Wimberley MH-100

[BasilFawlty]

I’ve been thinking about getting a head for my Sirui Monopod. Specifically the MH-100. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with this monopod gimbal head?

 

[THXGEEK]

I use my MH-100 on my Sirui SVM-165 and it works like a champ. Once you get the balance dialed-in, using larger lenses (like the 200-800mm) is effortless!

(I still use a hand-strap, as I've been known to have the occasion brain-fart and forget that I'm using a monopod and not a tripod and let go of things.... )

Highly recommended!

 

[BasilFawlty]

I use my MH-100 on my Sirui SVM-165 and it works like a champ. Once you get the balance dialed-in, using larger lenses (like the 200-800mm) is effortless!

(I still use a hand-strap, as I've been known to have the occasion brain-fart and forget that I'm using a monopod and not a tripod and let go of things.... )

Highly recommended!

Thanks for that. Does the fact that the weight is off to the side and not directly over the monopod center cause any issues for you.

 

[Archibald]

I have the Sirius L-10. It is not a gimbal, just a single-axis head. Works fine for me. Is there a reason to have a gimbal on a monopod?

Sirui L-10 Monopod Tilt Head

Buy Sirui L-10 Monopod Tilt Head featuring Monopod Tilt Head, Calibrated Markings for 90-Degree Tilt, Built-In Bubble Level, Arca-Compatible Quick-Release Base, Weighs Only 11.6 oz, Supports Up to 33 lb. Review Sirui null

www.bhphotovideo.com

 

[RedCobra]

I have both the Sirui L-10 and the Wimberly MH- 100 (actually the Leophoto version which is a direct copy for less money, the MPG-01). I am off to the Pantanal where it is possible to use a monopod from the boats and have been sitting on my porch switching between the two to decide which to take with my RF 100-300 f/2.8 (heavy sucker.)
With the weight centered (Sirui) the rig tends to easily lean left and right and can be tough to keep a vertical balance. The Leophoto seems to be better with the heavy lens, as with the lens on the right, I can hold the knob of the gimbal with my left hand, and since the weight is on the right (so pulling to the right only) it seems easier to keep vertical. With the Sirui, that heavy lens, has much worse balance issues for me.
YMMV.

ps: my shooting buddy has the Wimberly MH-100 and we shoot side by side a lot, and the Leophoto version is truly identical to the Wimberly except for the knob color, and it cost $40 or so less.

 

[Archibald]

I have both the Sirui L-10 and the Wimberly MH- 100 (actually the Leophoto version which is a direct copy for less money, the MPG-01). I am off to the Pantanal where it is possible to use a monopod from the boats and have been sitting on my porch switching between the two to decide which to take with my RF 100-300 f/2.8 (heavy sucker.)
With the weight centered (Sirui) the rig tends to easily lean left and right and can be tough to keep a vertical balance. The Leophoto seems to be better with the heavy lens, as with the lens on the right, I can hold the knob of the gimbal with my left hand, and since the weight is on the right (so pulling to the right only) it seems easier to keep vertical. With the Sirui, that heavy lens, has much worse balance issues for me.
YMMV.

ps: my shooting buddy has the Wimberly MH-100 and we shoot side by side a lot, and the Leophoto version is truly identical to the Wimberly except for the knob color, and it cost $40 or so less.

Interesting! Thanks.

 

[BasilFawlty]

Is there a reason to have a gimbal on a monopod?

Well, it’s just that I’ve seen some videos of that particular gimbal head in practice and it looks like a very smooth easy way to do bird shooting with a monopod.

 

[Archibald]

Well, it’s just that I’ve seen some videos of that particular gimbal head in practice and it looks like a very smooth easy way to do bird shooting with a monopod.

There's also the much cheaper Weyllan PH3.

 

[BasilFawlty]

There's also the much cheaper Weyllan PH3.

That’s an interesting looking option. Wish I could find some independent reviews on YouTube

 

[BasilFawlty]

I have the Sirius L-10. It is not a gimbal, just a single-axis head. Works fine for me. Is there a reason to have a gimbal on a monopod?

Sirui L-10 Monopod Tilt Head

Buy Sirui L-10 Monopod Tilt Head featuring Monopod Tilt Head, Calibrated Markings for 90-Degree Tilt, Built-In Bubble Level, Arca-Compatible Quick-Release Base, Weighs Only 11.6 oz, Supports Up to 33 lb. Review Sirui null

www.bhphotovideo.com

Steve Perry might answer the question better:

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

 

[Archibald]

Steve Perry might answer the question better:

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

K, thanks. Yes, Steve provides an answer. I don't use a monopod much, but might get one of these. It might convert me to a monopod user.

 

[BasilFawlty]

K, thanks. Yes, Steve provides an answer. I don't use a monopod much, but might get one of these. It might convert me to a monopod user.

To be honest, I haven’t used a monopod too much myself either. I bought one recently on sale at B&H and I’ve only used it a couple of times. My main purpose was to shoot wildlife down at Bosque Del Apache. Usually, I either go handheld or use a tripod, but I wanna try a mono pod. I think it will be a little bit easier.

 

[Archibald]

My usual mode of shooting is to wander slowly through a natural area with R7/100-500mm in front dangling on a strap. It's ready for immediate shooting. For me, the weight is OK for a couple hours, but doing that a few days in a row takes a toll on my back. It's that weight in front that stresses my back.

The MH-100 side-saddle head and competitors offers a solution, enabling carrying the gear over the shoulder. It is still possible to shoot quickly from that position - maybe not as quickly as before, but pretty quick I think. Besides that, as pointed out by Steve, the gear has better balance.

I do see a couple of issues. One is that a side mount puts the camera quite a bit lower than when sitting on top of the monopod. I'm about 6' 1" (186 cm) so that means I would have to stoop to shoot. The other issue has to do with the connection points, with each adding a risk of coming undone. The side mount increases the risk because it would encourage toting the gear over the shoulder. Plus in use, it puts way more stress on those points than a center mount.

So for now, I'm not so sure about the side-mount gimbal.

 

[BasilFawlty]

One is that a side mount puts the camera quite a bit lower than when sitting on top of the monopod. I'm about 6' 1" (186 cm) so that means I would have to stoop to shoot.

I can see where that could be a problem. I’m a little bit shorter than you and my monopod goes high enough that I don’t think that would be an issue in my case. I don’t know if you would be able to get a longer monopod?

 

[Archibald]

I can see where that could be a problem. I’m a little bit shorter than you and my monopod goes high enough that I don’t think that would be an issue in my case. I don’t know if you would be able to get a longer monopod?

There are monopod extenders... use of which would add a connection point.

I'm mostly worried about the Arca-Swiss connection to the lens foot. I don't see a safety catch on any of the models. If I'm carrying my stuff on my shoulder, it would be bad if the Arca-Swiss let go. My Sirui head does have such a safety lock. That gives security.

I'm not very concerned about the other connections.

 

[Jan_K]

That’s an interesting looking option. Wish I could find some independent reviews on YouTube

I do not know any reviews on that Weyllan PH3, but I do have one myself.I have it for more than a year now and use it mostly when I'm shooting rugby with my version 1 EF 400mm IS USM L lens, which goes towards 5,5 kg and I use it on a gripped R5 mark II with an adapter.
I also have the Sirui L-10.

I prefer the gimbal head as it balances the lens better and when switching cameras (I shoot a 70-200 on another camera) the monopod with the gimbal mounted lens just is more easy to put aside due to the lens not wanting to tip over.

I do not noticed any play in the head thusfar and is it feels solid and sturdy. I decided on the Weyllan because I was not sure if I would like the gimbal like head and thought that I could always go for the Wimberley if I preferred the concept, but quality of the Weyllan would be below acceptable levels.
Based on my experience thusfar I do not feel any need to go for the more expensive Wimberly version. If I would loose or damage my current Weyllan I guess I will replace it with another Weyllan.

My use thusfar is probably about 40-50 rugby or soccer matches so around 1,5 hours per match. I cannot speak on the wear and tear of the Weyllan if it is used far more extensively, but given the nature of the product I do not expect heavier duty being a problem.

 

[Archibald]

I do not know any reviews on that Weyllan PH3, but I do have one myself.I have it for more than a year now and use it mostly when I'm shooting rugby with my version 1 EF 400mm IS USM L lens, which goes towards 5,5 kg and I use it on a gripped R5 mark II with an adapter.
I also have the Sirui L-10.

I prefer the gimbal head as it balances the lens better and when switching cameras (I shoot a 70-200 on another camera) the monopod with the gimbal mounted lens just is more easy to put aside due to the lens not wanting to tip over.

I do not noticed any play in the head thusfar and is it feels solid and sturdy. I decided on the Weyllan because I was not sure if I would like the gimbal like head and thought that I could always go for the Wimberley if I preferred the concept, but quality of the Weyllan would be below acceptable levels.
Based on my experience thusfar I do not feel any need to go for the more expensive Wimberly version. If I would loose or damage my current Weyllan I guess I will replace it with another Weyllan.

My use thusfar is probably about 40-50 rugby or soccer matches so around 1,5 hours per match. I cannot speak on the wear and tear of the Weyllan if it is used far more extensively, but given the nature of the product I do not expect heavier duty being a problem.

Thanks very much for the comments on the Weyllan unit.

 

[jcass]

Please forgive me if I am repeating info from earlier posts. I own Wimberley MH-100 and love it for shooting field sports where I am almost never shooting upwards and I am not usually standing up at full height. But for landscapes, focus stacking, or long exposures, the MH-100 is not the right tool. For the past several years, my preferred hiking setup is a handheld camera and lens with a good cross-body strap. But, as my lens combos get heavier, I have been searching for more stability than my aging muscles can provide. Common theme, right?

So, checkbox #1... can I stand comfortably and shoot upwards? Until last month when I bought a Gitzo GM4552L Series 4 Carbon Fiber Monopod with the intent of using it in combo with my MH-100 on birding hikes and general walkabouts. First, the Gitzo was over half-off on sale on B&H, but more importantly it is a tall monopod. I measured my old kit out and determined that I can stand at full height with the Gitzo/Wimberley combo and comfortably shoot up without crouching.

Checkbox #2... the entire combo (R5II, RF 100-500L, 2X Ext, Wimberly, Monopod) had to balance well and be rock-solid through the full extension range. I was concerned that the bottom/thinnest leg of the monopod would be unstable and force slower, less versatile deployments. No problems. In my first couple of hikes, I leave the bottom leg extended all the time and extend the top two sections based on situation: kneeling, standing, for fully extended to shoot into the treetops. The GM4552L is the perfect height for me and is rock-solid with all legs extended.

Checkbox #3 (and "my-cheat #1)... I've always been comfortable hiking with a big combo mounted on a MH-100 and a monopod. I rest the camera and lens across my shoulders behind my neck and use the partially extended tripod as security and a balancing arm in front of my body.

Checkbox #4 (and failure #1)... Birds in flight. I have no problem shooting fields sports with the combo. But BIF and close up action sports shots are better off handheld. The MH-100 really does approximate a gimbal head without the need of a full tripod, but I have never been able to achieve reasonable responsiveness with either. When "bleep" gets real and is upclose, go handheld.

For me, the game-changer is the height of the monopod in combonation with the WH-100... being able to stand comfortably at full height and aim the camera up into tree tops. Weight and stability become less of an issue when I can hike with the weight of the camera and lens across the back of my shoulders and the combo is rock-solid for action stills.

 

[jcass]

On my first hike with the monopod and WH-100 combo ...

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