Sevenoak SK-GH01 Gimbal-Type Tripod Head for Telephoto Lenses

2020-08-18T10:51:24

The Promaster is better.

Jayson F.

2020-06-03T10:36:08

I have two serious faults with this tripod head. The drag control does not work and the 3 adjusting screws cannot be tightened to bring the drag to where it must be to easy the camera into proper position to capture the subject. That fault alone rates a do not buy recommendation. It cannot be revised to make it work. Second, the platform securing thumb nut has to be twisted extremely tight to lock the platform because the platform clamping mechanism is designed wrong. I’d advise you put the money spent of a well made American or Canadian brand gimbal head.

Thomas G.

2019-09-04T13:02:09

Base gimble was sloppy. HAd to tighten it. Tripod adapter was not flush with base. Had to drill a recessed hole. Base gimble works very smooth now. Upper gimble is stiff but usable. Can't loosen it much because it gets sloppy. I would recommend it if you are handy with tools and have a very big Phillips screwdriver and vise grips.

FRANK J.

2019-07-10T10:23:04

This is much easier to use than my very old ,but still usable Manfrotto 3029. The real issue I have is that on the main upright there is a slight bit of play/wobble . There is no way that I have been able to get rid of it. I have not been able to remove the phillips head screw, which is a #4 . I don't know if some type of lock-tite or other sealant was used on this screw. I think all it would take would be to remove this screw and install a small Teflon washer or thin needle/roller bearing . Other than that and the soft Acra plate .it is good enough for what I need.

R G.

2019-06-12T14:00:54

I was looking for a inexpensive Gimbal Head for my new Nikon 200-500mm 5.6 for bird photography. I wasn't sure if I would like that setup, so I thought I would try the Sevenoak first and maybe move up to better quality if I like it. Boy, what a surprise this gimbal head was. It seams well built and works flawless. I see no reason to upgrade at this time. Buy it, you will not be disappointed.

Tim S.

2019-02-16T16:08:41

Works Great!

DAVID B.

2019-02-08T12:40:56

I couldn’t afford a Wimberly gimbal, so I ordered two different cheap gimbals from Amazon, one for my wife and one for me. I didn’t like either because they were too stiff and slow for chasing fast birds. I went looking on Adorama and saw the Sevenoak, and decided to give it a try. It was just what I was looking for! It was inexpensive, sturdy, and I could loosen the axes enough to pivot and tilt quickly while tracking birds with my DLSR. I was so happy with it that I ordered a second for my wife. The gimbal is not lightweight, so if weight is a concern, you will have to look for something else, like a carbon fiber rig. We don’t hike our gear in, but drive to wherever we are going to shoot, somweight is not an issue. The Sevenoak is a perfect match for any heavy tripod.

SEAN M.

2019-02-08T08:47:18

The Seven Oak Gimbal is a great value at $100, compared to those costing many times more. It does have a few issues, but these do not affect it's functionality.The bushings have a slight bit of play when loosened, but it allows a big lens and camera rig to turn fast and smooth when loose and clamps down securly (the pan knob does require quite a bit of torque).The supplied rail is cheap and a bit narrower than the Arca Swiss standard, so it may not be secure in other brand clamps. It works fine in this gimbal, but I got different feet for my long lenses and don't use the one that came with it.I would definatle prefer a Wimberly if price were not a consideration, but overall, I'm quite happy with it.

WYATT H.

2018-08-31T17:52:35

I did not want to spend a lot on a gimbal head.This gimbal head has not disappointed me.Highly recommended.

Ernest K.

2018-02-14T10:49:29

I bought an off-brand cheaper one on eBay at half price and then found it was so tight and barely usable. So I returned it. Then I bought this off-brand one thinking I can't go wrong with Adoroma. Then I never regret my decision as it is so good that even my friends who use namebrand which is 3 times more expensive couldn't believe that it is just as good as the namebrand ones.

Weike Z.

2018-01-02T09:00:14

I will say up front that I have used this head twice and am very happy - but time will tell. If this holds up to wear and tear over time it should be a huge bargain. Hard to tell the difference between this and more expensive gimbal heads. Sure - it isn't quite as glass smooth as other heads I have used - but it is also a fraction of the price. If you are an amateur looking to take shots of birds or fast moving sports I would think this is a very safe bet.

DOUGLAS H.

2017-12-29T11:55:42

I didn't really need another gimble head, but the rave reviews for this one, combined with its low price, induced me to check it out. (I have both a Wimberley WH 200 and the graphite model by Sevenoak. This head is a ringer for the Wimberley, except for the addition of scale marks on the vertical portion of the swing arm, My decade-old Wimberley displayed a worn appearance next to this head. Without anything on the heads, the Sevenoak moved more freely. I found the notation at the left side of the Adorama listing referencing a ten pound load limit inconsistent with the "Specs" from the same listing, in that the latter said the head was capable of supporting 33 pounds. Reading the accompanying Sevenoak instructions, I found no reference to load limits, but I did find a reference to 400 mm and 600 mm lenses, implying that such gear (with cameras attached) were expected loads for the head. Farther into the instructions I found the suggestion that one might need to adjust the head's minimum drag, if an "undesirable one" develops "as the head wears in." I wondered whether, if wear is expected, one could also expect continuing wear to render the head less than functional. Putting a Canon series II IS 400 mm f 2.8 lens and camera on the head, I discovered that it no longer moved as freely as the Wimberley, on which was mounted for comparison a Canon 600 mm series II f 4 lens and camera of a roughly similar weight. (Being series II lenses each was considerably lighter than older models without the newer light construction.) The Sevenoak head made an ominously creaking sound when the arm was moved. Still, the head moved in both axes, if more sluggishly than the Wimberley. I resolved to take it out shooting to gauge its performance and durability. A couple of weeks later I used it for several hours of shooting flying Eagles at a nearby lake. It's sluggishness continued, but despite that it held up for the whole shooting session. This left me the dilemma of deciding whether or not to send it back to Adorama while I still could. On the one hand, it hadn't totally given out and had performed somewhat as a gimble head should; it might become smoother with age. On the other, my Wimberley's performance has remained consistently smooth under load, over more than a decade of use. I wish to warn others that I would not take a chance on this head, since it appears to look good, but lack what it takes perform well. I suspect it will probably not hold up over time, at least with frequent use. My guess is that its bearings are sub-standard, causing the creaking and sluggishness of motion. Should you consider the low price to be a sufficient insentive to take the chance, don't put much weight on it. (I would take to heart the ten pound weight limit from the right side of the listing, ignoring the 33 lb. "Spec.") Like the more expensive Sevenoak, this one comes with a lens plate for attachment to the head. I have better plates, but had to buy them separately. Despite its claim of manufacturing a line of plates in its instructions, I could find none on its website. However one can buy excellent accessories from Wimberley. I would not want to have to send this head back to the manufacturer for servicing or repairs, since it is in China. I suspect that the multitude of positive reviews for this product relates to many of the buyers having never used a good gimble head or to their not having put the weight of a large prime telephoto lens and camera combination on the head to experience the kind of sluggishness I have.

Robert S.

2017-12-15T07:56:26

Solid design and with the look and function of much more expensive heads. I highly recommend this product to beginners and professionals alike.

Tom T.

2017-12-05T09:58:02

My only complaint is that the mounting thread on the head is 3/8 inch and the mounting bolt on my tripod was 5/16 inch. This required a coupling and several washers to make it fit. This worked fine and compared with gimbal mounts I saw other bird in flight photographs use which were 3 times the price. I would suggest providing an adapter for use with tripods like mine that have smaller threads for the head

John R.

2017-10-30T11:36:15

Works great and a really good price! Built to last!

Carlos P.

2017-10-11T12:14:04

It was more than I expected, I was very well satisfied specially the help over the phone from the salesman I would highly recommend them

TERRY M.

2017-08-17T05:17:08

I bought this for my Nikkor 200-500mm used for bird and wildlife photography. Adjustments are easy and smooth. Price is a bargain. Couldn't be happier.

Robert M.

2017-03-08T12:32:24

I bought the metal, less expensive, version as a back up to a Carbon Fiber Head from a different manufacturer. Frankly, I like this BETTER than the "high priced spread". This is an incredible value. I may even pick up a CF version of this. I guess I will have to see how it holds up. I am a retired full time professional and like to photograph birds.

JAMES I.

2016-10-27T08:23:47

Does exactly what I needed & expected, worked very well, excellently in fact. It cost a lot less than similar products from other mfgs. It made me happier that a swine in manure. It is heavy, however, I guess that is the price we pay for solid equipment.

STAN G.

2016-09-20T10:32:33

I love the steady shots I get with a new Gimbal.

STEPHEN O.