Tripod suggestion
Mar 17, 2016 22:18:00 #
For you birders with long focal length lenses, I have a tripod question for you.
Yesterday, I received my new Sigma 200-500mm f/2.8 APO EX DG lens which my wife and I will be using for birding. On nice days, our plan is to set up a tripod to mount the lens with one of our Nikon D810s. The camera will be controlled by a remote shutter release which we will use from inside our home when observing birds feeding in a spruce tree which will be about 20 yards from the camera.
Obviously, we are anxious to put the lens to use because it is rated to yield razor sharp images with high quality contrast & colors.
The lens is rather heavy which is why I am asking if anyone might suggest a best tripod to accommodate the need.
Thanking you in advance for your responses.
~Doug~
Yesterday, I received my new Sigma 200-500mm f/2.8 APO EX DG lens which my wife and I will be using for birding. On nice days, our plan is to set up a tripod to mount the lens with one of our Nikon D810s. The camera will be controlled by a remote shutter release which we will use from inside our home when observing birds feeding in a spruce tree which will be about 20 yards from the camera.
Obviously, we are anxious to put the lens to use because it is rated to yield razor sharp images with high quality contrast & colors.
The lens is rather heavy which is why I am asking if anyone might suggest a best tripod to accommodate the need.
Thanking you in advance for your responses.
~Doug~
Mar 17, 2016 22:28:43 #
Mar 17, 2016 22:37:32 #
latebloomer
Loc: Topeka, KS
Zone-System-Grandpa wrote:
For you birders with long focal length lenses, I h... (show quote)
Do a search for Gene 51 on tripods! That will be extremely helpful.
Mar 17, 2016 22:46:03 #
Zone-System-Grandpa wrote:
For you birders with long focal length lenses, I h... (show quote)
I have been using a Gitzo carbon fiber model for 15+ years. It's just one of a number of excellent brands on the market. I like the carbon fiber because it stands up to any environment. Mine has been in the ocean while shooting shore birds, stuck in 2 feet of mud while shooting bears, and birds big and small have taken a dump on it. It all washes off.
Whatever you get, I think you will want it closer than 60 feet. The birds will get used to it in no time, and may even land on that new lens. The image below is uncropped at about 25 feet with an 800mm lens on a full frame camera.
Mar 17, 2016 23:08:02 #
Zone-System-Grandpa wrote:
For you birders with long focal length lenses, I h... (show quote)
buy one rated for over 10 pounds, there are a lot out there that would be great. check into a gimbal head for birds in flight, they make the tracking smooth and easy.
Mar 17, 2016 23:08:26 #
You need to be much closer than 20 yards this uncropped picture was taken with a 600 mm aps camera at 15 feet
Tufted Titmouse
Mar 17, 2016 23:13:53 #
spphoto wrote:
You need to be much closer than 20 yards this uncropped picture was taken with a 600 mm aps camera at 15 feet
FF or Cropped sensor?
Mar 17, 2016 23:44:10 #
Zone-System-Grandpa wrote:
The lens is rather heavy which is why I am asking if anyone might suggest a best tripod to accommodate the need.
Keep in mind that tripods and heads are rated for the breaking load, not the working load. You want a tripod that is rated at about 3 times the weight of the camera and lens, minimum.
For a 30 plus pound lens, that is one big tripod.
Something you might consider is a Majestic tripod with a gear head. They are not modern carbon fiber construction and are way to heavy to backpack with, but for indoors or a setup such as you've described they are ideal.
Mar 17, 2016 23:44:43 #
One of our resident long-lens experts is Carter Bouslaugh, aka MT Shooter, who owns & operates Carter's Camera Cottage, specializing in long-lenses, tripods, and gimbal heads: http://www.cameracottage.com/apps/webstore
Mar 17, 2016 23:46:05 #
If the use of the tripod is only as you described you don't need to carry it anywhere. And since your acquisition of several (I've lost count) D810s indicate you are not short of funds, I would suggest one of these and the biggest ball head that RRS makes.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/31648-REG/Linhof_003323_Heavy_Duty_Pro_Tripod.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/31648-REG/Linhof_003323_Heavy_Duty_Pro_Tripod.html
Mar 18, 2016 00:04:56 #
spphoto wrote:
You need to be much closer than 20 yards this uncropped picture was taken with a 600 mm aps camera at 15 feet
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My apology to all: I erred when I said the camera would be about 20 yards away when I meant to say that my wife and I will be viewing the birds through a window in the house that will be about 20 yards away. As for the distance I will be placing the camera from the tree and the birds, I won't know that distance until I take the camera, the lens, and the tripod outdoors and actually make that decision which very well may be something more like 30 feet or less, depending on our need to have to crop our images once we view them in relationship to how the birds had been located in the frame for final, best composition.
Also, I already have a very heavy duty carbon fiber tripod, but I question its stability when taking into consideration that the lens, alone, weighs 28 pounds. Luckily, it does have a built in handle for carrying !
Best regards & many thanks again,
~Doug~
Mar 18, 2016 00:09:50 #
Zone-System-Grandpa wrote:
You need two additions: a very good gimbel head, such as made by Nest, and a stabilizing weight to hang from your tripod. I use a 1-gallon milk jug filled with water.I already have a very heavy duty carbon fiber tripod . . .
Mar 18, 2016 00:13:08 #
Zone-System-Grandpa wrote:
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Also, I already have a very heavy duty carbon fiber tripod, but I question its stability when taking into consideration that the lens, alone, weighs 28 pounds. Luckily, it does have a built in handle for carrying !
Best regards & many thanks again,
~Doug~
Also, I already have a very heavy duty carbon fiber tripod, but I question its stability when taking into consideration that the lens, alone, weighs 28 pounds. Luckily, it does have a built in handle for carrying !
Best regards & many thanks again,
~Doug~
Check the rating on your tripod. This one is rated for 88 lbs
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=846218&gclid=CIqQzv2uycsCFZUjgQodQRgN8A&is=REG&ap=y&m=Y&c3api=1876%2C92051678642%2C&Q=&A=details
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Mar 18, 2016 00:24:49 #
Quote:
the lens, alone, weighs 28 pounds.
The weight of the lens itself is 34.61 pounds. A tripod and head should support one and one half to twice the total weight of the combined weight of the lens and camera.
A very quick search, I found this one that will support 75 pounds.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=861101&gclid=CK7E9bOwycsCFdgMgQodF9IALg&is=REG&ap=y&c3api=1876%2C52934714882%2C&A=details&Q=
Of course, you could just send the lens to me and I'll pay shipping. :)
Mar 18, 2016 00:48:17 #
traveler90712 wrote:
This tripod id designed for shoulder-mount video cameras with "high rigidity". No tripod head is mentioned, and I doubt a gimbel head could be attached without customizing either the head or the tripod.A very quick search, I found this one that will support 75 pounds. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=861101&gclid=CK7E9bOwycsCFdgMgQodF9IALg&is=REG&ap=y&c3api=1876%2C52934714882%2C&A=details&Q=
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