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Gimbal type heads opinions needed (1 Viewer)

pete schofield

Well-known member
Having just returned to SLR photography I have recently purchased a Canon 20D + canon 400 F5.6 Lens + 2x convertor.

I am trying to get my gear sorted over the winter months ready for next spring/summer.

I used to use a Nikon F90X + Sigma 500 F4.5 on a Slik D3 with slik head and the results were never satisfactory.

I already have a manfrooto 443 tripod and have been looking at the Gimbal type heads.

Does anyone have experience with either the Kirk King Cobra or
Jobu Black widow heads?

http://www.jobu-design.com/bwg.htm
http://www.kirkphoto.com/cobra.html

Your opinions as to how they perform, what lens you use on them would be appreciated.

Or do you think this is overkill for the Canon 400 F5.6?

I would also like to use the head for Digiscoping and just general Birding, your thoughts on this too.

Many thanks

Pete

PS I have been quoted £225 for the Black Widow and the best I have found for the Kirk is £350.
 
Pete

After looking at Kirk, Jobo and Wimberely gimbal heads primarily for use with my 500mm/f4, I have finally bought a Wimberely Sidekick. In the end the choice was between the full size Wimberley and the Sidekick and it was size and weight that swung it in the Sidekicks favour. So far it has performed very well, the lens/camera appear weightless when mounted. There is a good review of the Jobo at the following website http://luminous-landscape.com/reviews/accessories/kirk-window-widow.shtml
 
geronimo said:
Pete

After looking at Kirk, Jobo and Wimberely gimbal heads primarily for use with my 500mm/f4, I have finally bought a Wimberely Sidekick. In the end the choice was between the full size Wimberley and the Sidekick and it was size and weight that swung it in the Sidekicks favour. So far it has performed very well, the lens/camera appear weightless when mounted. There is a good review of the Jobo at the following website http://luminous-landscape.com/reviews/accessories/kirk-window-widow.shtml

Thanks for your reply. As you can see the original post was early Nov and since then I have aquired a BWG from Jobu. With which I am more than pleased.

I will post a review of this head sometime in the future when I am more familiar with it.

Pete
 
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