- Gimbals can actually help a lot with safety, especially on steep or uneven roofs—less chance of jerky footage if you stumble a bit.
- Most newer gimbals are surprisingly lightweight, so I don’t feel like they throw off my balance much.
- Shoulder mounts are classic, but I’ve had them snag on gutters or vents more than once… not fun when you’re already trying to keep your footing.
- For close-up damage shots (hail hits, lifted shingles), the gimbal’s smoothness really helps, especially if you’re sending clips to insurance.
- I get the “hands free” point, but with a good wrist strap, I’m not too worried about dropping the gimbal. Just my experience—maybe it depends on the roof pitch and how much gear you’re lugging.
Totally get where you’re coming from—shoulder mounts have nearly sent me sliding off a roof more than once. Gimbals are a game changer for those awkward pitches, especially when you’re trying to film hail hits and not your own tumble. I used to think they’d be too bulky, but the newer ones are lighter than my lunchbox. Still, I’ll admit, on a windy day with a steep metal roof, I’m gripping that wrist strap like it’s my last donut. Guess it’s all about what you’re comfortable with, but for me, smoother footage and fewer gutter snags win out.
on a windy day with a steep metal roof, I’m gripping that wrist strap like it’s my last donut.
I hear you on the wind factor—metal roofs are basically slip-n-slides with a grudge. But honestly, I still lean toward shoulder mounts for most of my inspections. Gimbals are great for smooth shots, but I’ve had them freak out mid-pan when the magnetics from the roof mess with the sensors. Plus, if you’re juggling a clipboard and a camera, sometimes the old-school shoulder rig just feels more predictable. Maybe I’m just stubborn, but I like knowing exactly where my camera’s pointing, even if my footage isn’t Oscar-worthy.
Shoulder mounts just feel more “real” to me, if that makes sense. I’ve tried a gimbal a couple times—borrowed one from a buddy who swears by his for drone work—but on my roof (which is steep enough to make my knees knock), it just felt like one more thing to worry about. The gimbal did smooth out the shakes, but I kept fighting with it when the wind picked up or when I got too close to the ridge vent. Plus, I had a moment where it started spinning on its own, and I nearly dropped the whole setup. Not fun.
I get why people love gimbals for those buttery-smooth shots, but for me, predictability wins out. My shoulder rig isn’t fancy, but at least I know it won’t suddenly decide to do a 360 when I’m trying to snap a photo of a rusty fastener. And yeah, juggling a camera, flashlight, and notepad is already enough of a circus act without adding electronics that might glitch out because of the metal roof.
I will say, though, if you’re doing video walkthroughs or need to impress someone with your footage, the gimbal is hard to beat—when it works. For basic inspections or just documenting repairs, I’d rather have something simple and sturdy. Maybe I’m just old school, but I’d rather have slightly shaky footage than risk my gear taking a tumble off the roof.
Funny thing is, my neighbor swears by his phone and a selfie stick. Says he can reach all the tricky spots without ever leaving the ladder. Not sure I trust myself with that method, but hey, whatever keeps you off the ER bill, right?