Wimberly MH-100

[Jim Fair]

Watched Steve's video on Tripod, Monopod and Handholding, really enjoyed. Reall like the idea of the Wimberley MonoGimble. I shoot with a Nikon D850 (NO GRIP) and a Tamron 150-600mm G2, I have a Sirui P-326 monopod with a Oben BE-117 ballhead. The Monopod is rated for 22lb, its a light for travel. Is this to light to use with the Wimberley and my camera rig? Any thoughts?

 

[DRwyoming]

Watched Steve's video on Tripod, Monopod and Handholding, really enjoyed. Reall like the idea of the Wimberley MonoGimble. I shoot with a Nikon D850 (NO GRIP) and a Tamron 150-600mm G2, I have a Sirui P-326 monopod with a Oben BE-117 ballhead. The Monopod is rated for 22lb, its a light for travel. Is this to light to use with the Wimberley and my camera rig? Any thoughts?

I think of monopod ratings and stability a bit differently than I view the same topics for tripods. Basically I look at a monopod relative to hand holding not relative to a locked down long tripod exposure sort of situation. IOW, your hands are still doing the primary job of holding and controlling the camera when using a monopod but the monopod can take a lot of the weight either meaning you can stay directed at a subject longer or get a few more stops of stability than pure handholding.

From that perspective and given your rig which is something you could likely handhold for reasonable periods without too much trouble I'd think your existing monopod with the compact gimbal head would work quite well. Sure you could go to a heavier duty monopod and it might give you another stop or two of effective stability if your current monopod has any noticeable flex under load but if you compare to pure handholding your existing monopod will almost certainly provide a substantial benefit in terms of reduced fatigue and ability to stay on subject longer before your arms get tired.

Now if you were talking about a 600mm f/4 or 400mm f/2.8 where a light weight monopod might really flex or struggle and the big weight up top just wouldn't feel stable or safe either while shooting or when walking around with the monopod over your shoulder then yeah I'd definitely recommend a beefier monopod.

A good rule of thumb is that your monopod should be able to hold around 3 times the weight of your camera and lens combo. Seems like you're pretty close to that target with a non-gripped D850 and the Tamron 150-600mm G2.

Bottom line: I'd suspect your current monopod with the new head will provide substantial improvement over pure handholding but upsizing the monopod a bit may give you a bit more stability noticeable as the ability to shoot a bit slower shutter speeds with a good keeper rate and may give you more peace of mind when carrying your expensive gear around on the monopod but that depends a lot on the build quality of your current monopod.

 

[Bigmo]

I too pondered over the mono gimble head but after watching Steve’s video , I purchased one, I liked it so much, I purchased a new monopod that is taller, taking Steve’s recommendations on sticking the foot forward for support. It works great and if you want to shoot something flying above all you have to do is take a step forward for more height.
I replaced a Manfrotto monopod aluminum with a Promediagear xl carbon fiber, very happy with it. No more worrying about camera flopping forward or back with older heads.

 

[Jerry-M]

I'm considering getting a Wimberly monopod head. I have a D850 w/grip and 500mmPF. Does anyone know if the RRS replacement foot (3 inches long) on the 500 PF is long enough to balance this combination? Thanks in advance.

 

[NickD]

I'm considering getting a Wimberly monopod head. I have a D850 w/grip and 500mmPF. Does anyone know if the RRS replacement foot (3 inches long) on the 500 PF is long enough to balance this combination? Thanks in advance.

They recommend a length of 3.86 ins. See this link to their compatibility chart. https://www.tripodhead.com/products/monopodhead-compatibility.cfm

 

[NickD]

Watched Steve's video on Tripod, Monopod and Handholding, really enjoyed. Reall like the idea of the Wimberley MonoGimble. I shoot with a Nikon D850 (NO GRIP) and a Tamron 150-600mm G2, I have a Sirui P-326 monopod with a Oben BE-117 ballhead. The Monopod is rated for 22lb, its a light for travel. Is this to light to use with the Wimberley and my camera rig? Any thoughts?

I have this and they recommend a rating of 3 times your camera’s weight due to the fact is mounts to the side & not over the monopod. Also, the recommendation to get a bigger (height) monopod by BIGMOUTH are spot on and I did the same

 

[IainD]

Jerry, I think it is easier to balance the Hejnar foot with this combination. It is a bit longer than the RRS. I replaced my RRS foot with the Hejnar because the Hejnar bolts straight through into the lens collar without a quick release lever, and because the Hejnar also has a QD socket for my Magpul slings. The Hejnar can't be released accidentally as it has no lever.

 

[IainD]

There is a Hejnar foot designed for the 500 PF. It is a little bit longer than the one for the 70-200 but the two are otherwise interchangeable.

 

[DRwyoming]

There is a Hejnar foot designed for the 500 PF. It is a little bit longer than the one for the 70-200 but the two are otherwise interchangeable.

That's what I use on my 500 PF. The Hejnar foot is very well made and with its retention screw design there's no way the foot is detaching.

 

[Yezdi]

I'm considering getting a Wimberly monopod head. I have a D850 w/grip and 500mmPF. Does anyone know if the RRS replacement foot (3 inches long) on the 500 PF is long enough to balance this combination? Thanks in advance.

I have been using the Hejnar Lens foot for my 500mm PF lens as per Steve's recommendation for a while now. The foot is great and not as pricy as the RRS one. Check the link below.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR

Nikon 70-200/f2.8E FL ED VR lens foot replacement for Arca Swiss Markins Really Right Stuff compatible

www.hejnarphotostore.com

 

[Charlie Lasswell]

I'm considering getting a Wimberly monopod head. I have a D850 w/grip and 500mmPF. Does anyone know if the RRS replacement foot (3 inches long) on the 500 PF is long enough to balance this combination? Thanks in advance.

I just checked with my D850 w/ grip on 500mm pf and Wimberly monopod and any length foot should work. In fact, with the battery grip attached, I had to push the foot far enough forward that the back of the foot was a little inside the clamp.

 

[Jerry-M]

I just checked with my D850 w/ grip on 500mm pf and Wimberly monopod and any length foot should work. In fact, with the battery grip attached, I had to push the foot far enough forward that the back of the foot was a little inside the clamp.

Charlie, what foot were you using? The Wimberly and Hejnar replacement feet only minimally extend back beyond the screw mount on the lens. The RRS foot extends about 3/4" toward the back of the lens. So, with a battery grip attached, it appears that the RRS foot would be the best option. Here are photos of all three foot to show what I mean.

Thanks to everyone that commented.

RRS replacement foot

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Wimberly replacement

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Hejnar replacement

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[IainD]

My concern with RRS is the release lever. I have not heard of RRS or Kirk being released accidentally but I prefer to leave the release lever out of the equation just in case

 

[Jerry-M]

My concern with RRS is the release lever. I have not heard of RRS or Kirk being released accidentally but I prefer to leave the release lever out of the equation just in case

A direct mount certainly makes sense and is much safer. However, the release lever on the RRS foot is not in the same dangerous place as the stock Nikon foot. Still a risk, but not nearly as likely to get accidentally pressed as the Nikon design.

 

[Charlie Lasswell]

Charlie, what foot were you using? The Wimberly and Hejnar replacement feet only minimally extend back beyond the screw mount on the lens. The RRS foot extends about 3/4" toward the back of the lens. So, with a battery grip attached, it appears that the RRS foot would be the best option. Here are photos of all three foot to show what I mean.

Thanks to everyone that commented.

RRS replacement foot
View attachment 1216
Wimberly replacement
View attachment 1217
Hejnar replacement
View attachment 1218

I have the Hejnar.

 

[Fred A]

Another fan of the Hejnar foot. First thing I did when I got the 500pf was replace the stock foot with it. By the way, I haven't been back to his site to check, but have been told that he now has two options for a 500pf foot.

 

[Ineluki]

I think of monopod ratings and stability a bit differently than I view the same topics for tripods. Basically I look at a monopod relative to hand holding not relative to a locked down long tripod exposure sort of situation. IOW, your hands are still doing the primary job of holding and controlling the camera when using a monopod but the monopod can take a lot of the weight either meaning you can stay directed at a subject longer or get a few more stops of stability than pure handholding.

From that perspective and given your rig which is something you could likely handhold for reasonable periods without too much trouble I'd think your existing monopod with the compact gimbal head would work quite well. Sure you could go to a heavier duty monopod and it might give you another stop or two of effective stability if your current monopod has any noticeable flex under load but if you compare to pure handholding your existing monopod will almost certainly provide a substantial benefit in terms of reduced fatigue and ability to stay on subject longer before your arms get tired.

Now if you were talking about a 600mm f/4 or 400mm f/2.8 where a light weight monopod might really flex or struggle and the big weight up top just wouldn't feel stable or safe either while shooting or when walking around with the monopod over your shoulder then yeah I'd definitely recommend a beefier monopod.

A good rule of thumb is that your monopod should be able to hold around 3 times the weight of your camera and lens combo. Seems like you're pretty close to that target with a non-gripped D850 and the Tamron 150-600mm G2.

Bottom line: I'd suspect your current monopod with the new head will provide substantial improvement over pure handholding but upsizing the monopod a bit may give you a bit more stability noticeable as the ability to shoot a bit slower shutter speeds with a good keeper rate and may give you more peace of mind when carrying your expensive gear around on the monopod but that depends a lot on the build quality of your current monopod.

I was wondering what monopod Steve is using. Is it strong enough for a D6 and big lenses? I am asking because I don`t like walking with the tripod any longer. Age is not only a pleasure.

Egbert

 

[IainD]

Another fan of the Hejnar foot. First thing I did when I got the 500pf was replace the stock foot with it. By the way, I haven't been back to his site to check, but have been told that he now has two options for a 500pf foot.

Yes. One foot is slightly longer.

 

[Graham Clark]

I was wondering what monopod Steve is using. Is it strong enough for a D6 and big lenses? I am asking because I don`t like walking with the tripod any longer. Age is not only a pleasure.

Egbert

Pretty sure Steve was using the Gitzo 4 series monopod, sure he will confirm when its daylight Stateside , I'm using the Gitzo with either a D5 or D500 attached to the 300mm f/2.8 and 500mm f/4 with no problems at all.

Also using the Kirk foot on both lenses with no issues.

 

[Ineluki]

Pretty sure Steve was using the Gitzo 4 series monopod, sure he will confirm when its daylight Stateside , I'm using the Gitzo with either a D5 or D500 attached to the 300mm f/2.8 and 500mm f/4 with no problems at all.

Also using the Kirk foot on both lenses with no issues.

Thank you.

 

[joe43]

I have the Wimberley monopod head and use it with my Nikon 500mm f5.6 pf lens. The monopod I like to use is an old aluminum one that I can take apart and easily clean. I prefer using it in the field over my carbon fiber monopod that is sometimes too "delicate" for field and beach conditions. It happens to be taller than my carbon fiber one too and that is another plus.

 

[Eric Bosman]

I use the MH100 in combination with a Kirk foot and collar on my 200-500 on a D850. I use a Benro Mach 3 MMA49c, it's max 184 cm long an can carry a weight of 30kg and weights 670 gram. The monopod retails in the Netherlands for 299 euro.

 

[soundbyte]

However, the release lever on the RRS foot is not in the same dangerous place as the stock Nikon foot.

I took a different approach with the standard Nikon foot.
CAUTION, this works for me, it may not work for everyone.
Cut a .5 inch section of stainless 1/4 UNC (?) thread, slotted one end and installed it into the hole under the quick release lever, snugging it just tight, locking the release lever.
You do lose one mounting hole, I have not found any problems using just one mounting hole.

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[LL4D500]

Just received my Wimberley MonoGimbal Head MH-100 two days ago and love it!
I have a Nikon D500 with a Nikon 80-400 and a Nikon 70-200 F2.8 E.
72 years old/2 total knees and two back fusions - so not interested in carrying anything any heavier!
Several things to keep in mind:
1) The cost was $179 compared to as much as $370 for a Tilt Head
2) It weighs 12.3 ounces, compared to as much as 16.2 ounces for a Tilt Head
2) It took me less than five minutes to go through initial assembly and balancing - LOVE IT!
3) Balances to the point that I can point it 45 degrees up/down or level and the lens stays put - no danger of a "clunk" when needing a third hand to hold monopod (RRS - MC-45 Series 4), hold camera and a third to tighten knob.
4) With the Nikon D500 and either of the above lenses, there is one issue that Wimberley points out in their literature:
* 80-400 lens/70-200 E is "short" enough, that if you mount the camera/lens w/foot to the left side of the monopod (monopod to the right), the camera is close enough to the lens foot, that you don't have access to the PV button and minimal access to the Fn1 button. This is an issue if one or both of those buttons are programmed to a different AF mode. Longer lenses do not present this problem.
** SOLUTION - Mount the camera/lens w/foot to the right side of the monopod (monopod to the left). This provides unrestricted access to the PV and the Fn1button and No Problems. With the Zoom ring farthest out toward the glass, I can still put my hand on top of the lens to adjust/balance, with very little or minimal interference of the gimbal head. I also have (good, but not as good as if the monopod were mounted on the right side) access to the three "program" buttons on the 70-200, as well as the Focus Ring. Makes it much easier with Nikon having moved the Zoom Ring to the front!
Encourage you to give it a try!

 

[Anjin San]

I got one as well...and am going to try both right and left side to see which I like better...but I’ve already seen from backyard tests that it makes a much better support for most shots with my Tamron 150-600G2 than either the tripod or handheld. Almost as flexible usage wise as handheld and much better maneuverability to get into position.