Wimberley P-40 universal lens plate (150 mm)

Wimberley P-40 universal lens plate (150 mm), stable base for long telephoto lenses

You can tell from this plate that it’s built for tough everyday photographic use. The Wimberley P-40 universal lens plate with a length of 150 mm is designed to securely fix heavy telephoto lenses on a tripod head so you don’t have to worry every time whether everything will hold. With its length of about 14.99 cm, a width of 3.8 cm and a height of 1.016 cm, it offers a pleasantly large contact surface, yet remains surprisingly light at around 113.4 g. In short: plenty of reserves without unnecessary ballast.

Arca compatible, flexible in 38 mm quick-release clamps

The P-40 is ARCA compatible and uses a 38 mm double dovetail profile. This double dovetail clamping profile fits a whole range of 38 mm quick-release clamps that are, according to the manufacturer, Arca-style compatible. You can use the plate in Wimberley clamps, Kirk clamps, Markins clamps, Jobu Design clamps, ProMediaGear clamps, Really Right Stuff screw clamps, Really Right Stuff lever clamps, Acratech lever clamps, Acratech screw clamps, FlexShooter lever cross clamps, FlexShooter screw cross clamps and many other Arca-style compatible 38 mm quick-release clamps.

In practice this means: if your tripod head or quick-release coupling is based on this standard, you can simply clamp in the P-40 and get started without having to look for special solutions or adapters. Especially if you use several systems, this compatibility is worth its weight in gold.

Made in USA, robust materials, clean workmanship

The Wimberley P-40 universal lens plate is made from 6061-T6 aluminum, a high-quality, hardened aluminum used in many professional applications. In addition, stainless steel components are used, which significantly increases durability and corrosion resistance. The surface is black anodized, which not only makes it unobtrusive, but also better protects it against scratches and weather influences.

You can tell from this combination of 6061-T6 aluminum, stainless steel and black anodized finish that it is intended for years of field use, whether in the stadium, in the forest or somewhere high in the mountains where you may sometimes have to push the tripod into the ground.

Universal use, one plate for many telephoto lenses

The P-40 is designed as a universal lens plate, so universal: yes. It is mounted on lens feet or tripod collars and is particularly suitable for large telephoto lenses where a stable and well-balanced mount is crucial. Typically you use it with long focal lengths where even a small instability can lead to blurred images.

Because the plate offers sufficient leeway with its 150 mm length, you can slide the lens in the quick-release clamp to better hit the center of gravity. This is especially convenient when you switch between handheld, monopod and tripod use or use different camera bodies with different weights.

Compatibility with Nikon F telephoto lenses

For Nikon F photographers, the Wimberley P-40 is particularly interesting if you work with large AF-S NIKKOR telephoto lenses. It is suitable, among others, for:

• Nikon 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR AF-S NIKKOR
• Nikon 500mm f/4E FL ED VR AF-S NIKKOR
• Nikon 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR AF-S NIKKOR
• Nikon 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S NIKKOR
• Nikon 200-400mm f/4G ED VR AF-S NIKKOR
• Nikon 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR NIKKOR
• Nikon 500mm f/4 G ED VR AF-S Nikkor

Especially with these long focal lengths, a solid, well-fitting lens plate is crucial so that the setup does not slip in the quick-release clamp. The P-40 creates a stable connection between the tripod collar and the tripod head and ensures that you can concentrate on image composition and timing instead of the technology.

Compatibility with Canon EF super telephoto lenses

Canon users also get their money’s worth. The Wimberley P-40 is an excellent match for a number of Canon EF super telephoto lenses, for example:

• Canon EF 400mm f/2.8 L IS II
• Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM
• Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM
• Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x
• Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM
• Canon EF 600mm f/4 L IS USM
• Canon EF 500mm f4 L IS USM
• Canon EF 500mm f4.5 L
• Canon EF 400mm f/2.8 L IS
• Canon EF 400mm f/2.8 L IS III
• Canon EF 600mm f/4 L IS III USM

With these lenses you are often shooting sports, wildlife or nature, where things sometimes have to move quickly. A lens plate that sits cleanly in the quick-release clamp and doesn’t wobble is then more than just a detail. It is a piece of security that you won’t want to be without after a few sessions.

Compatibility with Sony FE and Nikon Z telephoto lenses

If you work with Sony full-frame cameras and FE super telephoto lenses, the P-40 fits, among others:

• Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS FE [SEL400F28GM] (2018)
• Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS FE [SEL600F40GM] (2019)
• Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS FE [SEL400F28GM]

The plate also finds its place in the Nikon Z system, for example on the Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S NIKKOR (2022). This allows you to use your mirrorless setups with the same reliable quick-release standards that have already proven themselves with classic DSLR telephoto lenses.

Compatibility with Sigma telephoto zooms

Many photographers like to use Sigma telephoto zooms for long focal lengths, and the Wimberley P-40 also performs well here. It is suitable, for example, for:

• Sigma 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DG OS APO
• Sigma 50-500 f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM
• Sigma 50-500mm f/4.0-6.3 EX DG HSM
• Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM | Sports

Especially with zooms that range from medium telephoto to super telephoto, a longer lens plate is helpful to keep the center of gravity over the tripod head. The 150 mm length of the P-40 gives you enough room to balance the setup cleanly.

Double dovetail design for more options

The Wimberley P-40 has a double dovetail design. This means that the 38 mm double dovetail profile can not only be used in quick-release clamps, but also enables the mounting of accessories such as flash brackets. Attaching flash brackets from Wimberley, Kirk or Really Right Stuff is no problem thanks to this double dovetail profile.

This allows you, for example, to attach a flash for wildlife or macro situations directly to the lens plate without having to look for additional adapters or clamps. This saves time, reduces the number of individual parts in your backpack and ensures a tidy setup.

Safety stop screws for more security in the quick-release clamp

There are 4 safety stop screws on the underside of the P-40. These safety stop screws prevent accidental slipping out of the quick-release coupling if the clamp is not fully closed or becomes loose due to an unfortunate movement.

The safety stop screws are removable if you do not need them for a specific application or prefer a different configuration. In practice, however, they give you an additional safety net, especially when working with very expensive telephoto lenses and perhaps moving through rough terrain where you cannot always perfectly level the tripod.

Practice-oriented design for everyday photographic use

The combination of length, width and weight of the Wimberley P-40 is chosen so that it simply works in practice. With a length of 150 mm you can finely adjust the center of gravity of your lens, with a width of 3.8 cm the plate sits stably in the quick-release clamp, and the weight of 113.4 g remains pleasantly low when you are already carrying a heavy telephoto lens and a solid tripod.

Thanks to the black anodized surface, the plate looks discreet and hardly reflects light, which can definitely be an issue in wildlife or concert photography. At the same time, the anodized layer protects the 6061-T6 aluminum from scratches and wear, so the plate still looks good and works reliably even after many uses.

Conclusion: A well-thought-out universal plate for demanding telephoto photography

All in all, the Wimberley P-40 universal lens plate (150 mm) is a very solid choice if you work with large telephoto or super telephoto lenses and are looking for a reliable, ARCA compatible solution. It combines a 38 mm double dovetail profile with high compatibility with a wide variety of quick-release clamps such as Wimberley, Kirk, Really Right Stuff, ProMediaGear, Markins, Acratech, Jobu Design, FlexShooter and other Arca-style compatible 38 mm quick-release clamps.

With its robust construction of 6061-T6 aluminum and stainless steel, the black anodized surface, the 4 safety stop screws and its universal usability on Nikon F, Canon EF, Sony FE, Nikon Z and Sigma telephoto lenses, it is a stable base for your telephoto photography. If you are looking for a lens plate that doesn’t give you cause for concern on every trip but simply does its job, then the P-40 is a very obvious option.