Retail Price $595.00 Weight (lbs) 3.15 lb
Max. Dimensions Height: 9.28" Width: 3.50" Depth: 9.87"
Dedicated Flash Module M-9 or (M-5 FA-9) Quick-Release Type Arca-Swiss (Built-in)
Content and images originally posted by Andy Bright
Reviews
Andy Bright's review
This tripod head, designed for huge telephoto lenses needs very little introduction. The original Wimberley gimbal appeared on the market in the early 1990's and has dominated the bird photography market ever since.
The new incarnation of the Wimberley head has shed a whole pound in weight, dropping from just over 4lb to just over 3lb. As far as dimensions, it has shrunk in all aspects, it may not look much on paper but it really does look a far more compact unit as a result.
The new Wimberley has also lost that oversized (and slippery) tilt control knob to be replaced with a smaller rubbery and contoured knob. The pan control knob is also now of the same desing as the tilt knob and has now been relocated to the side of the head instead of on top of the base, thus becoming easier to come to hand... although panning control is not likely to be changed very often.
The new Wimberley WH-200 has a new lens mounting system, where-by the Arca-swiss clamp is built-in to the unit (and this really makes sense)
Where-as my trusty Manfrotto 393 relies upon balance and some friction to keep it in position, the Wimberley can work purely on balance alone to keep the lens in position, even the lens axis point needs to be positioned correctly to achieve this. In use you do keep some friction there for the sake of solidity, but it's not vital. Once set up, you can have the lens totally free and it will not droop or raise.
I have to say that I have found the new Wimberley to be tighter in many aspects, and locked-up it is a stiffer unit than the previous design with very little scope for bounce.
With the tilt knob tightened, you can remove the camera with total confidence that there will be no dramatic plunging of the lens. Operating your camera and lens is a breeze with the Wimberley MkII, there is assured solidity even with a relatively free-running set-up.
more at http://www.digiscoped.com/wimberley.html
Pros
- rigidity
- build quality
- smooth slick to operate
Cons
- price
