so the 70-200 f2.8 Mk II is heavy - ? monopod

I would agree with the others saying to just give it time and work on you form. Its not that heavy unless you are going to be trying to hold it up for a shot for a very long time. I often see people using very bad form, and that may be part of the problem. Try placing the elbow of your not shooting hand against your abdomen, and angle your forearm out and up forming a cradle with your hand. Grab the lens so that the body/lens is balanced, and let the weight go down through your arm and to your abdomen. This will create a good stable grip, once you have your shooting hand in position. The key with heavier lenses is to support the body/lens by the lens, not the camera. This is a fundamental shift from lighter lenses.

If you try to use a monopod with a lens this small, it will end up inhibiting your ability to work with the camera easily. The only time I'd use a monopod with a 70-200 is if I were going to be in the same position for a couple of hours, taking a ton of shots, and not having to change the way I'm framing the shots.

It did take a little getting used to as it is heavier than any zoom I've owned except my 120-300 (for that one i use a tripod). When I saw the results especially with the 5d3, I couldn't imagine giving up this lens!

As far as using a monopod or tripod, great for landscapes but kind of limiting on the street, crowds, etc.. (and more weight).

I'd give it some time, and I believe the you'll get use to the weight. It's a great lens.

OK, the first time I used mine was at a Basketball game. While monopods can be inconvenient, when you are seating in the stands I found it very useful. So I say use the monopod if you are stationary, and especially seating. For walk-around the monopod could be clumsy.
The night I used mine I was very glad to have it, and it didn't hinder any pictures.

I am very new to this lens, and so far I am very impressed.

I know this sounds weird because it's adding weight, but I use my 100-400 regularly.

Get a battery grip.

Without a grip, my pinky hangs off the camera body, it strains my wrist to the point of me not wanting to use it. When the grip is on, I can use my full hand, and the weight is no longer a problem.

Ever shot a rifle? Try tucking your elbows in. That way the weight is being supported by your body and not your arms. I know it sounds silly but its a huge help to me. Keeps me stable for panning and makes it easier to hand hold. I did about 4 or 5 hours at an air show and I was fine afterwards.

TSchrief wrote in post #15344373
Monopods are quite inconvenient. If you NEED one, use a tripod. If you CAN'T use a tripod, hand-hold it.

lol, everyone has a different usage scenario. There are a lot of people in this thread preaching gospel when everyone's working under different requirements.

My monopod is my favorite accessory for shooting soccer. I sit on the ground, with the pod fully collapsed. I don't use any sort of head on it, just pod into ring mount. For soccer, seated, fark a tripod, and fark hand-holding it.

I also use the monopod for kids events at the school, where I'm sitting in endless rows of chairs. It holds the lens steady (mine is non-IS) for the low light, and doesn't take up much room at all.

To me 70-200 f2.8L IS and 1d4 were heavy. Therefore, I got the monopod easier for me carrying around without hurting my neck and shoulder when having long day shooting.

I just got the same lens and had a family shoot this past weekend, shot the 70-200 on my gripped 7d for about 2 1/2 hours and it is heavy at first but I am getting used to it. I am ordering a manfroto monopod for sprouting events that I want to get into this year but will throw it into my bag for when its needed.

Unless I'm shooting in a gym or something from a set position, not moving around I don't really use my monopod. Tripod is much more usefull. But even then it's only if I can't get a shutter speed fast enough to handhold. I do photo walks with my 200L IS, so the 70-700L IS II feels like a feather.