Wimberley Head - Version II

I'm plunging into the the pro equipment in 07, I shoot AMA roadracing (with Crednetials) The question I have about the Wimberley is, why don't photographers use the head? it makes susch sense to use it (panning) I know weight is a issue but the team that I shoot for has scooters that I have access to, so weight shoud not be to much of an issue.

Since you posted this in the sport section, I'm guessing your asking
"why don't Sports photographers use the head?"

Nature photographers use and swear by it, (and the previous version)

I can only hazard a theory that you don't see them often for sports shooters as you don't often have luxury of working with a tripod at all. ?

When shooting trackside... you are NOT allowed to use tripods... so a Wimberly would really be useless. Most of the time, you just handhold the lenses... and there isn't anything better for panning than handholding. When using long lenses, you can use a monopod... but there are times you just need to get rid of it.

-Todd...

okay, well hissy fits and cat fights aside.

for sports shooting tripods, even if allowed, are very clumsy and immobile, and that quickly outweighs the pro's of the situation when you have to move a lot, even with the longest lenses. a monopod is a much better solution for large lenses, and then you can just rotate the entire camera on the monopod, so you wouldnt need a large gimbal head. gimbal heads are fantastic for nature work, but as you have seen they dont do a thing for sports.

I'm predominantly a wildlife photographer for my personal photography and I have the new version of the Wimberly head. I have shot a couple of motorsport events and quite honestly you find yourself always having to step over or around one leg of the tripod when panning. I much prefer a monopod for this type of shooting but as many things in photography this really is a personal decision. If it works for you great, if not you move on and find something that does.

I will say that I love this new head for wildlife and birding. It so well balanced and smooth it really is well worth the expense of it.

cwphoto - I have no idea why you would want to start and through in comments like this in a thread that was asking a serious question. I just hate to see people through this kind of comment in on a thread that has no place being there.