Only 1.3 lb and compact enough to pack, the Arca Sidekick Ball to Gimbal Head Adapter from Wimberley quickly converts any ballhead with an Arca-style quick release clamp into a gimbal head. This allows the lens to rotate around its center of gravity, dramatically improving handling and vibration dampening.

Your percentage of 'keeper' shots will definitely go up using this device with telephotos with a tripod collar. Ideal for 300mm f/2.8 or 500mm f/4.5 lenses, but also works great with 70-200/f 2.8 telephoto zooms or macro lenses with tripod collars such as the 180mm f/3.5 & 400mm f/5.6's made today. When the tripod collar is fitted in the Sidekick properly, you will have perfect 50/50 weight distribution, making movement of the lens and camera finger-light!

The Sidekick, when combined with an appropriate ballhead with an Arca-type quick release clamp & independent panning lock as well as an appropriate quick release plate (required and available separately), makes for an incredible combination to provide control of spotting scopes. This is likely the best possible scenario for tracking a bird in flight, but will require a spotting scope with a rotating tripod collar in order to be ergonomically practical.

A quick-release plate is required when using this adapter.

Note: In some cases it is necessary to add spacers to the adapter. Please click here for the Sidekick/Lens Reference Chart.

Converts Ball Head to Gimbal Head    Easily Reposition Big Telephoto Lenses    Quick and Easy to Attach    Ideal for 300mm, 500mm, etc. Lenses    For Lenses With Tripod Collar

Cast aluminium and stainless steel design

Catalyzed urethane finish

Rubberized 5-lobed knob

Captive controls cannot fall off accidentally

Shallow channels extending from the sides of the Sidekick's clamp stop just short of the center to allow great fore-aft adjustment when using the safety stops on Wimberley's (and others) quick release plates.

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Can it be used with a monopod?

A: I have actually used this combination at many professional sporting events. I use the tilt of the Sidekick, but lock the pan base down and turn the monopod to get the side to side motion I need. Doing it that way, makes it a little less unwieldy.

Q: 2. can i use the gitzo ball head with the wimberly side kick?

A: Yes they work very well together. My largest zoom lens is a Tamron 150 to 600 millimeter. There are only two small problems I've noticed. I mount everything with ARCA Swiss style mounting plate. These all have to be tighten very well. Otherwise where the sidekick bolts to the mounting plate of the ball head , and of course the ball head mounting plate is at right angles so therefore vertical. In this condition if things are not tight the sidekick can start sliding that is to say rotating where the head meets the mounting plate. If it is sufficiently tightened it's not an issue. Secondly, since this system does not have the capability to balance like a fall Wimberley head, and the fact that this lens extends as you zoom, perfect balance in any position is not possible. Although the offset weight is not hardly noticeable. I would highly recommend it! It's half the cost half the size have to wait. Less stuff in your equipment bag is always a good thing.

Q: 3. Can I add the sidekick to a Mefoto globetrotter and if so what other items do I need to purchase to make it functional? Thanks...

A: If your lens has a lens collar or tripod mount, then yes, the Wimberley Arca Sidekick Ball to Gimbal Head Adapter and the MeFOTO GlobeTrotter Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod would be compatible for your usage needs. The Wimberley Arca Sidekick Ball to Gimbal Head Adapte connects directly to the Arca-type clamp on the ball head on the top of the MeFOTO GlobeTrotter Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod. No other accessory is needed; you simply remove the quick release plate included with the tripod's ball head and conect the Wimberlay Gimbal Head Adapter. You would place the ball head at the 90° vertical shooting positon to mount the Wimberly Gimbal Head Adapter, and you would then have freedom of movement with your camera/lens combination mounted on the above tripod/gimbal head combination.

Q: 4. Will the Sidekick work with Benro G2 ballhead?

A: Yes, since the G2 has an Arca clamp.

Q: 5. Will it work with Gitzo GT2545T Series 2 traveler Carbon Fiber tripod with center Ball Head ?

A: Yes it will , they are Arca-Type Compatible

Q: 6. Hi, will this sidekick work with the Sirui K-30X ball head?

A: It will! Per Wimberley, it will work well even on the smaller and lighter K-20x. I contacted them directly about using the Sidekick with the K-20x, a Canon 7Dii w/grip, and a Canon 100-400ii. Their response: Yes, the Sirui K-20x is an excellent choice for use our Sidekick and your listed equipment.

Q: 7. I have a tripod with the Benro IB2 Triple Action Ball Head on it. Is the Wimberley Sidekick compatible with this ballhead? I will be using a Nikon D500 with a 200-500mm lens with it. Thanks for any input!

A: Yes the Wimberley will be compatible with the ball head.

Q: 8. I have Nikon 200-500 with the RRS collar and foot. Does this foot fit perfectly tight on the Sidekick?

A: Yes, fully compatible.

Q: 9. can you recommend an Induro ball head that will properly work with this? I'm buying the Induro CLT 404L tripod also.

A: I use the Arca sidekick with an induro BHL3 ballhead on a CT 404 tripod. Very sturdy combination. I would highly recommend

Q: 10. Can I use RRS bh-55 with leaver-release clamp with sidekick but without ak-100?

A: I use the Sidekick on a bh-40 head lever clamp style, with a Nikon 200-500 f5.6 and the Kirk collar which has an arca foot. Fit is secure without the adapter. If you have a lens collar that doesn’t come with a good arca foot, then the adapter would be a good choice.