Great review. Very well explained ie strength and weaknesses. Also I like that you seem like a very down to earth person and really enjoy helping people find what equipment suits them and you’re not biased at all. A lot of reviewers seem to think a lot of themselves and only review the product they have bought and try to push that product as the best for everyone because if it’s good enough for them then it’s good enough for you. You have a new subscriber in me.

This is perfect. I usually don’t watch long reviews but this one is what I need before buying my first gimbal. I started to look at these models the same day you published this review :)

Awesome, comprehensive review, and it covered the the same questions that I had. I think this was very un-biased, and it pretty much parallels the direction that I was leaning. Thank You!

Great info! Well taught and easy to follow. Thanks.

im kind of sad youtube is only now putting this channel in my feed, this is an awesome video, thank you so much, im now going to go and binge content hehe

thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed this review. Very comprehensive, as someone who is just entering into the foray of these gimbal head tripods you did an excellent job of explaining to me how they work and what I should look for. fantastic stuff! GH2 it is for me. subbing!

Very informative review with no BS much appreciated.

Thank you for this really well explained and demoed review. I stepped into bird photography about a year ago, and now I know what to buy to help me improve the quality of my shots.

I got the Jobu Jr Deluxe gimbal head and it is a great fit for my Sony 200-600 lens and a6700. If you go to their website, they sometimes get factory seconds available for purchase at a reduced price. I happen to live fairly close to where they are made, so I reached out to them to see if I could arrange for a pick up to avoid shipping fees. One of the people I contacted there lives not far from me, so they arranged for me to swing by and pick it up. It's a great gimbal and the people there are super awesome. I highly recommend it to anyone considering this gimbal.

Excellent! Thanks for the so useful review!

great video Scott, i have had the same jobu as the one your showing for a few years. have sony gear with 600 and use this everywhere rain snow and here in canada lots of cold it works great .thanks again another great video..

Thanks, great review and good to know how they work. Actually I was thinking about one of the products and you made me reconsider.

new subscriber and just wanted to say I'm really enjoying your efforts here. I have the Benro GH2, and like it almost as much as my Leofoto. I haven't really used either enough to give any fair reviews - but really appreciated this and the $400-600 video. TY for your work.

Thanks for the video. I had the same problem with the Sirui PH-10. The lens foot hit the tripod. I ended up replacing the lens foot with a Wimberly AP-620. It provided enough clearance to resolve the problem.

Excellent Review. the side mount system is so versatile. I've not used a cradle style that I like. there's always something I don't like and you seem to highlight all those little problems.

You asked for feedback: I really appreciated the examination of the build quality. taking the product apart, showing/discussing the mechanism itself, whether the threading was directly into the body or an insert, etc. Very helpful

Great video. Looking forward to your next video to see what a little more $ will get me. One thing I would like to see mentioned is the quick release plate set up that comes with the gimbal.

I thought that this was a great review, very organized and good presentation. I have never used a gimbal before so this was interesting and informative for me, thanks!

Awesome review, thank you for your efforts

Good reviews -thanks

Nice review! thanks for this. I am looking for a lighter gimbal compared to my Wimberly WH200. This review helps

Thanks for the review. Was very helpful for me. Not sure I will stick with wildlife photography so I wanted to spend as little as possible. Ended up with the Benro. I'm very pleased. Works perfectly for my uses.

Excellent as always

Thanks for sharing. Very helpful.

Super detailed well done review thank you! I would go with the Benro if I would have to choose .

Enjoying your videos and your photography.

I used the previous generation RRS Pano One, which weighed about 3 kg but operated smoothly, just like butter.

Thanks for the nice video and detailed explanations! Just a question: have you tried the two models (KF31.033 and KF31.052) of K & F Concept? This brand seems to me very good relating to filters and tripods...

I've got two of the Benros, one cf on the tripod and one alum for the floating blind. No complaints here, solid unit

I have never had the rattling noise with the Sirui PH-20 but my issue is that I have never been able to fully lock the Gimbal. From what I read, others had the same issue with the PH-20. Outside of that, I have not had other issues. It is smooth, light and looks pretty good.

I enjoyed your video, you put out some good information. One observation is that I have noticed some KZfaq wildlife photographers have moved from gimble heads to a fluid video heads like those made by Manfrotto particularly since more people are shooting video to share on social media.

Dude, you are real, and I enjoyed the informative video. Liked and SUBscribed !!!!!!!!! 👍✌📷

You have a new subscriber! Really impressed with your sober and informative presenting style (no "look at me - I'm an eccentric" gimmicks). I have had the Benro for a couple of years and the best thing I can say for it is that I never think about it - it just works without any issues which makes it the perfect product for me. In fact it's so good if you lock it down that I am able to use it most of the time instead of my 3-axis and ball heads (OK, you lose the ability to tilt side to side, but you can just loosen the retaining ring on your lens and turn the camera that way). If the Sirui PH-20 is using a toothed locking mechanism that must be great for a really solid lock down as you say, but it sounds like loosening it off a little bit will cause the teeth to wear; as you demonstrated, it makes noises. It's kind of a feature that is both a great strength and a serious weakness depending on what you need it to do.

The Sirui looks good, I've had a couple cheap gimbles and know people with more expensive gimbles and the first thing to fail is the horizontal lock. Reason being is thread tube that the rod threads into will slip and then the rod won't reach anymore to apply friction (if that makes any sense) i can fix it myself by hammering the threaded tube back into the gimble. So my priority for a new gimble will be a reliable horizontal lock.

Enjoyed your reviews, just one observation the up and down mechanism on a Gimbal is so your lens balances where you leave it, either pointing up or down, if that makes sense, so should be used when setting it up!

Matt Grainger voted the Benros CF best also. Excellent review. Watched the whole thing. He loves his ProMedia best.

Got a Sony A7ii and will add either a Sigma 150-600 or Sony 200-600. This was a great help. Benro products have never failed me so that is likely the way I will go.

Thank you. That helps a lot. So I like to take different types of pics( mainly landscape, wildlife and astro) so I can't buy three different heads.) It seems like these would be great for all of those.

I have the Benro GH2 and very happy with it

Excellent video. So helpful! One question, do you have any opinions about the Benro GH2F Folding Gimbal Head? I do a lot of hiking with my gear and figured the folding head would be a nice feature.

This review is great and very helpful. Thank you! Unrelated: have you ever considered voice acting? You have a really excellent character to your voice.

Well done. Enjoyed the reviews. Ive been using a Movo for several years first with Nikon 400 2.8 (11lb 2007 version) and now with the latest Nikon 500 f4. I think I was flirting with disaster after watching this though Ive had no problems. I like the Benro but if I can afford to get the Wimberly 200 assume thats best choice?

The best gimbal head is the Custom Brackets head that sells for $399.95 at Adorama. It adjusts for height and does so without the need for tools of any kind. The best part and the reason why I have mine is that it is one of only two gimbal heads that has a safety lever to prevent the lens from crashing down when the camera is removed to add or remove a teleconverter. The only other gimbal head with this feature is the Zenelli Carbonzx head that sells for $1,236. The Custom Brackets gimbal also breaks down which makes it easier to pack and put into my backpack for air travel.

excellent review! Could you review the new Leofoto PG-2S ?

I just got the Sirui PH10 based 99% on this video, so if it breaks, it's your fault Scott lol, actually it's great, greatly appreciate your detailed reviews :)

Í got the Sirui PH-10. Setup is a Canon 90D with Canon 70-300 mm L series. This gives 480 mm reach, more than enough for me. The 70-300 is smaller in diameter and because of this perfectly balanced on the PH-10. So if your lens is comparable in diameter, a bit wider should not a problem, the PH10 is a great gimbal. Thanks for your review.

If you spend the money on a Wimberley you won't regret it, well other than the day you fork out the cash. But it is a superb tool, smooth as silk, a HUGE boon to your photography. Across a lifetime of photography, a couple hundred extra bucks will never matter.

Your videos are a kind of bible for gimbal heads. Very well done! I am about to buy my first gimbal head and there is one thing I could not understand: will I be able to use Manfrotto type plates in any of the products you have tested? I have a 500PLONG. Thanks in advance if you find the time to answer

I don't do videos usually but one of the main point of gimbal is weather it can swing flawlessly I'd you carry it by hand doing video and you can walk without any video shake ,so this is the main thing for me, even if video is not my main ,I'd like to be able to do it

Looking for the smoothest panning gimbal. I.E. no over shoot or back tracking (my terms, hard to explain).

The gh1000 by movo is pretty good

I think the Jobu is adjustable using the three different sets of holes. Just not as quick as others.

👍

Great comparison video. I just got a Canon 300mm 2.8 and was looking for a gimble. I have the wimberly gimble for the mono pod. Im abit fearful of that because its so small and my rig looks hugh hanging off the side of it. A mono pod is great but you still holding the entire setup on one leg.

Awesome review! Too bad the Jobu heavy duty 4 didn’t make this list with its price

Excellent review Scott. Always a pleasure listening to your detailed reviews. I would like to get a gimbal to use with a monopod and there is something I don’t understand. Why does a gimbal for a monopod has to be a side mount? Or can I use any gimbal on a monopod? Thank you in advance for your reply.

Just curious. I am a little surprised that you haven't tested the LeofotoPG-1. It was definitely inspired by your favorite brand Pro Media Gear. I'd love to hear your take on it. B&H carries them

I picked up the Benro GH2 secondhand and found the Canon EOS R with the battery grip too heavy for my largest telephoto lens (EF 70-200 F4..). The balance is camera heavy. I had to remove the grip and could only then barely balance it. I wonder if I made a mistake buying the gimbal head. I'm planning to save for the RF 100-500 and I'm concerned I'll have the same balancing issue. Any suggestions? Do I need a big prime lens to use a gimbal head? How do you use a gimbal head with smaller lenses? I guess I could add some weight to the lens when the balance is camera heavy.

I would have been very interested in how those 250-400$ gimbals performed with a "fitting" camera + lens setup. For example the average Sony 200-600, Nikon 180-600 or a Canon 100-500 or with a pretty often used Sigma 150-600 lens. The 400 F2.8 might be a bit "too good" to even consider 250-400$ gimbals at all. I want mainly the smallest possible gimbal, yet enough room so the setup "hangs" and center itself out. Since i only use a Canon 800 F11 lens and a Sigma 150-600C it should be a noticable lowered center of gravity compared to the 400 2.8 Nikon setup?

I had the Benro GH2, and sold it. Got a Wimberley. Why? Stiction. Not when swinging it wildly at a high speed diving Osprey, but when making slight adjustments on a stationary subject which I was attempting to frame perfectly. It sticks. And jumps. Couldn't find a good setting that didn't stick a bit. The Wimberley is smooth at all speeds, not just moving fast. Also, you mention the teeth on the Sirui resulting in a movement when you lock it down. Most Gimbals I have tried do that. Okay, maybe not as much as the Sirui with those teeth, but some. Again, it's irritating when you have the frame you want and you try to lock it down...but it moves on you. The Benro does that. The Sirui I have does that. The Leofoto PG1 does that a lot. The Gitzo does that. The Wimberley does not. Frame it...and lock it down...nothing moves. Actually, I've tried the Custom Brackets Gimbal and that doesn't move either on lock down, but it's a messy, complicated, knobs all over the place instrument. Wimberley...great customer service too...located in Maryland. They are expensive, but worth it. They've been building their Gimbals for a long time and they know what works. One more point, the "throw?" on the knobs. How much turning is necessary on the knobs to adjust friction from some to locked to free. Wimberley has it perfect. The Leofoto is insane. The knobs to control the friction take 2 full turns. Ugh. But the knob to hold the camera plate has very course threading...hardly turn it at all and the lens wants to come off. It should be the opposite. And friction adjustment is valuable when you have a light lens and a heavy camera or vice versa because you can't balance the combo on the cradle...it just wants to tilt back. But with a good quality friction control...not a problem. Guess who makes the best friction control on their gimbal arms? Go ahead, I'll wait.

The shorter gimbals such as the Sirui ph-10 and Fotopro E-7H are for smaller lenses such as 100-400mm or 300mm f4. If you put super-telephoto lenses on them (such as 400mm f2.8 or 00mm f4) they will not work as deisgned. For those lenses the correct models are Fotopro E-9H and Sirui ph-20.

Sunwayfoto seems like they make good value products. I hear they use parts from other manufacturers that sell for products at a higher price. I could do without those white/silver dials though...wish Canon would stop making white lenses too.

Hi can you tell me what you think of the Sirui PH-20 Gimbal Head please I have a Canon 5R with Canon 100-500 lens

Hi sir, what do you think of the leofoto pg1 compared to benro?

What tripod are you using if I may ask, I need a taller one like that

I guess that SIRUI PH-10 is ideal for smaller profile mirrorless bodies like Sony. If the camera body is bulkier like canon or Nikon DSLRs and need everything you can get out of a gimbal, then everything boils down to PH-20 and GH2. I strike out cheaper ones, because tripod head is the equipment where you put your expensive gear on. So if you want to save 100 bucks for short term, you are opening yourself to expensive repair risks in the long run. I am not saying that cheaper heads will break, but they will not give the ideal performance in the field while you are busy focusing to something else and next thing you know, your body slipped or snapped off the setup, or worse, fell down. I'd rather pay 100 dollars extra for safer head.

Isn't Jobu a Canadian company? Your placeholder photo for the video says Jobu Design Uk... Just curious.

Sirui PH-10 is perfect to Nikon D500+500pf.

I had Jobu Jr3, recently i bought Sirui PH10, i could say avoid Jobu Jr3 at all cost, it is very expensive, you properly just need to top up few dollars to get a Wimberley, so not worth it, and it is not smooth at half tighten up, the bearing is loose and vibrating, it will not hold your system while tilting and panning. SIrui is good, although it is weighted 1kg but the build quality and the price is very good, and it is smooth to use, but the lower clearance is limited

Am I crazy or is the first half of the video flipped horizontal?

Question: What is between a $100 Gimbal and a $1500 Gimbal? Answer: My husband. 😅

SIRUI is pronounced as Seer yu é, not Soo ray, sir!

Benro's penning knob is really ugly in design

I am super happy with the Benro GH5C. It is here in China newly available for around 1500 CNY what is a bit more then 200 USD. You cannot go wrong with this excellent gimbal.