WHY didn't I get one of these before???

Larry Weinman wrote in post #10630649
The beauty of the 400mm f 5.6 lens is that it is so light you can hand hold it with no problem. I'm not against the sidekick, I have one myself and use it in heavy lenses. Why do you need one finger control of a light lens?

Not being one of you male types with the upper body strength, I find it all I can do to hand hold my 7D/100-400 combo at 1/400th. When the speeds drop below that, and they often do because that lens is a light hog, that one finger control is verrrrrrrry nice.

jgrussell wrote in post #10618727
As the owner of a good Markins ballhead, I beg to differ. One finger control of the camera ain't bloody likely on even the best ballhead.

A good ballhead ( I also have a markins) with the tension adjusted correctly will give you pretty much the same lens mobility as a sidekick. The 400mm f 5.6 lens only weighs 2.8 pounds. Most people I know handhold this lens and then use a tripod with a conventional ballhead for low light shots. I have sidekick and a 400mm f 5.6 and don't see the point of carrying the sidekick around when it really is of no extra benefit. I use it with my 300mm f 2.8. that lens is heavy enough to override the tension control adjustment.

Fantastic pictures! I want to go on a birding walk with the local enthusiasts here in the Nashville area just to get some nice pictures of colorful birds. Now I'm also adding a new piece of equipment to the wish list.

Larry Weinman wrote in post #10636496
A good ballhead ( I also have a markins) with the tension adjusted correctly will give you pretty much the same lens mobility as a sidekick.

No. It may give YOU the same lens mobility as a sidekick. It doesn't give ME the same lens mobility as a sidekick. This is one of those "whatever floats your boat" deals. You don't wanna use it, don't.

JackRFlint wrote in post #10640654
Fantastic pictures! I want to go on a birding walk with the local enthusiasts here in the Nashville area just to get some nice pictures of colorful birds. Now I'm also adding a new piece of equipment to the wish list.

Just a warning: if you get started with birds, you'll get hooked!

[QUOTE=Larry Weinman;10630649]Well, I believe the original poster has a 100-400 and I was the one who had the 400 5.6 with the sidekick. Yes, I do handhold it a lot when the light is bright enough. Yet, I do not have any large 2.8 lenses so I work with what I have. It does not take a lot of lost light to put shutter speeds in tough territory for ME to handhold. I also like the fluid motion I get with the sidekick. If you feel it is unneeded, I am not offended at all. Of course, I will still enjoy shooting with that set up when I need it. Second, I also stated I shoot it a lot with my 1.4 converter on my 400. Since that wipes out my AF and reduces light even more, I really like the balance on the sidekick. For me, I also like the separate controls for panning and tilting. Just me. No great philosophical reason. Just like it. Sorry if I caused any stress.

res wrote in post #10669597
It does not take a lot of lost light to put shutter speeds in tough territory for ME to handhold.

My problem as well, which is why the sidekick is just wonderful for me.