Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Cameras, Lenses and Shooting gear => Topic started by: Colorado David on March 11, 2007, 09:02:34 pm

Title: Wimberley Sidekick Question
Post by: Colorado David on March 11, 2007, 09:02:34 pm
Is anyone using the Wimberley Sidekick?  I am thinking of getting one and would like some testimonials please.

Best regards,
David
Title: Wimberley Sidekick Question
Post by: Tim Gray on March 11, 2007, 09:05:35 pm
You'll be using it with which lens?
Title: Wimberley Sidekick Question
Post by: Colorado David on March 11, 2007, 09:11:31 pm
Quote
You'll be using it with which lens?
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=106147\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Nikon 300mm 2.8 with an extender and later a 200 - 400 VR.
Title: Wimberley Sidekick Question
Post by: Nill Toulme on March 12, 2007, 12:24:06 am
Try it, you'll like it.  I wouldn't want to shoot a telephoto on a tripod without one — unless it was with a full Wimberley head, but you don't need that.

I have two Sidekicks.  When I shoot stage productions I put a 1-series body with 400 f/2.8 on one (mounted on an RRS BH-55 head) and another 1-series with 70-200 f/2.8 on the other (mounted on an RRS BH-40).

Wimberley also has a superb return policy, and even a try it for 60 days free policy.  It's because no one ever sends one back.  They're that good.

Nill
~~
www.toulme.net (http://www.toulme.net)
Title: Wimberley Sidekick Question
Post by: Graham Welland on March 12, 2007, 02:15:28 am
A big thumbs up!

I use the sidekick with my 200-400 VR and also often with my 70-200 VR too. It's great value for money when you consider the extra ease of mounting and handling larger lenses. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending it. I found that once I'd marked the balance points for my camera/lens * camera/extender/lens on the lens foot, I can set up the lens and balance it extremely quickly. Sometimes I do wish there was a slightly more secure clamp - removing a D2X/200-400VR can be a handful as the clamp is aligned vertically and you want to make absolutely sure that the plate is in the QR when you clamp it up or take it off. I'm not sure what would make for a better design than the screw clamp - maybe a VERY strong lever clamp perhaps?

If you are shooting with the 200-400 VR I'd recommend also getting the Wimberley replacement foot as well. I believe there's one for the 300 (it might even be the same). This is lower and brings the lens closer to the mount and is a really nice rigid assembly.

Also, there is a foot available for the sidekick to make it fit a bit better with Kirk/RRS heads etc. Personally I haven't found the base plate to be any problem with my Arca Swiss heads, although there's very little 'wiggle room' if you use an Arca QR clamp vs screw clamp.

I'll also recommend Wimberley as a company too - they have been really flawless in shipping out product to me as promised and the quality of the parts has been arguably as good or better than either Kirk or RRS plus very reasonably priced.

Is that gushing enough praise for them?   (of course, your mileage may vary!)
Title: Wimberley Sidekick Question
Post by: akclimber on March 12, 2007, 08:12:24 pm
Quote
Is anyone using the Wimberley Sidekick?  I am thinking of getting one and would like some testimonials please.

Best regards,
David
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=106146\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I use it on a RRS BH-55 ballhead for my 5D + 500 f/4 IS.  Love it.  Works just fine.  I appreciate its versatility in that it allows easy use of the ballhead when the gimbal head isn't needed so I can go out and about and use both the 500/sidekick combo one minute and the ballhead with shorter lenses the next.  My only caution would be to make sure you've got a ballhead with enough strength to keep the sidekick/lens combo stationary if/when you carry the 'pod/sidekick/camera/lens over your shoulder.  Some ballheads allow the sidekick/camera/lens to "creep" of "flop" to one side when you do this.  "Creeping/flopping" can be uncomfortable and annoying.

Cheers!
Title: Wimberley Sidekick Question
Post by: Colorado David on March 13, 2007, 11:37:46 am
Thanks everyone.

Best regards,
David
Title: Wimberley Sidekick Question
Post by: elkhornsun on March 19, 2007, 05:21:10 am
Works great with a large ball-head. Quick to mount and light weight. I like it because I can quickly remove the Sidekick and go back to the ball-head alone when using a smaller lens than the Nikon 200-400 f4 VR on the same tripod.
Title: Wimberley Sidekick Question
Post by: larryg on March 19, 2007, 09:35:24 am
I use the side kick with my 500 f:4

however when using with the rrs 55  ballhead  the bottom adjustment nut interfers with the Kirk window mount (limited turning radius).  when using with the window mount the larger B1 works much better.

The side kick works very well.  I also used it shooting an air show.  very easy to follow the planes with smooth movement.
Title: Wimberley Sidekick Question
Post by: Krug on March 19, 2007, 09:12:26 pm
Earlier in the thread someone suggested that a lever clamp would improve the Sidekick.

When I bought mine I talked to Wimberley about that - they agreed to have a RRS lever clamp delivered to them, which they fitted to the sidekick before sending it to me.

There was a very modest charge - and they even sent me their own screw clamp which had been replaced 'in case I could use it in some other way'.

Great helpful friendly people who are a pleasure to do business with.

The Sidekick is great - even better with the lever clamp.
Title: Wimberley Sidekick Question
Post by: pjo on May 06, 2007, 07:46:37 pm
I have some questions regarding Winberley Sidekick and Winberley Head.

My equipments are:

KOWA Spotting Scope TSN-774
http://www.kowa-usa.com/frontend/Proddisp.asp?co=10000374 (http://www.kowa-usa.com/frontend/Proddisp.asp?co=10000374)

Camera Body
Canon EOS-1D
Nikon D-1
PENTAX K10D
PENTAX K100D
Canon IXY 1000

Lenses
Sigma 170-500mm
Sigma 300 F2.8
Canon EF 100-400mm IS USM
Canon 400mm F4 DO IS USM

Please advise if Sidekick is suitable for above system.
Or Wimberley Head VII is better for this system.
With KOWA TSN-774 + K10D, focal length is 1000mm.
With KOWA TSN-774 + Canon IXY 1000. the maximum combined focal length is 7500mm.
Please also recommend the requied accessaries and plates.

Currently I use Gitzo G2380 head(not a ball head) with Gitzo III.


pjo
Title: Wimberley Sidekick Question
Post by: williamrohr on May 13, 2007, 08:00:11 pm
I find that the side kick works fine with the 300/2.8 and 500/4.  You definitely want to use the big brother for the 400/2.8 and the 600/4.  If I have the option, the 500/4 does work better on the big gimbal head but the beauty of the side kick is that you can throw it the backpack all the time and pop it on the ballhead if you have time to set up.  I find this particularly true with the 400/4 DO which I usually hand hold but if the situation presents I always have the side kick (carry the big brother for a day and you will wish you had side kick instead) in the backpack.  Bill