• Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.

    Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Jobu Micro Gimbal/Ballhead Adapter

Jobu Gimball Adapter
Manufacturer
Jobu

Item details

The BWG-M1 Micro is the landscape and nature photographers dream companion, opening endless possibilities for fluid motion with telephoto lenses, while keeping your ballhead handy for wide-angle shots. Considering that many photographers are already armed with a good ballhead and tripod, the addition of the BWG-M1 benefits them by converting their Arca-Swiss ballhead to a fully functional gimbal head. The perfect travel companion, it easily fits into small pockets of your existing bags without adding undue weight.

Features:

Solid, one-piece CNC machined billet aluminum
Extreme stiffness for a small gimbal head
Includes Arca-Swiss compatible quick release
Needle roller bearings in tilt axis for smoothness
Rubberized knob for cold and wet weather usage
Easily adjustable variable tension settings for tilt-drag
Requires an Arca-swiss type of lens plate (we recommend Jobu Design Surefoot Plates)
Requires a high-quality Arca-swiss compatible ballhead with panning functionality
Weighs 15oz (420g). 8 x 4 x 2.5 overall size.
ADPT-M1 adapter available for increasing offset from ballhead
Recommended for:
70-200 F2.8/F4, 300mm F2.8/F4, 100-400 zoom, 150-500 zoom, 400mm F5.6, 400mm DO, etc.
Lens and camera recommended under 10lb total

Warnings and Technical Requirements:

We highly recommend a very good quality ballhead with smooth and free-moving panning motion for this product. A cheap ballhead that is very stiff in panning will make a lousy gimbal head.
Ballheads that incorporate push-button safety catches in the Arca-Swiss clamp will generally NOT WORK with this product.
Make sure your ballhead has a very securely attached quick-release clamp and ball. Some ballhead clamps are attached with only a single flimsy screw that makes the clamp pivot on the ball itself. This may lead to damage or failure of the ballhead. Again, we stress that a high quality ballhead is mandatory.
We do not recommend using Cam-Action quick releases with the BWG-M1. Although we very precisely match the RRS quick release clamping system in profile, we cannot guarantee that all cam-levers will actuate in the same tolerance range in every situation. We highly recommend Arca-Swiss style clamps with regular screw-knobs.
Ballheads with Manfrotto, Bogen, or other Round, Hex, Square or proprietary clamping plates WILL NOT WORK with the BWG-M1. We do not recommend stacking adapters to make your own system.

Latest reviews

Recommended
Yes
Price
0$
Pros
Cons
I am using the Nikon N-AFs versions, 1.4x and 2x for the past few years. As I dont need professional photography it was really useful for me. Now I am more interested in wild life photography. Can you suggest a better model?

Thanks
garciniasideeffects.com
Recommended
No
Price
0$
Pros
  • Its cheaper than Wimberley or Really Right Stuff
Cons
  • Its clearly copied from the above & won't have the build quality or finish.
Jobu seem to just copy everything Wimberley or Really right Stuff make. You cannot beat Wimberley & RRS quality. Its second to non and so is there customer service.
If you're going to use support devices for your expensive glass just buy the right stuff first time.

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy113/fotobyte-hk/Misc%20eBay%20items/ReallyRightStuffLensSupport_zpsd8545376.jpeg

Nikon D4 with 500mm mounted on GT5541LS & Wimberley II
Really Right Stuff - Lens Support Pkg, dual Quick-Release

http://reallyrightstuff.com/ProductDesc.aspx?code=CB-YS-QR-Pkg&type=3&eq=CB-YS-QR-Pkg-001&desc=Lens-Support-Pkg%2c-dual-Quick-Release&key=ait

Cameras lens and/or Telescopes are very expensive for birding. You must budget for a decent support system when considering your options. There is no point in have great optics and budget support system.

Just buy the right stuff the first time as this fantastic article will demonstrate.
http://bythom.com/support.htm
Recommended
Yes
Price
100$
Pros
  • Well made, lightweight, easy to slide into a pocket or camera bag.
Cons
  • Only suited for collared lens, not usable with larger sized lenses
Picked this up before Xmas from the bay. Took it down to Ft. Fisher here in NC to get a bit of practice as this is my first gimbal style head.

My tripod is a Gitzo 3541XLS with a Kirk BH-1. This accessory mounted perfectly. (Also have tried with my ArcaTech GV-2. Worked brilliant on it as well.)

Mounted my Nikon 300mm f4 AFS with a TC-14 E II on a D300. Took a second to find the best balance point as my lens has the Kirk replacement collar with the safety stops. In future, i will take the stops off when using this as they interfere with easy adjustment in the gimbal mount clamp.

With every thing mounted and leveled, it was time to shoot. I cannot believe I waited so long to try one of these. I have looked at a Wimberly Sidekick a few times, but the price has always put me off. This is the perfect compromise on that.

The ease with which one can pan and scan for subjects is amazing. Lots of opportunities at Ft.Fisher as Brown Pelicans and various duck species are abundant. I am still learning, but i could see my technique improving in just the hour or so i was shooting.(40 degrees, wind gusting around 25-30 mph kept me from staying longer. Plus it started raining.)

If you are shooting with any lens under a 400 2.8 i think this is the ideal alternative to a full gimbal head. Glad to add this to my bag.

Item information

Category
Tripods & Heads
Added by
Tomben
Views
32,780
Reviews
3
Last update
Rating
3.33 star(s) 3 ratings

More in Tripods & Heads

Share this item

Back
Top