Flashpoint Gimbal Head 1n with Quick Release. New, Improved model. Supports 14.4 lbs.

2012-08-17T21:00:00

The large base swivel clamp came off when I loosened it, and cannot be replaced because the threads are stripped. The head did give me one year and two months of use. These base swivel knobs are under engineered. I have used the head every weekend for the past year shooting wildlife photos. It works well with my 300 f2.8 lens. The two base swivel tightners could be reduced to one and be improved. Have to order another. It has a good price point and I need a new one for the elk rut in September.

Ready R.

2012-03-11T21:00:00

I wish the plate was longer and a second plate was an option at purchase.

JAMES D.

2012-03-04T19:00:00

I have used this product for bird photography and tracking. I have also used it for portraits and landscape. The product stability and quality manufacturing is well worth the price. I have not found any negative issues as of this date and have used it for over two years. I have even purchase another one for my girlfriend.

buster

2012-01-22T19:00:00

I bought this device to provide more stability for a large (400mm) telephoto lens. It was easy to set up and performs well.

Ilene K.

2012-01-14T19:00:00

For the prise you cannot go wrong

Moab w.

2012-01-14T19:00:00

For the prise you can't go wrong

moabwrangler

2011-12-14T19:00:00

Not sure why it has two knobs for the horizontal control. If they are tightened at all it locks up at different points so you have to leave it loose which makes it wobbly. It holds the weight of the lens but don't count on it for stability.

THOMAS L.

2011-12-04T19:00:00

I use this mainly for my Canon 800mm lens and it has performed excellent for a lot lower cost. No complaints.

PAUL J.

2011-10-22T21:00:00

Not very stable - cannot handle the Canon 7D, the 400mm 2.8 lens and the 2x converter. Well priced, but, you get what you pay for...

Fran H.

2011-10-16T21:00:00

Always wanted this type of head but they were too expensive. This is a great product at a great price!

Yankee F.

2011-09-05T21:00:00

can't beat and the price is great.

Gordon

2011-09-03T21:00:00

Works well with my 100-300 F4 Sigma lense for shooting geese and ducks. I was able to pan and tilt with good range of motion to catch birds in flight. All that for a head that saved me hundreds of dollars.

Wildlife T.

2011-09-03T21:00:00

This was a great alternative to the more expensive types - I used it with a leased 500mm lens all summer - I would like to see the foot plates made about a inch longer and the clamp plate screw a bit more beefy with a more positive stop button - The unit was easy to assemble and balanced well with a pro body camera and heavy super telephoto -

Marcy

2011-06-13T21:00:00

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.

LISA R.

2011-05-25T21:00:00

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.

Graham M.

2011-02-19T19:00:00

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.

DARREL B.

2011-01-23T19:00:00

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.

KEITH B.

2011-01-23T19:00:00

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

DJ

2011-01-17T19:00:00

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.

BYRON B.

2011-01-11T19:00:00

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.

DAVID S.

2010-11-17T19:00:00

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

the h.

2010-10-31T21:00:00

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.

Tapper

2010-09-19T21:00:00

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.

STEPHEN P.

2010-07-14T21:00:00

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.

Otango

2010-05-16T21:00:00

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

JIMMY D.

2010-05-10T21:00:00

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

dad

2010-04-15T21:00:00

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

Trish

2010-04-11T21:00:00

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.

Jeff H.

2010-04-09T21:00:00

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

Blackbird

2010-03-30T21:00:00

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...

DAN P.