you.
If it is an internal zoom lens, it won't make much difference but if your zoom lens is extendable externally, then the centre of balance will shift each time you extend or retract the lens. You will need to make minor adjustments to bring the centre of balance back in line. This goes the same for adding or removing accessories like battery packs, dot sights, remote controls, lens hood, etc.
Tripods and Gimbals are functionally the same regardless of brands. You should visit your dealer for more specifics depending on the weight of your camera gear and lens AND your budget. For the gimbal, you'll want one that has a very smooth ball bearing that allows you to swivel/rotate without jerks. Also look at the locking mechanism (knobs or levers) and see if you prefer one type over the other. Keep in mind also the weight of the entire setup as it might be a burden if you walk a lot on your birding trips.
@@JamesTann thanks for the detailed reply. Yes, weight is one of my consideration as I like to be mobile. One more question. The gimbal head can be mounted on a ball head tripod?
@@travelbugs4280 If you remove the ball-head first, then yes. But you also have an option to use a special gimbal that attaches to a (larger) ball-head when it is positioned sideways - similar to a side mounted gimbal.
Hi, Travel Bugs alternatively you might want to consider Manfrotto 393, can be mounted on a tripod & monopod. Here's the link www.manfrotto.com/global/long-lens-monopod-bracket-393/
It's usually 'cheap' due to cost cutting reasons like using cheaper ball bearings, less precise tolerances that may lead to wobbles or movements between parts etc. Cheap may not be good and good may not be cheap.
@@JamesTann What would be a reasonable budget gimbal for someone new starting in birding? Are the brand's from Chinea like Xiletu, Andoer, Neewer be considered? Thank you.
