DA560/5,6

I'm 6'1" i am by no means physically fit or muscular... No i was unable to take pictures home, it was pre-production and had a pre-production K-5II on the back. I just put my 500/4.5 on with its 1.4x TC and held it at the edge of its hood with the hood extended about 19 inches from the eye piece. sure its more comfortable where the tripod grip is but its still easily holdable. based on the lens diagram of the 560 the closes you can decently hold the tripod grip would put your hand 12.5 inches from the eye piece which just happens to be the same distance i hold my 500+1.4x at all the time.

Again people making assumptions with poor imaginations and lack of experience.

Do some measuring yourself if you must, i was being generous with the 12.5 inch positioning, it might be even closer. its 20.5 inches to a little bit in front of the front element and you lose about half an inch in the body of the camera.

I don't thing you can remove the grip, you can't on the sigma either.

EDIT ADD: I should add that i did have the 15lb F*600mm F4.0 for a month, i used it exclusively hand held and its ergonomics (position of the tripod grip) were worse. I did sell it due to its weight but that was only because it was taxing on my neck and shoulders and my arm after several hours in the field, i can hold the 500/4.5 which is less then half the weight and the same weight as the 560 all day long.

--
Mike from Canada
"I am not a great photographer! God is a great creator! All I do is capture His creation with the tools He has provided me."
'I like to think so far outside the box that it would require a telephoto lens just to see the box!' ~ 'My Quote :)'
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