Kirk or RRS foot for 500 f4 IS?

Any real difference between the two? Main concern with me is that I can get the Kirk through B&H but not the RRS.

Also is the sure grip Kirk foot of any advantage over the regular one? I can't find many reviews on the gripped foot.

Thanks,

Travis

Both companies offer superb products. But RRS have the edge for looks. As far as using the kit goes, I think the two are neck and neck.

If you are using a lever clamp ballhead vs a screw clamp ballhead, I would buy the foot from the ballhead/clamp manufacturer. Or at least be darn sure they fit properly. I know RRS warns against using 3rd party plates that are not on their compatible list with their lever clamps.

Edit: There is a note on the RRS site saying that their new, 2012, lever clamps will adjust for all but one mfg. plate. Just be sure. I would hate to see a 500mm lens slide out.

I've only got RRS "stuff", so if it were me I'd go with RRS.

Thanks guys. The foot would be mostly for a wimberley wh-200 when I get one. I guessed they would be very similar in quality. RRS should team up with B&H and sell their stuff on there as well. I was hoping to save on shipping cost instead of having 2 separate orders.

I was really hoping to buy used but these don't come up very often. Heck the plates barely come up for sale separately.

Paxonator wrote in post #15238139
Thanks guys. The foot would be mostly for a wimberley wh-200 when I get one. I guessed they would be very similar in quality. RRS should team up with B&H and sell their stuff on there as well. I was hoping to save on shipping cost instead of having 2 separate orders.

I was really hoping to buy used but these don't come up very often. Heck the plates barely come up for sale separately.

Why are you wanting to replace the original lens foot?
I use the Wimberley 2 head with a 600 F4 L IS (a taller lens) and I can achieve near prefect vertical balance, certainly close enough to make it not worth buying a replacement foot. If you look on Wimberley's site you will see they do not make one for the Canon 500 F4 L IS as it is not needed. Save yourself some money and just get a QR plate of roughly 5 inches or a little longer.

johnf3f wrote in post #15238341
Why are you wanting to replace the original lens foot?
I use the Wimberley 2 head with a 600 F4 L IS (a taller lens) and I can achieve near prefect vertical balance, certainly close enough to make it not worth buying a replacement foot. If you look on Wimberley's site you will see they do not make one for the Canon 500 F4 L IS as it is not needed. Save yourself some money and just get a QR plate of roughly 5 inches or a little longer.

I want to still be able to screw my monopod directly to the foot. The plates don't give you that option or else I'd go that route.

Paxonator wrote in post #15238383
I want to still be able to screw my monopod directly to the foot. The plates don't give you that option or else I'd go that route.

Aah I see your dilemma. For this use a QR clamp in top of the monopod. This solution is a little heavier but cheaper.
I think it is probably down to personal choice as both manufacturers are well known for producing excellent kit. I think the RRS foot looks a little neater but I have no personal experience of these items.
Sorry I couldn't help.

I use a BG-E2 RRS Arca-Swiss plate on my 5DII, it has a screw thread which will accept a monopod. Personally I don't ever use it, because I have a ballhead with A-S clamp on my monopod, but it is there.

rick_reno wrote in post #15236696
I've only got RRS "stuff", so if it were me I'd go with RRS.

Same here.

Paxonator wrote in post #15238383
I want to still be able to screw my monopod directly to the foot. The plates don't give you that option or else I'd go that route.

Why wouldn't you use the Wimberley on your monopod?

I was just looking at some RRS plates and they do have a threaded hole off to the side. Not sure if that would throw things off balance though. They don't have a plate listed for the 500 f4 IS though. I'm sure one of the longer plates would work though. Anyone else know?

I can't see how buying a quick release clamp for my monopod and a plate would be cheaper than just buying a new foot though. Unless I'm swapping the clamps between my tripod and monopod.

EDIT: If you select the 500mm f4 IS it shows a corresponding plate (mpr-113). Just doesn't list that on the plate page for whatever reason.

Pi_314 wrote in post #15240848
Why wouldn't you use the Wimberley on your monopod?

I've thought about it. I don't have the Wimberley yet but when I do I'm sure I'll give it a try. I just think there might be too much stuff moving around with that setup.

Paxonator wrote in post #15240874
I've thought about it. I don't have the Wimberley yet but when I do I'm sure I'll give it a try. I just think there might be too much stuff moving around with that setup.

The wimberley on a monopod is worthless for panning left and right, but if you intend to aim up or down, it's a pain without the wimberley. Even with the wimberley on a monopod there is the issue with adjusting the height of the monopod. For this, I use the Manfrotto 684B monopod, height adjustment is lightning quick. If you are out chasing a bird for instance, the last thing you want to be doing, is fumbling around with your gear.

You might ask yourself what you would have to do if you want to take a shot, with your 500mm on a monopod, and you have to angle up or down. You might have about 10 degrees of motion before you start asking yourself about the art of professional contortionism. You will be on your knees taking a 45 degree angle shot up, and might as well shoot hand held if you want to angle up higher.

Rather than buying a foot, buy the type monopod with ultra quick height adjustment ( same price as a foot ) and slap that Wimberley on top. In most every case you will be standing straight up, in a comfortable zone, with minimal effort to stay that way when the shot changes to something else.