Ken, there is a really big difference between a 500/4.5 or 4 and a 600/4 (EOS that is). A B1 will be big enough for a 500/4 or 4.5. If a B1 can handle a 600/4 is up in the air. I don't know personally. When you get photo.net to come up you will get many opinion boths ways. I think if you are really going to hike a lot then a B1 would help lighten the load. The B1G looks just right for the 600/4. A B1 would look pretty small but has the stats to say it can handle it. I have been packing my tripod (Gitzo 410), Canon EOS 3, with a 1.4x and the big 600/4 around for some shooting and it is heavy quickly. I am fairly young and in pretty good shape and have a great deal of hiking in my background. The awkwardness makes the outfit harder to pack around than any 60 pound backpack for a long hiking trip. A carbon fiber tripod that shaves 2 pounds off, save another 1 1/2 pounds on a B1 doesn't sound like much but it really is (also the new IS 600/4 is almost 2 pounds slighter than my non IS 600/4). Saving weight anywhere is big. A 500 really is much more portable with the smaller tripod and head for sure. Especially if you plan on going with a digital body down the road with the conversion ratio, the 500 looks nice.
Good luck! John << Thanks again John! So, let's say I get a 500mm or 600/4 down the road - will a B1 be overwhelmed? Ken >> * **** ******* *********************************************************** * For list instructions, including unsubscribe, see: * http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/eos_list.htm ***********************************************************
