Supporting a supertele

[RikWriter]

I am in the process of buying my first big supertelephoto lens, a Canon 500mm f4L IS. Previously, the biggest lens I've had has been a 300mm f2.8L IS. I will be using it primarily for wildlife shooting and I am starting to research the best way to support it.
For those of you that use this lens, do you mostly use it on a tripod or a monopod? I know that with the 300, I mostly kept it on a monopod for the ease of maneuver and versatility. Is the 500 too heavy for that? Also, should I use a monopod head or just screw the pod directly into the base?
I am also thinking I will need a more sturdy tripod. For years I have been getting by with a Bogen 3021, but I think its max weight load is pretty close to what I'll be mounting with a gimbal head, the lens and camera. Will I need to replace it? And with what?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

[Michael_Lambert]

I used the 500mm once and i found that the tripod was just too clumpsy. Switched to a monopod and found it much easier to use.

[RikWriter]

Did you use a head on the monopod?

[gymell]

I use a Gizto 3530S with a Wimberley head and it's rock solid. The 500 also works fine on a monopod when you need more mobility. I have a Gitzo 5540 monopod with the RRS high capacity monopod head. You can also mount a quick release clamp directly to the monopod, but the head allows more flexibility with tilting. I highly recommend getting a replacement foot like the Kirk LP-53 which is super convenient.

[Michael_Lambert]

I did use a ball head sorry not sure the model its a Manfrotto with the quick release plate.

[gasrocks]

I mostly hand hold my 500/4. I sometimes use a monopod. When I have needed a tripod, I used my Bogen 3021 legs and 3047 head, no problems at all.

[Bubble]

500IS with monopod = perfect. versatility and easy to maneuver.

unless you're going to stay to shot at one area for a long time then get the tripod with wimberly WH-200.

[RikWriter]

Do you use a head on your monopod Bubble?

[Bubble]

Do you use a head on your monopod Bubble?

yes i do.

http://www.aphanphoto.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/12~3~0.jpg

http://www.aphanphoto.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/130.jpg

I like that ballhead because it is open design. You can clean the ball easier.

[RikWriter]

Which head is that?

[Bubble]

Acratech gv2

http://acratech.net/home.php

[StarDog]

One more thing to look at is a BushHawk shoulder mount. Great with the 500.
Google them. Bob

[Guerry Dalrymple]

I work for 2 professional sports teams and almost all of the photographers, I'm not one of them, use big lenses and monopods. Most with some type of head. I have used the 300 2.8, 500 f4, and 600 f4 and will not consider any other head that the Wimberley or Jobu heads. Mainly because of the ability to balance the camera/lens combo for better manuverability when shooting. I almost always shoot from a quad pod or window mount. My wife uses a tripod mostly.

[Pete W]

I use
Manfrotto 055MFV tripod and Manfrotto 393 head and it works very well :)