Gimbal vs Video Head for Wildlife Photography (Full Breakdown)

In this video I'll be providing a full breakdown of the pros and cons of using either a gimbal head or video head for wildlife photography. I'll be taking a close look at the Kenro Carbon Gimbal Head and the Manfrotto Fluid Video Head, and giving my opinion on which is the best piece of kit for wildlife photography!

00:00 Introduction
01:17 Manfrotto Video Head
05:24 Kenro Gimbal Head
11:25 The Verdict! Gimbal vs Video Head

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Hi, I'm Simon Eardley. Welcome to my channel!

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[cameraprepper]

I also have the MANFROTTO VIDEO MVH502AH Flat Base, which I most use for spotting tele scope, I can very highly recommend the MANFROTTO VIDEO MVH502AH Flat Base !

[davidjones]

Thanks for the video Simon, I have that exact video head and have mounted my 120mm aperture and one metre focal-length Astro refractor on to it for wildlife photography, even for a scope bigger than a f4 600mm lens it handles the astro scope easily.

[kennypringle]

I bought a gimbal over a year ago but I haven’t used it much. I recently bought a Manfrotto video head and I’m going to give it a go fir wildlife. I think the video head is a better system and a smaller smoother setup.

[ungavaproductions]

Excellent comparison ! Good job. Interesting point of view. Thanks to share

[kimw]

I was ready to throw down $500 on a used Wimberley gimbal head when I stumbled on your video. I remembered that a Sirui monopod i purchased came with a fluid video head which I removed since I don't shoot video. I tried it on my tripod for wildlife and wow, what a difference. Thank you for the great advice.

[joeklase]

Thanks for this video. I took your advice and purchased the fluid head and tripod. Just received them today and couldn’t be happier. Manfroto does have quality gear and a joy to use

[wattyler]

I currently have a Benro gimbal head, but have been looking @ a Benro S6PRO fluid head. Only just starting to look @ video, but when I'm panning @ drag racing, I find the gimbal a bit of a handful.
I do wildlife as well.

[tomhath]

A few years ago everyone insisted that a ball head was the way to go. I tried one and didn't like it at all. Now everyone seems to think a gimbal is the way to go; I've never tried one but your analysis makes a lot of sense - I expect I'll stay with the tilt/pan head.

[DaikoBilskie]

Hello, Simon. Jim here from Utah in the US. Came to your channel through Richards Nightscape channel.
Your field episodes are my favorites though all your presentations are interesting. Putting on the boots and squirming about in the brush to find the opportunities and compositions is where nearly all good wildlife images begin. That and spending some time with the critters to learn their behavior and become connected with them.
No particular questions. Just want to thank you for inspiring me and for your attention to making good video. You're the real deal and fun to watch. Your classic accent makes it a fun challenge at times. Your dialogue is rich with down-to-earth colloquialisms. Good video.
I really enjoy setting up simple hides and just sitting and observing--especially when no pesky insects. But that's part of it too.
I've watched but a few of your videos and look forward to the balance. Perhaps I'll be able to offer some comments.
Kind regards, Jim

[MetallaCaine]

Exactly the comparison I was after. Great video, thanks

[jamesfroese]

Thank you for this video. I think I got it figured out now. I've ordered a carbon fiber tripod with built-in leveling bowl, and have been trying to figure out what kind of head unit to get to use primarily for my new Sony 200-600 zoom. Another Canadian wildlife photographer really likes his Manfrotto 502 video head. You prefer it too. Done.

[Raevenswood]

a lot of people that use these manfroto video heads bolt an Arca Swiss base plate to the Manfroto plate and then they can use their lens on any Arca Swiss style head also.

[abhinavpooniavideo]

Superb, I am using a Benro GH2 Gimbal and can really relate to the content, really informative video

[SimonWantling]

Great video Simon. Totally agree with you I barely use my gimbal anymore.

[stuartking]

I've been using a fluid head for years Simon and never looked back!

[michaelgray]

Simon, like your videos. Check out Innorel tripods. Well built & less expensive than the name brands. They have a bowl so you can make minute adjustments for level. Made of aluminum( no extra I in it LOL), 8 or 10 layers of carbon fiber, large base for your fluid head, come with spikes for the feet.

[JockyT]

Thanks for making the comparison - a gimbal and two way fluid video head are quite different products. If smooth video filming is your aim, then you need a fluid head - no question. If free moving fast tracking of motion, where a camera will handle stills with fast shutter speed and frame rate, a gimbal is ideal. Gimbals do take a lot of practice to get good results but if you can't hand hold, its the best way to take the weight. Personally, I use a spotting scope and a DSLR with telephoto zoom and have found the Gitzo fluid gimbal to suit both very well. Clearly its not a video head but is does allow slow fluid tracking and is better than a free gimbal in this respect (for scoping and photography). It also allows fast tracking, where the fund action reduces.

[miguelangel]

Hi Simon,
First of all I want to thank you a lot for your time and dedication in this video. Secondly, I am very grateful that you answered a question to my question in the last video, in relation to the video support or Gimbal head.
With your explanation, I now understand the importance of the 2 systems and you have convinced me regarding the Manfrotto 502 AH Video Head, in my case I will get more out of this option, since I use the hide Stealth Gear chair a lot.
Once again, I am very happy and grateful for this video, thank you very much for your help, for sharing and answering my question.
A greeting.

[patricksalt]

Just brought myself a Manfrotto 502, just need to put it to the test it looks a good piece of kit nicely made even if made in China now. Thinking I may keep my gimbal head for my monopod.

[robbiedeville]

such good value for money, its solid.