Bogen/Manfrotto quick release clamps are not arca-swiss geometry and therefore are not compatible with Wimberley arca-swiss quick release plates, and thus the Sidekick. There are only a few models of Bogen/Manfrotto ball heads that can be fitted or retro-fitted with a modified Wimberley arca-swiss C-10 quick release clamp due to the mounting hardware configuration of the ball shaft:

Bogen 468/469 – takes our Quick Release Clamp part #C-10BG
Manfrotto 468MG Hydrostatic – takes our Quick Release Clamp part #C-10MG

Other models of Bogen/Manfrotto ball heads, such as the 488 and 490, can be used with the Sidekick only if the ball head is fitted with the Bogen/Manfrotto Quick Release Clamp # RCO Hex quick release clamp.

NOTE: The AP-950 Bogen Hex Plate adapter for the Sidekick is only recommend for lenses equal to or less than the weight of a 300mm f/2.8. Anything heavier than this will put undue strain on the adapter plate, as well as the panning base of the ball head you are using, and the plate may eventually crack and fail. Unfortunately due to the composition of this hex plate, it is not recommended that a secondary hole be drilled to accommodate a second fastener to attach to the other hole on the bottom of the Sidekick. Drilling another hole would only weaken the integrity of the plate and possibly cause it to fail.

First of all, your ball head must meet the following requirements:

Your ball head must have a smooth panning base which allows you to loosen a knob and spin the head 360 degrees with the ball locked (most ball heads have this). If the ball head does not pan smoothly without the Sidekick, it will not pan smoothly with the Sidekick.

Your ball head must be able to support the weight of your biggest lens (using the Sidekick will make the head handle better with a large lens, but if the ball head will not hold the weight of the lens, the Sidekick will not help that problem and creep may occur). Check the maximum weight capacity of your ball head and remember to add the weight of the Sidekick, your lens, the camera body and any additional attachments such as extension tubes, teleconverters or flash brackets as well. If the combined weight of the gear is over the maximum capacity of the ball head, you will experience slip or creep in the ball and premature wear of the panning base component.

If your ball head meets the above requirements, you can adapt the Sidekick to mate with the Bogen Hex clamp on the ball head. You will need to purchase our part #AP-950, a Bogen hex quick release plate with the special hardware needed to attach it to the Sidekick. Please call our Sales Department to order this specialty part as it is not yet available through our website.

You will also need to buy an arca-swiss style plate for each of your lenses you wish to use on the Sidekick. The Sidekick only accepts arca-swiss style plates because it has a built-in arca-swiss style clamp, and because it is necessary to be able to slide the lens plate forward and backward in the clamp to balance the lens (this is not possible in fixed cavity quick release systems such as the Bogen Hex system).

If you are wondering what plate to get for your lens, please refer to our Sidekick Compatibility Guide that will help you select the proper plate.

© Copyright 2010 - Wimberley, Inc. - All Rights Reserved