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. I have a Nikon z6ii and Nikon 500m PF. Will the sidekick work with this combo? I saw in the instructions that smaller lenses/cameras may not work

A: Yes the Nikon Z6 II equipped with the Nikon FTZ adapter and the Nikon AF-S 500mm PF lens can be used on the SK100.

Q: 2. are any adapters needed for the nikon 200-500mm f/5.6?

A: You will need an Arca Swiss style mounting plate.

Q: 3. I currently have a Benro A2580F tripod with a manfrotto pan/tilt head. I shoot birds with a D7200 and a Tamron 150-600mm lens. I want to get the Wimberley Arca Sidekick Gimbal but need recommendation for a ball head. Looking for best performance-to-value ball head?

A: I use a standard size ball head and use the side kick with no problems. I have an d800e with a 290 to 50th tele and it works fine.One additional bit of kit get the long Wimberley Acra foot to be able to balance the rig

Q: 4. Does the sidekick provide the same performance features of the full gimbal, specifically does it balance the load so you can let go without it changing position?

A: Yes, you can balance the load so that you can let go and the camera will hold it's position.

Q: 5. My ball head is an Induro BHL3. Camera is D810 and lens Nikon 80-400mm Will the Wimberly Sidekick work without further adaptation?

A: As long as the tripod head has an Arca type quick release clamp, it should work. You simply lay the clamp over (as if shooting a vertical photo), and slide the sidekick into the clamp. The quick release plate on the lens will have to be long enough to slide the camera/lens combination forward or back to balance it correctly. When properly balanced, the camera/lens combination should be able to move easily when the knob is slightly tightened, and not fall front or backward.

Q: 6. Will this work with an Oben BE-117T ball head?

A: It will work but I would recommend a head with a higher load capacity like the Oben BC139. You can click on the link below to view; https://bhpho.to/2VxQusi

Q: 7. can you safely walk around with the camera on the sidekick attached to the tripod?

A: In the past I have carried my D750 and 80-400 lens over my shoulder with no problem. Always tightened all knobs carefully before carrying. Had a stranger tell me my camera/lens seemed to be wobbly as he passed me, sure enough, I think if I had walked another 100 feet it would have fallen. I was sure I had tightened all knobs! Do I carry the combination over my shoulder anymore? A big resounding NO!

Q: 8. Can I use the sidekick with an Acratech ball head?

A: Yes, Acratech uses an Arca type clamp and so it is compatible.

Q: 9. should I level the tripod before balancing the gimbal? I have this question because I am going to use SK-100 with a ball head on top of the skyguider pro. Thus, there is always an angle and the sk-100-ballhead combo cannot be leveled all time. Not sure in this case will a gimble is still usable.

A: Yes, always level the tripod.

Q: 10. 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.