'Wimberley' Gimbal - mount on a Center Column ?

[roli_bark]

I'm seeking advise from somebody who actually done this:
From the pic below it can be seen that the Wimberley Head is normally mounted on the Tripod Legs directly ! - as so:

44862

Can the the "Wimberley" Gimbal head be mounted on top a Center Column alike the below "Gitzo G-1518" ?

44741

[jimtfoto]

I'm seeking advise from somebody who actually done this:
Can the the "Wimberley" Gimbal head be mounted on a Center Column ?

From the pic below it can be seen that it is mounted on the Tripod Legs directly !

Yes it can ... I have one mounted on the centre column of a Manfrotto 441.

cheers,
jim

[roli_bark]

Yes it can ... I have one mounted on the centre column of a Manfrotto 441.

cheers,
jim

Thanks ! Does this need any extra hardware (special screws, washers...etc...) ?

[jimtfoto]

I didn't need anything extra, it just screws into the mounting screw. The 441 has a couple of smaller screws that then mount under the centre column's head.

cheers,
jim

[roli_bark]

I didn't need anything extra, it just screws into the mounting screw. The 441 has a couple of smaller screws that then mount under the centre column's head.

cheers,
jim

Thanks. And 1 last question.
Can the Center Column itself be tilted (with the Wimberley on it) at angles less than 90 degrees, while still having the Wimberley Head balance at center-of-gravity ?

[jimtfoto]

The centre column on my tripod is also designed to be used at a 90-degree angle, although I've never had any use for it. I guess the Wimberley, by the very nature of its design, would rotate to any needed position. Remember that it's a pretty weighty piece of equipment.

cheers,
jim

[roli_bark]

Thanks Jim - you've been of great help !

[jimtfoto]

My pleasure.

cheers,
jim

[belmondo]

Actually, I've found it to be handy. I usually prefer to set height by adjusting the tripod legs, but when I find it a couple inches too low and I'm in a hurry (or being lazy), I'll crank up the center column.

[roli_bark]

My pleasure.

cheers,
jim

Actually, Jim, the new model (WH-200) which is supposed to be starting shipping this week, is 1 whole lb less in weight than the current Wimberley Full model !!! (3.1 lb vs. the current 4.1 lb)

See here: http://www.tripodhead.com/products/wimberley-version-2-press.cfm

[roli_bark]

Actually, I've found it to be handy. I usually prefer to set height by adjusting the tripod legs, but when I find it a couple inches too low and I'm in a hurry (or being lazy), I'll crank up the center column.

Belmondo - can you tilt your Center Column into angles (slops relative to the Legs Base level) in between 0 to 90 ? Or just into either Perpendicular or Lateral angle ?

Can the Gitzo G-1518 Center Column be cranked in ANY angle ?

[belmondo]

I didn't realize they had redesigned it. The new arrangement looks good. Sometimes it's a nuisance squeezing my hand in to loosen/tighten the knob underneath the clamp.

[roli_bark]

I didn't realize they had redesigned it. The new arrangement looks good. Sometimes it's a nuisance squeezing my hand in to loosen/tighten the knob underneath the clamp.

Yes - the new design has 3 main features:
1. A quick-release which is part of the molding (saving 1 lb in weight !)
2. A side PAN knob - easier operation
3. Tighter tolerances

However - $30 more expensive....for a total of $595 ... sigh ....

[belmondo]

Belmondo - can you tilt your Center Column into angles (slops relative to the Legs Base level) in between 0 to 90 ? Or just into either Perpendicular or Lateral angle ?

Can the Gitzo G-1518 Center Column be cranked in ANY angle ?

No. On my tripod, the center column is in a fixed orientation relative to the tripod head. I don't see this as a problem, though.

I don't know the answer to your second question, but looking at the pictures, it doesn't appear to have the self-leveling hardware, or anything that would allow you to tilt it.

[belmondo]

Yes - the new design has 3 main features:
1. A quick-release which is part of the molding (saving 1 lb in weight !)
2. A side PAN knob - easier operation
3. Tighter tolerances

However - $30 more expensive....for a total of $595 ... sigh ....

I'm very happy with my 'old' one. To me, it's a work of art. The beauty of the basic design, and I'm sure this is true of the new ones too, is that one you balance your camera/lens, you can put in in almost any position, and with just a little friction dialed in, it will stay in that position. I rarely have to tighten the tilt know down all the way.

[roli_bark]

...I don't know the answer to your second question, but looking at the pictures, it doesn't appear to have the self-leveling hardware, or anything that would allow you to tilt it.

Well, how about this Gizmo...it allows a Lateral Center Column positioning for Gitzo Tripod....
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=20816&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

[roli_bark]

I'm very happy with my 'old' one. To me, it's a work of art. The beauty of the basic design, and I'm sure this is true of the new ones too, is that one you balance your camera/lens, you can put in in almost any position, and with just a little friction dialed in, it will stay in that position. I rarely have to tighten the tilt know down all the way.

Yes ! - I'm sure you Wimberley baby is a beauty !....:) ...sigh....envy....green :p

[Fredinpa]

I do not know what you will be mounting on the Wimberley head, but if it is a 600mm lens there will be a loss of stability with the center column. The standard practice is to use a leveling base or nothing at all just the stud in the base to mount the head.

[roli_bark]

....The standard practice is to use a leveling base .....

Can you elaborate on why it is a prefered practice to use a "leveling base" ? Isn't it true that the Wimberley tends to balance itself at ANY level ?

[Scottes]

Isn't it true that the Wimberley tends to balance itself at ANY level ?
Not if the tripod is tilting towards the arm itself. The head will balance front-to-back, but not side-to-side.

[roli_bark]

My intention is to use the Wimberley Full head on top of a Center Column, where the Center Column is Tilted to the front only (not sideways by no means...)

[Scottes]

Then you don't need a leveling device since you'll level the tripod. But a leveling device allows you to place the tripod optimally without worrying about being level. For a big lens and The W you'd want everything as stable as possible, and level. A leveling device lets you worry about them independently and a leveling device is faster than mucking with the legs.

[roli_bark]

Then you don't need a leveling device since you'll level the tripod. But a leveling device allows you to place the tripod optimally without worrying about being level. For a big lens and The W you'd want everything as stable as possible, and level. A leveling device lets you worry about them independently and a leveling device is faster than mucking with the legs.

Thanks Scott.

[roli_bark]

Not if the tripod is tilting towards the arm itself. The head will balance front-to-back, but not side-to-side.

Sorry to raise this question again.

But re-thinking about it, it doesn't make sense to me that the Wimberley Head will balance itself easily when the Center Column is tilted towards, and not when the tilt is sideways...

Common logic tells me that the Wimberley 'doesn't care' about the tilt orientation [sideways, towards, or backwards], and that in either case it will NOT balance itself easily - e.g. some degree of leveling will be required in either case.

But then again - I may be wrong....

[Scottes]

I think the main concern is if it's not balanced from side-to-side, since it will put uneven pressure on the pivot bar - the bar that's attached to the big upper handle. If tilted that bar might "rub" against the bearing inside the base, and thus wouldn't move as freely. I'm sure that a bit of tilt won't matter too much, of course, but if that arm is perfectly straight up-and-down then you'd get maximum free mobility. It makes sense, and I know several guys with 600mm lenses that use leveling columns. Heck, I already bought a leveling column and my Wimberley is months away yet.

[roli_bark]

..... Heck, I already bought a leveling column and my Wimberley is months away yet.

Yes ! - Thanks Scott - this explains this issue perfectly.

Incidently, the level device you talk about. I was thinking about the Gitzo G-1321 shown below.

Will it fit the Gitzo G-1348 Tripod ?

[roli_bark]

Also - If I understand correctly, the above leveling Column device negates the use of a Center Column ?

[Scottes]

Concerning the 1321, B&H says "For high-speed leveling of any 3, 4, or 5 series tripods, the levelling base has a range of 15 degrees and will hold 33 lbs. with remarkable stability."

So yes, it will fit the 1348. And it will replace the center column.

[roli_bark]

....and my Wimberley is months away yet.

Thanks again.
And about your new Wimberley head ? Did you order the new model WH-200 ?
I'm told [by Wimberley Sales] that this head will be available in B&H by late January at the best.

[Scottes]

I will be getting the WH-200, but I won't even be ordering it until March when I order the 500mm f/4 (or hopefully the 600mm!).

[roli_bark]

I will be getting the WH-200, but I won't even be ordering it until March when I order the 500mm f/4 (or hopefully the 600mm!).

Looks like a perfect gear for spring time, birdwatching in Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge....enjoy it....

[roli_bark]

Wimberley is trading in your old WH-101 for the new WH-200, upcoming in late January 2006.

Read this (trade in deal is mentioned at bottom):

=============================================

The new Wimberley Head, which has a built-in Arca-Swiss style quick-release, costs only $30 more than the quick-release version of its predecessor, the WH-101 ($595 vs. $565). It offers the same stiffness, capacity, and fluid movement of the old version in a more compact and lightweight package (it is one pound lighter and about two inches shorter). The head’s redesigned panning base has zero play, and the pan locking knob has been moved to the side of the head, thus allowing the user to easily operate both knobs with the same hand. New lobed “soft-touch” knobs provide a more comfortable grip and perform better when using gloves.

In addition to the above improvements, we examined all aspects of the head, tightening tolerances, improving friction materials and so forth. Our goal has been to make this head functionally and aesthetically better in every way than the old version and competing products.

The dovetail on the swinging arm of the new Wimberley Head, which allows you to adjust the platform up and down, has the Arca-Swiss geometry. This was not true of the old version of the head. Thus, the dedicated flash bracket module for the old Wimberley Head (Module 5) will not work on the new head unless you use a special adapter, the FA-9 ($28). We apologize for this inconvenience. The new head will have its own dedicated flash bracket module, the Module 9 ($110). We will have the adapter and new module available with the new head in December.

If you are interested in trading in your Old Wimberley Head or Module 5, please contact us at orders@tripodhead.com.


========================================

[roli_bark]

Follow up:
Did anybody get already the new Wimberley WH-200 and can provide some feedback ?

[Jack W.]

Follow up:
Did anybody get already the new Wimberley WH-200 and can provide some feedback ?

B&H got some in last week, so I grabbed one. As I also have the Sidekick, I expected the full head to be a great piece of gear; it is. Smooth as silk and locks up nice and tight with no effort. I'm using it with a 500f/4L IS.
Unfortunately, B&H is already out of stock again.

Jack

[PacAce]

Follow up:
Did anybody get already the new Wimberley WH-200 and can provide some feedback ?
What kind of feedback are you looking for? Off the top of my head, I can say that the WH-200 definitely balances a whole lot better than the Manfrotto 3421. It's smoother. And, when locked, the camera and lens stay put. You can't say that about the 3421. And, of course, it's lighter and less bulky than the 3421.

Can't compare it with the old Wimberly head 'cuz I've never had the pleasure of owning or using that model.

[roli_bark]

What kind of feedback are you looking for? ....

Is it better than the old one ? [1 pound less]
Does it have 'childhood problems ? [being a new product]

[Jack W.]

Is it better than the old one ? [1 pound less]
Does it have 'childhood problems ? [being a new product]

No experience with the original, but the new one is fine.
Right now I have the 500f/4L IS+Canon 1.4TC+30D+580EX on it; balanced perfectly.
And, as I posted earlier, it's smoooooooooooth. :-)

Jack

[PacAce]

Is it better than the old one ? [1 pound less]
Does it have 'childhood problems ? [being a new product]
Since I never had the old one, I really can't say, but the fact that it's lighter and smaller should be plus in its favor vs. the old one.

As for it being a new product, it really isn't. It's supposedly an improvement over the older model it replaces. And, on top of that, this product is mostly all metal. Not too many things that can go wrong with it. :)