Posted by Gary Gulash on January 7, 2007 at 4:24 PM
Presently my longest lens is a 300, I plan to buy something in the 500 range for bird photography. My present ball head is barely adequate for what I have now and the tripod is the Gitzo 1228 Mk II without centre post (replaced with Kirk flat plate). I was thinking of getting a new-generation Gitzo tripod and a BH55 head now to use with my present setup, and be prepared as well for the longer lens. Is this ballhead a good choice for a 500 (or 200-400), or am I better off with a Wimberley II? I have no experience with a gimbal type design.
Posted by Bill Chambers on January 7, 2007 at 4:40 PM
Sorry gary, but I can't help on the comparison between the two since I don't shoot long lenses, but I might suggest calling RRS and asking them. In my experience with them they have been exceedingly honest and straightforward about the capabilities of their ballheads. I think they would be the first to tell you if they thought the Wimberly II would be better suited.
Posted by Richard Ennis on January 7, 2007 at 5:43 PM
I think the BH55 would support the weight, but I think you would at least want a Wimberly Sidekick to use with the ballhead. But I recommend getting the full Wimberley. I have the 200-400mm (which is about the same size as the 500mm). I've use it on my Arca Swiss, and it works, but the Wimberley is SO MUCH nicer.
Posted by Jay Barnes on January 7, 2007 at 7:35 PM
I used to use an Arca-Swiss and Sidekick for bird photography with a Sigma 500mm zoom. Last winter the ballhead's panning action went to crap (due to my abuse) so in the following spring I left the sidekick in the trunk and used the ballhead alone with the panning knob locked down. With no Sidekick the lens was a real PITA to use and truly sharp images became the exception rather than the norm.
So, for me, ballhead + Sidekick gimbal = better handling and results than a ballhead alone. I'll likely never photograph birds without a gimbal setup again.
Over the summer I purchased a RRS BH55. I haven't photographed any birds since spring, but I have no doubt that it will work great with my lens and the Sidekick.
If you will only be photographing birds, get the Wimberley Head II. If you also require a solid ballhead for other purposes, I can recommend the RRS BH55 without reservation, and then just add the Sidekick for bird photography. If you don't mind swapping heads around, forget the Sidekick and get both heads (and the best of both worlds).
I use my 500 f4 IS on an RRS BH55 with a Wimberely Sidekick and Gitzo 1325 and it's a great combination. I would highly recommend it. I'm told the full Wimberley is even smoother than the Sidekick and also that the Sidekick just isn't heavy enough to pair with the 600 mm but I opted for the Sidekick option and am very happy. This way I have a good ballhead for shots with all my other lenses (which sounds like plus for you too) and also keep the weight down somewhat. Whatever you decide you will definitely want some sort of gimbal to use with your big lens. Without one, unless you have everything totally snugged down (which means you can't move it to follow your subject) the second you let go of your gear the lens pulls it over with a clunk. With a gimbal when you have things balanced and you let go of your camera/lens and it stays exactly as you left it.
Posted by Gary Gulash on January 7, 2007 at 8:32 PM
Thankyou all for you very helpful comments. My present head tends to fall to the side if I loosen the tension very much, very annoying to say the least. I was therefore wondering if the highly regarded and expensive BH55 was capable of eliminating this "clunk" phenonmena with a 10 or 12 pound lense/camera on top, apparently not. Thankyou all once again.
Posted by Ed Dubois on January 7, 2007 at 10:28 PM
Hi Gary,
I too use the Arca Swiss B1 with the sidekick and am very happy with it. Arca has come out with a new version of this head that is lighter and can hold even more weight than the 90? pounds the old B1 holds. The RRS head (which Kwan used to use until he went with a lighter head) works very well too. I also have a couple of friends who used the Kirk head with the Sidekick and neither of them were happy with it and have switched.
I have both the RRS big ball and the full Wimberely. Both are super products, well made. and well thought out. If you want to shoot birds or any thing that has legs or wings with a big chunk of glass my vote is for the Wimberely. You can set up fast, you can swing on flying birds or you can lock it down tight in a flash. I use my ball on a window mount and on a ground pod. Good hunting!
Posted by William Lloyd on January 8, 2007 at 12:13 AM
I have the RRS BH-55, and I use it with a Sidekick. I also have the full Wimberley head, which I use with my 600mm. If I had a 500mm, I would probably prefer to only carry the ballhead/Sidekick combo, as it is so much more versatile - easier to take both wildlife and landscape photos.
You'll be fine with the ballhead, Sidekick, and 3-series Gitzo tripod.
Gary, i asked this question too, awhile ago, and got some helpful answers too - here
http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/bbs.cgi?a=vm&mr=13419&b=mm&st=0&la=63&ph=5&sid=1311&u=1311
At this point, I'm trying out the Wimberly WH 200 , as well as the sidekick with the Arca Swiss and don't know what i'll keep yet. The thread above mentions that one can "try out" any of the Wi,mberly products for 2 months for free, and then pay only for what you decide to keep. This has been great for me, since I'm very new to all this "huge expensive lens + very expensive stuff needed to go with it " arena. Daunting, sometimes.
Sandy
Discussion
9 repliesSo, for me, ballhead + Sidekick gimbal = better handling and results than a ballhead alone. I'll likely never photograph birds without a gimbal setup again.
Over the summer I purchased a RRS BH55. I haven't photographed any birds since spring, but I have no doubt that it will work great with my lens and the Sidekick.
If you will only be photographing birds, get the Wimberley Head II. If you also require a solid ballhead for other purposes, I can recommend the RRS BH55 without reservation, and then just add the Sidekick for bird photography. If you don't mind swapping heads around, forget the Sidekick and get both heads (and the best of both worlds).
I use my 500 f4 IS on an RRS BH55 with a Wimberely Sidekick and Gitzo 1325 and it's a great combination. I would highly recommend it. I'm told the full Wimberley is even smoother than the Sidekick and also that the Sidekick just isn't heavy enough to pair with the 600 mm but I opted for the Sidekick option and am very happy. This way I have a good ballhead for shots with all my other lenses (which sounds like plus for you too) and also keep the weight down somewhat. Whatever you decide you will definitely want some sort of gimbal to use with your big lens. Without one, unless you have everything totally snugged down (which means you can't move it to follow your subject) the second you let go of your gear the lens pulls it over with a clunk. With a gimbal when you have things balanced and you let go of your camera/lens and it stays exactly as you left it.
I too use the Arca Swiss B1 with the sidekick and am very happy with it. Arca has come out with a new version of this head that is lighter and can hold even more weight than the 90? pounds the old B1 holds. The RRS head (which Kwan used to use until he went with a lighter head) works very well too. I also have a couple of friends who used the Kirk head with the Sidekick and neither of them were happy with it and have switched.
You'll be fine with the ballhead, Sidekick, and 3-series Gitzo tripod.
http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/bbs.cgi?a=vm&mr=13419&b=mm&st=0&la=63&ph=5&sid=1311&u=1311
At this point, I'm trying out the Wimberly WH 200 , as well as the sidekick with the Arca Swiss and don't know what i'll keep yet. The thread above mentions that one can "try out" any of the Wi,mberly products for 2 months for free, and then pay only for what you decide to keep. This has been great for me, since I'm very new to all this "huge expensive lens + very expensive stuff needed to go with it " arena. Daunting, sometimes.
Sandy