Gimbal or Ball head

[Guy]

Hi,
I currently use a 40D with a 400mm f5.6 for wildlife. I generally set up on a Giottos tripod with ball head. I don't find the ball head very easy to use when tracking or moving the lens to photograph birds. It may be that the ball head is a not suited for this camera weight/set up. Would I be better to look at a better quality ball head or even a gimbal? was tempted to look at the lensmaster head as noted by black Rat seems a decent price.
Is a gimball a bit over the top?

Comments welcome.

Guy

[Pete W]

John Stuart-Clarke (member here) has been testing the Lensmaster Gimbal

LOOK HERE

I use the Manfrotto 393 Gimbal as do many others as is well priced and a great bit of kit

[Guy]

Thanks for the reply Pete,
The review looks favorable and the lensmaster looks good for the price. Do you think a Gimbal head is overkill for my set-up?

Thanks

Guy

[Pete W]

If you use a tripod regularly with the 400 for BIF and other wildlife then a Gimbal is the way to go