Leica SL2 + SL90-280 mounted on a Gimbal Head

[Rayner]

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I would like to share some thoughts with the new released Rollei Lion Rock Gimbal Head M, used together with the Leica SL2 + SL90-280.

End of January, Rollei has released a new version of his gimbal head: the new Lion Rock Gimbal Head M.
This new Gimbal Head has a much reduced weight and size compared to the older Lion Rock Gimbal Head L.
The weight is 1090 g with a maximum load of 10 kg. It is sold separately or together with a special tripod called the Lion Rock Gimbal M Tripod. The weight of the tripod without head is 1750 g and with tripod gimbal head 2840 g. By the way, this is almost the same weight as the Leica SL2 together with the Leica SL90-280. Furthermore, it is around the same weight as a vibration-free carbon tripod with high level of stability. For example the Lion Rock 25 Mark II Carbon Tripod with ball head has a weight of 2630 g. This is only 210 g less than the Lion Rock Gimbal Head L Tripod.

Of course you can use the Leica SL2 +SL90-280 on a beanbag or simple O.I.S handheld. The higher usable ISOs and IBIS has made a positive difference. Using this camera and lens combination on a ball head tripod requires to handle with its weight and even as a ball head is beneficial, it does not track that well.
Here you may consider a gimbal head, even on a relatively short lens like 280 mm. The primary purpose of a gimbal is not only to stabilize the image but also to release the weight from your arms. You may find yourself in situation where you have to wait for the right moment quite for a while and where you need soft camera movements and smooth pans to get the right shot. I mean not only for animal and sports photography but nature and landscape photography as well.

I found the Lion Rock Gimbal Head M works very well and super smooth with the Leica SL2 and SL90-280 mounted. The overall weight is not that bad. Of course, you always hope for a significantly reduced weight. I decided to use the gimbal head together with the Lion Rock Gimbal Tripod mainly because of the integrated leveling unit for precise alignment. The leveling unit is more important for a gimbal head than for a ball head. It comes with a practical carrying bag. You can use the bag with the gimbal head mounted or un-mounted in a separate compartment.

If you are on a photo trip where you want to use different lenses, where you want to change the lens often, you need to go for a ball head or similar. This gimbal head works mainly with the SL90-280. However, you could use the Leica SL 24-90 with the gimbal head as well together with the Novoflex Tripod Collar, that is made for the Leica SL24-90 and 90-280.

 

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Edited February 14, 2021 by Rayner

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[beewee]

The Wimberley Sidekick has worked well for me when combined with a RRS BH-40 ball with my old canon setup. Combined weight is around 1050g for the head and adapter. It’s a much more compact and flexible setup since I only need to add the sidekick of I want a gimbal. When I don’t need a gimbal, I have a normal tripod with a ball head. It saves me from swapping heads for having to own/carry a second set of legs.