ONE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER

Having bought a 150-500mm Sigma lens for wildlife shots and trying to some reasonable shots I've found that while the lens is easy to hold there are times when you need a rock steady hand!!
So I'm meditating as to whether or not to buy a Gimbal head to use with a tripod when staying in one position all day at certain Nature Reserves. Has anyone had experience with using one? I'm not going to spend a huge amount on one but there are some reasonable, respected, brands out there. My haversack is already getting full of stuff that I "need" so if I get one I'll have to make room somehow!!

 

Some people, Mum, use a small bean bag or similar to rest on a bough, or large stone, but 9 times out of 10 the position isn't high enough, or pointing exactly where you want it to, making it awkward, so for day long shoots where you're not going to move far a tripod is handy. It's the weight of the camera and lens that induces a creeping movement usually pulling the lens towards the ground. The gimbal should, I hope, cure the problem as it balances the lens and will move precisely where you move and stay there........or at least that's the theory.

 

I've got plenty of those, Sheal!! Actually, that's not a bad idea and there are lens props that keep the lens rigid but having seen lots of videos on the gimbals they are a lot more suitable for the job.

 

So long as I can "catch" what I'm after, Sheal!! My annual fishing holiday in Rutland won't be until July this year as there's a lot of things happening in between!

 

I've had to buy a Manfrotto tripod to fit the 393 Gimbal head as my Velbon tripod wouldn't serve the purpose because I couldn't find an adapter for it. I did think about a Ball Head but there were too many negative remarks about the combination of a Bigmos and a Ball Head when I did research on what was best. They reckon a 60mm Ball Head is needed and even then it doesn't lock or is as exact as well. There were some satisfied users of the combination, but most recommended using a good tilt head instead. My one concern is weight, the more stuff you buy the more weight there is. A good Ball Head will weigh less than a 393 that's for sure and is a plus in it's favour.

I use a wireless/infra red remote control when I use a tripod. The original problem was that the Head on the Velbon tripod wasn't strong enough to take the weight of the Bigmos and I found the lens would creep downwards even with the Head locked up tight.