Ballhead for 300mm f2.8

[amy_wilson]

<p>I use the Wimberley Sidekick a lot with the Arca Swiss B1 for my 300mm f2.8. But the B1 locks up a lot and it is pretty annoying. Can anyone recommend ballhead with high quality to replace the B1, especially if I can also use it with the Wimberley sidekick, my canon 300 f2.8 and/or my 600mm? Many thanks</p>

[mbkissel]

<p>I've not used the Sidekick, but as long as it has the Arca Swiss base, it will fit nicely on an Acratech product. Google them and check the specs. Fine quality and a joy to use. I believe they have one that will hold the 600 with no problem.</p>

[scott_ferris]

I have, and really really like an Acratech head , I also have a 300 f 2.8 IS. The normal Acratechs will not do the job and

their long lens head will not work particularly well with a Sidekick. It is, however, a very interesting long lens head. Better

designed for level type shooting, sports and big animals, than high bird in flight type shooting.

[dcstep]

<p>I use the A-S Z1 with my Sidekick and find it smooth and solid. I'm not sure what happened between the B1 and Z1, but the new one really works.</p>

[wgpinc]

<p>My Arca Swiss B-1 was jamming so I sent it in for a CLA and now it works great. <cite>www.precisioncameraworks.com </cite><br>

There are a lot of good ball heads out there with the quick release technology; Kirk has two excellent as does ReallyRightStuff, and Markins ball heads also have a great reputation. <br>

Good luck<br /></p>

[JohnMWright]

<p>Kirk BH-1<br>

RRS BH-55<br>

Markins<br>

Arca Swiss Z1<br>

The Acratech models with a drop slot should also work.<br>

For the 600mm... I'd get the full sized Wimberley gimbal.</p>

[scott_ferris]

<p>John,</p>

<p>None of the Arcatechs have a drop slot, hence my already posting that they won't work! This is amazing, out of five replies two have suggested something that won't even work.</p>

<p>Some of them, mine included, do have a "gimbal" notch but it is not the same.</p>

[Dieter Schaefer]

<p>Get rid of the sidekick and get the full Wimberley - you won't believe the difference (especially for the 600) unless you've tried it.</p>

[JohnMWright]

<p>Scott,</p>

<p>What is different about the Acratechs? Those slots look ordinary to me... The GP models I mean...</p>

[scott_ferris]

<p>John,</p>

<p>The Original, the Long Lens Head, the GV and GV2 don't have a "gimbal" feature (Acratechs implementation of the drop notch). The GP and the GP-s do, but having used a 300 f2.8 on the bigger GP I have to say it is not up to it. In Acratechs defense, they don't say it should be, they use the lighter 100-400 and 400 f5.6 as examples of the "gimbal" feature.</p>

<p>What is different? Well the geometry might be similar, but I have found the leverage of the gimbaled mounting plate, with camera and lens, against the peg and groove on the top of the ball act as a very effective brake, smooth movements, even with a 300 are impossible, only a very brave person would mount a 600 in that fashion. Now you can lock the ball and just use the panning base, a la Sidekick, but again, the leverage of the camera/lens combination is way over spec for the pan mechanism, my 300 f2.8 will make it grate and grind.</p>

<p>I don't want to sound down on the Acratech, I have posted before that is the best and most flexible head I have ever used, I would not be without one, but big lens use is the one area that they don't perform as well as other options.</p>

[Dieter Schaefer]

<blockquote>

<p>... GV2 don't have a "gimbal" feature</p>

</blockquote>

<p>That information is wrong - the GV2 has that feature: http://acratech.net/product.php?productid=9&cat=0&page=1<br>

The GP adds the panoramic function - neither seems to be well suited to accept the Sidekick though.</p>

 

[mbkissel]

<p>Yeah, I should have researched that one a bit more, Scott. Looks like only the Long Lens Head is up for holding the 600...and it's not a ballhead, which is what the OP was looking. I could have sworn they had a bigger ballhead. </p>

[JohnMWright]

<p>Scott,</p>

<p>That is disappointing since the GP specs on their website state 25 lbs at any angle, up to a 400mm f/4. My Kirk BH-1 is rock solid with my 400 f/4 (currently my largest lens). </p>

[scott_ferris]

<p>Dieter,</p>

<p>You are correct, the GV2 is the head the gimbal feature was introduced on.</p>

<p>John,</p>

<p>The GP is 100% capable of holding, and locking, a pro body and a 300mm f2.8 and 2x TC at any angle, I often use it for surfing photography. It will pan and tilt effortlessly with that gear on in the upright position too, but to get portrait mode I turn the lens in it's collar, putting that setup into the gimbal angle does not work as well. Like I said, I don't want to sound down on the Acratech, it is a superb head well able to support a 300 f2.8, but not via a Sidekick.</p>