I am planning to replace my current system (Nikon ED60mm scope + old Velbon long rail + small Gimbal head (see the attached pic)+ Sony RX100m2) to Swarovski STX85 + Canon APSC camera (EOS R7). I will continue to use my RRS TFC34 MK2 tripod.
Although my current gimbal (weighs only 850g) gives a very smooth adjustment of my Nikon scope (a large improvement from my old Gitzo GH1720QR fluid head), it is not Arca Swiss compatible and it is extremely difficult to add or remove a camera (it is a side side-mount gimbal). As a birder, I normally find birds of interest without a camera, and then occasionally I want to take pictures (or videos) by attaching a camera, and then go back to observations without a camera. My goal is to minimize the stress of camera attachment/detachment. I have been shopping for a fluid gimbal head that can accommodate a pan bar. So far I found these: Gitzo GHFG1, Swarovski PTH, Zinelli Carbon ZV. My current favorite is Zinelli ZV due to the small size and light weight compared with GHFG1 and PTH. The CEO of the company is very responsive to my inquires, but since it is a relatively new product (March 2022) (Products Archives - zenelli), I cannot find many reviews by birders/digiscopers. Then yesterday I found this website (Alpha Digiscoping Blog) in one of the threads of this forum. In the downloaded book, Jerry Jourdan says he prefers a two-way fluid head (he uses Manfrotto XPRO fluid two-way head) or a video head over gimbal because of the ease of adding/removing the camera. This has made me wonder if I should get one of these heads instead of a gimbal. I see a video like this (
) in which a video head is used with a balance rail (old Swaro rail) that allows a smooth camera attachment/detachment, and wonder if this is possible with a gimbal head, too. I also wonder if, in general, fluid two-way heads will give as smooth movement of the scope compared with a gimbal (my only experience in the comparison is between my current gimbal head and GH1720QR).
What is your thought? If you recommend a fluid two-way head over a gimbal, which heads would you suggest? I prefer something that is not too heavy (ideally less than 1kg) and allows very smooth control. I am also considering whether I should get Swarovski Balance Rail BR instead of other long rails (e.g., ProMediaGear 8" Arca-type Double Dovetail Plate or Kirk LRP-3). Does the Swaro balance rail mitigate the potential issue of using gimbal head for attaching/detaching a camera and also provide more stability, which is essential for digiscoping? Thank you for your advice.
Although my current gimbal (weighs only 850g) gives a very smooth adjustment of my Nikon scope (a large improvement from my old Gitzo GH1720QR fluid head), it is not Arca Swiss compatible and it is extremely difficult to add or remove a camera (it is a side side-mount gimbal). As a birder, I normally find birds of interest without a camera, and then occasionally I want to take pictures (or videos) by attaching a camera, and then go back to observations without a camera. My goal is to minimize the stress of camera attachment/detachment. I have been shopping for a fluid gimbal head that can accommodate a pan bar. So far I found these: Gitzo GHFG1, Swarovski PTH, Zinelli Carbon ZV. My current favorite is Zinelli ZV due to the small size and light weight compared with GHFG1 and PTH. The CEO of the company is very responsive to my inquires, but since it is a relatively new product (March 2022) (Products Archives - zenelli), I cannot find many reviews by birders/digiscopers. Then yesterday I found this website (Alpha Digiscoping Blog) in one of the threads of this forum. In the downloaded book, Jerry Jourdan says he prefers a two-way fluid head (he uses Manfrotto XPRO fluid two-way head) or a video head over gimbal because of the ease of adding/removing the camera. This has made me wonder if I should get one of these heads instead of a gimbal. I see a video like this (
What is your thought? If you recommend a fluid two-way head over a gimbal, which heads would you suggest? I prefer something that is not too heavy (ideally less than 1kg) and allows very smooth control. I am also considering whether I should get Swarovski Balance Rail BR instead of other long rails (e.g., ProMediaGear 8" Arca-type Double Dovetail Plate or Kirk LRP-3). Does the Swaro balance rail mitigate the potential issue of using gimbal head for attaching/detaching a camera and also provide more stability, which is essential for digiscoping? Thank you for your advice.
Attachments
Last edited: