Support for Canon 500mm f4L

Hi

I know there’s already a few questions on here about support for lenses and bullheads and gimbals but I wanted some advice specific to my lens and situation if possible so started this new thread.

I’m awaiting delivery of a Canon 500mm f4L IS II lens which I believe weighs in around 3200g. I want to use this for bird photography.

I am old and feeble and so I’m looking for a lightweight, safe way to mount this which will take the strain from me and keep my lens safe. I would sacrifice some functionality for security and weight - saving. I would go up to around a £500/$600 budget. Less is obviously nice.

Some options I have thought of are:

Wimberley gimbal Seems good but heavy.

Gitzo fluid head. Seems good and cheap but also heavy

Jobu Jr3 is lightweight and cheap but max load is only around 4kg which worries me.

Wimberley sidekick seems to tick the boxes. I’d put it on my Z1, but I can’t shake the idea that it looks precarious and also I fear lenses might fall out or over. It looks like it might need a fair bit of care attaching and setting up and the law of averages suggest accidents could happen. Am I worrying too much I hope so because it looks like a good option.

While looking I also saw this

https://www.flexshoote​r.co.uk/

This guy likes it
https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=XDctsMYMh2E

I’m new to this so can someone tell me what the big deal is ? Apart from some enhanced panning/levelling is it so much different from my Arca Z1? Would it be a better albeit more costly option than the sidekick?

Anyway these are my thoughts and I’d appreciate any advice you can give me.

Thank you for your help.

I use the ProMediaGear Katana JR. with my 500f4

https://www.promediage​ar.com …ns-Gimbal-Head_p_289.html

I use a Wimberley Sidekick with my 400/2.8 and it works well. No problems with mine.

Thank you both. I realised that the weight of the sidekick combined with my Arca Z1 is actually greater than the Katana. The Katana is more expensive but possibly more versatile and gets some great reviews.

jcturn1 wrote in post #19137859
I use the ProMediaGear Katana JR. with my 500f4

https://www.promediage​ar.com …ns-Gimbal-Head_p_289.html

I am tempted by that. How do you find the Katana @jcturn1? i? am assuming you'd recommend. Can you compare to others you have used?

bpalermini wrote in post #19137869
I use a Wimberley Sidekick with my 400/2.8 and it works well. No problems with mine.

The thing I'm worried about is the sidemounting as I have artrhritic fingers and with heavy lenses, it seems a bit more fiddle for my situation.

(I don't know what happened to my other two attempts. I was trying to quote and it went awry twice! Probably too early in the morning for me!)

willie45 wrote in post #19140323
I am tempted by that. How do you find the Katana @jcturn1? i? am assuming you'd recommend. Can you compare to others you have used?

I highly recommend the Katana Jr. not a lot of experience with other brands. I looked at several before buying, got a really good deal on the jr. Liked it so well I got my son one for Christmas.

check out this review

https://shuttermuse.co​m …ana-junior-gimbal-review/

Hi I have ordered from Amazon from the US. It was more than I originatlly intended It will take some time as Im in the UK but it looks great.

Also does it add much height to the camera position on the tripod? It would be a most welcome bonus if it did. Looking again at the pictures I can see it does add a few inches which is good news.

willie45 wrote in post #19140414
Hi I have ordered from Amazon from the US. It was more than I originatlly intended It will take some time as Im in the UK but it looks great.

Also does it add much height to the camera position on the tripod? It would be a most welcome bonus if it did. Looking again at the pictures I can see it does add a few inches which is good news.

I think (hope) you will like it, be sure to let us know how you like it

jcturn1 wrote in post #19140422
I think (hope) you will like it, be sure to let us know how you like it

Will do and thanks for the information

Good decision. I currently use Tomahawk sidekick by ProMediaGear that makes Katana gimbals. For my gear, Canon 5D IV with Sigma 150-600C, Tomahawk is plenty. If I have anything heavier, I'd also go with the Katana Jr.

Pro Master makes 2 Gimbal heads.
https://www.promaster.​com/Product/2544
https://promaster.com/​Product/7076