FIVE THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR

Gimbal heads may look similar, but watch out for these subtleties before you buy

Vertical adjustment

A gimbal without vertical adjustment can get the job done just fine, but you’ll need it in order to get complete weightlessness, and the more vertical travel, the better.

Precision engineering

Loosening the clamps locking the pan base and tilt arm on cheaper gimbals can introduce slack and wobble in the joints. Better designs will have tighter tolerances, making for a strong build.

Ergonomics

Wildlife photography isn’t just a fair-weather activity, so be sure your gimbal of choice has large controls that are easy to grip in the wet or cold, and whilst wearing gloves. Otherwise you might miss your chance.

Mounting methods

All the heads we’ve featured use the widely-compatible Arca-swiss mounting plate standard. Go for a gimbal with a long plate and you’ll also get better adjustment controls with your gimbal.

Leg it

There’s no point in buying a great gimbal if you’ll be mounting it on a travel tripod. Stout, rigid legs are a must, even if the combined weight will be a pain for storage on the go.