Going large

You’ll want support when using a long, heavy lens

Keep it steady

Big lenses are packed with glass and very heavy, especially ones with wide maximum apertures, so you’ll need a tripod or monopod to help keep them rock steady. Most big lenses come with a bracket so you can attach the lens to your stand rather than the camera body.

Tripod and head

A tripod with a gimbal head is ideal for long lenses as it keeps the lens steady and allows you to scan the scene. If you don’t have a gimbal head you could try a video head, as these let you pan and tilt the lens while providing a bit of friction.

Monopod

Monopods allow you to be more mobile and react quicker than tripods, although with one leg rather than three they are less steady. They take the weight of the lens and prevent vertical camera movement, which makes it easier to search a scene for wildlife.