Which head (1 Viewer)

[Neil-T]

I have been looking at getting a Gimbal head for my Nikon D300 and Sigma 500mmf/4.5. The ones I have been considering are the.

Benro GH-1 and the Induro GHB1 which I think are the same head. The cheapest I can find them with the plate included is £171 (ebay)

I am also looking at the Jobu Junior MK2 which I think will be the better option.

Where is the best place to get a Jobu Junior MK2 from? Most of the ones I can find are in Canada.

Thanks. Neil.

 

[SteveClifton]

http://www.tripods-heads-gimbals.com/products/gimbals/jobu_design_gimbal_heads/

 

[Roy C]

Neil, The jobu heads are very good. I had a junior which I used with my 400/5.6 but upgraded to the Black Widow Gimbal Head - Heavy Duty Mk2 for my 300/2.8 - both are cracking heads.

Although the Jobu Jr would take the weight of the Sigma 500/4.5 I suspect you would get better stability with a BWG.

 

[Neil-T]

Thanks for the quick reply guys, I am trying to keep the weight down so was thinking of a side mounting version rather than the full monty. I have even contemplated getting the 393. Neil.

 

[Roy C]

Thanks for the quick reply guys, I am trying to keep the weight down so was thinking of a side mounting version rather than the full monty. I have even contemplated getting the 393. Neil.

Hi Neil, just to clarify the Jobu heads, the BWG-LD is a side mounting version whereas the BWG-HD is a full gimbal which can be converted to a side mounting by removing the horizontal mount - the heads themselves are identical. Even the Jobu Jr has a horizontal mount as an optional extra.
For lighter lenses like 400/5.6, 100-400 and 50-500 I found the side mounting is best as there is not enough weight to drive a full Gimbal. But for heavier lenses (I have 300/2.8) I find it considerably easier to set-up on a full Gimbal. Trying to mount an heavy lens on a side mount you have to hold the lens one handed while you do up the lens plate - not impossible but I find it cumbersome. Having side that there are plenty of people who side mount even a 500/4.
Just a few thoughts.

 

[Neil-T]

That's good to know Roy, I think I will get the BWG-HD first and see how I get on with it (the Sigma 500 being lighter than the canon or nikon 500), then if I need to upgrade I just to need to buy the extra plate. Thanks for your valued input. Neil.

 

[Roy C]

That's good to know Roy, I think I will get the BWG-HD first and see how I get on with it (the Sigma 500 being lighter than the canon or nikon 500), then if I need to upgrade I just to need to buy the extra plate. Thanks for your valued input. Neil.

Hi Neil, I think you have got that wrong - you need to get the LD first and then get the extra mount if you need it.