Wimberley / Arca heads query??

I have a Benbo series 1 tripod (or should I call it piece of scaffold)
and currently looking at getting a 500L.

Obviously I need to upgrade the head etc to accomodate such a beast.

Do I go for a Wimberley head or go for the arca swiss z1 ballhead with the Wimberley sidekick?

Also, what size quick release plate needed??

What other alternatives heads are suitable please?

Not particularly worried about the cost of these, but trying to be practical & avoiding the cheap imitations on Ebay etc.

Hoping some bod can help here please.

Thanks
V58

Depends on what you're going to be shooting. If wildlife and/or birds, I think the Wimberley HD200 heads would make more sense. For other purposes (can't think of any other use for the 500L at the moment other than maybe sports but that'd most probably be with a monopod and without a head), then a heavy duty ballhead might make sense.

Wimberley, RRS and other lens plate makers usually have a chart that tells you what plates should be used with particular lenses.

The Sidekick is sufficient for the 500, but the full Wimberley head is SO much easier to work with. Also instead of a quick release plate, consider a replacement foot, which is much more convenient. I have the Kirk LP-53 foot replacement and it's great. For monopod usage. there's always the RRS high capacity monopod head.

An alternate suggestion...

I absolutely LOVE my Manfrotto 3421 Gimbal Mount...

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …3421_Heavy_Tele​_Lens.html

http://www.nikonians.o​rg …/manfrotto_393/​393_1.html

http://www.pbase.com/l​iquidstone

I use it with a flash mount that I fabricated from some aluminum flat stock.

This mount is sturdy, relatively inexpensive (it comes with a lens plate) and can accomodate the largest of lenses.

It is absolutely great on either a sturdy tripod or on a sturdy monopod like my Manfrotto 681.

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This is not my rig...

This is not the rig I use (I am a Canon guy) but my flash bracket is set up like this one.

RPCrowe wrote in post #6419568
This is not the rig I use (I am a Canon guy) but my flash bracket is set up like this one.

Too late! Your reputation here has already been tarnished!

If you have to unscrew the full wimberly head to use your camera with a lens that doesn't have a tripod ring by screwing on the Z1 wouldn't you think it defeats the " quick mount "idea.???
I'm thinking of switching from acratech v2 to Z1 with QR lever because all the knobs on my current setup are too similar ,plus the sidekick is a very tight fit to the acratech v2 due to wimberley's rough casting instead of machining on the sidekick . the sidekick even fell out one time. --regards

gage wrote in post #6420374
If you have to unscrew the full wimberly head to use your camera with a lens that doesn't have a tripod ring by screwing on the Z1 wouldn't you think it defeats the " quick mount "idea.???
I'm thinking of switching from acratech v2 to Z1 with QR lever because all the knobs on my current setup are too similar ,plus the sidekick is a very tight fit to the acratech v2 due to wimberley's rough casting instead of machining on the sidekick . the sidekick even fell out one time. --regards

I think the question was an "either or" type of a question, not "both". That is, the OP was asking if he should get the full Wimberley or should he get the Z1 and use the Sidekick. Not sure why anybody would get a full Wimberley and then swap heads with a Z1 on the same tripod. if both are required, I'd get two different tripods, one for each head. Or make do with either the just the full Wimberley or just the Z1.

Or did I misunderstand the point you were trying to make in your 1st paragraph?

Thanks all for the replies.
I noticed from RPCrowes links, the 3421 is discontinued, and that the Manfrotto 393 gimbal has a certain appeal (if not on cost alone).
I occasionally use my Manfrotto 679 monopod, but not sure whether it would be "man enough" for use with a 500L. (Does help take the strain when using the 100 - 400), but wanting the lens more for wildlife & birds so I guess the tripod wins.
I shall investigate the 393 for tripod use for sure, as well as the wimberley head so thanks again for steering me in the right direction.

Another option you may want to check out is Acratech's Long Lens Head. I use this in preference to my Gimbal when I'm out walking as it is a lot lighter and smaller. It can handle a 500L with no problems.

Vulcan58 wrote in post #6421242
Thanks all for the replies.
I noticed from RPCrowes links, the 3421 is discontinued, and that the Manfrotto 393 gimbal has a certain appeal (if not on cost alone).
I occasionally use my Manfrotto 679 monopod, but not sure whether it would be "man enough" for use with a 500L. (Does help take the strain when using the 100 - 400), but wanting the lens more for wildlife & birds so I guess the tripod wins.
I shall investigate the 393 for tripod use for sure, as well as the wimberley head so thanks again for steering me in the right direction.

Actually, Manfrotto has not discontinued the 3421, they have renamed it the 393.

This is Thursday, and if Manfrotto keeps to its practiuce of renaming and renumbering this unit, it should have a new name and number by the weekend. I have owned this head for 16 months and Manfrotto has renamed it three times and has renumbered it once.

Additionally, Manfrotto is determined to show the head with the camera/lens mounted beneath the swinging bar. I have always used this with the camera/lens mounted above the swinging bar as shown in most of the links I have attached. I have never seen a photographer use this mount in the configuration shown by Manfrotto.

I suppose it would work using Manfrottos configuration but, I know that it works great with the camera/lens on top of the swinging bar. I can adjust the balance so that it will be secure pointed in any way but, needs only finger pressure to move the camera/lens.

Additionally, if you query Manfrotto regarding the use of a flash unit with their mount (what ever they are calling it on the day that you ask); Manfrotto will answer that there is no way to mount a flash when using this rig. This, as my picture shows, is just not true.

Just to raise this up again - Another Question please.
I think I shall be going with the King Cobra head (unless someone convinces me otherwise) and assume for the 500L I'm going to need a Lens plate (LP53)??
I notice here in the UK Warehouse express stock King Cobra heads but they don't seem to have the lens plates.
Anyone know of any other stockists in the UK that may be able to help please?
(I've emailed Kirk.com in the meanwhile).
Thanks

hi have you looked at http://www.tripods-heads-gimbals.com/. I use the black widow full gimbal with my 500 works realy well.

I am interested in this myself although the 500/4 is still a glimmer in the eye and at present the best I have is the 300/4 IS + TCs.

I too have a 25+ year old benbo, a while back the Gitzo offset ballhead I had on it bust and I converted to a Kirk BH-1, which is a very solid ball head compared to the Gitzo.

Now I am thinking of adding a sidekick to this for the moment (on basis it will be more useful for mixed work), but I have serious doubts that the benbo is stiff enough for up to 600mm despite looking like four bits of scaffolding. I suspect CF legs will be better damped.

So I am looking for suggestions for legs that will good enough for the 500/4 I hope one day to get.

I would also be interested from anyone who has upgraded from a big benbo to new legs and ho much of a difference that made.

Lester Wareham wrote in post #6507187
I am interested in this myself although the 500/4 is still a glimmer in the eye and at present the best I have is the 300/4 IS + TCs.

I too have a 25+ year old benbo, a while back the Gitzo offset ballhead I had on it bust and I converted to a Kirk BH-1, which is a very solid ball head compared to the Gitzo.

Now I am thinking of adding a sidekick to this for the moment (on basis it will be more useful for mixed work), but I have serious doubts that the benbo is stiff enough for up to 600mm despite looking like four bits of scaffolding. I suspect CF legs will be better damped.

So I am looking for suggestions for legs that will good enough for the 500/4 I hope one day to get.

I would also be interested from anyone who has upgraded from a big benbo to new legs and ho much of a difference that made.

I have a Gitzo 3530S which is definitely plenty for the 500 and beyond. I also have a Kirk BH1 which I used to use with a Sidekick (now I have the full Wimberley head). The Sidekick works fine with the 500 so you'd be good there. However, since you also mention 600mm, just be aware that the Sidekick is not rated for that.