Wimberley Sidekick Vs. Full Gimbal Wimberley

Looking to get either a full Wimberley Gimbal Head or a Wimberley Sidekick with Arca Swiss Monball B1. I will be using it on a Gitzo 1327. Main lenses used will be a 300 F/2.8L IS and eventually a 500 F/4L IS. I am leaning towards the sidekick with ballhead for its versatility. How does a 500 perform on the sidekick, I would love to get some opinions on this

I've tried the 500 on both the sidekick (RRS ballhead) and the full wimberley. I find it's easier to mount on the full wimberly. Both are sturdy enough to support the 500, but I think it's easier to move the camera and lens on the full wimberly.

TammieO wrote in post #2448053
I've tried the 500 on both the sidekick (RRS ballhead) and the full wimberley. I find it's easier to mount on the full wimberly. Both are sturdy enough to support the 500, but I think it's easier to move the camera and lens on the full wimberly.

Thanks for the reply, I am so torn as which to get, this helps though

I use the full Wimberley with the Sigma 500mm and it's wonderfull. The lense sits fully balanced and steady.

But if I were to get just one, either the full wimberley or the sidekick & ballhead, what would you do.

calicokat wrote in post #2449813
But if I were to get just one, either the full wimberley or the sidekick & ballhead, what would you do.

What is your current tripod head?

scottbergerphoto wrote in post #2449818
What is your current tripod head?

A gitzo 1276m

That's a great head. I guess it all depends on how often you'll use the long lens. If you are going to use it often, I'd keep the Gitzo head and get the full wimberley.

scottbergerphoto wrote in post #2450327
That's a great head. I guess it all depends on how often you'll use the long lens. If you are going to use it often, I'd keep the Gitzo head and get the full wimberley.

I agree with you, I guess its just my preference on use. Can the full head be used with all lenses with the head mounted to the camera on say a 1D and 24-70L

calicokat wrote in post #2450351
I agree with you, I guess its just my preference on use. Can the full head be used with all lenses with the head mounted to the camera on say a 1D and 24-70L

One advantage of the full Wimberly is that you can balance the camera and lens combo on all axes so that you can leave the lens pointed in any direction and it will stay that way without you holding it.

If you want to use the full Wimberly with all lenses (and I've heard of people doing this and getting rid of their regular heads), you will need to get an Arca-type plate on the camera and an M-8 plate to adapt the camera plate to the full Wimberly. The problem is using the camera in the portrait orientation. To do that, you'll need to use an L-plate instead of the regular camera plate.

PacAce wrote in post #2450534
One advantage of the full Wimberley is that you can balance the camera and lens combo on all axes so that you can leave the lens pointed in any direction and it will stay that way without you holding it.

If you want to use the full Wimberley with all lenses (and I've heard of people doing this and getting rid of their regular heads), you will need to get an Arca-type plate on the camera and an M-8 plate to adapt the camera plate to the full Wimberley. The problem is using the camera in the portrait orientation. To do that, you'll need to use an L-plate instead of the regular camera plate.

thanks for the info, I will have to weigh all the options and make a decision. I like the idea of the full wimberley, but I also like the arca swiss head too

PacAce wrote in post #2450534
One advantage of the full Wimberley is that you can balance the camera and lens combo on all axes so that you can leave the lens pointed in any direction and it will stay that way without you holding it.

If you want to use the full Wimberley with all lenses (and I've heard of people doing this and getting rid of their regular heads), you will need to get an Arca-type plate on the camera and an M-8 plate to adapt the camera plate to the full Wimberley. The problem is using the camera in the portrait orientation. To do that, you'll need to use an L-plate instead of the regular camera plate.

Thanks Leo. You just cost me $85 for an M Plate. I didn't know they had that. The Wimberly is an awfully heavy head to carry around for short lenses. The M plate will be good to have if I'm out with my 500 and I want some shots with a shorter lens.

Maybe I'll get the ballhead and full wimberley. Is it bad at all to change out heads on a tri-pod, does it strip anything out in time

calicokat wrote in post #2451440
Maybe I'll get the ballhead and full wimberley. Is it bad at all to change out heads on a tri-pod, does it strip anything out in time

I don't think anything gets stripped out but it may also depend on how the heads are attached to the tripod. I have the 3221 which has a removeable center column. It has a metal top where you can screw your head to and it's got three set screws to keep the head in place. There's also a screw base (not sure what it's really called) at the bottom of the column which is comes off and it made of heavy plastic. When you take the center column off, you can place this plastic base on the tripod and attach a different head on it. So, my Wimberly is screwed onto the center column proper and the 486RC2 head is screwed on to the plastic screw base. When the tripod is set on its legs with the Wimberly head on top, the 486RC2 is hanging upside down at the bottom of the center column.

If you don't have a center column that works like mine does, it might be a pain to be screwing off one head and screwing on another though.