Wildlife Photography with Limited Mobility
Using Gitzo Systematic Tripod and Fluid Gimbal Head
Last year I found myself in a quandary. An auto-immune disease had crept into my body causing severe shoulder and hip pain. I could no longer carry my camera gear.
Even my small mirrorless kit that I use for landscape work was too much and wildlife photography seemed off the table altogether.
I needed solutions!
After much soul searching, and ditching the thought of giving up photography, I discovered a number of solutions for different types of photography – even wildlife!
In this video, I share with you my solution for wildlife photography that has allowed me to continue doing what I love.
Instead of looking for more lightweight gear, the solution was in the other direction. It was bigger heavier gear that solved my problem!
My lifesaver was the Gitzo Systematic Tripod and Fluid Gimbal Head which allow me to do wildlife photography without having to deal with the weight of the gear at all.
But before I get into my new equipment, let me explain how I ended up choosing it.
I started photography 25 years ago back in the film and darkroom days. I gave it up for a long time while I pursued a different career. So when I decided to get back into photography seriously, I had enough experience to know how important a tripod is.
I spent as much money on my tripod as I did the camera and two lenses I bought – and that is the advice I give new photographers today.
I can tell you that there is no point in purchasing a tripod that is anything heavier than super light. If it isn’t so light that taking it along is a no brainer, you are going to end up leaving it home more often than not.
There is also no point in buying one that is not incredibly stable or you will be disappointed with the result in even a slight wind. You need a strong carbon fibre tripod.
This is the tripod I purchased 10 years ago. It is a Gitzo Traveler GT1545T. It cost me around $800 Canadian at the time. After doing my research, I chose it because it is strong, solid, and small enough to fit in my luggage.
I have not been kind to this tripod. It has been plunged into the ocean many times, practically buried in sand on the beach, it has been covered in mud, algae and seaweed and endured sand storms. And here’s the kicker – it has been cleaned exactly once!!
When my tripod gets covered in whatever gunk I expose it to on a given day, all I do is not collapse it once it’s dirty. When I get home I rinse it off and dry it. Then I still don’t collapse it until it is absolutely totally dry.
That’s it. It gets no other care aside from the one time it was cleaned properly.
So when I found myself in need of a taller and stronger tripod – I won’t lie – I didn’t even shop around. My first Gitzo tripod was and still is so good that I have no reason to consider a different brand.
Enter the Gitzo Systematic Tripod which I chose because it was capable of supporting more weight and was tall enough that I could bring it to eye level. It was the easiest purchase decision ever. It is the GT3543xls which cost me $950 USD. It’s maximum height is 202 cm or 6.6 feet. It weighs 2.3 kg or 5 pounds.
Next I needed a gimbal head which would allow me to point the camera in any direction and the gimbal head would hold the camera in place. It takes virtually no effort from me at all.
Before this purchase, I had never used a gimbal head before. A lot of people go with the popular Wimberley Gimbal Head, which I have never tried. But I did a lot of research and what people say is that the Wimberley head is somewhat looser and faster, which certainly has its place. The Gitzo Fluid Head has a bit of resistance to it. The bird photographers say that it is better for photographing birds in flight because the movement of the gimbal head is smoother. People who use it for video like it because they can do very smooth panning.
Since my primary purpose with this setup is bird photography, I decided to go with the Gitzo Fluid Head. In my experience with it over the past year, I agree that I get very smooth movement following birds in flight and my photos are sharp. It cost me $500 USD. It weighs 1.35 kg or 3 pounds.
Together the tripod and gimbal head weigh 3.65 kg or 8 pounds.
My Canon 7D mark II and the 400mm f/5.6L lens together weigh about 2 kg or 4.5 pounds. With my new (to me) 500mm F/4L lens the total weight is 4.8 kg or 10.5 pounds.
With the Gitzo Systematic Tripod and Fluid Gimbal Head, an investment of $1,500 dollars all together, I have been able to continue doing what I love! I can’t even express how important that has been to me after thinking I might have to give up photography along with everything else I enjoy in life.
You may be asking: But don’t you have to carry that gear somewhere in the first place? Well luckily no. My wonderful husband sets it up for me outside the RV every morning, wherever we are, and I can easily photograph whatever wildlife is around. In our summer location on an estuary on Vancouver Island, I can sit and watch birds and photograph whenever something interesting happens. Sometimes we drive to a different location and he sets it up for me there.
Now, because I have this fantastic setup, I have actually invested in an even bigger lens – after getting assurances from my husband that he will still set it up for me even if the lens weighs 8.5 pounds!
Isn’t it ironic that a disease that meant I couldn’t carry anything at all resulting in my getting bigger heavier gear and being able to get closer images than ever before.
If you are considering purchasing a Gitzo Tripod or Gimbal Head, you can get all the information you need here.
Use the code “gitzo10” to get 10% off your purchase.
*This post contains affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase, I will earn a commission at no cost to you. Read my disclosure.
this is awesome information to share! awesome to see ‘work arounds’ can be found. You have beautiful photographs, thank you!
Thanks Gin. I’m hoping my work arounds will help others with mobility issues as well.
I was so happy to see your new discoveries. Not at all surprised that you continue to be a successful wildlife photographer despite the challenges. You’re not a quitter, that’s for sure!
Great to see this working for you. And, a special thanks to Ray for being such a good steward. Not unexpected.
Thanks Paul. Ray certainly has been a solid support through all of this, and of course all of this is happening to him too. Just like anyone who goes through an illness or injury, it affects their loved ones too.
Excellent recommendation.
I do want to point out that the GT3543XLS has a max height of 79.5 inches. This can be extremely helpful when you are on a hill that slopes away from you. I also found it useful at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. When we got there one evening, the iconic spot directly across the lake was lined up with photographers. I extended the legs and climbed on a park bench to get my shot over everyone else. I was the only one in the group to get that shot. I have also found it useful to mount the camera high for a group shot.
Absolutely! I thought of that, I could mount the camera on the tripod at it’s tallest height, and use a ladder to go up a few steps. Or, like you say, use one long leg on a rugged terrain. It’s very useful to have an extremely tall tripod. I can see it being useful at one of those locations where there are a ton of photographers – you could still get a shot by shooting over everyone. Thanks for your comments Luke.
So good to see you again Anne. Beautiful work as always.
Thank you very much Sonja!
So glad you found a work around; I would miss your pictures terribly if you weren’t able to photograph anymore.
And thank you to your wonderful husband.
Many thanks Kathy! While I thought for a short time that I might have to give up photography, it didn’t take long to realize that I couldn’t. I need photography! It’s what keeps me focussed on the good things in life and without it I become obsessed with all the bad things. Thanks for your visit and comments 🙂
Very glad to see that working for you Anne. I wouldn’t have guessed bigger/heaver equipment was the solution though! 🙂
I know, right? It was actually Ray that suggested it. He puts the stuff outside for me, but I think a lot of people would be able to put the gear outside themselves. It’s the carrying gear around or trying to hold it up that is the hardest. So if you can put it outside yourself, or have someone do that little part for you, you can photograph wildlife with big heavy lenses and it is totally weightless with the gimbal. I just invested in a used 500mm f/4L to get me closer to the ducks this winter.
Thanks for your visit and comments Michael!
Thank you for sharing.
Love your work and so happy that you have found a working solution.
Stay safe
Thank you Fran! I appreciate your visit and comments 🙂 Hope you are staying safe and healthy as well.
Hey Anne – Great to see you exploring work-arounds!! You know the saying… “If at first you don’t sucka-seed, keep on suckin’ till you do suck-seed” (my 5th great teacher, Mr. Stewart). He he he.
Anyway, Great shot of the Blue Heron! Nicely framed by the bare limbs and in a super-cool position at that!
Now if I could only afford a Gitzo…
Great to see you up and running, please stay safe.
Martin
Hi Martin! Hey, that is a great saying, 🙂
Yes, the Gitzo is not inexpensive, but on the other hand if you take into account how long they last, which is probably forever, it’s the best investment I’ve made in any piece of camera gear. And it made wildlife photography possible again so that is priceless for me! Thanks for your comments!
Terrific setup … relax, shoot, relax (repeat). It’s great you’ve found gear that lets you continue making wonderful photos while accommodating your physical condition. Way to go! And kudos to Ray for doing the heavy lifting! Beautiful location to boot.
Thanks Suzy! It is gorgeous here. This has been our summer location for years, but this will be our first winter here since the border is closed. I love watching the birds on the estuary. Even on the days when there are not many photo opportunities, it is always feels good to be outside enjoying nature – well until the wind picks up anyway!! Then I move inside the RV and watch the same view out the back window.
Hi, Anne! I still fondly remember the day Val and I stumbled across you and your husband on the estuary on Vancouver Island, and had such a nice chat. I’m 84 now, and between my crappy scar laden lungs and a bad back, am now using a mobility scooter to get around my retirement community in Bellevue, WA. So my photography is pretty much over with because I just can’t walk far at all now, But I stay involved as much as I can with my iPhone because it’s always with me! Years ago I was invited to be on a women’s email list that had a lot in common, and for some reason they like it when I post an image now and then, so I go back into my files and and re-edit some of my older images, just to stay involved in photography. Keeps me happy to be doing anything with photography! What a wonderful life it’s been! I always feel we photographers are blessed being able to see little pockets of beauty no matter where we are, even if it’s just my dining room table and I’m photographing reflections in my water glass! Good to see your post today!
Hi Carol! I remember our visit as well. It’s always great to meet new like-minded friends and I’m so glad we’ve stayed in touch all this time. What you are doing is an inspiration to me because you have managed to keep photographing through your changing living situation. I bet the people in your retirement community are impressed with your creativity. You said it just right, being able to see these little pockets of beauty in the world, no matter where we are, is a blessing. Great to hear from you Carol, I hope you are staying safe and healthy.
Thank you so much Pat. I was inspired to find solutions by that incredible book you shared with me. If anyone else is interested, it is called “Defiant: A Broken Body is not a broken person”. The author also has an excellent TED talk here: https://www.ted.com/talks/janine_shepherd_a_broken_body_isn_t_a_broken_person?language=en
It really made a big difference for me and I hope it helps others discover ways to design their lives that allow for their own unique creative expression regardless of physical abilities.
Hi Anne,
Great video and beautiful photos! Enjoy the newsletter. May your health return to normal soon.
I would like to write an e-book for something to do. How did you produce your e-books? Take Care, JT
Thanks JT. I created mine using Keynote – which is like Power Point on a PC. I like using the presentation software because it is easy to do the layout. Then you just save it as a pdf. Hope that helps! Good luck with your book.
Hi Anne, It was so good to hear from you. I think of you often, particularly when I’m revisiting some of the excellent educational materials, which you’ve produced throughout your photographic adventures.
As some of these comments have suggested, we all will likely experience mobility issues IF we live long enough. I’m 79 this year and, given the choice, I’d much rather deal with mobility issues than the alternative. By addressing these issues, you have provided a real service to photographers and others as well.
Best wishes for your continuing progress.
So GLAD to hear that you are on the mend. I really enjoy your photography and and Ray’s equipment reviews!