Wimberley Sidekick Gimbal Head Adapter for Arca-Swiss Style Quick Release Clamps

Comments about Wimberley Arca Sidekick Ball to Gimbal Head Adapter:

Using a super telephoto lens is an unwieldy task on a ballhead at best, but after adding the Sidekick and balancing the lens and body it was even easier and better than I expected. The light weight (1.3lb), lower cost, space saving size, and increased versatility of the ballhead were the reasons I chose the Sidekick over a full-blown Wimberley head. Plus, I just didn't want to carry two heads (or two tripods with different heads) in the field and then have to switch from one to the other depending on the subject. The Sidekick is the perfect accessory and it gives me the best of both tripod heads. Of course, the crafstmanship is top notch, as expected from a Wimberley product.

If you already own a good ballhead and are contemplating a Sidekick I think you will be very happpy with the way it handles your telephoto lenses. One can move any big lens around with just a couple of fingers once it is balanced. A bit pricey, but much less than a full-blown Wimberley head and well worth it! I couldn't do without it now!

Comments about Wimberley Arca Sidekick Ball to Gimbal Head Adapter:

The sidekick mounts easily on my BH55 ball head and is light weight enough that I can take it when I travel. It makes it much easier to use my long telephoto lenses.

Comments about Wimberley Arca Sidekick Ball to Gimbal Head Adapter:

I use my sidekick with the Markins Q20 ballhead and a Feisol carbon fibre tripod. I bought it mainly for my Canon 500 mm 4.5 L lens, but I am also using it with my Canon 100-400mm USM IS L lens. It makes both lenses so effortless and enjoyable to use. My 500mm is not IS so I still need that stability and the results have been excellent.

The Sidekick is made very well and of high quality material. I love that I can just slip it off and then use my ball head for landscapes etc. I am also impressed with how light it is. I also like that I don't have to have a tripod dedicated to it like a full Gimbal would need.

Yes it's a lot of money, but worth it.

Comments about Wimberley Arca Sidekick Ball to Gimbal Head Adapter:

I first ordered an Induro gimbal head mount which was basically a knock-off of the Wimberley Sidekick. The Induro was okay, but was a little sticky. I found that I would have to reposition it slightly every time I framed my subject which was a pain, so I decided to give the Wimberley a try. The Induro was $200 and included the lens foot adapter; whereas, the Wimberly is about $300 for both the gimbal and lens adapter. The Wimberley is much smoother and well worth the extra $100. I mounted the Sidekick on a Markins Q10 ball head and absolutely love this setup.

I also tried the Acratech GPs ball head and found that the panning base had play in it. Same as with the gimbal, a little extra money for the ball head made a big difference in the quality.

Comments about Wimberley Arca Sidekick Ball to Gimbal Head Adapter:

I find the Arca Sidekick Ball to Gimbal Head Adapter by Wimberley will be great with the bigger lens

Comments about Wimberley Arca Sidekick Ball to Gimbal Head Adapter:

I don't need a gimble head often, and don't have a really heavy lens - no 500 or 600. The Sidekick gives me smooth gimble action with 300 + 2x, doesn't require me to switch out my ball head, and is lightweight and small enough to fit into my backpack. I've showed it to all my photo buddies, so I think you can expect some more orders soon.

Comments about Wimberley Arca Sidekick Ball to Gimbal Head Adapter:

If you want to travel light or you already have a good ballhead and don't want to spend too much on a full gimbal, this is the product to use. I use this with as heavy as a Canon 400 f/2.8 (version I, 12 lbs) and have absolutely no problem. With AP-902 or AP-602 the movement is silky smooth. The only downside is this adds just a tad more vibrations (this is with a Gitzo GT3541 and Markins M20). In addition if you are going to use flash, the full gimbal (WH200) will be a better choice as you can balance the weight of the flash better. The Sidekick will work too, but you have to employ more tension to stop the lens from flopping due to the unbalance flash on top.

Comments about Wimberley Arca Sidekick Ball to Gimbal Head Adapter:

Love this product, attached straight to my markins 20 and works perfectly with my d3s and 300mm 2.8

Comments about Wimberley Arca Sidekick Ball to Gimbal Head Adapter:

Quickly converts my ball head to a full motion gimbal head for tracking birds.
It is compact and easy to transport and adds a great deal of versatility in the field.

Comments about Wimberley Arca Sidekick Ball to Gimbal Head Adapter:

After only a week of use I am very impressed with the capability of this device. I use a Canon 300mm 2.8 lens which is a very heavy lens. The sidekick allow me to balance the lens so that it moves freely in any direction, yet when I let go of the lens it stays in the position I left it. No more flopping around. Really great product.

Comments about Wimberley Arca Sidekick Ball to Gimbal Head Adapter:

Use for BIF with 300mm f/2.8 + 1.4 EX III

Comments about Wimberley Arca Sidekick Ball to Gimbal Head Adapter:

I bought this product to shot bee's (macro) It allows me to get down low, track and get some good shots. I mount it on my RRS ball head and Gitzo and away I go. Looking forward to expanding it uses as summer approaches. Gave it four stars because there is always room for improvement.

Comments about Wimberley Arca Sidekick Ball to Gimbal Head Adapter:

Improves the balance and tracking capabilities of my ballhead using my 100-400mm lens. I am able to track subjects improving chance to get that moving shot

Comments about Wimberley Arca Sidekick Ball to Gimbal Head Adapter:

My longest and heaviest lenses are the Canon 100-400 mm and Canon 400 mm f/5.6 so I wasn't sure how much a gimbal adapter would benefit me versus mounting the lenses directly on my Markins M10 ballhead. After going back and forth I went ahead and ordered the Sidekick and I'm really happy I did. The added control you have for panning from one subject to another or tracking birds in flight is really amazing. It's a lot of money for an adapter but I'm convinced it's a worthwhile investment for any wildlife photographer.

Comments about Wimberley Arca Sidekick Ball to Gimbal Head Adapter:

I use this currently with my Canon 300 f2.8 IS and my Canon 70-200 f2.8 IS 11, bare or with a Canon 1.4x and Canon 2x on a Markins Q20 ball head with all Markins plates and it is fabulous. I will also be adding a Canon 500 f4 in the future and will use this setup for that as well.

Comments about Wimberley Arca Sidekick Ball to Gimbal Head Adapter:

GREAT FOR WILD LIFE

Comments about Wimberley Arca Sidekick Ball to Gimbal Head Adapter:

For a 300mm 2.8, the full Wimberley head is overkill, and the sidekick is just about perfect. The price is a little high for what it is, but I have not seen anything that is as supportive and works as well, so you get what you pay for.

Comments about Wimberley Arca Sidekick Ball to Gimbal Head Adapter:

I use this on both a monopod and tripod (with RRS BH-55 ball head). It is great for nature photography, including birds in flight, with a 100-400 Canon zoom lens. Light weight, but sturdy, easy to obtain balance point with EOS 7D, 100-400 zoom and camera or sidekick mounted flash.

Comments about Wimberley Arca Sidekick Ball to Gimbal Head Adapter:

Good investment for those who own a ball-head, or need both a ball and a gimbal. Works well with my 600 f4 lens. Works well with my Kirk Car-window mount with a B1 Ball Head.

Highly recommended!

Comments about Wimberley Arca Sidekick Ball to Gimbal Head Adapter:

I purchased this to use with a Kirk BH-1 ballhead to support my Canon
500/4 lens. It takes only a few minutes to assemble and the balances that lens very nicely. Panning can then be done with one finger. I wanted something a little lighter and portable for those times I do some hiking to my birding locations and since that lens is a monster this helps to keep the overall weight down.