In wildlife pictures, it’s important to realize the correct mix of stability, mobility, and total weight of your tripod or monopod system. Though tripods present glorious stability and are sometimes favored, they are often cumbersome if it’s essential be as gentle and cellular as potential. That’s the place monopods are available in. Right this moment, I’ll share with you my assessment of the Wimberly MH-100 gimbal head, which – not like most gimbals – performs to the distinctive strengths of monopods.
What Makes the MH-100 Particular?
A standard gimbal tripod head, like this one that Libor reviewed, is designed to completely steadiness a heavy lens round its heart of gravity. This permits the photographer to maneuver the lens with only one finger, as if it have been weightless, and observe fast-moving topics with unmatched fluidity and precision. Gimbal heads are superb for monitoring transferring topics, corresponding to birds in flight or working animals. Nevertheless, I don’t use them any extra as a result of they’re huge and heavy.
A gimbal head particularly designed for a monopod is a completely completely different instrument. It’s far smaller and lighter, and it depends on the monopod’s straightforward potential to rotate left/proper to attenuate the variety of transferring elements. Its design lets you tilt the lens up and down with ease.
The primary cause I’m highlighting this mannequin in my article is its effectiveness and lack of operational points. Not like all the opposite monopod heads I attempted previously – such because the Sirui L-10, which can’t steadiness the lens weight when tilted as a result of it doesn’t work from a central place – this mannequin performs reliably, balancing the load effortlessly. Even when utilizing heavy lenses, the MH-100 didn’t have any related flaws.
Bodily Options and Supplies
The Wimberley MH-100 monopod head is extraordinarily strong, constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum. It’s gentle and powerful, whereas resisting corrosion and put on. Its weight is exceptionally low at simply 350g (0.77 lbs), and, based on the producer’s web site, it may possibly assist over 45kg (>100 kilos) and is “appropriate with the biggest lenses within the trade”.
I’ve used it efficiently with the Nikon Z9 and the 600mm f/4 VR TC S, neither of which is light-weight (though the 600mm f/4,is among the many lightest in its class at about 3kg). A heavy or outsized monopod isn’t wanted; it could cut back agility. I exploit a Leofoto MP-284C four-section carbon monopod with a 28mm tube, weighing 370g. It felt barely strained, however nonetheless efficient, on this position.
The size of the gimbal head are compact: 8.6cm (H) x 6.4cm (W) x 11.2cm (L) [3.4″ H x 2.5″ W x 4.4″ L], and its slim form makes it really feel even smaller.
When Is It the Proper Selection?
The Wimberley MH-100 monopod gimbal head just isn’t a common resolution, however excels in particular conditions.
- Do you search most stability? If that’s the case, and also you’re staying in a single spot for a very long time (corresponding to in a disguise), a tripod is at all times the only option. Its three-point construction ensures a stable base and minimizes vibrations. For this requirement, I might not advocate the MH-100.
- Is your lens heavy? In that case, a tripod or monopod can work equally nicely. Each take the load of the lens off your arms. Nevertheless, a tripod + full gimbal head lets you take your palms off the digital camera utterly – not potential on a monopod that may simply fall over.
- Are you making an attempt to be cellular? A monopod is far lighter than a tripod, and it takes up much less area as nicely. Monopods even have a shorter setup time. In case you are making an attempt to be extra cellular and agile, I do advocate a monopod over a tripod, and with it, the MH-100 .
- Are you principally capturing handheld? That is one other case the place chances are you’ll need to contemplate bringing a monopod with the MH-100 head. A bigger tripod setup will probably be overkill in case you solely plan to make use of it often. Whereas a light-weight monopod with the small MH-100 will be carried simply more often than not.
Conclusion
If a tripod can be utilized for the picture you’re taking, it’s true that it delivers one of the best assist and smoothest gimbal motions. And in case you can shoot handheld given your lens and your lighting situations, that method would supply the utmost potential agility.
In the meantime, a monopod with the Wimberley MH-100 gimbal head sits between these two eventualities, however I consider it’s a blissful medium. It permits the photographer to maneuver quick with heavy telephoto lenses with out having to carry them solely by hand. And the top quality and clean operation of the MH-100, mixed with its gentle weight, enhances monopod higher than another gimbal head I’ve tried. And at $179, I contemplate it to be an excellent worth.
This assessment isn’t sponsored; I bought this head myself over a yr in the past for my private use. Let me know within the feedback when you’ve got any questions. You should buy the Wimberley MH-100 gimbal head from the next affiliate sources and assist Pictures Life: