Photography and videography are art, and so much goes into creating the perfect image; a lot more goes into image and video production and a mere point-and-shoot. To assist with image capture, there are several great pieces of equipment available that ease the image-capturing process, and a gimbal head is one of these pieces of kit.
A gimbal head is a specialized device that enables a camera operator to work with a camera allowing optimal stabilization during movement. A gimbal head provides smooth movement to the capture and is especially useful when working with the larger camera hardware.
Gimbal heads offer two stabilization types that help offset camera shake, which would otherwise be inevitable when handheld. Gimbal heads are used in photography and videography, and we will take a closer look at exactly what they are, how they are used, and why they are some of the most used camera equipment.
What Is A Gimbal Head?
A gimbal head is a specialized piece of camera equipment that helps to reduce shake but offers a way to pan the camera in a smooth motion, be it up and down, left and right, or forwards and backward.
As the name suggests, a gimbal head is based on a gimbal which is a support that can move a fixed object about on its axis by means of pivots. The pivots move while the object can remain stationary, keeping it independent from the movement of the support.
Gimbals have been used for millennia, particularly in compasses; as such, they were an obvious choice for assisting in image capture as photography and videography have progressed.
What Is A Gimbal Head Used For?
Gimbal heads are used to provide a stable point from which to capture an image or video by removing the difficulty of shaking. Allowing a camera to move independently from the support gimbals provides the perfect mount when any movement may be necessary.
Gimbal head mounts offer a way to balance camera weight, so that movement of heavy gear is effortless and smooth.
Gimbal heads are used for both photography and videography.
Gimbal Heads In Photography
Gimbal heads are commonly used in sports and wildlife photography, where there is a lot of movement and often the need to track the subject or object. This can be near impossible without a gimbal, particularly as much of the camera equipment can be oversized and heavy.
Most professional photographers will therefore opt for a gimbal head mount. This device removes the hassle of hefting weighty camera hardware like lenses and allows the lens to be swiveled at need around its center of gravity.
With a gimbal head mount, it is easy to smoothly pan a camera with a telephoto lens across a plane to capture a hunt or a sports field to capture a goal.
Photography gimbals are more commonly non-electronic and will be mounted on a fixed tripod; the gimbal head can be handheld if required but will more commonly be used fixed to a tripod.
The type of gimbal head will rely on what you wish to do and how heavy your gear is; if your lenses are huge, then a pricier stronger option is advised. The type of movement you require will also play a role.
There are 2-axis and 3-axis gimbal head options; the 2-axis option will generally provide an up-and-down (yaw) motion and left to right (pitch) motion. The 3-axis option offers both the yaw and pitch as well as an up and downward (roll) motion.
Gimbal Heads In Videography
When it comes to videography, gimbal heads are often a lot larger, heavier, and sturdier to carry the weight of video equipment. The gimbals also often function on a gyroscopic mount to provide additional stability.
3-axis handheld gimbals are also very popular in videography as these allow the camera operator maximum movement while still providing a smooth and steady shoot.
Gimbal stabilization systems in videography can be either motorized or mechanical.
Mechanical gimbal systems will include a sled that helps to move the camera, and the camera itself is often offset by the monitors, which help to counterbalance the whole system. With the heavier portion of the set-up at the bottom, the camera can easily swing around its center of gravity, regardless of weight.
The second stabilization system is the motorized gimbal system. This system uses motors to keep the camera level on its three axes while the camera operator moves it. This built-in stabilizer can determine which movements are deliberate and which must be attributed to a shake and can also correct the movement accordingly, ensuring perfectly smooth panning and video capture.
What Else Are Gimbal Heads Used With?
Gimbal heads are not limited to general photography and videography set-ups; they can often be used for drone photography and to mount cameras to vehicles.
Gimbal heads are also used for reconnaissance, surveillance endeavors, and mapping. These do not necessarily require cameras but may instead have various sensors attached that offer thermal and laser imaging options.
Pros Of Using A Gimbal Head
Gimbal heads are extremely useful photographic and videography equipment.
- Gimbal heads offer a weightless way to track an object with heavy camera equipment.
- Gimbal heads are extremely useful for tracking moving objects, as in sports or wildlife photography.
- Gimbal heads are indispensable in videography for the controlled movement of moving cameras.
Cons Of Using A Gimbal Head
- Gimbal heads are, however, heavy items themselves, so moving them to a required position can be difficult.
- Gimbal heads are not much used for landscape or close-up photography.
Conclusion
Gimbal heads are an essential piece of photography and videography equipment. They allow camera operators to work with equipment that would otherwise be impossibly heavy to move and to ensure that the photo or video capture is smooth and unworried by shaking or trembling that movement will generally produce.
Gimbal heads will generally operate on up to three axes that allow for movement in every direction providing camera operators with a full visual range of their subjects.
