Wimberly Tripod Head

ian408

I've struggled a bit with flight shots and not wanting to hang onto the
500mm mounted on a monopod all day. I considered several options and
settled on a Wimberley Head.

The head mounts directly on the tripod (unlike the Sidekick which mounts
to an Arca-Swiss style ball head). Installation was straight forward, instructions
for setup easy to follow.

Why a Wimberley and not a ball or 3-way head? The 500mm weighs in at eight plus
pounds. Add the camera and it's probably almost ten pounds. The WH allows
you to easily control the camera's direction. Once properly setup (either the
sidekick or WH), the camera and lens can be moved with a finger tip. It
tracks effortlessly and regardless of where you point the lens, it will stay
pointed even after you take your hand off the camera body. Can't do that
with a ball head nor with a 3-way head.

The WH does limit you in the field. Either you carry another head or another
tripod. The WH does not work with a camera and small lens (unless the lens
has a tripod collar). This is easily overcome with a Sidekick.

I've shot with the head on several occassions and had good results with
flight shots. When things aren't happening, I can take my hands off the
camera. It meets my needs.

You can read more about Wimberley and their products here.

Ian

pathfinder

ian408 wrote:

I've struggled a bit with flight shots and not wanting to hang onto the
500mm mounted on a monopod all day. I considered several options and
settled on a Wimberley Head.

The head mounts directly on the tripod (unlike the Sidekick which mounts
to an Arca-Swiss style ball head). Installation was straight forward, instructions
for setup easy to follow.

Why a Wimberley and not a ball or 3-way head? The 500mm weighs in at eight plus
pounds. Add the camera and it's probably almost ten pounds. The WH allows
you to easily control the camera's direction. Once properly setup (either the
sidekick or WH), the camera and lens can be moved with a finger tip. It
tracks effortlessly and regardless of where you point the lens, it will stay
pointed even after you take your hand off the camera body. Can't do that
with a ball head nor with a 3-way head.

The WH does limit you in the field. Either you carry another head or another
tripod. The WH does not work with a camera and small lens (unless the lens
has a tripod collar). This is easily overcome with a Sidekick.

I've shot with the head on several occassions and had good results with
flight shots. When things aren't happening, I can take my hands off the
camera. It meets my needs.

You can read more about Wimberley and their products here.

Ian

I chose to use the Sidekick, Ian. I looked at the Wimberly head, but didn't cotton to the extra cost and the extra weight to carry into the field. They say you can use up to a 500mm with the Sidekick and that has been my experience to date.

I just toss my Sidekick into my tripod bag in a little fleece pouch courtesy of Aerostitch. I know the W Head is probably better and more stable , but it requires another hand or trip to carry doesn't it? Should I reconsider?

ian408

pathfinder wrote:

I know the W Head is probably better and more stable , but it requires another hand or trip to carry doesn't it? Should I reconsider?

I think both are good choices. The advantage the SK offers is that you have
a tripod that can be used with the camera and other lenses. I don't know
that carrying it is more difficult but I figure you can put the camera and lens
together and then put both into the 500's bag and still have a free hand for
the tripod.

It was a tough choice and the deciding factor was the stability and the fact
I would spend as much to get the SK and a ball head it would work with (I
have a Bogen).


Ian

pathfinder

ian408 wrote:

I think both are good choices. The advantage the SK offers is that you have
a tripod that can be used with the camera and other lenses. I don't know
that carrying it is more difficult but I figure you can put the camera and lens
together and then put both into the 500's bag and still have a free hand for
the tripod.

It was a tough choice and the deciding factor was the stability and the fact
I would spend as much to get the SK and a ball head it would work with (I
have a Bogen).


Ian

Sounds like we came at this decison from opposite tacks. I already owned a large Arca-Swiss ball head anda Gitzo1325, so a Sidekick would work for me , and when I don't need it, I can just use the existing ball head. And the Sidekick was cheaper than buying a new Wimberly Head for me.
You didn't have a suitable Arca-Swiss head and thus buying a Sidekick and an Arca-Swiss head was more expensive for you. Makes Sense, now.

ian408

I spent a couple of hours on Sunday planted with the camera. I have to
say, it's nice to let go of the camera and know it's not going to flop one
way or the other. Very nice--take your hands off and the camera stays
where you left it.

The shots were surf shots.

Ian

Rohirrim

pathfinder wrote:

I chose to use the Sidekick, Ian. I looked at the Wimberly head, but didn't cotton to the extra cost and the extra weight to carry into the field. They say you can use up to a 500mm with the Sidekick and that has been my experience to date.

I just toss my Sidekick into my tripod bag in a little fleece pouch courtesy of Aerostitch. I know the W Head is probably better and more stable , but it requires another hand or trip to carry doesn't it? Should I reconsider?

Path are you still happy with the Sidekick? I recently purchased the Canon 500 mm and have the Arca-Swiss B1 ball head. I'm trying to decide between buying a full Wimberly and the Sidekick. I hate to spend the extra cash on the Full Wimberly if I don't have to.

pathfinder

I still use the Sidekick with a 1DMKll and a 500mm f4 L IS with a TC on a large Arca-Swiss B1. I think it will work with a RRS BH also though.

Otherwise I would have to dedicate one set of legs soley to a Wimberly Head, and I was reluctant to do that.

The short answer, I think, is that you do not have to use a Wimberly Head. I think you will find the Sidekick works just fine.

ian408

pathfinder wrote:

I still use the Sidekick with a 1DMKll and a 500mm f4 L IS with a TC on a large Arca-Swiss B1. I think it will work with a RRS BH also though.

Otherwise I would have to dedicate one set of legs soley to a Wimberly Head, and I was reluctant to do that.

The short answer, I think, is that you do not have to use a Wimberly Head. I think you will find the Sidekick works just fine.

I think you're right and the sidekick does work with the RRS head.

Ian