Opinions please. Gimbal-type heads for large lenses

[Belmondo]

I recently bought an FD 600mm f/4.5L lens. I also found one of the authentic Canon FD-EOS converters (of which supposedly only 500 or so were ever made). The lens is approximately 21" long and weighs about 8.25 pounds. It's a pretty good handful.

I've come to the realization that I need a gimbal-type head to handle this puppy, and wonder if anyone has any opinions as to the relative merits of the major brands.

Right now, Wimberly seems to be the more popular, but Kirk makes the King Cobra, and Bogen make a rig that looks like a trapeze.

Also, there's the Wimberly Sidekick which will work with a large ball head.

Any thoughts?

[CyberDyneSystems]

Belmondo..

I do not like the "side mount" units.. this includes the Sidekick (which I own) and the Kirk and some others..

All of these units are easily "beat" by the two best units... whcih happen to be at opposite ends of the price spectrum.

1. "Full Winberly" Probably the best bar none.. but part of it's superiority is a result of "making a better mousetrrap" ie: creating a larger problem to overcome that was not neccesary. In essence .. the unit is over designed.. more complex than it needs to be and thus very costly.

Still it is marvelous! :)

2: Manfrotto. I also have this unit and FAR prefer it to the "sidemount" units like Sidekick or Kirk. And it's UNDER $200.00 WITH QR release and plate. It is a perfect example of how sometimes the simplest approach is best.

The Manfrotto is well worht a serious look. For your needs I would say it is damn near perfect at labout 1/3rd the cost of the full wimberly.

[Belmondo]

Thanks, CDS. The Bogen unit does look a little hokey, but at the price, and considering how seldom I'm likely to use that lens, it does make a lot of sense.

[CyberDyneSystems]

It's what i've been using for the 500mm.. it really does the job .. and better than many units costing significantly more.

The QR system is really good too.. with built in safety features to prevent dumping your rig.
You'll want it on one of your beefier tripods of course...

[JCK]

I also got both the Wimberly and the Manfrotto, I prefer the Wimberly, it's rock steady and handles like butter, it's almost like cheating... but if you ever use a Monopod, the Manfrotto is a better pick.

[PacAce]

It's what i've been using for the 500mm.. it really does the job .. and better than many units costing significantly more.

The QR system is really good too.. with built in safety features to prevent dumping your rig.
You'll want it on one of your beefier tripods of course...

Yup, I have to agree with CDS. I have one of those "machine gun" mounts, too. :D But for how often I use it, it serves the purpose very well....and darn cheaper, too, than the Wimberly.