500 f4 is support question

I got my 500 last week and just was able to shoot with it this weekend and this thing is amazing. The one question i have is for either tripod or mono support. What do you all use ? Right now I have a ball head, which is rated for I think 20-22 lbs, but I see a lot of talk regarding gimbals. Do you really need one?

On a side note, for a lens this big and heavy I was surprised how well it can be handheld. !/500 no problem, 1/250 great shots, 1/125 hmmm not so sharp, but hey 1/250 with an 8 lbs lens, i am excited.

I would never put a lens that big on a ball head. Too much risk of it coming loose, flopping over, and damaging the lens and/or camera. I use an Induro GHB2. Love it.

I've been using a Wimberly WH-200 with my 500L for the last 4 years and it has always performed perfectly - I give the WH-200 my highest rating and complete confidence (I
carry my rig on my shoulder for long distances).

How is this one? Jobu Design Bwg-lw2 Gimbal Leightwght 2

I use a kirk king cobra with my 500 and it is superb.

I use both a tripod and a monopod, as needed...

My "field" tripod is an older carbon fiber Gitzo "System 3" G1325.... no center column. Gitzo levelling base for quick setup. Kirk BH-1 ballhead. Usually with the big lenses I use Wimberley Sidekick gimbal mount that works in conjunctioin with the ballhead. I have Arca-Swiss style plate on the lens, that matches up with A-S platforms on the ballhead or the Sidekick.

Never had any problem with it in ten years or so using this rig. It's plenty heavy enough to accomodate the 500/4 IS, also a 300/2.8 IS which I use and certainly some lighter lenses... I don't have, but might not be as comfortable using it with the original 400/2.8 or 600/4 non-IS or IS, all four of which are pretty hefty lenses (I know people who use similar rigs, though, with various of those lenses)... But it certainly would handle the Mark II versions of either of those lenses and would be fine with the 800/5.6 IS.

I prefer the Sidekick over a full gimbal head, because it leaves the tripod and ballhead alone, so it can quickly be converted back for standard use. (King Cobra, Jobu, etc. convert the tripod and make it pretty much "big lens only", unless you swap out the head.) Also, the Sidekick works well to mount a camera vertically, when using shorter lenses.... So there is no need for an L-plate on any of my cameras, just a standard Arca-Swiss plate.

I never carry the rig very far over my shoulder... that's just asking for trouble, no matter how heavy duty the tripod rig. Short distances... yes.... with care.

I have two Bogen/Manfrotto metal monopods. One is simjply modified with an Arca-Swiss style QR platform on top. The other has a medium size Manfrotto ballhead that's been modified with an A-S QR platform.

It depends upon what you shoot.... whether you need a gimbal or not. I certainly do... shooting sports/action, wildlife, birds. A gimbal such as the Sidekick or one of the "full" gimbal heads makes it a lot of fun to use the big lens.

This...

ELT_Photo wrote in post #14783998
I've been using a Wimberly WH-200 with my 500L for the last 4 years and it has always performed perfectly - I give the WH-200 my highest rating and complete confidence (I
carry my rig on my shoulder for long distances).

If I'm going to one place and "camping" I'll use a Manfrotto 055 tripod with Wimberley mkII.
If I'm in the mood for a wander I'll carry the lens/camera using a RRS lens foot but if that gets too tiring then I'll carry it from a shoulder using an optech strap for a few moments to give my arm a rest!

When wandering I may decide to camp if I observe some interesting activity I mount the the body/lens on a manfrotto neotech monopod using a RRS heavy duty monopod head.
The neotech is great because it's operated with one hand with a foot to steady it.

Wimberly head for me although allot of people seem to also like the Jobu

I use the Wimberly 2 as well for my 500, although some other good options are available these days, as for whether you need a gimbal? YES.

Sure you could put it on a ball head, but a gimbal properly balanced makes using the lens absolutely effortless.

A lot of good info thanks. I was just surprised to see how expensive the gimbal heads are. I know I know, you just bought this lens so stop complaining about the price of the gimbal, but damn 400-500. .

How about my legs? I am using a manfrotto 055xprob, any need to upgrade?

WH200. I have used Markins M10 head with no issues when shooting shore birds. Wimbereley head was too tall whem using on skimmer and I wanted real low angle so M10 head for that case. have tried Sidelick, never liked it.

skater911 wrote in post #14786060
A lot of good info thanks. I was just surprised to see how expensive the gimbal heads are. I know I know, you just bought this lens so stop complaining about the price of the gimbal, but damn 400-500. .

How about my legs? I am using a manfrotto 055xprob, any need to upgrade?

I don't know how tall you are but I would recommend NOT using the center column on a tripod and buy a tripod that is rated for far more than you think you need. I am 6'2" and got an extra tall Gitzo CF tripod and Wimberly, I think the pair was about $1300. I also use it occasionally hand held or on a monopod, but the tripod and gimbal are the best.

skater911 wrote in post #14786060
A lot of good info thanks. I was just surprised to see how expensive the gimbal heads are. I know I know, you just bought this lens so stop complaining about the price of the gimbal, but damn 400-500. .

How about my legs? I am using a manfrotto 055xprob, any need to upgrade?

There are less-expensive gimbal heads, such as http://www.ebay.com …ain_0&hash=item​3cc935a4fd

I haven't used your lens on it, but it handled a rented bigma (Sigma 50-500) with no trouble.

Like Bill I use the Wimberley II and CF Gitzo tripod. I'm into wildlife and shoot a lot using the Skimmer ground pod matched with the Wimberley II. And yes the 500 is very hand holdable, the only way to go for action and flight work.