Tripod for Canon 500mm f/4

Just posted this on "Canon SLR Lens Talk". Would like your comments also.

I have been thinking about purchasing a Canon 500mm f/4 lens. My question is what tripod? Michael Reichmannin Luminous-Landscape recommends the following:

Gitrzo 1348 with a leveling base and a Arca B1 head. Add a Wimberly Sidekick and P50 plate.

I'm interested in comments from you who have had experience in this area. Also, my present tripod has seen it useful days. Can I use this tripod for the rest of my lens or will it be too heavy. I haven't been to concerned about weight up to now (have a 400mm 5.6 and 70-200 f/2.8L) but I'm getting into a different "ball park" now. At least, I think I am. I have no experience in this area.

Thanks a million for your comments!

i use a Wimberly Sidekick on an Acratech Ultimate Ballhead (highly recommend the model with the rubber knobs) on a Giottos 8180 Carbon fiber tripod with my 500/f4L IS lens.

i use a wimberly P40 quick release plate on the foot of my 500. it seems to be long enough to properly balance my lens/DSLR body setup. i've shot my 500 on using this tripod setup with a 20D or 1D Mark II N body (also have used the Canon EF 1.4x II TC and the Canon EF 2x II TC's with both bodies) on the 500 with no issues. the P40 plate was long enough to allow for proper balancing.

the P50 plate is only 17mm longer than the P40 plate, so it should give you a little bit more length flexibility to achieve balance if needed, but you might want to think about whether that extra 17mm will be a problem for you or not based on what your situation is gonna be like. the P40 plate is already about 6cm (2 1/4 inches) longer than the factory foot on the 500, so the P50 plate will stick out another 1.7cm (5/8 inch) more. it might not be a big deal, but if you hand hold or use a monopod, you may have another 1.7mm of length to catch something on - just depends on your situation.

the acra-swiss B1 head and sidekick ought to be a very nice setup - i opted for the acratech head because it was a few ounces lighter. the Gitzo 1348 is a wonderful tripod that you can't go wrong with - that's Gitzo in general. i went with the Giottos because of my budget - if my budget allowed, i would have gotten a Gitzo

i rarely use my Giottos 8180 for shooting with my non-telephoto gear because it's much heavier than needed. i have a 2nd light weight tripod for my non-telephoto stuff, but if i'm travelling with a weight limit and i am carrying my telephoto gear, i use my heavy tripod.

if you are planning a 600/f4L IS in the future, i would suggest that you go with a full wimberly head instead of the sidekick. the 500 is probably as heavy as i would go with a sidekick setup.

sorry for the long reply, but i hope this helps.

I have used this same lens handheld without any problems whatsoever, and the results are perfect. The only downside is it gets a bit heavy after about 2 hours.
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It is all about the moment…
once passed…never retrieved…
once captured…never forgotten.

This IS the essence of photography

The first year I had the 500, I used it hand held exclusively, and (with a bit of practice) could get consistent results at 1/125th. Although initially a bit of a strain on the arms, you soon get accustomed to it.

Last year however, I decided to invest in a Kingcobra gimble mount, as I wanted to use slower shutter speeds (for better panning effects and prop/rotor blur for my aviation pics). Mounted on an aging Manfrotto 055, I've been very pleased with the results (panned shots at 1/30th with a 1.4 convertor attached are usually just fine ... those that aren't are usually down to the subject vibrating or bouncing around!).

I would say though that the Manfrotto is only just adequate - I would be happier with something a little more rigid.

Cheers,

Colin
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Colin K. Work
[email protected]
http://www.ckwphoto.com

I would recommend the Gitzo 1325 as (more than?) adequate. I am waiting for delivery of the new GT3530LSV, which is lighter and spec'ed to hold over 40lbs.

Shots like this: http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=5898152
and this: http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1159033/L/

These are just a few that I have. If one uses this lens for birding, or in the field for say wildlife, then a great tripod comes in handy as the waiting and anticipation tends to be longer than shooting aviation...for that, I use the Manfrotto 3021BPro legs, and the 488RC4 head...hope this helps...
T
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It is all about the moment…
once passed…never retrieved…
once captured…never forgotten.

This IS the essence of photography

I have the 600 and I use Gitzo 1548 + Wimberley WH-200, but for the lighter 500 I'd recommend the Gitzo 1325, sturdy but lighter than the 1548.

I'd suggest to get the WH-200 - not the sidekick - both for the 500 of the 600.



600 f4 on WH-200

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Juza
Nature photographer
http://www.juzaphoto.com