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Black Widow Gimbal Head ...Steady as she goes

Another better mouse trap … The Jobu design Black Widow Gimbal

You've got to admire a person that can build a better mouse trap, even if only for the thought alone! At least I sure do! Personally, if I had a hammer, screwdriver and wrench, I could only do damage and destruction. My experience is usually to myself! So I've quit even thinking about such undertakings. I don't even give it much thought when a product is not to my liking, until someone will suggest a fix for the problem. I wish I were more optimistic in my approach sometimes but my response to such things are usually along the lines of "Sure … and just how would you do such a thing"?

My experience with the Acratech Ultimate Ballhead and it's manufacturer convinced me that there can be room for that better mouse trap. A simple idea turned out to be a valuable tool that I have used for years. It ended that silly situation where I needed a tripod and didn't bring it along because.. Well, I didn't bring it along! That simple idea was a product that was lighter, did the same thing as it's already industry standard product and was less expensive! Simple you say? I saw a lot of products from some big manufactures that didn't come close! Acratech nailed it, and now I have another to add to my kit; the Black Widow Gimbal Tripod head by Jobu Design.


Let's take those three issues we talked about for openers.

  1. Weight: Surely this is not the issue a standard ballhead has, after all, you usually don't hike a couple of miles into the field with your 600mm and the discover that your standard ballhead will not support it. Instead you are most likely to be shooting long glass from a blind or a road, someplace you can get to fairly easily. So why would weight of the gimbal head be a concern? Ever have to pick up and change position quickly? Last October I had such a situation.

    We were watching a grizzly mother with two cubs in Yellowstone. A nearby photographer, while running to change position, screamed to his friend, "see, you can run with a 600MM"! It didn't look comfortable, and I would not suggest it, but I did stop to watch him, like most do on an interstate after a wreck. Although he didn't trip or fall, my thoughts were about the three pounds less my gimbal was than his, and how that had to make a difference! Yes, the Black Widow is three pounds lighter and smaller than anything I've used before! I think this is a definite plus!
  2. Function: It does what the others do. It's fluid, it's sturdy and solid, and it has a pin that instantly locks the movement so you can toss the whole rig over your shoulder and move quickly from one location to another without having that expensive, heavy, unbalanced lens flop forward or backward. This improvement Jobo has made recently. A welcomed one that I find most "better mouse trap" makers do a lot. I find that they care about their product and stay close to it's users for advice and suggestions which is another benefit of this type of manufacturer. The side mount (rather than the cradle effect of most others) is somewhat different in approach, and takes a little getting use to. One can make the point that lifting the heavy lens and camera to mount it on the side is not a good thing, but neither is three more pounds of weight or a bigger head. The horizontal bracket is available if this becomes a problem for you, but of course adds weight. The Black Widow is small enough to go in my tripod bag along with two tripods, and a sidekick. I don't have to remember to take it, it's already there! As for it's operation in the field, there are two big easy knobs. One for horizontal, the other for movement vertical. Nothing could be more simple and most importantly, it stays where you want it! 
  3. Price: Like my ballhead example that I started with, a gimbal head might be thought of as the last piece of quality equipment to purchase. I think it's just the opposite! A gimbal is absolutely necessary with long lenses. Anyone that doubts this will quickly learn better. It didn't take me long! But the price you say? I can empathize here also but the difference in price of the Black Widow and it's competition will, I think, make this purchase a lot more comfortable and quicker than you might have thought. There is a big difference in cost.

Conclusion: It does what the others do. It's lighter, considerably lighter than the rest, just as sturdy and solid and it's less expensive by far. If you are in the market for a gimbal head, I urge you to check out the Black Widow by Jobu Design.