By Tim from Tulare, Ca on 3/29/2007

I needed a head to support my big glass 500mm f/4 and did not want to break the bank, this head works as well installed on a tripod (thats how I use it) as it does on a monopod, it's not flashy, not stylish, just practical and fully functional at what it does. I would buy it again. I gave it a 4 because I have not used it for very long. I will give it a few months in the field and will update this review.

By Bill from Houston, TX on 2/5/2007

I first saw this head holding a Canon camera and Sigma 300-800mm zoom. The owner said it functioned perfectly, so I tried it out with my Sigma 50-500, Canon 100-400, and finally Canon 500mm F4.For about 25% of the cost, you get 95% of the functionality of the Wimberley [...]. The Manfrotto gimbal head is marketed as a monopod head, but it is perfect as a tripod head for long lenses. The safety latch is superior to Wimberly's, and it has places where you can mount a flash shoe for off-camera flash (the Wimberly flash bracket costs more than the whole Manfrotto gimbal head!)Only drawback is that the left side of the head is not open like on the Wimberly, and I'm not sure that matters, since some pros recommend turning the Wimberly around for improved control--like you get from the Manfrotto already.I highly recommend this gimbal head. I give it four stars for functionality plus one for value!