Wimberly Sidekick...

[TooManyShots]

Who is using one? I just bought one today and so far it really feels like I am actually handholding my 500L F4 IS either on a tripod or a monopod. I am planning to perfect the monopod technique with the Sidekick..... The only issue I have is that I have a Manfrotto ballhead with a lever based quick release. It has the traditional one screw mount release plate. I have to add 2 additional screws to stop the plate from rotating. I have about 14 days to try it out before I have to return it. I am still recuperating from my 500L purchase and this Sidekick is a bit steep in price...:)

[T.D.]

I have one and love it.

I also bought the neoprene sleeve for it. It gets REALLY cold when it's freezing outside.

[TooManyShots]

I have another problem. I can pan right and left on a monopd but not on a tripod. My ballhead has a single knob to tighten both axises. Depending which side you are mounting on???? I think I would mount it on the right since I need the extra space on the camera left to put it on my shoulder.

I have one and love it.

I also bought the neoprene sleeve for it. It gets REALLY cold when it's freezing outside.

[5Dmaniac]

If you don't have a seperate lock for panning on your ballhead, then the sidekick is useless. You should either get a decent ballhead or buy the full Wimberley head and not use a ballhead at all.

[TooManyShots]

Adding the cost of getting another ballhead, yes, I may as well get the full wimberly head.....:) Looking at $600+....

If you don't have a seperate lock for panning on your ballhead, then the sidekick is useless. You should either get a decent ballhead or buy the full Wimberley head and not use a ballhead at all.

[BradM]

Jobu Black Widow HD gimbal for me and my 500mm f/4. I can use it as a full gimbal on my tripod or by changing a few screws and removing the drop arm I can change it to a side mount style gimbal for use on the monopod and no ballhead is required. A great piece of kit IMO smooth, stable and strong and getting this two in one type product is still cheaper than the Wimberley.

http://www.jobu-design.com/index.html

[gymell]

I used to use the Sidekick with a Kirk BH-1 ball head. It does support the lens, but I have since gotten the full Wimberley head and it's so much more secure and easier to use. The price is definitely steep but it's just one of those things that makes such a difference.

[TooManyShots]

Thanks.... I went back to BH and exchanged for the Black Widow HD. They didn't have the light weight version in the store (in the warehouse in brooklyn). I also saved myself another hundred dollar over the Wimberly.

Jobu Black Widow HD gimbal for me and my 500mm f/4. I can use it as a full gimbal on my tripod or by changing a few screws and removing the drop arm I can change it to a side mount style gimbal for use on the monopod and no ballhead is required. A great piece of kit IMO smooth, stable and strong and getting this two in one type product is still cheaper than the Wimberley.

http://www.jobu-design.com/index.html

[Nighthound]

I went with the full Wimberley II on a Gitzo Carbon Fiber tripod for my 500L. Not cheap but after going all out for a 500L I wanted to get the most from it.

How do you like the Black Widow HD so far? I looked at it online but having never had my hands on one I went with the Wimberley.

[TooManyShots]

I went with the full Wimberley II on a Gitzo Carbon Fiber tripod for my 500L. Not cheap but after going all out for a 500L I wanted to get the most from it.

How do you like the Black Widow HD so far? I looked at it online but having never had my hands on one I went with the Wimberley.

It works the same, except that the movement could be a bit smoother. Smoother as in ball bearing smooth. :) Other than that, I am very happy with it.

[BradM]

I haven't found any issues with smoothness on mine, it is like baby oil on a something young, smooth and atttractive. If you do find you a problem just a hold of Ian Gvozdek (President) at Jobu and he will make you happy. An email to sales@jobu-design.com will get you a response from Ian, nice guy and really backs his product.

[FlyingPhotog]

Forgive an ignorant question from the peanut gallery but can you use a Wemberly in the same fashion that you would use a video pan head.

IOW, can you pan and tilt smoothly enough to track moving objects like you would with a video camera? Can you induce a bit of drag in both axis as well?

[BradM]

Forgive an ignorant question from the peanut gallery but can you use a Wemberly in the same fashion that you would use a video pan head.

IOW, can you pan and tilt smoothly enough to track moving objects like you would with a video camera? Can you induce a bit of drag in both axis as well?

Gimbal heads like the Wimberly or Jobu are designed to have smoothing tracking in both axis, along with balancing a long heavy lens so that one can point the lens at something and release and it will stay on the subject regardless of orientation. Additional drag can be introduced by tightening the clamps in either or both axis.

These are great for tracking birds in flight with long glass or any other moving object for that matter.

[TooManyShots]

Forgive an ignorant question from the peanut gallery but can you use a Wemberly in the same fashion that you would use a video pan head.

IOW, can you pan and tilt smoothly enough to track moving objects like you would with a video camera? Can you induce a bit of drag in both axis as well?

There is enough drag by default that if you leave the head panning upward, your lens will stay there. My earlier comments was referring to the gimbal head inability to swing like a pendulum. :) It was the frictionless feel I was after.

[FlyingPhotog]

Gimbal heads like the Wimberly or Jobu are designed to have smoothing tracking in both axis, along with balancing a long heavy lens so that one can point the lens at something and release and it will stay on the subject regardless of orientation. Additional drag can be introduced by tightening the clamps in either or both axis.

These are great for tracking birds in flight with long glass or any other moving object for that matter.

That's exactly what I was wondering thank you...

Of course, my preferred bird is made of aluminum but that's beside the point. ;)

[highcountry]

I use the Sidekick with an Arca Swiss ballhead on a Gitzo tripod. Works perfect for what I need and keeps me down to one tripod.

[gage]

I have a sidekick to use with my acratech v2 ballhead. I like the ballhead, precision machined and pretty smooth. Panning knob is a little prone to loosening. the clamp is very good with nonslip dedent pin. Have thought of going to arcaswiss Z1 to reduce confusion of multiple knobs.
The sidekick is another story - I find the machining very rough where it slips into the ballhead -just a casting -and rough powdercoat, never trusted that it would stay put as I had to snap it into the acrarech clamp before tightening. Acratech offered to adjust the clamps I have ( for free ). It fell out of the clamp onto rocks at the lip of a waterfall. I took it to my vice and flat filled the back of it till it fit properly , I trust it now and will carry my 300 2.8 Is over my shouder , but Wimberley should have made the piece properly to begin with , they offered a $ 40 spacer that is a proper fit ( Spacer ) to fit to a clamp.
Didn't see why acratech should have to fix wimberley's problem.
Regards