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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Miles Green" data-source="post: 2707362" data-attributes="member: 117365">Hi Punta! I'm no expert, i don't even have a telescope yet. I use a manual focus Sigma 400 f/5.6, sometimes with a teleconverter. So i'll just share my experience, can't really call it advice...I have a tripod, but often retract 2 legs and use it as a monopod. I recently moved from a ballhead (Arca-swiss B1) to a leveling base + gimbal head (both mid-range, a bit rougher in quality than the arca-swiss). With long lens, i like this support combo a lot more. The camera / lens combo never risks flopping (and banging the lens on the tripod legs), so you can let go of it any time and it will stay pointed where it was. Even at steep angles with a heavy lens. So I find it more relaxing in use. As a bonus all my horizons are straight. With a wide lens mounted, you can use it as a nodal point head for stitched panos.I have some thick piping insulation foam on my tripod legs, and toss it over my shoulder, camera and lens included. On a monopod, there is no use for a leveler base.My cheapish gimbal is the "Sirui". It pans very smoothly, but "sticks" a bit when tilting. Cheap bearings? I think i should have gone for a Wimberley or a Jobu... After all, these are things that last many years. The Arca-swiss is almost 20 years old and still works perfectly. Hope this helps...Cheers,Miles</blockquote>