Willima wrote: I am wondering what the big lens owners are using to support their large sized glass? I am interested in the advantages and disadvantages of the various heads out there capable of supporting a super telephoto in the 3.3 kilogram range.
REPLY: The lens isn't that heavy (the FA* 600/4 weights more than twice as much) so a sturdy ball head or pan/tilt head should be able to do the job. You have to decide if you want something that is the ultimate in stability (pan/tilt - video head) or if you want something that can be pointed in most directions fast (ball head). If it is the latter you're after the larger Manfrotto/Bogen heads should do the job just fine. They are as sturdy as they get but may lack the smootness of the more expensive heads like the Arca-swiss. The "problem" is the generic quick release plates that will inevitably come loose or twist from time to time due to torque provided with such a long an heavy lens. Some solve this problem with custom plates for the Arca-Swiss system but in mine opinion this is rather pointless unless money is no issue. Gitzo have some really sturdy pan-tild head, but frankly I find them cumbersome to use with such long lenses. If you had an even heavier lens I would recommend a large fluid video head. Here Manfrotto/Bogen have som real nice ones thats affordable. Some use gimbal heads as well, like the Wimberley. Both a video and a gimball head force you to level the tripod in order to work most effectively. A fluid video head could be something to consider if you will use the lens with converters a lot. Pål
