What tripod for Canon 600mm L lens?

I am thinking of buying a nice tripod setup for my 600mm. On previous occasions I had taken just a cheap aluminium tripod but results were not so good as there seems to be some vibration making the pictures a little soft (especially with 2x multiplier), and the lens seemed way too heavy for what I had. Now migrating birds are in and am planning to get some pix as I am now better prepared with a 5DII (used 40D previously). What would be a reasonably good setup that is not too heavy, and where can I buy it? Thanks in advance.

You might want to look at some of the equipment offered by Kirk Enterprises, Really Right Stuff and Wimberley. In particular, the Wimberley Sidekick might be just what you are looking for. My 0.02¢.

WesternGuy

Probably about the best thing you can do is to wander into a decent camera store with your 5D & 600mm and mount them on a few tripods and see what the differences are.
Always best to try something out for yourself to see what feels right, rather than just buy sight unseen or untried.
No good throwing money at a tripod (or anything else) to later regret your purchase and having to then buy a replacement.

Problem is that locally there are no shops that have tripods for my 5DII with 600 lens, it is mostly the cheaper aluminium tripods that are probably not rated for anything more than 200 mm. I was hoping to buy it from the US through my US mailing address, or through my mailing address in the UK, or maybe through Amazon. Also the 600L is a huge lens that comes with an even bigger box and it would be extremely unusual to take it to one of the top photography shops here (they all happen to be in Malls).

that's a shame, because what might fit me (I am only 5' 5"), may not fit you and the best way is to always be able to try what you want to mount on it and see how it feels

Gitzo CF ones. Check folks at naturescapes.net.

I did use cheaper Feisol CF one with my 500mm and full wimbreley head II. And for monopods I do use cheap metal bogen one as CF ones are just more money without any weight reduction. But for tripods and heavy lenses you want to spend money and get good ones and Gitzo is the top brand.

Check out the Benbo Classic 2..

I've had mine since the late 1980s.. Used it for 4x5 and medium format cameras.. One big, solid mother of a tripod..

http://www.patersonpho​tographic.com/benbo-tripods.htm

The thickest and heaviest that you can think of dealing with.

If weight is an issue, Series 5 Gitzo carbon fiber.

We use a Manfrotto 475B with a Wimberley II and a 500 F/4. Pretty solid.

Nope. The Sidekick is not heavy duty enough for a 600mm lens. (I use one with 300/2.8 and 500/4, which are much lighter lenses. Wimberley themselves warns against using with 600mm or 400/2.8 MkI.)

If you will shooting moving subjects, a full gimbal head will be the best tool you can get. This sort of dedicates the tripod to use with only the large lens. It's possible, but a bit of a hassle, to switch to another tripod head for more general use.

You'll need a set of legs to support whatever head you get. I'd recommend a three section leg carbon fiber for strength, sturdiness and vibration dampening qualities. I'd also suggest one tall enough to not need any center column, since a column makes it less stable, too.

I use a Gitzo 1325. It's a few years old and they've changed their model names, so it's called something else now. I wouldn't go with a lighter tripod than that, with 600mm. Might even look for a heavier one.

I went on the Gitzmo site and must say it was incredible how much they have to offer, but equally it is incredibly confusing. I like the idea of carbon fiber as that drops weight significantly. What would you recommend from today's offerings there for a complete setup (tripod + head), and where would be a good place to buy it? Thanks in advance again.

I just got the induro C414 which is pretty beefy and less money then the gitzos

I used a Gitzo GT3531 with a Wimberley head V2 which works great for me.

The Wimberley is the best investment in my view as it make the 600 and camera weightless when in use. I can easily spin the camera to any position with 1 finger.
Expensive, but great

Gitzo 1410/Wimberley head. Sturdiest tripod I've ever used, but it's one heavy mutha. I use a Gitzo gt3541XLS for the most part now, my 1410 has been lost and appropriated.

For the amount of scratch sitting on it I'd want a Gitzo 5 series and a full Wimberley head.