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View Full Version : Full Wimberly vs Sidekick

TammieO
11th of April 2005 (Mon), 20:43
Anyone have any experience with both these products? I have an RRS ballhead and will be inheriting a 600mm prime in a few months :D . The Sidekick will be less $$, but I hate to spend the money on it and have to spend more on the full Wimberly if I am dissatisfied with the Sidekick. Thanks...
CyberDyneSystems
11th of April 2005 (Mon), 21:38
The Sidekick will "do",... but for the 600mm?,..
...a lens that large is what the full Wimberly is really made for.

I have a Sidekick and the el~ cheapo Mnafrotto Gimble,. ($165.00 with QR release and plate) and the Manfrotto is definately the better of the two.

The issue is bottom mount Vs. Side mount,. the heavier the lens,. the more important bottom mount is for balance and secure fitting.

Currently there are a host of Side mount options,. the Side kick,. Kirk Kobra, Mongoose,. and some others..

There are only two bottom mount options,. the Wimberly and the manfrotto.

For a 600mm I'd go straight for the full monty ;)
Belmondo
11th of April 2005 (Mon), 21:45
I don't have any experience with anything other than the full Wimberly, but I can swear to its qualaity and usefulness. The beauty of it is that when you have the camera/lens properly balanced on it, you can move it to almost any position, and it will stay there. The trick is to dial in just a little friction on each of the two axes, and the thing will stay pointed wherever you put it. I only have the 500 f/4 as my largest lens at present, but I'm still glad to have the Wimberly. I've even used it on my 100-400.
Phil Hall
12th of April 2005 (Tue), 10:51
I have the 600mm and the full Wimberly. I have not used the sidekick but am very happy with the full blown version. I believe Don Cohen uses the Sidekick with the 600 mm
http://www.dlcphotography.net/

Phil Hall
Santa Ynez CA
TammieO
12th of April 2005 (Tue), 19:44
Sounds like the full is the way to go. Thank you, I appreciate all the input! I think some Ramen noodles are on sale at one of the local grocery stores!
CyberDyneSystems
12th of April 2005 (Tue), 20:45
.... I think some Ramen noodles are on sale at one of the local grocery stores!


...or you coiuld just sell the lens hood for the 600mm to finance the Wimberly... :lol:
radar-eclipse
12th of April 2005 (Tue), 22:05
Yep, with an extra 3-4 lbs over the 500mm, the 600mm wants the Wimberly. If you had a 500, you "can" get by with the Sidekick, although the WHead is a the sure thing. I have both and love them.
RJSorensen
18th of April 2005 (Mon), 05:35
Ramen noodles . . . to be well provided for optically AND to be thin!