Originally posted by miles PS: I see they are using fluid video heads. How do these compare to a gimbal head (with big glass attached of course)?
Hi, I have the experience of using both video head Manfrotto 503hdv and Wimberley WH-200 Gimbal with K500/4.5, A*600/5.6, Pentax FA*300/2.8, Sigma 500/4.5. In brief, if you need lower shutter speed such as 1/60 sec or below, I prefer using fluid video head for stability. I would say a good fluid video head such as Sachtler (but quite expensive) is even better than gimbal.
Below is a youtube link with a 600/4 lens mounted on a Sachtler
I used the Manfrotto 503hdv with Pentax A*600/5.6 with pics as below link with no hardship of tracking. For a manual focus lens, I also prefer mounting on a good video head.
http://www.dchome.net/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=823497
Indeed, I even tried just to mount the A*600/5.6 on a manfrotto monopod with acceptable results.
http://www.dchome.net/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=1015902