500mm questions....

I am now on the search for support stuff. I currently have Gitzo 1327 legs, and RRS 55 head. Cant decide on foot replacement or lens plate, sideckick or fill wimberley II.

What is everyone using?

Is 500 your longest lens? Myself I consider the things you mentioned as overkill (and very expensive) for the 500. Mine has not been on a tripod yet and if I did the Bogen 3021 legs would be good enough.

Yeah currently the longest. I already have the legs bought them a few months ago. I am a firm believer in good support to minize vibration etc.

I need something to mount the 500 to so I can shoot distanc e shots at a race the have my other lens/body around my neck to switch to quickly as the bikes come around closer.

I use the Gitzo 1325 and Full Wimb II. Gasrocks - I just don't see how anyone handholds it with low shutter speeds you sometimes need for wildlife in less than ideal light (ie 1/125th comes up a lot for me at ISO 400-800.)

Greetings,
I'm on Gitzo3540 6x and wimberley II. You need good support for such lens. Enjoy...

RRS replacement foot, Wimberley II, Manfrotto O55B. Monopod (Manfrotto 134 & RRS QR clamp) for motor racing.

gitzo 1325 w/RRS BH55 and sidekick, no problems.

AcuraFan wrote in post #3652455
gitzo 1325 w/RRS BH55 and sidekick, no problems.

Same here. Works great!

Thanks everyone.


What are you guys using to carry this little lens in?

I have a couple of Gitzo 1325's. One with a kirk BH-1 head and the sidekick and the other with the wimberly VII. I had the sidekick setup for my 300 f/2.8 rig and then when I added the 500 and 600 f/4's I tried them on this. The 500 is doable though I am a little uncomfortable with it at times. I really think for the 500 and up lenses the full wimberly is the way to go. It provides greater mobility and is smooth to use.

I have hand held my 500 but only in good light. It certainly can be done but it limits the type of environments that you can shoot in.

http://kgear.com/l/#l3​11

http://kgear.com/l/#l5​11

http://kgear.com/l/#l5​21

Depends whether you want a really small case or want to keep the body attached (which makes life a lot easier)

I

The BH-55 and Sidekick will be able to handle the 500 but I'm not a huge fan of the way it mounts on the side. I got a used Wimberly V1 for barely more than a sidekick costs and I love it, the V2 I'm sure is even better. I got a replacement foot from www.naturescapes.net and it's perfect, it lowers the lens a bit which helps with stability. I currently use the Kinesis L-311 for my bag, it fits the lens itself with no body attached, you can put on a 1.4TC as well but it's tight and you can put a body in the front pouch. There's a pouch on the inside of the lid which is good for memory cards and a cable release. At some point I will probably go with the L-511 so I can keep a body attached, only have the L-311 because I formerly used a 300 2.8. Kinesis bags are top notch. You might also consider a neoprene cover, gives you some protection from scratches and I personally think it makes the lens easier to grip and hold.

I definatley want to keep my body attached to it. I am ordering neoprene covers for all of it 1.4x and 2x extentions, lens, and wimberley depending ojn which one i get etc.