Wimberley FAQs and Support Topics
What ball head do you recommend?
We have prepared three charts comparing some of the most popular ball heads. These comparisons are broken down by load capacity, and the information below refers to general ball head use (not suitability for use with the Sidekick). To make sure your ball head is compatible with the Sidekick, click here.
Important Ball Head Compatibility Information – Please Read:
Using Lever-style (flip-lock) Clamps
Using Bogen, Manfrotto and Gitzo Ball Heads
Currently, Wimberley carries only the Arca-Swiss Z1 ball head, with our installed Wimberley C-11 QR clamp. Please contact us if you are interested in purchasing one of the Z1 ball heads available through Wimberley.
— High Capacity Heads (Will support the largest lenses: e.g. 600 f/4, 400 f/2.8) —
|
Ball
Head |
Weight
(lbs) |
Arca-Swiss
style QR Clamp |
Retail
Price |
Available
Through Wimberley |
Comments
|
|
Arca-Swiss (with Wimberley C-11 |
1.5 | Yes (Wimberley C-11 Clamp). We sell the Arca-Swiss Z1 with a quick-release clamp specifically designed to fit on this ball head, the C-11, which is a basic clamp. We are not currently selling this brand-specific quick-release clamp through our website. Click here to purchase. | $445.00 | Yes, click here to purchase. Now available with reinforced stem |
Next evolution of Monoball after the B1, which was the industry standard for many years. Suitable for almost all applications; no reports of the lockup issues of the B1. Recommended for use with all collared lenses. The Z-1 features good panning functionality, very smooth variable ball friction and unsurpassed load capacity. Note: The Arca-Swiss "double-decker clamp" that comes standard on the Z-1 will not allow you to use the safety stop feature on Wimberley plates (see details at bottom of the Lens Plate Compatibility page). We recommend installing our C-12 clamp on the Z-1 or buying from us a Z-1 with a Wimberley clamp pre-installed. If you plan to use the Sidekick on a Z-1 with Arca-Swiss's Lever release clamp, we recommend adding the AK-100 plate to the Sidekick. DO NOT use: double pan (dp) Z1; or the Z2 ball head with the Sidekick. Monoball P0 and P1 heads are not compatible with the Sidekick. Arca |
| Linhof Profi III |
2.8 | No, Must add Wimberley C-12 Clamp ($79.00) | $615.95 | No | Very nice ball head. Friction control not as smooth as Arca-Swiss, but doesn't have lock-up problems found with the Arca-Swiss. Cons: very expensive, does not come with an Arca-Swiss style quick-release. |
| Foba Superball | 2.6 | Yes | $534.95 | No | Excellent load capacity, average smoothness. It uses a lever rather than a knob to lock the ball. The lever is quick to operate, but bulky and difficult to adjust. |
| Graf Studioball | 3.7 | Yes | $314.00 | No | Excellent load capacity, very good smoothness. The panning base uses ball bearings, and is very low-friction. If you are not concerned with the weight, this head is a good option. The knobs on this head are plastic and they are not captive. Broken or missing knobs are not uncommon on these heads. |
| Markins M-20 | 1.3 | Yes | $390.00 | No | This is the lightest head in this group, but it will still hold the largest lenses. It is basically a smaller version of the Arca-Swiss B-1, but unlike the B-1, it doesn't have an aspherical ball. As far as we know, it does not have any lock-up problems. It is very nicely made and has excellent variable tension (virtually no stick-slip). |
| Really Right Stuff BH-55 | 1.9 | Yes | $415.00 | No | This is a very attractive ballhead that will hold a lot of weight. It does not have the smoothest variable friction, but the variable friction control knob is very easy to use and intuitive. The quick-release clamp has a built-in bubble level. |
— Medium-High Capacity Heads (Will support 500 f/4 sized lenses) —
|
Ball
Head |
Weight
(lbs) |
Arca-Swiss
style QR Clamp |
Retail
Price |
Available
Through Wimberley |
Comments
|
| Kirk BH-1 |
2.0 | Yes | $355.00 | No | Very capable ball head. Slightly heavier and less smooth than Arca-Swiss B1 or Z1 and holds slightly less weight. Does not have the lock-up problems of the Arca-Swiss Monoball. Click here for more details. |
| Gitzo 1377M (With Wimberley C-12 QR Clamp attached Installed) |
2.0 | No(QR Clamp available: Wimberley C-12) | $224.00 | No | Similar to Kirk BH-1, but with slightly less load capacity. Will hold the weight of a 500mm f/4, but not as well as other similarly sized heads. Click here for more details. |
— Medium Capacity Heads (Will support 300 f/2.8 sized lenses) —
|
Ball
Head |
Weight
(lbs) |
Arca-Swiss
style QR Clamp |
Retail
Price |
Available
Through Wimberley |
Comments
|
| Kirk BH-3 | 1.25 | Yes | $255.00 | No | Slightly better load capacity than other heads in this category, but not quite as smooth as the Gitzo 1277M or the Linhof Profi II. |
| Linhof Profi II |
1.6 | No (Must add Wimberley C-12 QR Clamp - $79) | $409.95 | No | Excellent smoothness, but expensive and does not come with an Arca-Swiss style quick-release clamp. Click here for more details. |
| Acra-Tech Ball Head |
1.0 | Yes (Wimberley C-12 QR clamp) | $290.00 | No | Very lightweight, decent smoothness, and good load capacity for this category. Unique slanted sleeve for holding the ball can make it more difficult to position the ball without repositioning the pan mechanism. Click here for more details. |
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 2:27 pm