Wimberley / Arca heads query??

gymell wrote in post #6511589
I have a Gitzo 3530S which is definitely plenty for the 500 and beyond. I also have a Kirk BH1 which I used to use with a Sidekick (now I have the full Wimberley head). The Sidekick works fine with the 500 so you'd be good there. However, since you also mention 600mm, just be aware that the Sidekick is not rated for that.

Thanks Liz, it's encouraging to know the Sidekick + BH1 get your thumbs up.

I am not up to humping the 600mm around, but the longest I have at present is the 300 with 2X (or stacked 1.4X), although relatively light I don't feel my old Benbo is well damped enough for that focal length. Apart from that handling an unlocked Benbo is like trying to manage a drunk set of bagpipes!

gymell wrote in post #6511589
I have a Gitzo 3530S which is definitely plenty for the 500 and beyond. I also have a Kirk BH1 which I used to use with a Sidekick (now I have the full Wimberley head). The Sidekick works fine with the 500 so you'd be good there. However, since you also mention 600mm, just be aware that the Sidekick is not rated for that.

Also, I just wanted to add that a Gitzo 5xxx series tripod might be better suited for the 600mm instead of the Gitzo 3xxx series tripod.

It would be really handy to have a table of big tele lenses and expert suggestions of what a good set of legs would be in the various well known makes.

Make a good sticky.

Just a quick update.
After a lot of "umming & urring" I ended up with the Gitzo 3530LS and the Wimberley head (MkII).
Mounted and balanced the 500 on it this morning, and it is such a breeze to set up / use and with a real "fluid" motion feel to it, and that tripod ain't going nowhere.
Thanks to all of you that gave advice & input.

All I want now is to get my leg healed so I can get out and test it all out.

Vulcan58 wrote in post #6557703
Just a quick update.
After a lot of "umming & urring" I ended up with the Gitzo 3530LS and the Wimberley head (MkII).
Mounted and balanced the 500 on it this morning, and it is such a breeze to set up / use and with a real "fluid" motion feel to it, and that tripod ain't going nowhere.
Thanks to all of you that gave advice & input.

All I want now is to get my leg healed so I can get out and test it all out.

Can't get a more solid setup than that - and the 500 is a pleasure to use on the Wimberley head.

gymell wrote in post #6558024
Can't get a more solid setup than that - and the 500 is a pleasure to use on the Wimberley head.

Actually, you can with the Gitzo 5-series tripods but the 3-series should be adequate for the 500.

PacAce wrote in post #6558628
Actually, you can with the Gitzo 5-series tripods but the 3-series should be adequate for the 500.

Thbptptpt!