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**aslyfox** · 10-10-2019, 02:29 PM

I have had no problem using my K 3 or K 3 II with the HD Pentax-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW with a ball head

I put the tripod foot of the zoom on a acra swiss plate to mount it onto the ballhead

**clickclick** · 10-10-2019, 05:38 PM

As it were, the Oben GH-30 i mused about above went on sale a few weeks later, and I bit. It works well with my 150-450 and cements a gimbal head is the way to when using this lens on a tripod.

**Mikesul** · 10-17-2019, 02:41 PM

The oben seems to no longer be available. Any news.

**SteveinSLC** · 10-17-2019, 03:13 PM

I have an Acratech GP ballhead that works fine with the 150-450. But for tracking, a gimbal is better.
I got this Neewer gimbal at Amazon, disassembled it and added better grease. I'm sure a Wimberly is better, but for 1/4 of the price, I'm satisfied.

amazon.com : Neewer Professional Heavy Duty Carbon Fiber 360 Degree Panoramic Gimbal Tripod Head with Arca-Swiss Standard 1/4 inch Quick Release Plate and Bubble Level for DSLR Cameras up to 30pounds/13.6kilogram : Camera & Photo?tag=pentaxforums-20&

BirdDude007 · 10-30-2019, 06:49 PM

Originally posted by SteveinSLC

I have an Acratech GP ballhead that works fine with the 150-450. But for tracking, a gimbal is better.
I got this Neewer gimbal at Amazon, disassembled it and added better grease. I'm sure a Wimberly is better, but for 1/4 of the price, I'm satisfied.

amazon.com : Neewer Professional Heavy Duty Carbon Fiber 360 Degree Panoramic Gimbal Tripod Head with Arca-Swiss Standard 1/4 inch Quick Release Plate and Bubble Level for DSLR Cameras up to 30pounds/13.6kilogram : Camera & Photo?tag=pentaxforums-20&

I have the same gymbal, what kind of grease did you use for replacement?

Unregistered User · 10-31-2019, 03:33 AM

I use a Benro GH5C gimbal head. Rated for 66 pounds. Only problem with it is that there isn't enough space between the mounting plate and the sidewall to be able to use a camera with a battery-grip attached on it directly. It's great for the long lenses, though. I suppose this would be obvious, but I'd point out that the use of the gimbal head with that lens means I can leave both horizontal and vertical axes loose and move the thing to follow the action of, say, an airplane in flight, which I can't do anywhere near as easily by using a ball head.

I also use a Giottos MH1300 ball-head. It's pretty beefy, and strong enough to hold up a long lens, though I don't use it for that. Not sure how it would do on a seriously big lens, like the 560mm. It's fine for using a camera with a battery-grip attached, though, as the offset mounting hole on the battery-grip causes no such clearance problem.

Downside is that I have to carry both with me as selection depends on what lens I want to use. Anything with a foot on it goes on the gimbal, otherwise...

I'm finding that the tripod may be more important. The longer the lens, the more flexibility in the legs causes motion-blurring. And here's another thing - simply screwing the parts together means they'll loosen up and cause blurring. I use "purple" Loctite thread cement on the male threads; in theory, I should be able to get them apart again without having to use a propane torch (as I would with "red"), but I never have that wobbly-head syndrome.

**clickclick** · 10-31-2019, 06:11 AM

Originally posted by Mikesul

The oben seems to no longer be available. Any news.

Interesting - appears back ordered. Wonder if it's worth a call for an ETA

Oben GH-30 Gimbal Head GH-30 B&H Photo Video

**SteveinSLC** · 11-05-2019, 06:36 AM

Originally posted by BirdDude007

I have the same gymbal, what kind of grease did you use for replacement?

Also being a cyclist, I used a grease designed for bikes, Phil Wood waterproof grease. Seems to have worked well.

**Mikesul** · 11-10-2019, 08:13 AM

Originally posted by Mikesul

The oben seems to no longer be available. Any news.

It is back in stock at B&H.

**clickclick** · 11-30-2019, 09:05 PM

Originally posted by Mikesul

It is back in stock at B&H.

And it's currently on a Black Friday sale for $50 off. Think it's hard to beat at that price.

**clickclick** · 11-30-2019, 09:06 PM

Forgot the link to the sale price at B&H - $199 at the time I'm posting this:

Oben GH-30 Gimbal Head GH-30 B&H Photo Video

**csa** · 12-03-2019, 10:08 AM

This is the Gimbal I have, no problems whatsoever with it. (I have the Artic edition)

Web Store

**gaweidert** · 12-03-2019, 12:16 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by csa

This is the Gimbal I have, no problems whatsoever with it. (I have the Artic edition)

Web Store

Carol. I got the regular version of the Nest gimbal head about 4 years ago. I really like it. I have a second one called Lensmaster that is made in England. It is a solid, simple design that works great and is easy to disassemble and clean. Cost me about $240 when all was said and done. The head arrived a week after I ordered it.

I prefer to use a gimbal head with my long lenses. I use a Vello remote shutter switch too.

**csa** · 12-03-2019, 12:27 PM

I really love using the Gimbal; so easy and extremely solid. Hey, I also use a Vello remote shutter switch! We're doing good!

10-31-2019, 03:33 AM	#21
Unregistered User Guest	I use a Benro GH5C gimbal head. Rated for 66 pounds. Only problem with it is that there isn't enough space between the mounting plate and the sidewall to be able to use a camera with a battery-grip attached on it directly. It's great for the long lenses, though. I suppose this would be obvious, but I'd point out that the use of the gimbal head with that lens means I can leave both horizontal and vertical axes loose and move the thing to follow the action of, say, an airplane in flight, which I can't do anywhere near as easily by using a ball head. I also use a Giottos MH1300 ball-head. It's pretty beefy, and strong enough to hold up a long lens, though I don't use it for that. Not sure how it would do on a seriously big lens, like the 560mm. It's fine for using a camera with a battery-grip attached, though, as the offset mounting hole on the battery-grip causes no such clearance problem. Downside is that I have to carry both with me as selection depends on what lens I want to use. Anything with a foot on it goes on the gimbal, otherwise... I'm finding that the tripod may be more important. The longer the lens, the more flexibility in the legs causes motion-blurring. And here's another thing - simply screwing the parts together means they'll loosen up and cause blurring. I use "purple" Loctite thread cement on the male threads; in theory, I should be able to get them apart again without having to use a propane torch (as I would with "red"), but I never have that wobbly-head syndrome. Last edited by Unregistered User; 10-31-2019 at 03:48 AM.

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10-10-2019, 02:29 PM	#16
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,583	I have had no problem using my K 3 or K 3 II with the HD Pentax-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW with a ball head I put the tripod foot of the zoom on a acra swiss plate to mount it onto the ballhead

10-10-2019, 05:38 PM	#17
clickclick Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Location: East Coast Posts: 2,904	As it were, the Oben GH-30 i mused about above went on sale a few weeks later, and I bit. It works well with my 150-450 and cements a gimbal head is the way to when using this lens on a tripod.

10-17-2019, 02:41 PM	#18
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	The oben seems to no longer be available. Any news.

10-17-2019, 03:13 PM	#19
SteveinSLC Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2017 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 568	I have an Acratech GP ballhead that works fine with the 150-450. But for tracking, a gimbal is better. I got this Neewer gimbal at Amazon, disassembled it and added better grease. I'm sure a Wimberly is better, but for 1/4 of the price, I'm satisfied. amazon.com : Neewer Professional Heavy Duty Carbon Fiber 360 Degree Panoramic Gimbal Tripod Head with Arca-Swiss Standard 1/4 inch Quick Release Plate and Bubble Level for DSLR Cameras up to 30pounds/13.6kilogram : Camera & Photo?tag=pentaxforums-20&

10-30-2019, 06:49 PM	#20
BirdDude007 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Las Vegas NV Photos: Albums Posts: 784	Originally posted by SteveinSLC I have an Acratech GP ballhead that works fine with the 150-450. But for tracking, a gimbal is better. I got this Neewer gimbal at Amazon, disassembled it and added better grease. I'm sure a Wimberly is better, but for 1/4 of the price, I'm satisfied. amazon.com : Neewer Professional Heavy Duty Carbon Fiber 360 Degree Panoramic Gimbal Tripod Head with Arca-Swiss Standard 1/4 inch Quick Release Plate and Bubble Level for DSLR Cameras up to 30pounds/13.6kilogram : Camera & Photo?tag=pentaxforums-20& I have the same gymbal, what kind of grease did you use for replacement?

10-31-2019, 06:11 AM	#22
clickclick Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Location: East Coast Posts: 2,904	Originally posted by Mikesul The oben seems to no longer be available. Any news. Interesting - appears back ordered. Wonder if it's worth a call for an ETA Oben GH-30 Gimbal Head GH-30 B&H Photo Video

11-05-2019, 06:36 AM	#23
SteveinSLC Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2017 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 568	Originally posted by BirdDude007 I have the same gymbal, what kind of grease did you use for replacement? Also being a cyclist, I used a grease designed for bikes, Phil Wood waterproof grease. Seems to have worked well.

11-10-2019, 08:13 AM	#24
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	Originally posted by Mikesul The oben seems to no longer be available. Any news. It is back in stock at B&H.

11-30-2019, 09:05 PM	#25
clickclick Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Location: East Coast Posts: 2,904	Originally posted by Mikesul It is back in stock at B&H. And it's currently on a Black Friday sale for $50 off. Think it's hard to beat at that price.

11-30-2019, 09:06 PM	#26
clickclick Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Location: East Coast Posts: 2,904	Forgot the link to the sale price at B&H - $199 at the time I'm posting this: Oben GH-30 Gimbal Head GH-30 B&H Photo Video

12-03-2019, 10:08 AM	#27
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	This is the Gimbal I have, no problems whatsoever with it. (I have the Artic edition) Web Store

12-03-2019, 12:16 PM - 1 Like	#28
gaweidert Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Rochester, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,327	Originally posted by csa This is the Gimbal I have, no problems whatsoever with it. (I have the Artic edition) Web Store Carol. I got the regular version of the Nest gimbal head about 4 years ago. I really like it. I have a second one called Lensmaster that is made in England. It is a solid, simple design that works great and is easy to disassemble and clean. Cost me about $240 when all was said and done. The head arrived a week after I ordered it. I prefer to use a gimbal head with my long lenses. I use a Vello remote shutter switch too.

12-03-2019, 12:27 PM	#29
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	I really love using the Gimbal; so easy and extremely solid. Hey, I also use a Vello remote shutter switch! We're doing good!

Supporting a D FA 150-450mm lens: Use existing Arca-Swiss ball head or get a gimbal?

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