Wimberley Professional Photo Gear - Ball Head Recommendations

If your ball head is a Bogen/Manfrotto model:

Most Bogen, Gitzo, and Manfrotto quick release clamps (QR) are not Arca-Swiss geometry and are not compatible with Wimberley Arca-Swiss style QR plates, thus cannot be used with the Sidekick. Most Manfrotto and Gitzo QR plate/clamp combinations include QR plates of a certain width, length and height that are contained within model-specific clamps with matching-geometry plate housings. This is to insure that you will use the manufacturer's plate with the manufacturer's clamp and vice-versa.

These set-width, specific-geometry clamps will not readily accept the Arca-Swiss style plate geometry, and even if it appears that some will fit, it is highly likely that the plate/clamp connection will not be secure or safe. Arca-Swiss style clamps (Wimberley, Kirk Enterprises, Really Right Stuff among others) are more universal and allow most any Arca-Swiss style plate to move forward and backward within the clamp, thus increasing the level of cross compatibility between manufacturers and increased versatility for the consumer.

To use these ball heads with Wimberley QR plates or the Sidekick, it may be possible for you to remove the existing QR clamp (or mounting platform) and install a Wimberley QR clamp permanently to the ball head stem. We sell the C-12 clamp which is packaged with the proper mounting hardware and designed to fit on the stem of a variety of ball heads.

See our C-12 compatibility page for a list of compatible ball heads and instructions on how to retrofit your specific ball head.

The "Arca-Swiss Style" Quick-Release Geometry The "Arca-Swiss Style" Quick-Release Geometry refers to the open-cavity dovetail quick-release system developed decades ago by Arca-Swiss for use with their Monoball ball heads and large format cameras. After the extreme popularity of the Arca-Swiss B-1 ball head in the 1990s, other companies began manufacturing custom camera-body and lens plates using this geometry. Since then, this geometry has become the industry standard for high-end tripod heads (particularly in the nature photography industry). The figure below shows the basic dimensions of the dovetail used in this system:

The Wimberley Head Version II, Sidekick, and other clamps use this quick-release system, so any lens that you wish to connect to our heads must be equipped with an Arca-Swiss style lens plate or replacement foot. Manufacturers that use the Arca-Swiss Style Quick-Release Geometry include:
Acratech Arca-Swiss Foba Giottos (only on their most recent line of ball heads & plates) Hejnar Jobu Kirk	Markins Novoflex (only on some of their products) Promediagear Really Right Stuff Studioball Wimberley

FAQs - What ball head do you recommend?

We have prepared three charts comparing some of the most popular ball heads. These comparisons are broken down by load capacity, and the information below refers to general ball head use (not suitability for use with the Sidekick). To make sure your ball head is compatible with the Sidekick, click here.

Important Ball Head Compatibility Information – Please Read:

Using Lever-style (flip-lock) Clamps

Using Bogen, Manfrotto and Gitzo Ball Heads

We do not advertise ball heads on our web site, but we do sell a few of the models listed below for your convenience. The ball heads we sell include the Wimberley C-10 QR clamp (installed) in the price listed. Please contact us if you are interested in purchasing one of the ball heads available through Wimberley.

— High Capacity Heads (Will support the largest lenses: e.g. 600 f/4, 400 f/2.8) —

Ball Head	Weight (lbs)	Arca-Swiss style QR Clamp	Retail Price	Available Through Wimberley	Comments
Arca-Swiss Z1 (with Wimberley Quick-Release Clamp)	1.5	Yes We sell the Arca-Swiss Z1 with a Wimberley QR clamp installed.	$445.00	Yes Now available with reinforced stem	Next evolution of Monoball after the B1, which was the industry standard for many years. Suitable for almost all applications; no reports of the lockup issues of the B1. Recommended for use with all collared lenses. Adequate panning and load capacity. Arca-Swiss lever-release and double-decker clamps are not recommended for use with Wimberley QR plates or the Sidekick. DO NOT use: double pan (dp) Z1; or the Z2 ball head with the Sidekick. Monoball P0 and P1 heads are not compatible with the sidekick. Arca Swiss Z1 Stem Warning for ball heads manufactured before June 15, 2008.
Linhof Profi III	2.8	No, Must add Wimberley QR Clamp.	$615.95	No	Very nice ball head. Friction control not as smooth as Arca-Swiss, but doesn't have lock-up problems found with the Arca-Swiss. Cons: very expensive, does not come with an Arca-Swiss style quick-release.
Foba Superball	2.6	Yes	$534.95	No	Excellent load capacity, average smoothness. It uses a lever rather than a knob to lock the ball. The lever is quick to operate, but bulky and difficult to adjust.
Graf Studioball	3.7	Yes	$314.00	No	Excellent load capacity, very good smoothness. The panning base uses ball bearings, and is very low-friction. If you are not concerned with the weight, this head is a good option. The knobs on this head are plastic and they are not captive. Broken or missing knobs are not uncommon on these heads.
Markins M-20	1.3	Yes	$390.00	No	This is the lightest head in this group, but it will still hold the largest lenses. It is basically a smaller version of the Arca-Swiss B-1, but unlike the B-1, it doesn't have an aspherical ball. As far as we know, it does not have any lock-up problems. It is very nicely made and has excellent variable tension (virtually no stick-slip).
Really Right Stuff BH-55	1.9	Yes	$415.00	No	This is a very attractive ballhead that will hold a lot of weight. It does not have the smoothest variable friction, but the variable friction control knob is very easy to use and intuitive. The quick-release clamp has a built-in bubble level.

— Medium-High Capacity Heads (Will support 500 f/4 sized lenses) —

Ball Head

Weight (lbs)

Arca-Swiss style QR Clamp

Retail Price

Available Through Wimberley

Comments

Kirk BH-1

2.0

Yes

$355.00

Very capable ball head. Slightly heavier and less smooth than Arca-Swiss B1 or Z1 and holds slightly less weight. Does not have the lock-up problems of the Arca-Swiss Monoball.
Click here for more details.

Gitzo 1377M

(With Wimberley QR Clamp attached)

2.0

No, Must add Wimberley QR Clamp.

$224.00

Similar to Kirk BH-1, but with slightly less load capacity. Will hold the weight of a 500mm f/4, but not as well as other similarly sized heads.
Click here for more details.

— Medium Capacity Heads (Will support 300 f/2.8 sized lenses) —

Ball Head	Weight (lbs)	Arca-Swiss style QR Clamp	Retail Price	Available Through Wimberley	Comments
Kirk BH-3	1.25	Yes	$255.00	No	Slightly better load capacity than other heads in this category, but not quite as smooth as the Gitzo 1277M or the Linhof Profi II.
Linhof Profi II	1.6	No (Must add Wimberley QR Clamp)	$409.95	No	Excellent smoothness, but expensive and does not come with an Arca-Swiss style quick-release clamp. Click here for more details.
Acra-Tech Ball Head	1.0	Yes	$290.00	No	Very lightweight, decent smoothness, and good load capacity for this category. Unique slanted sleeve for holding the ball can make it more difficult to position the ball without repositioning the pan mechanism. Click here for more details.