Tripod and head for 100-400 w/40D???

[Maurice Allen]

Shopping for the best tripod/head combo for my new setup. I will be using this handheld mostly but in low light was wanting a tripod. The Gitzo 3530/40 legs and Markins M-10 or Mongoose 2.3 are my current front runners.

Maurice

[George DeCamp]

Hey Maurice!

Nice setup, good luck with it!

I think if you are after wildlife the Mongoose will work well for you with the Gitzo you mentioned (3530). The Mongoose will have an easier movement for birds etc. On the other hand if you do more landscape stuff with other lenses the Markins is what you want. Sounds like you will use the 100-400 though mostly so the Mongoose is a good choice.

With either one the Gitzo 3530 is a winner, that is the tripod I use and I love it!

[Anita Rakestraw]

I use the 3530 S and the M 20 - they're great!!!

[Maurice Allen]

Thanks for the info, I do some landscapes also so a ballhead of some type is in my future also. I know the 3 series legs are a little overkill for my current setup but may rent a 500 this winter. :)

[John Chardine]

If you have any aspirations to use a 500 in the future I would consider the Mongoose 3.5a gimbal head which will also work well with the 100-400.

[Robert O'Toole]

I am with John, The Mongoose M3.5 is the way too go. A ball head is too heavy, too expensive and is a disaster waiting to happen with a heavy lens.

If need to shoot with a wide angle there is an adapter, the C-90, available.

I have been using the M3.5 for almost 2 years without a problem and the manf support is top notch.

Robert

[David Billingsley]

Maurice,

One more vote for the Mongoose M3.5a head. I use both the 500 F4 and 100-400 on a 3530 LSV. Great combo.

Hope this helps - dave b.

[MichaelM]

Curious what motivated the Mongoose users to chose it over a full gimbal head??

I recently added a 500/4.5 and my Sidekick/Markins M20 are marginally acceptable. I started the search for a replacement head with the Mongoose 3.5, and the full Wimberly as my options. Then switched to the idea of a Jobu BW, or Jobu Jr with the horizontal add-on. The Mongoose got knocked out of the running for two reasons..the fact that it is a side mount and that the Sigma 500 has a very tall foot that I was afraid would move the lens barrel too far off plumb center of the Mongoose.

I often use the M20 and swapping the ball head off for the gimbal style is critical.

I'd appreciate hearing more from those of you who are using these heads...especially if you are using the Sigma 500/4.5.

[John Chardine]

....snip.
The Mongoose got knocked out of the running for two reasons..the fact that it is a side mount and that the Sigma 500 has a very tall foot that I was afraid would move the lens barrel too far off plumb center of the Mongoose.

Not sure about the Sigma but the Canon 500 (and 600 I assume) foot is removable and replaced with a shorter foot that keeps the centre of gravity of the lens over the midpoint of the Mongoose.

[MichaelM]

Not sure about the Sigma but the Canon 500 (and 600 I assume) foot is removable and replaced with a shorter foot that keeps the centre of gravity of the lens over the midpoint of the Mongoose.

The other Sigma I own (300/2.8, 70-200/2.8 & 150 macro) all share the same removable collar and foot. But the 500's doesn't appear to come off, unfortunately.