400/500/600mm F2.8-4 carry options?

Tom Reichner wrote in post #19021171
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When I carry my tripod & big heavy lens over my shoulder, I have never used any padding.

Many (but not all) of the guys I know talk about needing padding, because it "hurts" or "dig in" where the tripod leg rides on their shoulders. . But I have never experienced any such discomfort, despite the fact that the lens I'm carrying is significantly heavier than the lenses most of them carry (my lens, camera, tripod, and gimbal head combine to 24 pounds).

I'm not sure what all the fuss is about with the padding .... I just never got that. . I wonder if the tripod on the shoulder is actually hurting people, or if perhaps some people are just really sensitive to any slight discomfort.


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Tom, I know why is doesn't bother you. It's because you are a...MACHO MAN!

Macho, macho man...
I've got to be a macho man

Macho, macho man...
I've got to be a macho man...

Tom Reichner wrote in post #19021171
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When I carry my tripod & big heavy lens over my shoulder, I have never used any padding.

Many (but not all) of the guys I know talk about needing padding, because it "hurts" or "dig in" where the tripod leg rides on their shoulders. . But I have never experienced any such discomfort, despite the fact that the lens I'm carrying is significantly heavier than the lenses most of them carry (my lens, camera, tripod, and gimbal head combine to 24 pounds).

I'm not sure what all the fuss is about with the padding .... I just never got that. . I wonder if the tripod on the shoulder is actually hurting people, or if perhaps some people are just really sensitive to any slight discomfort.


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We are people, not a machined component.

My personal situation is a C5-C6 problem. A very common medical condition for people of 45 years of age or more. I had Kiteboarding incident at 36 years that resulted in a comminuted fracture of my femur. It takes a massive force to cause that type of fracture to a human femur. It took quite a few years to realise that pain and the feeling that 'pins and needles' in my right arm was just starting was also a result of that incident, ie the C5-C6 injury I have. I need an artificial disc replacement to resolve this and I will probably have that surgery at some stage. This means I cannot swap the load to my right shoulder so have to always carry load on my left shoulder.

Combine my C5-C6 issue with the first point, that we are not machined components with a tolerance that can be measured but animals comprising muscular skeletal builds with huge variances means that we cannot 'get' what other people find physically painful or physicaly uncomfortable.

I have never been seasick. I don't have a problem traveling backwards. I enjoy roller coasters. I can jump feet first into water without needing to block my nose.
I don't mind confined spaces.
I don't need to 'get' that some people have problems with any of those situations. I just accept that they do. In some cases, the projectile vomiting means despite not needing to get it, I get it in quite an unpleasant way.

There's no fuss about the padding.

fuss: (noun)
a display of unnecessary or excessive excitement, activity, or interest.

I don't get excited when I cut up a noodle and fit to tripod legs.
No reasonable person would suggest it is unnecessary for me to fit the padding.

I just install it in a calm way.

Tom Reichner wrote in post #19021171
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When I carry my tripod & big heavy lens over my shoulder, I have never used any padding.

Many (but not all) of the guys I know talk about needing padding, because it "hurts" or "dig in" where the tripod leg rides on their shoulders. . But I have never experienced any such discomfort, despite the fact that the lens I'm carrying is significantly heavier than the lenses most of them carry (my lens, camera, tripod, and gimbal head combine to 24 pounds).

I'm not sure what all the fuss is about with the padding .... I just never got that. . I wonder if the tripod on the shoulder is actually hurting people, or if perhaps some people are just really sensitive to any slight discomfort.


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You may have developed a musculature for it over the years, akin to callouses. I was once like that too,. never bothered me at all, until I dropped out of photography for a few years out of necessity. when i got back into it all those muscles were out of shape. I don;t go out every week like I used to, in fact with the heavy lenses, it is often months in between,. so I am likely to never re-develop that particular strength.

Choderboy wrote in post #19021240
We are people, not a machined component.

My personal situation is a C5-C6 problem. ..

Oh, I feel for you, that is really tough. I hope your not in constant pain!

I am in a similar boat, with the disc issues being spread between c4 and c6 from an accident,. it dramatically affects my arms and fingers. This injury is not why I was compelled to take a break from photography, but it occurred during that break and continues to have a lasting impact on everything i do, from carrying around the big whites, to the woodworking and teaching that is my profession, to driving a car, or typing on a computer, or trying to actually get a good nights sleep. I am in constant pain, the only variation being the degree. thankfully, usually it is something I can ignore, but not always.

I was an extremely fit and healthy athlete in my youth. Then, I started having injuries... and injuries. Your body is not the same in youth, in your 40's, 50's, 60's. I'm in my early 60's now, and my body aches all over even when I'm not involved in any physical activities. How I carry my photography gear has changed over the years, dictated by what my body tells me. It saddens me whenever I think about what sort of further changes I'd have to adapt as I get older and more frail. For older folks like me and those with physical concerns, I'm a big advocate of the Cotton Carrier Vest, which allows a well balanced weight in the center. I now try to avoid any and all off-center carrying methods.

In my mid 20's and early 30's I played Rugby at County League Level it was a very hard contact sport. Being 6ft 6 and 125Kg I would always be in the scrums, there was always someone bigger than me on the other team and I suffered many injuries to my Shoulders, head (mostly teeth being knocked out and ears and nose problems being bashed around). When I gave the sport up and took up Wildlife photography, carrying a heavy backpack and a huge white lens just seemed a breeze to me.
But as I've got older especially after a long hiking day when I get in my car to drive home I fall in the car seat and feel every twinge in my lower back, arms and shoulders as I'm driving home. I agree with what you guys are saying, you have a break for a while, I've just had 2 lazy weeks laying on a beach in Portugal and its a struggle getting back to your fitness levels and my big 600mm White feels like a steel beam. I just hope that within the next 5-6 years The superzoom compact cameras will be as good as the gear I use now because I can see that's the way I will end up going.

SYS wrote in post #19021493
... a well balanced weight in the center. I now try to avoid any and all off-center carrying methods.

With compression fractures on T4 - T6 and surrounding discs messed up, I agree and I've learned that putting a priority on proper carrying makes photography enjoyable. I've had to trade convenience for comfort. Actually, it's not even *comfort* but just possible.

Using a proper backpack (and using it properly) has made a world of difference for me. I can carry a 600/4 and more lenses easier than a "photo backpack" carrying much less. REI is now part of my photo experience.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #19021484
Oh, I feel for you, that is really tough. I hope your not in constant pain!

I am in a similar boat, with the disc issues being spread between c4 and c6 from an accident,. it dramatically affects my arms and fingers. This injury is not why I was compelled to take a break from photography, but it occurred during that break and continues to have a lasting impact on everything i do, from carrying around the big whites, to the woodworking and teaching that is my profession, to driving a car, or typing on a computer, or trying to actually get a good nights sleep. I am in constant pain, the only variation being the degree. thankfully, usually it is something I can ignore, but not always.

Sorry to hear, sounds like you have it much worse. 2 years ago, over a week or so I was getting severe pain but now I know what triggers pain and just avoid those movements or actions. I have a really good Neuro surgeon so if it deteriorates I can get disc replaced confident that I will be in good hands. Just avoiding surgery as there is always some risk but at the same time would like to do it before surgeon gets too old.
Rather than constant pain I often have the sensation you get just as pins and needles starts. Putting tripod on my shoulder, with padding will cause that almost immediately and if I don't remove tripod I'll regret it fast so it's just an inconvenience.

I don't have this carry option yet. The think tank holster or glass limo may be my next purchase. Take a vote everyone.
Not exactly a carry option but my Tamron 150-600mm fits nice into a HF apache 3800 case for the car ride. My carry option for now is my new peak design strap, connectors and very nice Camdapter plate mounted to the lens collar. The setup feels great on the neck and shoulder. I still doubt I will take my grip off the my new 150-600mm lens even when walking for a long time. I will also inspect the cord style loops before each use and already have purchased 8 extras.
I will seal the unknown foam material insert using rubberizing spray before use. I began photography using a Canon AE-1 program 35mm camera move on to a EOS650, EOS Elan IIE still taking the typical holiday and vacation photos but no practice photos because of the expense. My photo skills really began improve having digital technology to see my success and mistakes without the expense of film and developing. I too have a bad back and hip arthritis. It began with 3-4 months of somewhat painful walks and needing 2-3 days to pain to lessen. Now a 3 mile walk may need 1 or 2 days rest. Taking walks at the hilly park starting with 1.5 miles and my cellphone camera photos encouraged me to me to walk 2.0 miles and occasionally 3 miles. Each time better photos developing my photographic eye. I finally started feeling good enough to hike and carry my Fuji slr style smaller all in one camera and bag. Finally on a sunny day got out my nearly un-used 70-200mm L non IS lens with lens hood and peak design strap and no bag on the trail just extra batteries. That was total freedom and fun. We reviewed the photos cropped a few closer. My wife encouraged me pursue my hobby and buy a Tamron 150-600mm to get closer bird photos. Yes I zoom manually on foot many years taking nature photos. Some of the larger birds just wont tolerate anyone too close.

I know your post is a little older but I just purchased the wimberly V2 and using it with a 1DX II. And 100-400. I can’t get the balance right. Is the camera too heavy?

Yes, i think your issue is big body, small lens. I realize to those hand holding 100-400mm may not seem small, but I have been shooting with a 100-400mm for decades and have never once mounted it on a tripod. The Wimberly is reserved for large lenses like my 500mm f/4, or 300-800mm f/5.6. It may not be possible to balance your set up on a Wimberly, but the first step would be a very long arca plate to allow more front to back adjustment in the Wimberley clamp.

bradman11 wrote in post #19258486
I know your post is a little older but I just purchased the wimberly V2 and using it with a 1DX II. And 100-400. I can’t get the balance right. Is the camera too heavy?

^^^ Jake is right. . The full gimbal heads like the Wimberley are freaking awesome! . But they are usually used for large supertelephoto lenses, not with little lenses like the 100-400mm zoom.

I think that you are right when you surmise that the camera being too heavy is the reason that you can not balance the rig properly. With a small lens such as the 100-400mm, it doesn't balance right because you cannot move the unit far enough forward to get the center of gravity directly over the top of the center of the tripod. . The way to overcome this is to use a much longer v-groove plate that allows you to slide the unit farther forward. . This usually doesn't work on 1 series bodies or any body with a grip, but for bodies with no grip, it should fit.

This is an example of a long v-groove plate:
https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …_quick_release_​plate.html

At 7" in length, that will allow you to slide the camera/100-0400 unit far enough forward to properly balance it.

However, as Jake says, I really don't recommend using the 100-400mm with a tripod for wildlife photography, except in certain highly specialized cases. . The tripod / Wimberley combination is really more appropriate for use with large supertelephoto lenses.


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Thanks both. I have the camera slid as far as it will go. Camera is touching the plate. Guess I need a longer heavier lens ߘ

bradman11 wrote in post #19258917
Thanks both. I have the camera slid as far as it will go. Camera is touching the plate. Guess I need a longer heavier lens ߘ

Oh darn, now you are being FORCED to buy a long supertelephoto!