xps said:
Is the FSB-8 from Sachtler better than the Wimberley Gimbal for an usage with an 600mm lens? Is there any benefit, that justifies the 900€ extra?
What is the advantage by using this head over the Wimberley?
I have a gimbal, and 2 fluid head (Gitzo 1380 and Sachtler FSB-8). Personally I prefer both fluid heads over the gimbal.
I never liked the fact that you have to overcome a tiny amount of resistance when you start moving your cam/lens on a gimbal. And I find it a PITA (another personal opinion
) to set the right amount of drag. So for me, a gimbal isn't just smooth enough in operation. In addition, you have to modify the settings of the gimbal when using another lens (smaller/bigger) to get everything in balance again.
The fluid heads don't have that tiny amount of resistance when you start moving your cam/lens. And you can dial in the drag easily.
With the Gitzo 1380, you have to change a spring when you use lenses of different weight so it's not that flexible when using different cam/lens combo's. But if you are only using it with one combo (e.g cam with a 600 mm), than it's great value for money.
The Sachtler FSB-8 is everything the Gitzo 1380 is, but better in every aspect: ease of use, build quality, flexibility. You can set you vertical and horizontal drag separately with a dial (1-5) going from no drag to very firm and everything in between. And there is a dial (1-10) to adjust for the weight of your combo, so changing from a 1DX and a 600 mm to a 5D3 with a 100-400 is just a matter of turning the dial.
The fluid head are also more stable. Since I started using them, my keepers of BIF went up significantly.
I use the Gitzo as a permanent fix in my garden hide, the Sachtler is on my Gitzo 5542LS, the gimbal is lying in the closet.
Is it worth the extra 900 € ? That's again a personal thing. It's a similar question whether the 200-400 is worth an extra 10k over the 100-400. For some it is, for some it ain't, and some have both
.
Mario