I recently rented a high-end Canon 28-300mm lens. It didn't have image stabilization but that was OK as it had a mount ring and there's no way I was going to use it without a tripod. It was so friggin heavy!!! But it was very cool. I'm planning on either renting telephoto lenses more for both wildlife phototraphy and sports photography.
I have to say though, I was using it with an Canon Digital XTi SLR with a 1.6 APC sized sensor which I guess made it an effective 45-480mm, and I have to say it didn't magnify as much as I expected. I might play with a 500mm lens as well.
That being the case though, what other equipment should I get? I'm thinking I might need to rent a better tripod than the lightweight one I have now and a better ball-and-head. Any other suggestions? My biggest concern is protecting it, carrying it around, and making sure the image is sharp.
My largest lens I have in the Canon 600mm, and this is one heck of a gun. Of course Canon's IA works very well, but if you are into nature photos like I am I would recommend using a wood tripod which you can get from B&H Photo. The wood will not transmit vibration as much as a graphite tripod. They are a little more heavy but well worth it. You will need to get a good ball and head. Speaking of vibration you should get damper pads. They are used for telescopes, but work well for big camera lenses. 3 small rubber pads you place under the feet of the tripod. They help to kill much of the vibration that comes from someone walking by you.
When you get up to 400, 500, and 600mm you should try a Wimberley. It is a rocking mechanism that allows easy motion of the larger lenses. Not cheap...but well worth it.
These are the three things I have used with my 600mm and what a difference they have made.
Hope this helps. By the way the blue links for the wood tripod and the Wimberley will take you to B&H Photo. The blue link for the damper pads (isolation pads) will take you to Amazon.
Hope this helps.
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