Quick Release For Wimberley WH-200 Gimbal

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Steve

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I get a lot of questions about the quick release clamp I use on my Wimberley gimbal head, so I thought I'd show you what it was, how it works, and how to install it with this quick video:


The clamp itself is a Really Right Stuff Cradle Clamp:

rrs-cradelclamp.jpg
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And you can get it here:

Also, I'm not affiliated with RRS, I just like their stuff. :)
 
@Steve Nice and very convenient that RRS used the same dovetail dimensions on the vertical arm as Wimberely making the swap super easy.

What really jumped out to me in the video was the second fixed clamp mounted right on the tripod. Very convenient for swapping between a ball head and a gimbal. Do you have any undesired rotation issues with a single screw Arca Swiss plate mounted below your gimbal head? I was thinking of things like carrying your big glass on the tripod over your shoulder, any down sides to the quick release tripod fitting?
 
@Steve Nice and very convenient that RRS used the same dovetail dimensions on the vertical arm as Wimberely making the swap super easy.

What really jumped out to me in the video was the second fixed clamp mounted right on the tripod. Very convenient for swapping between a ball head and a gimbal. Do you have any undesired rotation issues with a single screw Arca Swiss plate mounted below your gimbal head? I was thinking of things like carrying your big glass on the tripod over your shoulder, any down sides to the quick release tripod fitting?
Nope, no problems with it at all and I've been using that system for several years now. Even tripod over the shoulder when hiking, never a problem :)

I liked it so much I did a video about it a couple years ago:

 
Nope, no problems with it at all and I've been using that system for several years now. Even tripod over the shoulder when hiking, never a problem :)

I liked it so much I did a video about it a couple years ago:

Got the RRS cradle clamp for my Wimbrerley, but THIS is totally what I've been wondering about. Great solution!
 
The RRS stuff is very expensive to ship from the USA to the UK or Europe so I found a supplier of RRS in Holland and the link is below,

https://www.photospecialist.co.uk/really-right-stuff-pg-cc-cradle-clamp

It is more expensive but against the shipping cost it is still less expensive if you get it for UK or Europe delivery. Just thought I would share with my Scottish pals. :) (y)
I ordered my RRS from B&H to avoid the shipping cost. But I await the two parts as one of the pieces remains on back order -- likely because of this forum post :)
 
Nope, no problems with it at all and I've been using that system for several years now. Even tripod over the shoulder when hiking, never a problem :)

I liked it so much I did a video about it a couple years ago:



Looks like @Steve 's hot tip became partly obsolete by his introduction to the Wimberley MH-100 :). For both ways you need to have your monopod and your tripod at hand and compared to placing the head on the tripod/monopod and then having to put the camera in place it may be even easier if you just have to move the camera from tripod to monopod or vice versa.

However, it is still a great way to go if you have to switch between a Gimbal and another type of head like the ballhead.
 
Great video and will probably be investing in all the things. I did notice that you were able to rotate from portrait to landscape by rotating. Is that a special lens collar that allows that on your lens.
 
The RRS stuff is very expensive to ship from the USA to the UK or Europe so I found a supplier of RRS in Holland and the link is below,

https://www.photospecialist.co.uk/really-right-stuff-pg-cc-cradle-clamp

It is more expensive but against the shipping cost it is still less expensive if you get it for UK or Europe delivery. Just thought I would share with my Scottish pals. :) (y)
David, I’ve used the photospecialist website before for some Wimberley stuff and can thoroughly recommend. 👍
 
I get a lot of questions about the quick release clamp I use on my Wimberley gimbal head, so I thought I'd show you what it was, how it works, and how to install it with this quick video:


The clamp itself is a Really Right Stuff Cradle Clamp:

View attachment 2668

And you can get it here:

Also, I'm not affiliated with RRS, I just like their stuff. :)
Watched Steve's vid a while back,
Best idea out there, sure, lost a lot of slack on the CC :) but should have done it years ago
Note: Have to agree, the RRS Cradle clamp is a dream to use
Like Steve, I have no affiliation with RRS, but think Steve and I should at least be on a retainer! :)
...........Gary
 
Steve. I just bought a Nikon 500 pf lens and have a Wimberley WH-200 Gimbal Head. I replaced the Nikon lens foot with the Wimberley AP-200 replacement foot and also replaced the Wimberley Cradle Clamp with a RRS PG-CC Cradle Clamp. I'm having issues balancing my D850 with the grip and an L bracket and the 500mm lens on the gimbal. I want the gimbal controls to be on the right side so I can hold the lens down with my left hand when shooting. When I try to balance the camera and lens on the RRS cradle clamp by moving the lens foot forward, the lever release mechanism hits the L Bracket I have mounted on the camera so I can't move the lens forward any further. to balance it on the gimbal. Is there an additional lens plate for the 500pf lens that would allow me to lengthen the distance between the cradle and the camera, or should I remove the L-Bracket each time I use the Wimberley Gimbal? Frustrated because I want to keep the gimbal controls on the right side.
 
Steve. I just bought a Nikon 500 pf lens and have a Wimberley WH-200 Gimbal Head. I replaced the Nikon lens foot with the Wimberley AP-200 replacement foot and also replaced the Wimberley Cradle Clamp with a RRS PG-CC Cradle Clamp. I'm having issues balancing my D850 with the grip and an L bracket and the 500mm lens on the gimbal. I want the gimbal controls to be on the right side so I can hold the lens down with my left hand when shooting. When I try to balance the camera and lens on the RRS cradle clamp by moving the lens foot forward, the lever release mechanism hits the L Bracket I have mounted on the camera so I can't move the lens forward any further. to balance it on the gimbal. Is there an additional lens plate for the 500pf lens that would allow me to lengthen the distance between the cradle and the camera, or should I remove the L-Bracket each time I use the Wimberley Gimbal? Frustrated because I want to keep the gimbal controls on the right side.


The problem may not be solvable. I was just playing with the gripped D850 and 500PF and keeping the control on the right side of the camera using this lens foot:
http://www.hejnarphotostore.com/product-p/h129-500.htm

The problem wasn't the foot anymore, but rather the grip bumps into the height adjustment knob - and it gets too close to the quick releaser lever to close. I got it as close as I could and it didn't balance. The lens just isn't heavy enough on the front to overcome the weight of the camera with that setup.
 
The problem may not be solvable. I was just playing with the gripped D850 and 500PF and keeping the control on the right side of the camera using this lens foot:
http://www.hejnarphotostore.com/product-p/h129-500.htm

The problem wasn't the foot anymore, but rather the grip bumps into the height adjustment knob - and it gets too close to the quick releaser lever to close. I got it as close as I could and it didn't balance. The lens just isn't heavy enough on the front to overcome the weight of the camera with that setup.

This also has me concerned, as I am new to gimbals and will be setting one up soon. Previously i was using a frankengimbal setup of BH-55, MPR CL II nodal slide and PC LR panning clamp :). I also now have the 500PF as my longest lens (with RRS replacement foot). Typically also using a gripped D850, and the lightness of the 500PF vs the weight of the gripped body seem like it will be hard to balance. I guess I will find out later this week and go from there. I had planned on picking up the RRS cradle also but will hold off until I test the setup/balance with the 500PF first I suppose. Which is a shame it's actually one of the few pieces RRS has in stock anymore :whistle:

Also playing with dovetail plates and QR clamp setup, I mentioned in another thread in the general section, probably should have posted it here instead.
 
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So here is a mock-up of the 500PF and Gripped D850... Apologies for the cell phone pics. Cheaper gimbal but effects of gravity and balance should be pretty much the same :). Had to essentially shove the foot all the way forward in the cradle (essentially right up against the safety stop pin) to balance and have any semblance of the rig staying in position when tilted, but it works. Right hand comes pretty close to adjustment knob, but it's manageable - although other gimbals may differ depending on knob/cradle config. I had planned to switch to the RRS cradle when I decided on which gimbal I wanted to buy (looking at Siriu, Benro, Jobu, Wembely, and PMG) so will have to pay attention to that since the RRS knob is sizeable.

Taking of the grip helps, but of course then FPS drops. I suppose I could remove the L-Bracket when I know I'm shooting with the gimbal, as it's a pretty substantial weight surprisingly which would help - either option (or both) would allow one to bring the lens back in the cradle. Leaning toward the latter will do some more testing.

Edit - adding flash would likely help as well, as typically any flash and bracket weight would be forward of the balance point, at least if using one that mounts via the lens foot ie the RRS, Wimberly or Custom Brackets bottom mount setups.

Edit 2 - tried without L bracket, surprisingly there was little change, although I was able to slide the plate back about 3/8" or so. Taking off the Grip altogether does allow a more "normal" mounting of lens plate being centered for lack of a better description within the plate.

It just appears with the the lighter PF there is no strait forward way to balance as one would with a heavier long telephoto prime. That being said, it's entirely workable/usable, just a different setup than one might be used to with heavier/longer glass. I have a Wimberly Flash bracket coming so will see how much a flash affects the balance as well.


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Well I realize I've gone a bit off-topic, but I did try the D500 ungripped, and the setup balances much nicer.

I just don't know if a WH-200 would be overkill for this "lightweight" 500PF lens and D500? I may post new thread on the subject instead of continuing to derail this one.
 
Sorry to raise an old thread, but I would like to understand which paning clamp you can put between the tripod and gimball to have a flat horizon. On uneven terrain, it's almost impossible to lever properly with tripod feet only.
I'm happy to go with RSS stuff, which are really great. my gimball is Wimberley WH-200
any others techniques is welcome :)
 
Sorry to raise an old thread, but I would like to understand which paning clamp you can put between the tripod and gimball to have a flat horizon. On uneven terrain, it's almost impossible to lever properly with tripod feet only.
I'm happy to go with RSS stuff, which are really great. my gimball is Wimberley WH-200
any others techniques is welcome :)

 
Sorry to raise an old thread, but I would like to understand which paning clamp you can put between the tripod and gimball to have a flat horizon. On uneven terrain, it's almost impossible to lever properly with tripod feet only.
I'm happy to go with RSS stuff, which are really great. my gimball is Wimberley WH-200
any others techniques is welcome :)
You need a levelling base that goes between the top of the legs and the head. If you have a tripod without a center column (like I do) this works very well .

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1576484-REG/leofoto_lb_75_75mm_leveling_base_with.html
 
Sorry to raise an old thread, but I would like to understand which paning clamp you can put between the tripod and gimball to have a flat horizon. On uneven terrain, it's almost impossible to lever properly with tripod feet only.
I'm happy to go with RSS stuff, which are really great. my gimball is Wimberley WH-200
any others techniques is welcome :)
You really don't need one with a gimbal. Keep the lens collar loose and rotate as needed. With practice, you can even adjust when panning (if I can, anyone can :) )

It can help to have the artificial horizon on in the viewfinder for reference.

Although a leveling base is undoubtedly superior if you have the time to set it up, with wildlife I find I'm constantly repositioning the tripod and fussing with a leveling base each time it just another step to slow me down when things are happening fast.
 
Sorry to raise an old thread, but I would like to understand which paning clamp you can put between the tripod and gimball to have a flat horizon. On uneven terrain, it's almost impossible to lever properly with tripod feet only.
I'm happy to go with RSS stuff, which are really great. my gimball is Wimberley WH-200
any others techniques is welcome :)
I use this leveling base from RRS : https://reallyrightstuff.com/universal-versa-series-2-leveling-base/
When you're more static and it's difficult to easily adjust the tripod legs, this is really a facilitator.
Note that it has a rapid lever release.
My Wimberley WH-200 comes on top of this leveling base.
 
Many thanks for all your answers, very useful really. this community is really really great!
I'm most of the time static in a hide, and it's effectively not easy to level the tripod legs as I avoid to move too much. The loose collar is for sure an option.
I guess I've to deep dive into this :)
 
Hi Steve
Ive been using RRS Cradle Clamp for many years and just love it
and, was on your excellent advice , thank you !
appears that, sadly, this product is no longer available
Regards,
Gary

RRS Cradle Clamp.jpg
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