Comments about Flashpoint Flashpoint Gimbal Head 1 with Quick Release, Supports 15.4 lbs.:

I really liked this Gimbal Head when I received it. I use a 500mm lens and this seemed to work well until the clamp just gave out.

Comments about Flashpoint Flashpoint Gimbal Head 1 with Quick Release, Supports 15.4 lbs.:

I bought this to use with my Nikon 500mm f/4 manual focus lens. Primary purpose was to shoot the last two Space Shuttle missions. Will also use for bird shots. I tried out a more expensive gimbal, and it was beautiful piece of gear. However, at [$], and for my infrequent use I bought the Flashpoint instead. It performed flawlessly at the Shuttle Endeavour launch. Other than the fact that it does not have the smoothness of the pricier competitor, my only other nitpick is that it does not seat as snugly as I would like on the tripod head.

Comments about Flashpoint Flashpoint Gimbal Head 1 with Quick Release, Supports 15.4 lbs.:

First, I love Adorama. I buy almost all my camera equipment from them, and their support is great.
But, the Flashpoint gimbal is an example of very poor design and materials.
I take a lot of bird pictures. I need rock solid support. After trying for 2 months, the Flashpoint gimbal proved totally inadequate. I could not achieve consistent sharp pictures.
On the Flashpoint gimbal, when you loosen the tilt knob, swing arm drops a good 1/4 inch. No such thing as smooth swing without the arm being so loose, a sharp picture is impossible. Pan knob is even worst; the main pan knob as well as the fine adjustment knob just dig into a soft steel bushing. Panning around the base is terribly uneven because adjusting knobs have scored the panning bushing.
After 2 months of frustration, I broke down and got the higher price gimbal. Big, I mean big difference. Of coarse, price was double, but consistent, stable, sharp shots.

Comments about Flashpoint Flashpoint Gimbal Head 1 with Quick Release, Supports 15.4 lbs.:

I was expecting the movement to be rough on a low cost product. I was not expecting the poor fitting clamp that does not fit correctly on any of my Arca-Swiss plates.

I was hoping the clamp was designed to be replace, but that is not the case.

I would be very careful mounting large expensive lens.

Comments about Flashpoint Flashpoint Gimbal Head 1 with Quick Release, Supports 15.4 lbs.:

Great, easy to use, excellent range of motion, very stable! Plus it looks cooler than the guy next to you!

Comments about Flashpoint Flashpoint Gimbal Head 1 with Quick Release, Supports 15.4 lbs.:

The Gimbal head operates very well with heavy lenses. I particularly like the 1/4 to 3/8 adapter as it will then fit any tripod or quick release. It operates smoothly in all directions and one of the best features of it being the price... as compared to other more expensive heads.... A good buy for the money.

Comments about Flashpoint Flashpoint Gimbal Head 1 with Quick Release, Supports 15.4 lbs.:

This is barely out of the box and only used a couple of times, but I did note the following:

The unit is solid and attaches to the lens mounts with no worries. I added my standard Manfrotto quick connect plate with no problems. Once balanced, both the 300mm 2.8 and 150-500 zoom pan and tilt smoothly and stay put when you stop. The unit has the feel of a good viscous fluid pan head (at Southern California temperatures). A little problem with the full range of the zoom throwing it out of balance. To keep the size down, the center of the mounted lens is not over the center of the horizontal pivot. For my use, this is not an issue.

Though I experienced no chattering and the movement is fluid, the machining of the bearings feels a little bit funky. The horizontal drag control screw is pretty much ineffective. The biggest machining or quality control issue on my unit is the horizontal locking screw. The internal surface abutting the screw appears to be out of round. The screw lands on this surface at different depths, depending on the point of rotation. So, depending on the point of rotation, you can loosen the screw and start to pan, and the screw will then bottom out. The screw has to be loosened several turns to enable full rotation.

I'm quite willing to put up with these minor issues, considering the price.

Comments about Flashpoint Flashpoint Gimbal Head 1 with Quick Release, Supports 15.4 lbs.:

Read a lot of reviews about this product. Have not found any issues with bowing or anything other than smooth movement. Mounted Canon 5D MK II with 100-400mm lens and had no problems at all. Price is right, works right......must be right.

Comments about Flashpoint Flashpoint Gimbal Head 1 with Quick Release, Supports 15.4 lbs.:

The Flashpoint Gimbal head is a nice and sturdy piece of equipment. It is less expensive than it's competitors, but well designed and built. I use it with Canon L lenses up to 2.8 400mm + 2 X converter and it works fine and stable. I would not recommend to use it with heavier lenses as 4.0 500 mm or even 5.6 800 mm. It is easy to stow away for transport and not to heavy for extensive teravelling. All in all it is worth the money

Comments about Flashpoint Flashpoint Gimbal Head 1 with Quick Release, Supports 15.4 lbs.:

Smooth, well-made with good range of adjustment; can accommodate a 90mm spotting telescope.
My only criticism is that there is no place to store the 1/4 to 3/8 adaptor, which could be lost easily. The fix is to drill a 5/16 inch hole in the camera arm and tap the hole for a 3/8x16 thread, which I did. I would have rated the head five stars but I should not have to fix it.

Comments about Flashpoint Flashpoint Gimbal Head 1 with Quick Release, Supports 15.4 lbs.:

I have used it from a small pontoon boat that required a lot of movement and I was very satisfied with the stability of the mount.

Comments about Flashpoint Flashpoint Gimbal Head 1 with Quick Release, Supports 15.4 lbs.:

I was looking for a good inexpensive piece of equipment. I definitely found it in the FPGH. Its closest house brand competitor is $400. It is to be used with a Russian 1000 mm lens and Canon 5D or 1V-HS combination, 10-12 lbs total wt. The Gimbal worked flawlessly, contrary to the other reviews, without follow or incline / elevation problems. It did NOT bend or sag under the weight of the lens/camera combination. It's movements were very smooth. Be sure this Gimbal is a good Value for the Money.

Comments about Flashpoint Flashpoint Gimbal Head 1 with Quick Release, Supports 15.4 lbs.:

Very easy to put together, smoother than expected , very happy to have saved a few hundred for better lens in the future. Thank you for the 1/4 in to 3/8 adapter in the box I wish my local store carried your flashpoint products
Jim

Comments about Flashpoint Flashpoint Gimbal Head 1 with Quick Release, Supports 15.4 lbs.:

the lock broke the first day still use it for sports and action shots but can not use it for still frames.

Comments about Flashpoint Flashpoint Gimbal Head 1 with Quick Release, Supports 15.4 lbs.:

The gimbal head did not move smoothly on the horizontal adjustment, it was so tight I had to grip the tripod legs with one hand and one hand on the gimbal head. Very disappointed

Comments about Flashpoint Flashpoint Gimbal Head 1 with Quick Release, Supports 15.4 lbs.:

Would not purchase this product. My sister & I ordered two Flashpoint gimbal mounts. Mine was manufactured incorrectly & parts did not fit together. Tried hers but it sagged 1/4 inch under the weight of my camera & lens. Tried her lighter camera/lens but rotation was jerky, not smooth.

Comments about Flashpoint Flashpoint Gimbal Head 1 with Quick Release, Supports 15.4 lbs.:

I'm using this to hold a 500mm f/4, works great!

Comments about Flashpoint Flashpoint Gimbal Head 1 with Quick Release, Supports 15.4 lbs.:

Almost did the job, but vertical movement is jerky and sounds like metal scratching internally like no oil was used. The horizontal motion was ok, but the knobs on the side didn't do anything that I could tell. The quick release is too complicated and too slow. I probably could have lived with everything except for the jerky/scratching vertical motion which got worse when the lens was added. Returning...

Comments about Flashpoint Flashpoint Gimbal Head 1 with Quick Release, Supports 15.4 lbs.:

A natural for wildlife and aviation photography.

Comments about Flashpoint Flashpoint Gimbal Head 1 with Quick Release, Supports 15.4 lbs.:

I use this for my 800mm lens and this gimbal head works great. Haven't had any problems with this heavy lens mounted on it. The movements are smooth and fluid.

Comments about Flashpoint Flashpoint Gimbal Head 1 with Quick Release, Supports 15.4 lbs.:

$$$ benefit for value is what I wanted.
I researched them all, compared prices, and decided I could return it if needed. It is solid, and holds my camera, a long 50-500 zoom, and the 2x converter. It chases hawks nicely, and pops off easily when I need to switch lenses. It does lack directions and diagrams, so it is DYI learning curve. I still can't figure out if it will vertical format, but most tracking shots work best horizontal. I still need someone to invent a top mount gun site to better follow images without using the viewfinder.

Comments about Flashpoint Flashpoint Gimbal Head 1 with Quick Release, Supports 15.4 lbs.:

Works great for my 400mm and 500mm Lenses. I dont have giant lenses but my rig is about 9lbs and it handles it very gracefully.