WHY didn't I get one of these before???

So a fellow forum member had a Wimberly Sidekick for sale last week and I grabbed it. Now all I want to know is... why didn't I get one of these before?

This shot was taken at 400mm, and get a load of the settings: 1/60s, f/6.3, ISO250.

What does it do?

NothingRemains10 wrote in post #10600386
What does it do?

It's a tripod head (actually an attachment to an existing ballhead) that gives you an amazing stability for your camera and lens while letting you shoot in many different directions by simply pointing the camera in that direction (unlike an ordinary tripod head). Ordinarily, the rule of thumb is to shoot at least as fast as the focal length of your lens, so 1/400th at a minimum for 400mm. These were both MUCH slower than that, at speeds that would be just IMPOSSIBLE handheld, yet they're crystal clear.

I have the side kick as well. Quality equipment can certainly make the job more fun. When I can not handhold, then my 400 goes on the side kick. Now get a 1.4 and add it to the mix. I can get VERY nice shots using the side kick for stability. Nice work on the pictures by the way.

res wrote in post #10602275
I have the side kick as well. Quality equipment can certainly make the job more fun. When I can not handhold, then my 400 goes on the side kick. Now get a 1.4 and add it to the mix. I can get VERY nice shots using the side kick for stability. Nice work on the pictures by the way.

Not sure how well a 1.4 will do with the 100-400 -- it's already 5.6 -- I think I'd lose AF.

Great results Judy and congrats on the gear upgrade. Having a solid pod and mount are huge at 400+ FL. My Wimberley II adds more weight than I wish it did but it's rock solid so it's worth it.

Nighthound wrote in post #10605361
Great results Judy and congrats on the gear upgrade. Having a solid pod and mount are huge at 400+ FL. My Wimberley II adds more weight than I wish it did but it's rock solid so it's worth it.

If I had the 500, I'd have no choice but to go with the tripod and full Wimberley on every shot! I can handhold the 100-400, but not at slow speeds. So the Sidekick will extend the utility of the 100-400 for sure, and I was astounded at by how much it extends it.

jgrussell wrote in post #10602739
Not sure how well a 1.4 will do with the 100-400 -- it's already 5.6 -- I think I'd lose AF.

Yes, I loose the af also since I am shooting the 400 5.6. It is a tough combo for birds in flight for sure but for stills it is an excellent combination.

res wrote in post #10608189
Yes, I loose the af also since I am shooting the 400 5.6. It is a tough combo for birds in flight for sure but for stills it is an excellent combination.

I'd certainly use it if I had the 400 prime, not so sure on the zoom.

I have the sidekick and use it with heavier lenses. I think a sidekick on a 400mm f 5.6 is overkill. Any decent ballhead will give you everything a sikekick will on lenses of this size and weight

Larry Weinman wrote in post #10611432
Any decent ballhead will give you everything a sikekick will on lenses of this size and weight

As the owner of a good Markins ballhead, I beg to differ. One finger control of the camera ain't bloody likely on even the best ballhead.

Nice piece of gear. Pricey, but if you can find one used, its a great acquisition.

garyark wrote in post #10623955
Nice piece of gear. Pricey, but if you can find one used, its a great acquisition.

Or get a Jobu - very nearly as good, but quite a bit cheaper.

garyark wrote in post #10623955
Nice piece of gear. Pricey, but if you can find one used, its a great acquisition.

Thanks -- sure love the Buy-Sell section here. Most of my gear has come through that section!

jgrussell wrote in post #10618727
As the owner of a good Markins ballhead, I beg to differ. One finger control of the camera ain't bloody likely on even the best ballhead.

The beauty of the 400mm f 5.6 lens is that it is so light you can hand hold it with no problem. I'm not against the sidekick, I have one myself and use it in heavy lenses. Why do you need one finger control of a light lens?