Brian asked earlier about gimbal heads, and that made me think...
I have a WH-200 and the sucker is very heavy. What alternatives have people found that are lighter but still very functional and secure for 500mm and larger lenses?
We are heading to Australia in the fall, and need to cut camera gear weight WAY down.
I remember fretting about the Aussie carry-on policies. FWIW, my bag was never weighed on domestic Qantas flights, as opposed to the other airlines. I'm sure things could be different for you though. Sometimes it just comes down to the ticket/gate agent in charge.
btw- as an alternative to my regular Wimberley, I use the Sidekick with RRS BH-55 ballhead when weight is a concern. I generally check my tripod and head regardless though.
Max
Posted by Dennis Plank on January 3, 2018 at 9:25 AM
Hi Sandy. I haven't encountered anyone using it, but Induro is making a carbon fiber gimbal head that weighs in at 3 pounds, but it costs quite a bit. That's not really going to cut your weight all that much.
I didn't have any weight issues when we went and I took a good Gitzo CF tripod with my Jobu gimbal which probably weighs within an ounce or two of the Wimberley. However we didn't do any small plane hopping.
If you're considering NE Queensland, Del Richards is a great guide to get you started on their birds. We got over 100 species in a day and a half with him.
Posted by Jim DeWitt on January 3, 2018 at 3:46 PM
I've sued the RRS SR-55 with my 500mm f4 and a 1.4 teleconverter and the Canon 1D-X body. It's near the upper limit of the tripod head but has worked great for years.
Sandy, I haven't been out in the field with it yet, just trying it through the window, but I got a Movo GH800 Carbon Fiber for Christmas, and I think it weighs a bit over 2 lbs. So far, it seems to be very smooth to use. I am hoping to get out next week and try it with a new Canon 7D Mark II that I ordered. Hoping I can start improving with my avian photos. Anyway, it is worth checking out to see if that gimbal head will work for you.
Discussion
4 repliesI have a WH-200 and the sucker is very heavy. What alternatives have people found that are lighter but still very functional and secure for 500mm and larger lenses?
We are heading to Australia in the fall, and need to cut camera gear weight WAY down.
Thanks -
Sandy
btw- as an alternative to my regular Wimberley, I use the Sidekick with RRS BH-55 ballhead when weight is a concern. I generally check my tripod and head regardless though.
Max
I didn't have any weight issues when we went and I took a good Gitzo CF tripod with my Jobu gimbal which probably weighs within an ounce or two of the Wimberley. However we didn't do any small plane hopping.
If you're considering NE Queensland, Del Richards is a great guide to get you started on their birds. We got over 100 species in a day and a half with him.