GH4 Can a lightweight, 3-axis gimbal replace a fluid head?

K

kb99

Active member
I'm considering buying a lightweight, one-handle 3-axis gimbal. Specifically either Pilotfly's new H2, or CAME-TV's Single. I want to use it standalone as a gimbal, of course, but I am also very interested in getting rid of my fluid head (which weighs at least one pound more than these gimbals).

I'm not sure how the motorized pan & tilts of these gimbals are. But just using them manually, tripod-mounted: Can they produce at least as smooth and natural looking movements as I can get with a fluid head? (And if I'm honest, my movements aren't always that great; sometimes I do have to add a little warp stabilizer to my shots).

If there's anyone who has experience using these tripod-mounted, I'd really like to hear what you think. Thanks!

Ken
 
Have you read up on Dave Duggdale's stuff on gimbals. It is a must read. I have gone through three gimbals and finally settled on the Came-TV single. I have found that it works well out of the box with a Sony A7Rii with a Sony zoom 10mm E mount lens set to around 16mm. No other combination worked for me, including a GH4 with a selection of wide angles. The Came-TV is a bit heavier than the others but it also more user friendly. You don't need any special tools. I have used in successfully, poking out of a car roof (handle can accommodate a 501 plate that slips into a manfrotto mono pod). Stabilization is great! Nebula and Pilotfly are too fiddly for me and when you need to just take it out of a bag and start shooting, the Came-TV wins every time. Also it is very important that your camera have internal stabilization to take out the little jerks and hiccups and vibration that all these gimbals have. At the moment only Olympus OMDs and the Sonys have this stabilization. The Panasonics don't. One other thing,.. any time you change the battery on the camera, you have to dismount ALL cameras to get at the battery lid!
 
Thanks, greytail. I did watch Dave's videos last year, when he posted them, though I haven't seen them again, recently. I should do that. I agree with you about the CAME-TV Single, it was my first choice until Pilotfly announced the H2. The H2 has several benefits over the Single, but as it hasn't shipped yet, there's no way to know how it will actually perform. I had come across the stabilization thing in my research, but I'm "stuck" with the GH4. That's why I have no idea how it will actually perform for me, both on and off a tripod.
 
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