500 f4 is support question

when I bought my 500mm f4, I went through the same thing... Man I just spent $6200 on a lens... now I got to spend another $1000 for legs and gimbal head...... but let me tell you... just do it... and do it right the first time...

I have the benro gh2 gimbal and benro c-397ms legs... bought them from dc stuff on ebay and they are great..... good combo...

Like many other replies, depending on what i'm shooting, i either use (1) the 500 handheld mounted atop a monopod with RSS MH-01 monopod head or (2) on the Wimberly WH-200 on an older Gitzo 1325 tripod with a Sunwayfoto DHY-90 leveling base.

But before the Wimberly WH-200, I first used the Sidekick with a RSS BH-55 ballhead but didn't like the weight balance. Then i got the Manfrotto 393 ($170) since Liquidstone has shot extensively with it - but i found my copy to wobble at the base. I even modified the Manfrotto 393 with a RSS AS clamp. As many will confirm, buy the best solution at the beginning so you don't waste your funds.

I hand hold mine 90% of the time but when I want to use a monopod, it screws right into the lens foot.

Mondo support is a Wimberley MkI on a suitable Gitzo tripod. As others have mentioned, don't cut corners on support. Too much dinero at stake!

Tripod wise I have used my Feisol CT3301 which cost like $180 at the time and it worked very nice with WH200, 1dmk2, 500mm f4 with and without TCs.

Semi-static, I use an RRS BH55 with a Wimberly sidekick on top of Manfrotto 055 CF legs. I find this is more than sufficient for the 400/4 with a 1.4x tc provided it's not too windy. If the wind blows, you'll probably need a bigger tripod.
If I'm going walkabout, I have an RRS MH-1 on top of a Gitzo 3551 which works wonderfully.

Gitzo, Wimberly. Nuff said! Don't skimp. I bought a Calumet head. Trash. Don't buy one. Get it right first time. your 500 will love you. Got a replacement foot too, saves using a plate.

^^^^THIS^^^^

I read a review of a $125 made-in-India gimbal head that wasn't very flattering. Plastic bushings instead of bearings, sloppy fit, etc.

I use a Sidekick attached to a Induro BHD 3 ballhead. I also use a Gitzo series 3 CF tripod for support. The ballhead load capacity is rated at 55 lbs and the Gitzo is rated for 39 lbs. Your Manfrotto 055CXPRO3 is rated for only 17.6 lbs which is way too light to support your camera, 500mm, ballhead/Sidekick. If you decide to use the Wimberley II, this gimball head weighs 5 lbs alone. Total cost for my setup, including the tripod is $1200+. When you purchase these super-tele white beasts, be prepared to spend at least 15%+ more than the cost of the lens for support equipment.

Good to know. Now I get to go buy more stuff. . At least I can tell the wife I have to get it.

look in to Adorama's flashpoint gimbal - used with my manfratto tripod all summer in yellowstone - worked well - but you need to get a longer foot arca swiss (wimberly) and that was a big help

I'm not saying the Adorama Flashpoint won't support your setup because I don't use it but, this head only supports 14.6 lbs. The Wimberley II supports 150lbs.

The 500mm weighs 8.5+ lbs and the 1D IV with battery is about 3 or more pounds. If you add a 580ex II and BetterBeamer along with a lens plate the 14.6lb load capacity of this gimbal is almost there. You might have difficulty balancing this setup. In a good wind, $11k worth of equipment could come crashing down.

I appreciate that an extra $1200+, on top of $6200 could be a stretch, but my advice is to spend the money once on the proper support equipment and not spend it again and more when you find out the cheaper route is not doing the job. Good luck and enjoy a phenominal lens

Yeah I think I have made up my mind. I am either going to get the wimberly or the induru. Now I am looking at tripods, which will be good. Now I will have a nice set that will be really stable.

how much extra wiggle room do you need when it comes to max load. I figure with my 5d, 500 and accessories it wouldn't be more than 13lbs.

Would a 26lb tripod be ok? I see most are 26lb max and then go to 39 along with the price jump.

skater911 wrote in post #14802430
how much extra wiggle room do you need when it comes to max load. I figure with my 5d, 500 and accessories it wouldn't be more than 13lbs.

Would a 26lb tripod be ok? I see most are 26lb max and then go to 39 along with the price jump.

That seems to me to be an enormous safety margin.
You've actually made me think here, My Manfrotto 055xb is rated to load 15.4lbs and the total weight I put on it is 14.75lbs, a very close margin!:o

The only time I have ever used a 500 I was shooting a MotoGP event at Donnington. For that I used a monopod.

Re weight limits: Its not a precise science, but I have read advice that its less the weight as the twisting/bending moment it brings with it. The article suggested staying at or less than half the manufacturers rating. Seems very restrictive but what do I know.