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The Sidekick® - Compatibility

Wimberley Professional Photo Gear - The Wimberley Gimbal Head
Wimberley Sidekick Head SK-100  
"I simply add the Sidekick to my ballhead and immediately have a gimbal-type head that has smooth movements in every direction..."  -George Lepp

 

SK-100 The Sidekick ($250.00)  

Download Product Instructions -

Weight: 1.3 lbs (590 grams)
Dimensions: (L x W x H): 9.5" x 5" x 2.5"
Weight Capacity: >100lbs (45kg) (Limited to Ballhead Panning Capacity)

Note: The SK-100 has a built-in Arca-Swiss style quick-release clamp. In order to use the head, your lens must be equipped with an Arca-Swiss style lens plate.

IMPORTANT: See our Compatibility section to ensure your equipment will work with the Sidekick.





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 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 Owners of Arca-Swiss Z-1 ball heads made between late 2007 and June 2008 : 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.

 

 

  Wimberley C-11 QR Clamp mounted on Arca-Swiss Z1 ball head showing need for Arca-Swiss style clamp & independent panning lock
 
Wimberley Lens Plate mounted to long lens identifying lens rotation collar and lens foot

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 (70-200 f/2.8, 300 f/4 & 400 f/5.6): 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.)

In the chart below, please reference the center column for Sidekick Lens Plate recommendations.

Lens Plate Recommendations

For more information about this chart, click here.

Recommendation List

Click on a lens Manufacturer.

Canon
CANON LENSES
Plate Recommendations for:
WIMBERLEY HEAD (WH-200)
MONOGIMBAL HEAD (MH-100)

And Non-Gimbal Heads (Ball Heads, etc.)
Plate Recommendations for:
SIDEKICK (SK-100)
Plate Recommendations for:
Sidemount Wimberley (WH-200-S)
28-300 3.5-5.6 IS P-20 P-20 P-20
35-350 3.5-5.6 IS P-20 P-20 P-20
65 2.8 1-5x Macro P-20 P-20 P-20
70-200 2.8 non-IS P-20 P-20 P-20
70-200 2.8 IS P-20 P-20 P-20
70-200 2.8 IS II & IS III P-10 P-10 P-10
70-200 2.8 RF P-20 P-20 P-20
70-200 4.0 non-IS & IS & IS II P-10 P-10 P-10
70-300 4.0-5.6 IS P-20 P-20 P-20
80-200 2.8 P-20 P-20 P-20
100 2.8 Macro IS & non-IS P-20 P-20 P-20
100-300 2.8 RF IS P-35 or AP-601 AP-601 AP-601
100-400 4.5-5.6 IS P-20 P-20 P-20
100-400 4.5-5.6 IS II P-10 Mounted in reverse P-10 Mounted in reverse P-10 Mounted in reverse
100-500 4.5-7.1 RF IS P-20 Mounted in reverse or AP-607 P-20 Mounted in reverse or AP-607 P-20 Mounted in reverse or AP-607
180 3.5 Macro P-20 P-20 P-20
200 1.8 P-20 P-20 P-20
200 2.0 IS P-20 P-20 P-20
200 2.8 IS II P-20 P-20 P-20
200-400 4.0 IS Ext 1.4 P-40 or AP-603 P-40 + AP-900 or AP-603 P-40 or AP-603
200-800 6.3-9 RF IS P-35 or AP-606 P-35 or AP-606 P-35 or AP-606
300 2.8 non-IS P-20 P-20 P-20
300 2.8 IS I P-30 P-30 P-30
300 2.8 IS II P-20 or AP-603 P-20 or AP-603 P-20 or AP-603
300 4.0 non-IS P-10 P-10 P-10
300 4.0 IS P-20 P-20 P-20
400 2.8 non-IS P-50 P-50 + AP-900 (not compatible w/ Sidemount)
400 2.8 IS I P-40 or AP-604 AP-602 AP-602
400 2.8 IS II P-40 or AP-604 AP-602 AP-602
400 2.8 IS III P-40 or AP-601 AP-601 AP-601
400 2.8 IS RF P-40 or AP-601 AP-601 AP-601
400 4.0 DO IS I P-20 P-20 P-20
400 4.0 DO IS II P-20 or AP-603 P-20 or AP-603 P-20 or AP-603
400 5.6 P-20 P-20 P-20
500 4.0 IS I P-40 P-40 P-40
500 4.0 IS II P-40 or AP-603 AP-603 AP-603
500 4.5 non-IS P-40 P-40 P-40
600 4.0 non-IS P-50 P-50 + AP-900 (not compatible w/ Sidemount)
600 4.0 IS ver. I P-40 or AP-604 (P-40 + AP-902) or AP-602 P-40 or AP-602
600 4.0 IS II P-40 or AP-604 (P-40 + AP-901) or AP-602 P-40 or AP-602
600 4.0 IS III P-40 or AP-600 AP-600 AP-600
600 4.0 IS RF P-40 or AP-600 AP-600 AP-600
600 4.5 (Manual Focus) P-50 P-50 P-50
600 11 IS P-35 P-35 P-35
800 5.6 IS P-40 or AP-608 AP-608 AP-608
800 5.6 RF IS P-40 or AP-601 AP-601 AP-601
800 5.6 (Manual Focus) P-50 P-50 P-50
800 11 IS P-30 P-30 P-30
1200 8.0 RF IS P-40 or AP-600 AP-600 AP-600
Fuji
FUJI LENSES
Plate Recommendations for:
WIMBERLEY HEAD (WH-200)
MONOGIMBAL HEAD (MH-100)

And Non-Gimbal Heads (Ball Heads, etc.)
Plate Recommendations for:
SIDEKICK (SK-100)
Plate Recommendations for:
Sidemount Wimberley (WH-200-S)
50-140 2.8 WR P-10* P-10* P-10*
100-400 4.5-5.6 WR P-30* P-30* P-30*
Hasselblad

Coming Soon

Konica Minolta
Konica Minolta
LENSES
Plate Recommendations for:
WIMBERLEY HEAD (WH-200)
MONOGIMBAL HEAD (MH-100)

And Non-Gimbal Heads (Ball Heads, etc.)
Plate Recommendations for:
SIDEKICK (SK-100)
Plate Recommendations for:
Sidemount Wimberley (WH-200-S)
70-200 2.8 APO SSM P-10 + BS-100 P-10 + BS-100 P-10 + BS-100
80-200 2.8 APO P-10 + BS-100 P-10 + BS-100 P-10 + BS-100
300 2.8 APO G D SSM P-20 + BS-100 P-20 + BS-100 P-20 + BS-100
400 4.5 APO G P-10 + BS-100 P-10 + BS-100 P-10 + BS-100
600 4 APO G P-50 P-50 P-50
Leica
LEICA LENSES
(APO-TELYT-R Modular System)
Plate Recommendations for:
WIMBERLEY HEAD (WH-200)
MONOGIMBAL HEAD (MH-100)

And Non-Gimbal Heads (Ball Heads, etc.)
Plate Recommendations for:
SIDEKICK (SK-100)
Plate Recommendations for:
Sidemount Wimberley (WH-200-S)
90-280 2.8-4 P-30 P-30 P-30
Nikon
NIKON LENSES
Plate Recommendations for:
WIMBERLEY HEAD (WH-200)
MONOGIMBAL HEAD (MH-100)

And Non-Gimbal Heads (Ball Heads, etc.)
Plate Recommendations for:
SIDEKICK (SK-100)
Plate Recommendations for:
Sidemount Wimberley (WH-200-S)
70-180 4.5-5.6 AF Macro P-10 P-10 P-10
200 4.0 Ai-S Macro P-10 P-10 P-10
200 4.0 AF Macro P-10 P-10 P-10
70-200 2.8 VR I P-20 P-20 P-20
70-200 2.8 VR II P-20 P-20 P-20
70-200 2.8 E FL VR P-20 P-20 P-20
70-200 2.8 Z VR S-Line P-20 or AP-501 P-20 or AP-501 P-20 or AP-501
70-200 4.0 AF-S VR P-20 P-20 P-20
80-200 2.8 AF P-10 P-10 P-10
80-200 2.8 AF-S P-10 P-10 P-10
80-400 4.5-5.6 AF VR P-10 P-10 P-10
80-400 4.5-5.6 AF-S VR P-10 P-10 P-10
100-400 4.5-5.6 Z VR S-Line P-20 or AP-501 P-20 or AP-501 P-20 or AP-501
120-300 2.8 FL VR P-30 or AP-551 P-30 or AP-551 P-30 or AP-551
180-400 4.0 FL VR TC 1.4 P-40 or AP-551 AP-551 AP-551
180-600 5.6-6.3 Z VR S-Line P-35 P-35 P-35
200-400 4.0 VR (I & II) P-40 or AP-551 AP-551 AP-551
200-500 5.6 E VR P-30 P-30 P-30
200 2.0 Ai & Ai-S P-10 P-10 P-10
200 2.0 VR (I & II) AP-552 AP-552 AP-552
300 2.8 Ai-S & Ai P-10 P-10 P-10
300 2.8 AF P-20 P-20 P-20
300 2.8 AF-I P-20 P-20 P-20
300 2.8 AF-S (I & II) P-30 P-30 P-30
300 2.8 VR (I & II) P-30 or AP-551 P-30 or AP-551 P-30 or AP-551
300 4.0 AF P-10 P-10 P-10
300 4.0 AF-S P-10 P-10 P-10
300 4.0 E PF VR P-20 P-20 P-20
300 4.5 Ai-S P-10 P-10 P-10
400 2.8 Ai-S & AF-I P-50 P-50 + AP-903 (not compatible w/ Sidemount)
400 2.8 AF-S (I & II) AP-452 (Mandatory for use w/ WH-200) AP-452 AP-452
400 2.8 VR (I & II) AP-452 (Mandatory for use w/ WH-200) AP-452 AP-452
400 2.8 FL VR P-40 or AP-555 AP-555 + AP-900 AP-555
400 2.8 TC Z VR S-Line P-40 or AP-502 P-40 or AP-502 P-40 or AP-502
400 3.5 (Manual Focus) P-30 P-30 P-30
400 4.5 Z VR S-Line P-20 or AP-501 P-20 or AP-501 P-20 or AP-501
400 5.6 Ai-S P-20 P-20 P-20
500 5.6 PF VR P-20 or AP-500 P-20 or AP-500 P-20 or AP-500
500 4.0 Ai P P-30 P-30 P-30
500 4.0 AF-I P-40 P-40 + AP-902 (not compatible w/ Sidemount)
500 4.0 AF-S (I & II) P-40 or AP-554 AP-554 AP-554
500 4.0 VR (I & II) P-40 or AP-554 AP-554 AP-554
500 4.0 FL VR P-40 or AP-551 AP-551 AP-551
600 4.0 Ai-S P-50 P-50 + AP-900 (not compatible w/ Sidemount)
600 4.0 AF-I P-50 P-50 + AP-902 (not compatible w/ Sidemount)
600 4.0 AF-S I AP-652 AP-652 + AP-900 (not compatible w/ Sidemount)
600 4.0 AF-S II AP-452 (Mandatory for use w/ WH-200) AP-452 AP-452
600 4.0 VR (I & II) AP-452 (Mandatory for use w/ WH-200) AP-452 AP-452
600 4.0 FL VR P-50 or AP-555 AP-555 + AP-900 AP-555
600 4.0 TC Z VR S-Line P-40 or AP-502 P-40 or AP-502 P-40 or AP-502
600 5.6 Ai-S P-30 P-30 P-30
600 6.3 Z VR S-Line P-20 or AP-503 P-20 or AP-503 P-20 or AP-503
800 5.6 (Manual Focus) P-50 P-50 + AP-900 (not compatible w/ Sidemount)
800 5.6 FL VR P-40 or AP-555 AP-555 + AP-901 AP-555
800 6.3 Z VR S-line P-30 or AP-502 P-30 or AP-502 P-30 or AP-502
Olympus
OLYMPUS (ZUIKO/M.ZUIKO LENSES)
Plate Recommendations for:
WIMBERLEY HEAD (WH-200)
MONOGIMBAL HEAD (MH-100)

And Non-Gimbal Heads (Ball Heads, etc.)
Plate Recommendations for:
SIDEKICK (SK-100)
Plate Recommendations for:
Sidemount Wimberley (WH-200-S)
35-100 2.0 Zuiko P-20 P-20 P-20
40-150 2.8 M.Zuiko P-10* P-10* P-10*
50-200 2.8-3.5 Zuiko P-20 P-20 P-20
90-250 2.8 Zuiko P-40 P-40 P-40
150 2.0 Zuiko P-20 P-20 P-20
300 2.8 Zuiko P-30 P-30 P-30
300 4.0 M.Zuiko P-20 P-20 P-20
Panasonic/Lumix
PANASONIC LENSES
Plate Recommendations for:
WIMBERLEY HEAD (WH-200)
MONOGIMBAL HEAD (MH-100)

And Non-Gimbal Heads (Ball Heads, etc.)
Plate Recommendations for:
SIDEKICK (SK-100)
Plate Recommendations for:
Sidemount Wimberley (WH-200-S)
100-400 4-6.3 OIS P-30* P-30* P-30*
Pentax
PENTAX
LENSES
Plate Recommendations for:
WIMBERLEY HEAD (WH-200)
MONOGIMBAL HEAD (MH-100)

And Non-Gimbal Heads (Ball Heads, etc.)
Plate Recommendations for:
SIDEKICK (SK-100)
Plate Recommendations for:
Sidemount Wimberley (WH-200-S)
60-250 4.0 SMC DA P-20 P-20 P-20
80-200 2.8 SMC FA P-20 P-20 P-20
150-450 4.5-5.6 D-FA AW P-40 P-40 P-40
200 4.0 Macro SMC A P-20 P-20 P-20
250-600 5.6 SMC P-FA P-50 P-50 P-50
300 2.8 SMC P-A (Manual Focus) P-20 P-20 P-20
300 2.8 AF SMC P-FA P-30 P-30 P-30
300 4.0 SMC-DA P-30 P-30 P-30
400 2.8 SMC A P-30 P-30 P-30
560 5.6 DA AW P-50 P-50 P-50
600 4.0 SMC P-FA P-50 P-50 P-50
Sigma
SIGMA
LENSES
Plate Recommendations for:
WIMBERLEY HEAD (WH-200)
MONOGIMBAL HEAD (MH-100)

And Non-Gimbal Heads (Ball Heads, etc.)
Plate Recommendations for:
SIDEKICK (SK-100)
Plate Recommendations for:
Sidemount Wimberley (WH-200-S)
Lens with a TS-41 Collar & foot P-40 P-40 P-40
50-500 4.5-6.3 APO P-40 P-40 P-40
60-600 4.5-6.3 Sports P-30 P-30 P-30
70-200 2.8 APO P-10 P-10 P-10
80-200 2.8 P-10 P-10 P-10
80-400 4.5-5.6 APO OS P-40 P-40 P-40
100-300 4.0 APO P-10 P-10 P-10
120-300 2.8 DG P-30 P-30 P-30
120-300 2.8 DG OS P-30 P-30 P-30
120-300 2.8 DG OS Sports P-40 P-40 P-40
120-400 4.5-5.6 DG OS P-30 P-30 P-30
135-400 4.5-5.6 P-10 P-10 P-10
150 2.8 OS Macro P-20 P-20 P-20
150-500 5-6.3 APO P-50 P-50 P-50
150-600 5.0-6.3 Contemporary P-30 P-30 P-30
150-600 5.0-6.3 Sports P-50 or AP-608 P-50 or AP-608 P-50 or AP-608
170-500 5.0-6.3 APO P-10 P-10 P-10
180 2.8 OS Macro P-10 P-10 P-10
300 4.0 P-10 P-10 P-10
300 2.8 APO P-20 P-20 P-20
300-800 5.6 APO P-50 P-50 + AP-900 (not compatible w/ Sidemount)
400 5.6 APO P-10 P-10 P-10
500 4.0 OS Sports P-50 (or AP-602) P-50 (or AP-602) P-50 (or AP-602)
500 4.5 non-HSM P-30 P-30 + AP-900 (not compatible w/ Sidemount)
500 4.5 APO P-50 P-50 + AP-900 (not compatible w/ Sidemount)
800 5.6 APO P-50 P-50 + AP-900 (not compatible w/ Sidemount)
Sony
SONY
LENSES
Plate Recommendations for:
WIMBERLEY HEAD (WH-200)
MONOGIMBAL HEAD (MH-100)

And Non-Gimbal Heads (Ball Heads, etc.)
Plate Recommendations for:
SIDEKICK (SK-100)
Plate Recommendations for:
Sidemount Wimberley (WH-200-S)
28-135 4.0 FE PZ G OSS P-20 + BS-100 P-20 + BS-100 P-20 + BS-100
70-200 2.8 G SSM I & II P-20 + BS-100 P-20 + BS-100 P-20 + BS-100
70-200 2.8 GM OSS I & II P-10 or AP-611 P-10 or AP-611 P-10 or AP-611
70-200 4.0 G OSS I P-20 P-20 P-20
70-200 4.0 G OSS II P-20* P-20* P-20*
70-400 4-5.6 G SSM I & II P-20 + BS-100 P-20 + BS-100 P-20 + BS-100
100-400 4.5-5.6 FE GM OSS P-20 or AP-610 P-20 or AP-610 P-20 or AP-610
200-600 5.6-6.3 FE G OSS P-35 or AP-620 P-35 or AP-620 P-35 or AP-620
300 2.8 G SSM I & II P-30 + BS-100 P-30 + BS-100 P-30 + BS-100
400 2.8 GM OSS P-40 or AP-609 AP-609 AP-609
500 4.0 G SSM P-40 P-40 P-40
600 4.0 GM OSS P-35 or AP-616 AP-616 AP-616
Tamron
TAMRON
LENSES
Plate Recommendations for:
WIMBERLEY HEAD (WH-200)
MONOGIMBAL HEAD (MH-100)

And Non-Gimbal Heads (Ball Heads, etc.)
Plate Recommendations for:
SIDEKICK (SK-100)
Plate Recommendations for:
Sidemount Wimberley (WH-200-S)
70-200 2.8 Di VC P-20 P-20 P-20
70-200 2.8 AF Macro P-20 P-20 P-20
70-210 2.8 P-10 + BS-100 P-10 + BS-100 P-10 + BS-100
180 3.5 AF Macro P-10 P-10 P-10
150-600 5-6.3 VC P-30 P-30 P-30
150-600 5-6.3 VC G2 P-30 P-30 P-30
200-400 5.6 P-10 P-10 P-10
200-500 5-6.3 P-10 P-10 P-10
300 2.8 P-20 P-20 P-20
Tokina
TOKINA
LENSES
Plate Recommendations for:
WIMBERLEY HEAD (WH-200)
MONOGIMBAL HEAD (MH-100)

And Non-Gimbal Heads (Ball Heads, etc.)
Plate Recommendations for:
SIDEKICK (SK-100)
Plate Recommendations for:
Sidemount Wimberley (WH-200-S)
50-135 2.8 P-10 P-10 P-10
70-200 4.0 P-20 P-20 P-20
80-200 2.8 P-10 P-10 P-10
80-400 4.5-5.6 P-20 P-20 P-20
100-300 4.0 APO P-10 P-10 P-10
100-400 4.0 APO P-10 P-10 P-10
150-500 5.6 P-20 P-20 P-20
300 2.8 P-20 P-20 P-20
300 4.0 P-10 P-10 P-10
400 5.6 APO P-10 P-10 P-10
         *This specific lens has a shallow mounting hole which requires a special shorter mounting screw:

About this Guide

The charts above list the lens plate and additional hardware(if necessary) that we recommend for some of the most common collared lenses. If your lens is not on the list, please contact us and we will be happy to help you find the proper plate. A lens not listed has not been tested.

We try to suggest a plate that will work for all scenarios, but this is not always possible. The balance point of the lens/camera combination is affected by the weight of the camera body and other accessories attached to the lens and each set up is different.

The plates that we recommend should be long enough to:

   1.) Properly balance the lens when using our gimbal heads

   2.) Allow room to attach a flash bracket to the plate.
  In some cases, this means that the plate is significantly longer than the foot of the lens.

NOTE: Other manufacturers' plates may not be long enough or dimensionally compatible in order to properly balance your setup. Check the length of the recommended plate in our charts for comparison. If your particular setup does not balance properly using our suggested plate, please contact us right away so that we can help you find a more suitable plate.


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