Need your help for wildlife and sports with a F* 600mm

iFoto · 12-21-2009, 06:19 AM

i'm quite happy - finally got a F* 600

next to my beloved F* 300
wanted to do some more wildlife (bears, icebears and "the big five")
actually i'm not really interrested in small birds
but i want to do some more outdoorsports, like surfing etc. as well
got allready a Monopod "Manfrotto 680", which can hold the F* 600
but it feels a little tricky and unsave for me, don't have very strong arms

how do you manage to handle these heavy lenses on wildlife-shootings?
does it need a Tripod - Wooden or Carbon
or is it better to start with a Bean Bag
will it need a Gimbal Head
which Lens Plates will fit to the F* 600
i do have to travel mainly by flight - not so many bears in germany

so size an weight has to be as small as possible
i hope you can help me
thank you, jan

**Eaglerapids** · 12-21-2009, 07:56 AM

Well, I'm jealous you got that lens so I'm not going to do all your research for you:-).
I guess if you were worried about weight you wouldn't have bought that lens!
If it were me I'd run out and get a big ole carbon Gitzo tripod and a Wimberley gimbal head and plates to match.
Cheap out on your support and be dissatisfied with your blurry photos.
Congrats on your purchase and I can't wait to see your photos!

Wheatfield · 12-21-2009, 08:11 AM

Buy a tripod and a gimbal head.
This is not a good time to shop based on price.
Gitzo is good, the Feisol 3371 that I use under my 600 has been quite satisfactory.
Either a Wimberley or King Cobra head would be good.
You are probably looking at 1k or so for a support.
I won't advise you on a QR plate, I don't know your lens. My A*600/5.6 tripod mount is set quite far back, so I had to go to a long plate for balance. Use the shortest plate you can that allows for balancing the lens/camera combination.

iFoto · 12-21-2009, 09:20 AM

@ Wheatfield
does a Kirk King Cobra hold the 7,6 kg
what do you think about the new Jobu BWG PRO?
look the same as the Wimberley for me.
and it's less expensive than the Wimberley here in europe

@ Eaglerapids
haven't made fotos with the 600 yet, just got it
but, if you like, you can have a look at some F* 300 shots

wildlife
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izCNG28Beis

sports
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPC95l2U3B4

**Eaglerapids** · 12-21-2009, 12:53 PM

Very cool slideshows iFoto, those Leopard seals are awesome!
May I ask what program you used to put them together?

iFoto · 12-21-2009, 01:06 PM

thanks a lot, you like the fotos

i use Mac, so of cause i made with iMovie
its basic, but very easy to use

Jonson PL · 12-27-2009, 03:29 PM

Wow, I would love to see Leopard seals one day. Congrats on the lens, looking forward to your work from it.

You could talk to Jostein about support, he’s got the FA* 600/4 :
Alunfoto: 600mm early attempts

Edit :
Marc also has experience with the big lenses :
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/field-accessories/80342-gitzo-gt3541xls-f...er-tripod.html

Last edited by Jonson PL; 12-29-2009 at 04:45 PM.

12-21-2009, 06:19 AM	#1
iFoto Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 177	*Need your help for wildlife and sports with a F 600mm** i'm quite happy - finally got a F* 600 next to my beloved F* 300 wanted to do some more wildlife (bears, icebears and "the big five") actually i'm not really interrested in small birds but i want to do some more outdoorsports, like surfing etc. as well got allready a Monopod "Manfrotto 680", which can hold the F* 600 but it feels a little tricky and unsave for me, don't have very strong arms how do you manage to handle these heavy lenses on wildlife-shootings? does it need a Tripod - Wooden or Carbon or is it better to start with a Bean Bag will it need a Gimbal Head which Lens Plates will fit to the F* 600 i do have to travel mainly by flight - not so many bears in germany so size an weight has to be as small as possible i hope you can help me thank you, jan

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12-21-2009, 07:56 AM	#2
Eaglerapids Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Idaho,USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,619	Well, I'm jealous you got that lens so I'm not going to do all your research for you:-). I guess if you were worried about weight you wouldn't have bought that lens! If it were me I'd run out and get a big ole carbon Gitzo tripod and a Wimberley gimbal head and plates to match. Cheap out on your support and be dissatisfied with your blurry photos. Congrats on your purchase and I can't wait to see your photos!

12-21-2009, 08:11 AM	#3
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	Buy a tripod and a gimbal head. This is not a good time to shop based on price. Gitzo is good, the Feisol 3371 that I use under my 600 has been quite satisfactory. Either a Wimberley or King Cobra head would be good. You are probably looking at 1k or so for a support. I won't advise you on a QR plate, I don't know your lens. My A*600/5.6 tripod mount is set quite far back, so I had to go to a long plate for balance. Use the shortest plate you can that allows for balancing the lens/camera combination.

12-21-2009, 09:20 AM	#4
iFoto Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 177 Original Poster	@ Wheatfield does a Kirk King Cobra hold the 7,6 kg what do you think about the new Jobu BWG PRO? look the same as the Wimberley for me. and it's less expensive than the Wimberley here in europe @ Eaglerapids haven't made fotos with the 600 yet, just got it but, if you like, you can have a look at some F* 300 shots wildlife http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izCNG28Beis sports http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPC95l2U3B4

12-21-2009, 12:53 PM	#5
Eaglerapids Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Idaho,USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,619	Very cool slideshows iFoto, those Leopard seals are awesome! May I ask what program you used to put them together?

12-21-2009, 01:06 PM	#6
iFoto Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 177 Original Poster	thanks a lot, you like the fotos i use Mac, so of cause i made with iMovie its basic, but very easy to use

12-27-2009, 03:29 PM	#7
Jonson PL Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Copenhagen Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,842	Wow, I would love to see Leopard seals one day. Congrats on the lens, looking forward to your work from it. You could talk to Jostein about support, he’s got the FA* 600/4 : Alunfoto: 600mm early attempts Edit : Marc also has experience with the big lenses : https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/field-accessories/80342-gitzo-gt3541xls-f...er-tripod.html Last edited by Jonson PL; 12-29-2009 at 04:45 PM.