Using a Regular Ballhead with Sidekick Gimbal: My current setup is a Feisol CT-3342 with Acratech GP ball head. I have recently purchased a Nikon 200-500 Lens to use for Wildlife type...

Rdphoto3 Loc: Crossville, Tn

My current setup is a Feisol CT-3342 with Acratech GP ball head. I have recently purchased a Nikon 200-500 Lens to use for Wildlife type shooting. I was considering a Full Gimbal. I have been researching and have seen these SideKick Adapters which let you use your current Ballhead like a gimbal.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/205329-REG/Wimberley_SK_100_Arca_Sidekick_Ball_to.html

Does anyone have experience with using these Pros and Cons?

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Rdphoto3 wrote:

My current setup is a Feisol CT-3342 with Acratech GP ball head. I have recently purchased a Nikon 200-500 Lens to use for Wildlife type shooting. I was considering a Full Gimbal. I have been researching and have seen these SideKick Adapters which let you use your current Ballhead like a gimbal.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/205329-REG/Wimberley_SK_100_Arca_Sidekick_Ball_to.html

Does anyone have experience with using these Pros and Cons?

If it were me, I would go with a full Gimbal.
Welcome to UHH

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Rdphoto3 wrote:

My current setup is a Feisol CT-3342 with Acratech GP ball head. I have recently purchased a Nikon 200-500 Lens to use for Wildlife type shooting. I was considering a Full Gimbal. I have been researching and have seen these SideKick Adapters which let you use your current Ballhead like a gimbal.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/205329-REG/Wimberley_SK_100_Arca_Sidekick_Ball_to.html

Does anyone have experience with using these Pros and Cons?

I used one with a ball head prior to getting a gimbal. It is a cheaper alternative.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

mborn wrote:

I used one with a ball head prior to getting a gimbal. It is a cheaper alternative.

Well that was helpful.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

I use quick releases and easily swap from ball to gimbal to suit my preference.

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

Looks like you might get more shake than with a regular gimbal - check YouTube for any reviews.

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

I have one and it works fine for me. I like that it is smaller for traveling. I see one post said it might have more shake, it might, but you are moving up, down sideways anyway. It is probably wrong and I’m sure I’ll get blasted for saying I sometimes leave my IS on even on the tripod with this set up. I went with this because I’m not a huge birder, but wanted it for wildlife and a heavier lens. I had just been using the ball head loosened up to move around, this is much easier. Also, I was not sure how much I would use a gimbal and with this being cheaper I figured I could try it out and if I felt I just had to have a better one I could step up later. So far not feeling the need to upgrade.
I bought mine on eBay for $125 or so and was like new.
I would not hesitate to try one!
Beth

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

I’m looking into the Acratech ball head with built in gimbal. Do you like your Acratech ball head?

Rdphoto3 Loc: Crossville, Tn

Photolady2014 wrote:

I’m looking into the Acratech ball head with built in gimbal. Do you like your Acratech ball head?

I like the Acrtech GP Ballhead. It works wonderfully. The Gimbal feature limits you in movement because the Camera Body and Lens are very close to the Tripod Legs with this setup. A regular gimbal will lift your equipment up higher.

Rdphoto3 Loc: Crossville, Tn

ecobin wrote:

Looks like you might get more shake than with a regular gimbal - check YouTube for any reviews.

I get shake now having the Camera and the 200-500 on top of the Acratech. Which Gimbal do you have?

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

Rdphoto3 wrote:

I like the Acrtech GP Ballhead. It works wonderfully. The Gimbal feature limits you in movement because the Camera Body and Lens are very close to the Tripod Legs with this setup. A regular gimbal will lift your equipment up higher.

I wondered about that. Good to know. I guess I could still put the gimbal attachment like we are talking about here on it, which I have and like ok.

Rdphoto3 Loc: Crossville, Tn

Photolady2014 wrote:

I wondered about that. Good to know. I guess I could still put the gimbal attachment like we are talking about here on it, which I have and like ok.

And which one is it you have and like so much.

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

Rdphoto3 wrote:

And which one is it you have and like so much.

Wimberley arca sidekick

Rdphoto3 Loc: Crossville, Tn

PixelStan77 wrote:

If it were me, I would go with a full Gimbal.
Welcome to UHH

Which do you have?

doclrb

Rdphoto3 wrote:

My current setup is a Feisol CT-3342 with Acratech GP ball head. I have recently purchased a Nikon 200-500 Lens to use for Wildlife type shooting. I was considering a Full Gimbal. I have been researching and have seen these SideKick Adapters which let you use your current Ballhead like a gimbal.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/205329-REG/Wimberley_SK_100_Arca_Sidekick_Ball_to.html

Does anyone have experience with using these Pros and Cons?

I’ve found the Movo GH400 (Movophoto.com) to be a cost-effective alternative to the very expensive gimbals.

doclrb