How To Balance A Gimbal Head

"Hey! You're doing it wrong!"

That's what I want to shout pretty much every time I'm out and spot other wildlife photographers with gimbal heads. It seems that well over half of them think they have their gimbal properly balanced when they really don't. It's a shame too - a properly balanced gimbal head is so much nicer to work with than one that's only half way there.

In this video, I show you how to balance a gimbal head properly. Even if you think you have it right (you'll know in the first couple minutes), it's worth a look to be 100% sure.

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[Twodivedeep]

Steve, once again you helped me. I never thought of this annoyance before, because I used to just Lock it in place. After seeing your Video multiple times I put my Nikkon Z7 II on my Robus Tripod, with Sigma 150-600 Lens and balanced it out. I extend it all the way and rebalance as necessary, but now the idea is there for me to rebalance as necessary in the future. Such a small change in my habit but boy does it pay off. Thank You Sir.
👋

[RalphMayhewPhotography]

Thanks Steve. I must be the only one on here not getting it. I followed all your instructions and have tried every milemeterage on the up and down slide and nothing balances it. What should I do?

[scljr]

Awesome Steve as usual. RIght to the point without useless info. Now I just need to buy a gimbal head still!

[rayray-lngx]

I don't even know if it is possible to fine tune a 600mm AF-s F4 none VR version on a Wimberly with the original foot on the lens. I've tried, but it always comes down to having to have tension on the swivel.

[SohamDas]

Very nice & helpful video. Will you please share a video about how to properly use monopods with telephoto lens ? I use Nikon 200-500 with D7200 battery grip attached

[scriptosaurusrex]

Steve 'simply the best' Perry.

[kerry]

Thank you! My gimbal head has always bugged the living daylights out of me and now I know why!

[BBernard]

Steve, your work is so inspirational and I've learned so much from your videos and eBooks. They've helped to vastly improve my bird photography. Thank you so much.

[ThMightyFist]

Cheers Steve! This is my first time using a gimbal head and I had no idea how to set it up. I do now!

[skakdosmer]

My Manfrotto 393 cannot be fine tuned up & down - there are just three positions. It was in it's lowest position when I got it, and I haven't bothered to change it as it seems to work fine. When balanced correctly front/back, there seems to be enough resistance to eliminate any problems with my relatively light set-up: APS-C body and Sigma 150-600 contemporary. However I do find it advisable to re-balance it every time I zoom the lens - when possible, that is.

[osbaba]

All the videos I have seen for balancing show a large lens with a collar. Which of course makes sense since it's a heavy lens that's difficult to balance. But I have a different problem. I have a EOS RP with the 24-240 lens that I can't move back enough on the gimbal. Is there some attachment I can get that can move the weight further behind?

[joshuasmith]

I'm feeling really stupid right now because I do not understand why lowering or raising it in the vertical position helps to balance it...somebody help me!!!

[jean-pierrenadeau]

Thanks a million Steve. I didn't have a clue about balancing - 45 years of photography but no experience with long lenses, etc. I recently began nature photography. Much heavier lenses, etc. Got a lot to learn. Just subscribed. Keep it up! ;-)

[andreaskippenberg]

Does the heavy Z9 in combination with lightweight e.g. 400 4.5S lenses mean the end of using a gimbal, because balance is too close to the Z9?

[PrasadPalaniyandi]

Awesome as usual.. I can see lots of analysis and experimentation went into it... Great Job Steve.. Waiting for you Exposure system book..

[MoLetalis]

Here goes my a6600 with 200-600 gimbal setup😂

[mrhallphotography]

Just got a gimbal head this spring and have been trying to get balance it on my own with no success. this is some great information! Thanks a million!

[pc-V]

At last.. Someone shows what the whole point on a gimbal mount is and how to set one up properly 👍

[kbkb]

My wimberly doesn't have a lever like that to slide the camera. Which model is that?

[tarjei]

Never ever take your hands away from the camera as long as it is pointing at a bird. When you grab the camera, the bird will leave without fail. Especially if it mattters.