Hi again,

Have had a Canon 300 2.8 for high school field sports and have used the Manfrotto 680B monopod. I am looking to buy a Canon 400 2.8 and I know it is twice as heavy. Will I need a heavier duty monopod or anything else I should know with the 400? I do like to carry it over my shoulder.

Thanks,

Jim

It might be marginal, but try it and see. You're not going to break it on the first outing.

FWIW, I have written moderately extensively about monopod use with the 400 f/2.8 here.

Nill

Hi Nill,

Thank you, I will look at the link.

Jim

I've been using a Gitzo 5 series for the last 2 HS football seasons. I absolutely love it. I fits my hand nicely, and I have no second thoughts about stability of the monopod with my 1D2 and 400. I had the 680B before with my 300. It did a good job with it. But, I feel the Gitzo 5 does a better job.

Jim

jhom which Gitzo 5? GM5561T or GM5541?

I'm using a Gitzo G1588 carbon monopod with my 400/2.8 and it's a great combination & is fine for carrying over the shoulder.

I've only ever used the 680B's, never a problem, mine gets carried for miles, through fences, rough terrain, bad weather

The only thing I do different is remove the 234RC head I use on smaller lenses and screw 690B straight into the 400 foot

I also use the Manfrotto 680 with a 400mm 2.8 and never had any problems with the set, but the rubber feet have been replaced by Steel Retractable Spiked Foot Adapter. For the price I think is the best cost benefit.

I am using Gitzo GM5541 for 500L with RRS monopod head just fine. I wish Gitzo makes this carbon-fiber monopods bit bigger in diameter. But Ok.

I have that exact monopod and it worked fine with my old Mk1 400 2.8.

dolina wrote:
jhom which Gitzo 5? GM5561T or GM5541?

GM5540.

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the information. So, it looks like the 680B is good enough, but you prefer the GM5540.

Thanks,

Jim

Hi Pierre,

Thanks for the reply. Another vote for Gitzo.

Jim

Hi Derek,

Exactly what I wanted to hear.

Thanks,

Jim

Hi Ari,

Another vote for the 680B. Thank you for your response.

Jim

Breitling65,

Sounds like the GM5540 is very popular.

Thank you for responding.

Jim

Hi Will,

Sounds like the 680B will do the job. Nice to know that I do not need to spend anymore money on a monopod.

Thanks,

Jim

I use my 400 2.8L IS on a Feisol 1471 with a RRS Mono-Pod head and it is a great combination for me.

Hi Steve,

That is what Nill (above) went with after his research. Far less than his Gitzo and 67% as good if I recall the link.

Thanks,

Jim

Breitling65 wrote:
I am using Gitzo GM5541 for 500L with RRS monopod head just fine. I wish Gitzo makes this carbon-fiber monopods bit bigger in diameter. But Ok.

Why do you like it bigger in diameter
It's big and strong enough for any lens Canon sell. I use it all the time to carry my 800+TC over the shoulder.

I also use the low-priced Manfrotto 681 & 681B for that lens. So those will work good for the (O.P.) with the 400/2,8 if he don't like to spend a lot of money