Gimble Heads

I really need some more stability when tripod mounting a 1D3 and 100-400 IS doing bird photography.

However looking at two solutions:

1. A Wimberley Gimble Head vII
2. A Wimberley Sidekick on a Manfrotto 468RC2 Ballhead

They are both very pricey

I'd be gratefull for any other ideas, experiences.

Regards

Chris

The full sized Wimberley is less versatile or should I say "portable" than the Sidekick, since you will also need a ballhead for use without collar mount lenses. On the other hand, the Sidekick gets really mixed reviews for big glass. If you plan on getting one of the big premium lenses someday, the full Wimberley might be the better long term investment. I HATE the sidekick with anything bigger than the 300 f/2.8 (it's original design limits), but my shooting pard and many other people love it. He likes it so much with his 600 f/4 that he dumped the full size model. I have to admit the Sidekick/ballhead combo is lots easier to pack when flying.

If you don't have a 500 or a 600mm lens i would look into the Wimberley Sidekick, as with that option you basically get two things in one, a nice ballhead, and a nice gimble head.

Wim.

I've been using my Nikkor 500 f/4 and 1.4X TC on my Gitzo tripod, Kirk BH-1 head, and Wimberley Sidekick for some years now. It is a fine configuration for wildlife and birds. In very windy conditions, it is somewhat borderline. However it is a most versatile combination.

I really love my Mongoose 262 (Now Mongoose 2.3). Light weight, balances great and just the right size for an intermediate telephoto. I'm using it with 20D/30D w/ vertical grip (so the weight is close) and 100-400 on a Gitzo 1325.

http://www.4gdphoto.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2

My Sidekick is fully up to the job of supporting my 300 f2.8 and 1D3. I use it with an Acratech Ultimate ballhead. The side mounting takes a little getting used to, but once you get comfortable with it, there is no problem. An advantage of the Sidekick over the full Wimberly or other side-mount devices such as the Mongoose is that you can quickly remove it from the ballhead to mount your camera or a smaller lens with tripod collar. I often will carry the 300, slung by its strap over my shoulder, with the Sidekick attached to its foot. On the other shoulder, the camera with a wide angle lens is mounted on the tripod.

Last weekend I shot with a 400 f2.8 mounted on the Sidekick. I wouldn't have expected that it would be stable enough, but it seemed to do OK - still I wouldn't recommend it for that lens. I've often read that the Sidekick is suitable for a 500 f4, but I haven't tried it.

The Sidekick is a lightweight versatile alternative to a full gimbal head for all but the largest rigs. It will be perfectly adequate for your 1D3 and 100-400. Its cost is lower than the big Wimberly, unless you wouldn't otherwise also buy a ballhead anyway.

Thank you for all your replies chaps...... very interesting
Regards
Chris

Manfrotto makes a Gimbal type head (#3421) which is designed for use on their monopods. I was given one by a friend and have it mounted on a set of Manfrotto tripod legs. Its a "U" shaped head and the lens mounts in the center (kind of goalpost style). It is not as elegant as the Wimberly and probably slightly less ergonomic. But I believe the price tag is south of $200. I find that it works well with my 300 f2.8. Don't know how well it would work with larger lenses, but my buddy used it with a 600 and said it worked fine. It is well-built and rigid. You can probably find it on their website. Its a less expensive alternative to the Wimberlys

You can also check out Kirk Enterprises. They have a King Cobra head that has worked great for me.