support for Canon 300mm F2.8 IS

[Jeff Nadler]

For those using this lens, is a Wimberley head necessary and preferred or will a quality ballhead (I own a Kirk BH-1) work WELL?

[Johnny Bravo]

Jeff, Get a Sidekick, or, better yet: Get a Bushmaster!! A quality ballhead will work, albeit frustratingly (as ballheads are just frustrating in my view. They're great for product work, studios, or macro, but I've found them horribly frustrating for wildlife photography compared to a gimbal head)

When the light is good (not dim) I've found that I use the bushmaster for all but my 600, (or shorter lenses when the TC's go on) more often then not. It's fast on target acquisition (faster than any other piece of gear) and tracking for moving targets.

If you do buy one, ditch the $*(%U&#*!!!! strap they sell with it. I'll guarantee you that you WILL drop your rig if you don't replace it.

[Mike Tracy]

Jeff,
" I've found that I use the bushmaster for all but my 600, (or shorter lenses when the TC's go on) more often then not."
.

Curious why you don't use it with TC's.

[Bonnie Block]

Jeff, I use a sidekick--it works perfectly well.
I also use a monopod with a with a Bogen/Manfrotto 3232 Swivel Tilt head with the lens.
Wish I was brave enough to trade my 300/2.8 for your 500/4!

[Grady Weed]

I use a Bogen Ballhead on my 300 2.8 Jeff. I wish I had a sidekick or a similar tripod head. I want to buy the tripod along with this head at B&H.

Wimberley Gimbal Type Tripod Head II - with Arca Swiss-Type Quick Release Base (Requires Plate)

Gitzo GT-5560SGT Giant Systematic 6X Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs (No Column) - Supports 55 lbs

[Maxis Gamez]

Hey Jeff,

I would go with the sidekick and a good bald head. The 300mm f/2.8 is IDEAL for this set up. I had my 500mm with the sidekick but I was pushing it, I now have a wimberly.

[Jeff Nadler]

I have a Wimberley I but wondering if overkill for the lens.

[Maxis Gamez]

My mistake. I was thinking the 300mm f/4. Sorry about that!

[Steve Roman]

Yes the wimberly is not designed for the 300.

Never heard that before. Perhaps not the 300/4 but the 300/2.8 works very well on a Wimberly as well as a Sidekick.

[Maxis Gamez]

Never heard that before. Perhaps not the 300/4 but the 300/2.8 works very well on a Wimberly as well as a Sidekick.

Yes! You are correct.

[garyyoss]

How about the Sidekick for a Nikon 200-400VR would that be pushing it?

[Maxis Gamez]

I'm not familiar with that set up but I'm sure you will be okay. However, make sure you have a solid ballhead like the Kirk 1.

[c.w. moynihan]

A good ball head is fine for that lense. If you shoot BIF, then handhold it with the 1.4TC attached.

[Charlie Woodrich]

I use a BH-55 ballhead without TC's and a Wimberly with TC's.

[Eric Wikander]

I use a full WHead and like it. I also throw on a 500mm from time to time so it is nice to have the support. i agree you can get away with a side kick or contact Artie about those heads that are smaller and lighter the name escapes me at the moment.

[James Prudente]

Hey Jeff,

I would go with the sidekick and a good bald head. The 300mm f/2.8 is IDEAL for this set up. I had my 500mm with the sidekick but I was pushing it, I now have a wimberly.

I have a bald head and it doesn't work worth a hoot for any of my lenses.:D So I use a ball head and Sidekick or full Wimberley for all of my lenses that have a tripod collar.

Jim

[Robert Redd]

what is a "bushmaster"?

[Robert O'Toole]

I use a full WHead and like it. I also throw on a 500mm from time to time so it is nice to have the support. i agree you can get away with a side kick or contact Artie about those heads that are smaller and lighter the name escapes me at the moment.

Eric the head is a Mongoose M3.5 and the company is 4th Gen design. The products are excellent and the head is super. For more info see: Birds as Art
I have been using my M3.5 for a year now and the layer of dust on my WII is getting thicker by the day.

Robert