For 500mm f/4: Wimberley or Jobo?

[DavidRobertson]

The Wimberly is the best, but the 500 F4 works quite well on a Monopod. It is an IS lens, which works well. DR

[NillToulme]

What is about the full Wimberley head that's so much better than the Sidekick? I use my 400 f/2.8L IS — which is just slightly heavier than the 600 f/4 — on a Sidekick/BH-55 combination with no difficulty. What exactly would I be gaining with the full head, other than more expense, less flexibility, less portability, and the ability to balance vertically with a flash head mounted?

Nill

[Walter_Kimmel]

I now have some more experience since I started this thred, and I appreciate the responses. At this point, I agree with Nill: I have used the 500 f/4 often enough with the Sidekick, Arca B1 and Gitzo 1325 tripod to be very comfortable with that combination.

Wimberley states that at least with the 500, there is no difference in stability, rigidity or range of motion between the full Wimberley and the Sidekick.

I use the Lowepro VestStrap and waist belt, and the padded shoulder strap provides just the support and comfort I need to carry the camera and lens, mounted on the tripod, over my shoulder.

Using proper technique I get very sharp pictures using the Sidekick, and there is no problem with how secure the equipment is when mounted on the Sidekick.

I have no desire at this point to add extra weight and size by going to the full Wimberley.