For the 500L owners...

[fire34fighter]

Just curious what you use to lug this thing around...If you go out with it do you have more than 1 body, with a different lens attached? Do you ever put the 500 in a bag? If so what bag do you use?

I'm obviously considering buying one, just trying to figure out what it's like to lug it around..

[Ralph Merlino]

When I have to use my 500mm I put it on a monopod and just lug it around.

[blonde]

when i walk around with it, it is either hanging off the side of my body if i am doing hand held or slang over my shoulder on my tripod.

as for bag, i am using the Kinesis L511 and i LOVE it!!!

[P51Mstg]

I just started lugging it around. I got a LowePro Trekker (??) big backpack. I put the camera on the lens and put it in the pack. It protects it well in the trunk of the car too. I leave the $500 Canon Hardcase at home (I think its about wortless other than SAYING "STEAL ME").

I also strap the Gitzo tripod with Wimberly II head on the side.......

Really comfortable to carry, hardly know its there.

I can say that I never even tried a monopod (used one with the 100 to 400). but it wouldn't be enough support in my opinion, also makes it hard to set down. I think you can handhold it for a few shots, but lift that thing a few times and see how steady you really are.......

The Wimberly is awesome. You put the lens on it and it has stops so it can't fall off. Once balanced (takes a few seconds of sliding back and forth trial and error to do) it will move with a finger touch. I use it to shoot airplanes that may be moving 250 to 500 MPH, I can track with no problems (except when really close and you simply can't move that fast).......

Everyone I asked said 500mm and Wimberly and honestly they were right. Well worth it.

Also on the tripod, there was a recent discussion about CARBON FIBER LEGS and some mfgs were cheaper than others. Bear in mind there are many parts to a tripod beyond the legs........ The other parts need to be quality too. If that thing collapses, or tips over, $6k+ hits the ground. A badly adjusted head will let the lens tip and when it hits the stops, it can pretty well take the tripod over with it. Wimberly will not do that since the lens will never "fall" since it is "balanced".................

More questions, PM me.........

Mark H

[drsimnal]

I have the kinesis too; used it yest when I went to the track for Carb day here in Indy. That 500L is a heavy sucker....course I had to park way far out and it rained, so that may have influenced my mood. I took way too many lenses with me too. I saw some official photogs carrying it (or something about as big...didn't get close) around on monopods. I took my gitzo monopod and the full Wemberly head too. I love that head, it really makes the lens easy to manuever. No way I could hand hold. Maybe if I hired some strong guy to hand hold it for me....hmm. LOL
Andrea

[Ruffio]

. . . i am using the Kinesis L511 and i LOVE it!!!

Yep, I love my Kinesis L511 bag, too. I definitely recommend you check them out. I sling mine with the backpack harness option.

http://www.kgear.com/l/

[fire34fighter]

For those who use the L511 what other kind of equipment can you fit into the bag on top of the 500L?..Would I have to get another shoulder bag to carry a 100-400L on a 30D? Or would I be able to fit it in there as well?

[PacAce]

The 500 f/4 comes in a hard case (looks like an oversized cosmetic case) and that's what I use to transport the lens to the shoot location. Once at the site, I mount the lens on the tripod and walk over to where I'm going to shoot.

I also have a Kinesis bag (the L311, not the L511) but I hardly ever use it (probably just used it a once or twice). I feel the hard case provides better protection than the Kinesis bag does.

When I'm using a long lens, I'll almost alway have a second body with a shorter lens mounted (usually the 100-400 but sometimes the 300 f/2.8 ).

[LBaldwin]

I decided on the 400 instead of the 500 but have rented the 500 many times. I usually handheld it for most airshows but carried it on a monopod. I am looking at a softbag for it, but have yet to decide. As soon as I get some of my credit cards paid down the Wimberely is next. I am interested in using on both a monopod and a tripod. I e-mailed the company and they said that surf shooters use the monopod with the WII head all the time.

Cheers,

[fire34fighter]

The 500 f/4 comes in a hard case (looks like an oversized cosmetic case) and that's what I use to transport the lens to the shoot location. Once at the site, I mount the lens on the tripod and walk over to where I'm going to shoot.

I also have a Kinesis bag (the L311, not the L511) but I hardly ever use it (probably just used it a once or twice). I feel the hard case provides better protection than the Kinesis bag does.

When I'm using a long lens, I'll almost alway have a second body with a shorter lens mounted (usually the 100-400 but sometimes the 300 f/2.8 ).
So do you use a bag or anything for the other body? Or just sling that over your other shoulder?

[Blue Deuce]

I also have a Kinesis bag (the L311, not the L511) but I hardly ever use it (probably just used it a once or twice). I feel the hard case provides better protection than the Kinesis bag does.


Another vote for the Kinesis. I was in Ottawa in March and was involved in a car accident while riding in a cab from the airport. We got rear ended, my laptop in its bag was destroyed but the 500 and MKIII came through it without a scratch.

[PacAce]

So do you use a bag or anything for the other body? Or just sling that over your other shoulder?

I transport my gear (other than the long lenses) in a backpack or two, depending on how much stuff I need. But once I'm at the location, I remove whatever gear I'm going to need from the packpack(s) and transfer them to my photo vest. The 2nd camera and lens, I just sling over my shoulder or around my neck. I find using the vest a lot more practical and convenient than lugging my backpack around.

[Bubble]

another vote for Kinesis L511. It can fit both 500 and 600.

[Bubble]

For those who use the L511 what other kind of equipment can you fit into the bag on top of the 500L?..Would I have to get another shoulder bag to carry a 100-400L on a 30D? Or would I be able to fit it in there as well?

they do sell additional bag so you can attach to the Kinesis L511. Kinesis L511 itselft can only fit your 500 and a body inside (40D). Nothing else. :)

[psimison]

I have a custom backpack made by John Stanford. John owned Vested Interest. It is well made, holds the 1.4 and 2.0 converters, the 580 flash, better beamer, flash battery pack, polarizer and other accessories including the backets for the wimberley head.

It also straps to a car seat for quick road use with lens safety. I love it.

[calicokat]

I use the Lowepro Super Trekker (very big and heavy) or the Lowpepro Lens Trekker 600.....I may downsize to the Pro Trekker someday.

[b.d.bop]

I use the Kinesis E970 (http://www.kgear.com/e/#e970). The 500/4L IS fits perfectly without body attached. However I have an A257 body pouch (http://www.kgear.com/images/A257Big.jpg) attached to the front of the E970 if I want to put a 5D/grip in it or stash a Wimberley Sidekick and Sidekick flash bracket.

It has a comfortable hand strap, but I also have a Domke Gripper shoulder strap (with Domke post office shoulder pad) on it for when I'm walking around with the big boy.

That Kinesis stuff is very well designed.