Wimberley Professional Photo Gear

The Sidekick™ - Compatibility

"I simply add the Sidekick to my ballhead and immediately have a gimbal-type head that has smooth movements in every direction..." -George Lepp

More Sidekick Testimonials...

SK-100 The Sidekick ($250.00)

Ball Head Prerequisites Ballhead Recommendations

1- Your ball head must be able to hold the weight of your lens without creeping or slipping.

2- Your ball head must have an Arca-Swiss style quick-release clamp (e.g. Arca-Swiss, Kirk, Really Right Stuff, Markins, Acratech, Foba, Studioball)
Bogen-Manfrotto ball heads are generally NOT compatible

3- Your ball head must have a panning base with a separate knob that can be locked independently of the ball and socket joint.

Important Compatibility Warnings

If your ball head has a lever-activated clamp (such as those made by Really Right Stuff), you must add the AK-100 Adapter Plate to the Sidekick to ensure a safe connection. If you have a Markins quick release lever clamp, click here.

Arca-Swiss Z-1 ball head owners: Click here

Lens Prerequisites

1- Your lens must have a rotation collar.

2- Your lens must have an Arca-Swiss style quick-release plate or a Lens Replacement Foot with an integrated Arca-Swiss style dovetail.

Lens Compatibility Guide

The Sidekick is ideally suited for lenses similar in size to a 300 f/2.8 or 500 f/4.

Smaller Lenses: Many of our customers use smaller collared lenses on the Sidekick; however, when used in conjunction with a large, heavy camera body (e.g. a pro body with vertical grip), these lenses can be difficult to balance properly. Generally, 400 f/5.6 and 300 f/4 fixed or zoom lenses with medium-weight camera bodies work well. Heavier camera bodies on theses lenses can be problematic (even more so on 70-200 f/2.8 and smaller lenses).

Larger Lenses (600 f/4 & 400 f/2.8): The Sidekick will safely carry the weight of a very big lens provided it is mated with a ball head that will hold the weight of the lens. However, in some cases it is necessary to replace the foot of the lens with a low-profile Lens Replacement Foot, or add special spacers to the Sidekick to make the lens dimensionally compatible with the Sidekick. Use the guide below to determine if your lens has special requirements.

(Click Here if you already have a non-Wimberley lens plate or replacement foot.)

All Makes
300 2.8 lenses ---------------------------------------------- Compatible using the recommended Arca-Swiss style lens plate.
Collared lenses smaller than a 300 f/2.8------------- See "Smaller Lenses" above

Nikon
200-400 AF-S -------Requires AP-553 (or AP-902 + P-40)
400 2.8 AF-I --------- Requires AP-903 + P-50
400 2.8 AF-S I ------ Requires AP-452
400 2.8 AF-S II ----- Requires AP-452
400 2.8 VR----------- Requires AP-452
400 3.5 MF ---------- P-30
500 4.0 AF-I --------- Requires AP-902 + P-40
500 4.0 AF-S I ------ Requires AP-553 (or AP-900 + P-40)
500 4.0 AF-S II ----- Requires AP-553 (or AP-900 + P-40)
500 4.0 AF-S VR -- Requires AP-553 (or AP-900 + P-40)
500 4.0 MF ---------- P-30
600 4.0 MF ---------- Requires AP-900 + P-50
600 4.0 AF-I --------- Requires AP-902 + P-50
600 4.0 AF-S I ------ Rqrs. AP-900 & AP-652
600 4.0 AF-S II ----- Requires AP-452
600 4.0 AF-S VR--- Requires AP-452
600 5.6 MF ---------- P-30
800 5.6 MF ---------- Requires AP-900 + P-50

Canon
400 2.8 ---------------- Requires AP-900 + P-50
400 2.8 IS ------------ Requires AP-602 (or AP-902 + P-50)
400 4.0 DO ---------- P-20
500 4.0 IS ------------ P-40 + BS-100
500 4.5 ---------------- P-40
600 4.0 ---------------- Requires AP-900 + P-50
600 4.0 IS ------------ Requires AP-602 (or AP-902 + P-50)
800 5.6 MF ----------- Not Compatible
800 5.6 IS ------------ Requires AP-602 (or AP-902 + P-50)

Sigma
120-300 2.8 --------- P-20
150-500 5.6 --------- P-50
300-800 5.6 --------- Requires AP-900 + P-50
500 4.5 NON-HSM --- Requires AP-900 + P-30
500 4.5 HSM --------- Requires AP-900 + P-50
800 5.6 HSM --------- Requires AP-900 + P-50