Sidekick and RRS B55?

[MDJAK]

I'm getting a Canon 300 f2.8 tomorrow.

I'm interested in the Wimberly Sidekick. Can that be placed on my really right stuff ball head? Anybody know what I need to do so?

Thanks

mark

[JKSeidel]

I use the same combo, a Sidekick and an RSS BH-55. They work fine together. You just mount the Sidekick on Arca-Swiss compatible slide on the BH-55 and position the ball in one of the two side slots of the ballhead collar. Make sure to stiffen the ball tension to your tastes and I usually loosen the pano adjustment so that I can rotate the top assembly freely.

[MDJAK]

Thank you, Jeffrey. I've read elsewhere here that someone has trouble closing the quick release clamp on the ballhead completely.

Do you have that setup? I do.

When you say arca compatible, did you get that from RRS?

Thanks again.

mark

[Steve Beck]

The RRS 55 works just fine with the sidekick. I talked with Charles extensively at RRS before ordering my 55 ballhead.. The quick release lkever or the pro plates work just fine...

[Rumjungle]

The issue with the QR lever clamp and sidekick is documented in Wimberley's site:
http://www.tripodhead.com/faqs-ballhead-recommendation.cfm

[JKSeidel]

Thank you, Jeffrey. I've read elsewhere here that someone has trouble closing the quick release clamp on the ballhead completely.

Do you have that setup? I do.

When you say arca compatible, did you get that from RRS?

I use RRS plates and haven't encountered an issue with my Sidekick and lever clamp version of the BH-55. The Sidekick locks in tightly and the clamp level closes completely and securely. RRS adopted the Arca-Swiss plate/clamp style (many would like it to be adopted formally as the industry standard) and I believe uses it exclusively in their product lines. I have read of some issues and the notice Rumjungle kindly cited pretty much defines the problem. I haven't experienced any difficulties with my set up (identical to yours as far as the ballhead and Sidekick go), so you should be okay as far as that goes.

[Rumjungle]

The coating does make for some variability in the sidekicks, but Wimberley should know which ones will fit and which ones don't. All they have to do is compare their finished products to the measurements of the RRS plate. I measured mine and found that the sidekick was about 0.035" bigger. I'm debating if I should:


Purchase an adapter plate
Modify the Sidekick
Switch from a Lever Clamp to a Pro Clamp (screw type)

[Mike K]

The coating does make for some variability in the sidekicks, but Wimberley should know which ones will fit and which ones don't. All they have to do is compare their finished products to the measurements of the RRS plate. I measured mine and found that the sidekick was about 0.035" bigger. I'm debating if I should:


Purchase an adapter plate
Modify the Sidekick
Switch from a Lever Clamp to a Pro Clamp (screw type)


Assuming you are planning on keeping the sidekick I would simply file off a bit of the powder coating on the plate portion, just enough so that it can slide in.

[MDJAK]

Thank you all for the excellent information.

Rum, I checked out that link. Very helpful.

Got the 300 today. Yippee.

mark

[Rumjungle]

Mike, I think you're right. At this point, I'd rather not spend more money to get this going or have to give up the Lever Clamp...it's just so quick and easy to use.

Mark, glad I could be of service. Congrats on the 300! It's a sweetheart of a lens.:D

Andy

[Steve Beck]

Charles at RRS said the isssue no longer exists. That info is if you have an older sidekick. Anything bougth new from this point on works fine...

[Rumjungle]

That's not true according to Wimberley. I talked to them on the phone about it first before buying it from last week. RRS also told me that there should be no problem, but Wimberley warned me from the start about the Lever Clamps.

[Steve Beck]

Thats why I went wqith a pro clamp with a knob that way i have no issues with any dovetail plates in the future you can just tighten down and not have to worry about it.