It's arrived and I feel like I should be sending out cigars. I've only had it out once so far, and had plenty of wind and snow. But I got a few shots of some Sandhill Cranes and found the lens to be just about as advertised - fantastic! Thanks for the advice and feedback from everyone who chimed in on my original post.
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Congratulations! I remember when I got mine. That night I had a dream that I put it on the ground to change lenses and it rolled into the river! I must have had real guilt feelings about the purchase.
I use the lens with a Gitzo 1325, the Gitzo leveling center post, an Arca Swiss B1 and the Sidekick. It took me several heartpounding times when I mounted the Sidekick on the ballhead first and then struggled to side-mount the lens. Duh! Then I realized that it is much easier and safer to mount the Sidekick to the lens first, then just drop the other end of the Sidekick into the waiting ball head. I considered getting the full Wimberly, but I already had the Sidekick. It provides all of the range of motion and stability of the full Wimberly and I am very satisfied with it. Even with the 1.4x or 2x extenders on, the lens balances perfectly. It pans, tilts and rotates easily with what seems like no effort.
I mostly use the lens for shore birds such as egrets, herons, ospreys, etc.
Birds see the lens as an eye looking at them. I had an osprey take off from her nest, circle to a great height and them dive bomb me, pulling up at the last minute.
While others might disagree, I find the lens sharp enough so that many shots, even with the 2X on, are very good. Even when they cme out slightly soft with the 2X, I use Focus Magic and have never had a problem making the prints look crisp.
Good luck with your 500.
