Wobble free Wimberley Head Mark II
Posted on 2017-03-22 (3775 VIEWS)
GEAR REVIEW: Wimberley Head MkII
Cheaper alternatives are available but they are no comparison for the real thing. © Paul Stillman
Most of us are familiar with the two common types of tripod heads. Ball heads, where the camera is adjusted by loosening a single knob, and three way heads, when each movement, pan, tilt and levelling have a release of their own. The ball head is convenient, but with a heavy camera can be unstable, when the three way is more precise, but also cumbersome, with several control knobs sticking out at different angles.
Enter the gimbal! This is designed to address a further problem using tripods. If you are shooting sport or wildlife you will probably have a large and heavy lens, which you need to swivel around quickly and smoothly to follow your subject. Not easy if you have to work three controls at once, or feel you are balancing your camera on a wobbly pile of bricks which wants to fall over. So the idea goes like this. Suppose you suspended your camera and lens from above so it was on a swing and would naturally come to rest at the bottom of the arc. Then you balance the combination so the weight is in the middle, and it doesn’t droop at one end. Finally you have a pan motion at the base of the head and the swing action above, to adjust your angle without losing stability. Sounds cumbersome? It isn’t, it's brilliant.
So good I even bought one. £60 on eBay. Lens Lab of course do things properly, and rent the Wimberley, a professional American system costing ten times that price. Yes, that’s right. Now my version ain’t bad, for the money very good. The ‘bearings’ are in fact neoprene and have to be stripped and cleaned when any muck gets in them. Not difficult and it does give me the chance to tighten the screws, more essential maintenance. The action is smooth enough, but a tad stop start. Either axis is either locked rigid or moving freely, not much in between.
The Wimberley is larger, another kilogram heavier, but damn it - beautifully made. A real pleasure to use, the movement silky smooth and the camera very secure. Both versions attach the camera not with the usual tripod screw, but with a plate. The lens foot screws to that, then the plate slides up and down in a sort of locking track, ensuring the centre of gravity can be placed over the perpendicular arm. I’ve loved using it, most top of the range equipment carries that pleasure. Would I buy one? Probably, if I could afford it. My cheapo will have to do for now, but I might hire the Wimberley for special occasions. It’s a joy to use, and if you’ve shot sports or wildlife without a gimbal, you are in for a treat.
Transform your photography: Try the Wimberley head for £13.52 for a single day hire:
Wimberley Head MarkII
Ideal for catching fast moving subjects. © Paul Stillman
Steady your camera with the sturdy Wimberley Head © Paul Stillman
INDEX TO ARTICLES
Shoot Products Like A Pro >
2020-07-15 By Phil Sills
Finding the right photo book for your pictures >
2019-10-31 By Flavio Longato
Cambridge by camera >
2019-02-08 By Peter Levenspiel
Hooray for the V&A >
2018-10-30 By Peter Levenspiel
Nitecore All Weather Adventure Backpack review >
2018-07-06 By James MacDonald
100 years of camera history >
2018-06-25 By Leonardo Stone
Form & Function by Chloe Rosser >
2018-06-08 By Peter Levenspiel
Check this amazing footage from the Wiral Lite >
2018-05-31 By Leonardo Stone
Interview: Clare Hewitt, Portrait of Britain Winner >
2018-04-23 By Peter Levenspiel
Make your own cyanotype photogram >
2018-04-12 By Peter Levenspiel
Video review: Starter ND filter kit >
2018-03-12 By Peter Levenspiel
Getting started: DIY product photography >
2018-02-04 By Peter Levenspiel
Photographers heaven? >
2018-02-03 By Leonardo Stone
The Zkin Kampe, a bag for life? >
2018-02-02 By Liz Taylor
Into the Woods: Trees in photography at the V&A >
2018-01-30 By Peter Levenspiel
Running, gunning and shooting from the hip! >
2017-10-31 By James Macdonald
Getting the most out of your Interfit reflector >
2017-10-17 By Paul Stillman
Video review: Lens Rims form easyCover >
2017-09-27 By Peter Levenspiel
Destination: Lens Lab visits Lewes >
2017-08-23 By Peter Levenspiel
Peak Design slide strap - This one’s from the hip! >
2017-07-18 By James Macdonald
What to shoot in Madrid >
2017-06-06 By Peter Levenspiel
The basics of manual camera controls explained >
2017-03-30 By Peter Levenspiel
Wobble free Wimberley Head Mark II >
2017-03-22 By Paul Stillman
The joy of wildlife photography >
2017-03-21 By Paul Stillman
Grow your garden photography skills >
2017-02-22 By Peter Levenspiel
Portsmouth: A photo friendly getaway destination >
2017-02-19 By Peter Levenspiel
Slow down time with ND filters >
2017-02-16 By James McDonald
The 600mm Sigma with pulling power >
2017-02-05 By Paul Stillman
The beast that does it all - well almost! >
2017-02-01 By James McDonald
Photographing birds of prey >
2017-01-14 By Peter Levenspiel
What the F? >
2017-01-04 By Peter Levenspiel
The best light in Europe! >
2016-11-01 By Peter Levenspiel
PART 1: Smartphone's V DSLR's >
2016-11-01 By Peter Levenspiel
Review: Nikon Nikkor Micro AF 105mm f2.8 lens >
2016-10-09 By Paul Stillman
2016 Woodland Trust tree of the year shortlist >
2016-09-24 By Liz Taylor
Surprisingly, kids can be pretty good at photography... with a little guidance! >
2016-09-09 By Peter Levenspiel
Want to improve your garden photography? >
2016-09-07 By Paul Stillman
Plane boring... What's your thing? >
2016-08-10 By Peter Levenspiel
Learn from the masters! >
2016-08-08 By Peter Levenspiel
Plan for success... Wedding photography >
2016-07-15 By Peter Levenspiel
What does Brexit mean if you're a photographer? >
2016-06-25 By Peter Levenspiel
Woodland bird photography at its very best! >
2016-06-18 By Paul Stillman
Top 3 equine photography tips from a pro… >
2016-06-17 By Peter Levenspiel
Wide angle lenses: The estate agents magic trick >
2016-06-10 By Peter Levenspiel
Head for the woods... macro season is here! >
2016-06-03 By Peter Levenspiel
The eeirie work of Christian Richter >
2016-05-20 By Peter Levenspiel
Doggy doggy on the wall... >
2016-04-04 By Peter Levenspiel
6 merits of renting photographic gear over buying >
2016-04-01 By Matt Golowczynski
Photographic exhibition at the V&A: Paul Strand >
2016-03-25 By Liz Taylor
Create a family best-seller >
2016-03-23 By Peter Levenspiel
Droning on about it... >
2016-02-09 By Peter Levenspiel
Top 10 Things to consider before stepping into photography >
By Racho Stano
