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"Ding" Darling NWR, Sanibel, FL Using Camouflage in Bird Photography Getting Closer To Your Subjects (Field Craft)Backbutton Autofocus Demystified Improving Your Images with Sharper Eyes Specifications, References and Useful Links    Comparison Chart of Gimbal Heads Jump to the section on......      [ Technique ]     [ Equipment ]      A Look at the Wider World of Gimbal Heads:      After writing my "review" of the 393 gimbal, I decided to do some digging on gimbal heads in general. I wanted to see what else was really out their and how they compared with my "poor man's gimbal", as the 393 is often called. While there is a plethora of off-brand, made in who-knows-where gimbal heads available from E-Bay and other web sources, most have no manufacturer web site, no pedigree and no actual specifications you can track down. They are not carried by any "known" USA retailers which might have afforded them some modicum of credibility. Such items were not considered for this comparison, as there were generally no specs to compare other than price. European brands which have no USA distribution or retailer, or are not sold online to the US are also not included. That left the collection of gimbal heads in the table below, which is still a relatively comprehensive listing for comparison purposes.       The properties of the various gimbal heads listed below (type, price, capacity, weight, clamp type and clamp position), are not the only considerations when selecting a gimbal head. There are less tangible qualities (perceived qualities), some of them perhaps being difficult or impossible to measure or quantify, which will come into play for many photographers. These may include style and appearance, available accessory options, stability and/or vibration dampening characteristics, finish quality and detail, safety concerns, compatibility needs, etc. Such additional properties are beyond the intended scope of this comparison chart. Basic Gimbal Types "U" two post gimbal (clamp position horizontal) "J" single post full gimbal (clamp position horizontal) "J" single post side mount gimbal (clamp position vertical) Ball head adapter gimbal (clamp position vertical) Gimbal Type Brand / Manufacturer Model Weight / lb. ‡  Approx. Street Price $US †  Manufacturer's Capacity Rating (with a body) Clamp & Plate Type Clamp Position "U" two post Manfrotto 393 3.5 $195 all lenses (44 lb.) Manfrotto 357 horizontal "U" two post Feisol (carbon fiber posts) UA-180 3.5 $560 33 lb. Feisol QP-200 horizontal "J" single post Wimberly (version II) WH-200 3.15 $595 300mm f/2.8 or larger Arca-Swiss vertical "J" single post Wimberly (side mount) WH-200-S Sidemount 2.3 $445 300mm f/2.8 or larger Arca-Swiss vertical "J" single post Kirk Enterprises G1 4.0 $625 80 lb. Arca-Swiss horizontal "J" single post Jobu Design Heavy Duty Mk IV 2.13 $599 (Canadian $) 25 lb. / 600mm Arca-Swiss horizontal "J" single post Jobu Design Jr. 3 deluxe 1.5 $405 (Canadian $) 12 lb. / 500mm Arca-Swiss horizontal "J" single post LensMaster     (UK) (USA sales web page with currency converter) RH-2 (includes 2 plates - 50mm & 140mm) 2.7 (£188) $245* 100 lb. ø Arca-Swiss horizontal "J" single post LensMaster (side mount) (UK) (USA sales web page with currency converter) RH-1 (includes 2 plates - 50mm & 140mm) 1.75 (£158) $206* 50 lb. ø Arca-Swiss vertical "J" single post LensMaster (side mount) (UK) temporarily out of production M-1 (for monopods) (offered with or without 2 plates -50mm & 140mm) 1.2  (£75.75) $108* (without plates) 50 lb. ø Arca-Swiss vertical "J" single post LensMaster (side mount) (UK) (USA sales web page with currency converter) T1 Traveller (includes 2 plates - 50mm & 140mm plus L bracket) 1.3  (£168) $220* 50 lb. ø Arca-Swiss vertical "J" single post Induro GHB2 3.31 $450 50 lb. Arca-Swiss horizontal "J" single post Induro GHB2C (carbon fiber) 3 $600 55 lb. Arca-Swiss horizontal "J" single post Induro (side mount) GHB1 1.7 $350 26 lb. Arca-Swiss vertical "J" single post Sirui (carbon fiber post) (conversion to side mount included) (Chinese) PH-20 2.4 $530 40 lb. Arca-Swiss horiz. or vert. "J" single post Custom Brackets CB Gimbal Tripod Head 3.3 $590 all telephoto lenses Arca-Swiss horizontal "J" single post Photo Clam Korea Orion Tilt Head 3.1 $490 "long telephoto lenses" Arca-Swiss horizontal "J" single post Really Right Stuff PG-02 FG (full gimbal) 3.6 $890 50 lb. Arca-Swiss horizontal ball head adapter Induro GHBA 1.1 $200 § 33 lb. Arca-Swiss vertical ball head adapter Wimberly SK-100 (Sidekick) 1.3 $250 § lists up to 800mm f/5.6 Arca-Swiss vertical ball head adapter Jobu Design BWG-M1 Micro Gimbal/Ballhead Adapter 0.9 $109 § lists up to 400mm DO or f/5.6 Arca-Swiss vertical      Information in this chart last updated February 2019.      Some previously listed products were deleted which currently -      (1) have no manufacturer website,      (2) are not listed, or are unavailable, or have no price listed on manufacturer web site,      (3) and/or are no longer sold or listed by reputable retailers. †  There seems to be no consistency in how capacity is rated, sometimes even among different models from the same manufacturer.      Also, some models may require a special replacement lens foot with certain lenses to center properly over the tripod. ‡  Information and prices as of April 2015 §  Rating is contingent upon sufficient capacity of the ball head used in conjunction with the gimbal attachment. Cost of ball head not included in pricing column. ø  Can be special ordered without Arca-Swiss style clamp so customer can possibly mount other style/brand clamps. Þ Arca-Swiss compatible clamp with jaws that do not open. Plate slides into clamp and then jaw tightens. Also has safety lock pin. * US price dependent on current conversion rates Affordability - Bang for your buck:      After carefully inspecting the above table, you might have some conclusions of your own as to what gimbal might best serve your needs. It's pretty obvious there are only a couple of gimbals with a capacity comparable to the Manfrotto 393 that even come close to the affordability and bang for the buck provided by the 393. Only the Opteka and LensMaster gimbals come close. However, too many reviews of the Opteka complain of problems with panning smoothness, questioning the quality issue. On the other hand, the LensMaster's simplicity, like the 393, means there is little chance any sort of mechanical failures or problems could even happen with either of them. There simply is nothing complex with these gimbals to give trouble, and the LensMaster gimbals are field serviceable. Safety: Example of Arca-Swiss plate clamp grip, or lack thereof.      Overwhelmingly these gimbals use Arca-Swiss style clamps. While these are widely used and accepted by surely tens of thousands of photographers, it still doesn't make them safe. I expect most consider that choice as mainly an interchangeability issue, and it is certainly a decision for the individual to make based on their preferences and judgement. What scares me is that the "ball head adapter" style of gimbal incorporates not one but TWO Arca-Swiss type clamps to get the job done. That scenario frankly scares the crap out of me when there are thousands of dollars of equipment hanging on it. At least with an Arca-Swiss clamp sitting flat, gravity works in its favor, but tilt an Arca-Swiss clamp vertically, as on the "side mount" and "ball head adapter" style gimbals, and you have a disaster primed and ready.      Only one of these gimbals offers a quick release clamp and plate with the safety features of the 393's 357 clamp - the Nest NT-530H-US (and that is specific to the USA version, not the international version NT-530H). Though it is an Arca-Swiss compatible design, their clamp does not open. The plate has to slide into it like the Manfrotto 357 clamp (and other similar style clamps, such as the Vanguard QS-47). With the addition of a safety pin, the Nest clamp design has the potential to revolutionize the Arca-Swiss style clamp into a much safer piece of gear. The Nest NT-530H-US at 2.4 lbs. and $298 looks like it might be an up and coming competitor for weight vs. cost vs. capacity in gimbal heads. Hidden Costs:      It's important to note that some of the gimbals (notably some Wimberly and Jobu applications) may require a special replacement lens foot or plate for particular lenses in order to properly center the lens' weight on the tilt axis. These can add $80 to $100 each to the cost of the gimbal. If you have two lenses requiring these, you could have bought the Manfrotto 393 gimbal instead with the same money you spent for special plates! An Issue of Weight?      Do not be fooled by the seemingly light weight listed by the "ball head adapter" type gimbals. This does not include the weight of the ball head you're using. You have to add them together to get the true weight you're dealing with. I suppose you could try to avoid this extra weight by taping the adapter to the tripod leg, but I think it wouldn't work so well that way. You're simply going to have to carry that ball head around too. No free lunch there. Weight is weight!      I cannot argue the 393 is lightweight. At 3.5 pounds, it's right up there with the heaviest of the collection, but the other four heavyweights (RRS full gimbal at 3.6 lb., Feisol carbon fiber at 3.5 lbs., Custom Brackets CB Gimbal at 3.4 lbs., and Jobu Designs Pro2B at 3.35 lbs.) all cost from 3 to over 5 times as much. So what are the advantages at those prices? ....certainly not a weight advantage. You're not buying these things by the pound, so why pay extra for it?. .......Wait a minute.. . did you say the Feisol "carbon fiber" gimbal weighed the same as the Manfrotto 393? Yep, you got it! The great thing is, it'll only cost you 3 times the price to carry that Feisol around.      The weight versus capacity versus cost championship has to go to the Lens Master T1 Traveller. It provides a 50 lb. capacity like the big boys, but weighs only 1.3 lb. and costs just $233. That's impressive. And don't be fooled by the lighter ball head adapter gimbal arms. You have to carry around the weight of your ball head too, so the gimbal arm's weight is a false value.