fotogfile

Hi, 1st post so please forgive any errors/wordiness. Am looking to buy a Very Strong and Sturdy tripod/head combination and understand it helps others feedback here to provide specifics, which I will attempt my best to do. I recently purchased what I thought would be a great tripod/monopod combo (as I'm looking to buy both, either eventually or combined and now) on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013UES6NK/ref=od_aui_detailpages01?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

for primarily doing nature/wildlife/sports photography. During a test the day I received it found it would not hold my D7100/14-24 2.8 zoom lens in portrait mode securely so I promptly returned it for a full refund. Since then I've purchased the Fx200-500mm lens which I love so far with hand held shots, but weighs a ton and will subsequently need a Very strong combination of legs/head to hold it securely. I do like the models that have the hook for use in the center tube to hang a cam bag from for additional support, and have already checked out tripods/heads such as Bogen, Manfroto, Gitzo, Benro, Nest, and even the FotoPro TS-83C. I would like to keep my budget at/under $750 for both, and understand carbon fiber is much lighter for deeper adventures in the woods & hiking. Am planning on doing some shooting soon in the Blue Ridge Mtns area(near where I live) and hope to go to Bryce/Zion Nat'l parks next year, along with the GCanyon on the list again as well as Yellowstone(Bison/Grizzly/Wolf/Geyser), the GTetons, and The Most Beautiful place on Earth photogenically (IMHO), Yosemite, where Every turn of your head yields a spectacular shot...

I like to gather as much info as I can, and even with all my review readings here and other places, am still on the fence on the ball/pan head types but do appreciate everyone's POV on each as it generates ideas as to which type would be most beneficial for me & my shooting. I also plan on doing some shooting with "sandy footings" in the OBX as well, so am trying to find the best overall combination for my current/future needs to avoid having to buy/maintain two separate tripod/monopod & head combinations.

Thanks to everyone in advance on what may seem like an overly used question here requiring feedback- it's all greatly appreciated. Also wanted to mention future equipment (HOPEfully, IF Nikon EVER releases more D850s) will be that, and their FX "nature" counterparts - the 14-24/24-70/105 2.8 Nikkor lenses, Sooner than later, I hope....

papa Loc: Rio Dell, CA

When I found that my wimpy Sunpak 6601 UT too lightweight, I went shopping for an "end times" tripod. I did my homework reading reviews on them and with a very limited budget knew that buying used would be best to get the most bang for the buck. I ended up finding a used Gitzo Studex 320 in excellent condition for $78 shipped from another hogger, though w/o head. This tripod sold new back in the day for $510. On ebay I found a NIB Gitzo 2750 Offset Ballhead for $99 shipped (retail $240). It's heavy duty, enough so that it easily supports my gripped Canon 5D Mark III with Tamron SP 150-600 Di VC lens in any position. Had I your budget I may have bought Gitzo, Manfrotto, Oben, or Tiltall and in that order. Hope this helps. We all find need for a sturdy tripod eventually, huh?

papa Loc: Rio Dell, CA

BIG P.S. THE ZOMEI IS JUNK !!!

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

I like 3 Legged Thing Tripods.... I have the older CF "Eddie" travel tripod model...

Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

I had a cheap video tripod it broke and couldn't really get parts. Since even pro video cameras mirrorless cameras like the Sony a7s II etc
we didn't need those enormous expensive video tripods. So a lot of us switched to a medium quality still tripod like the ManFrotto 055.
It is heavy duty has a sliding column and long legs that can go all the way down to the ground if you want to spread it very low.
I put a good video head on it and can put a smaller head on it. If price is a problem I think you will need something over $100.
Here is the tripod from Amazon. Good luck. PS If you are doing nature you can get small sandbags.

One other big feature the column can be moved all the way up and tilts out to a horizontal bar which is very cool

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Which alters the center of gravity & lessens what it can safely hold. Best to not raise the center column at all.

fotogfile

Thanks Papa- Much appreciated & Great insight as I'm also considering looking for the Best Used as well. My only concern w/tripods is the amount of physical abuse they must get with uses similar to what I want/need to do- outdoor shooting, combined with prolonged exposure to the elements and how that affects the subsequent warranties that come with them. Am on the fence on that aspect as well, but very much appreciate your helpful feedback and your time- Very much!

And yes, learned the hard way, as I'm sure others have, that YGWYPF (get what you pay for)...!!! (Gitzmo=Gits Mo of your $$ for Less...)

fotogfile

Thanks SScott- will check it out!

fotogfile

Thanks Tom- much appreciated and thanks for the link! Will check that out as well.

fotogfile

Apologies- meant to say Zomei... Nothing against Gitzmo(Gitzo).. Too many manuf names going through my head...

fotogfile

Thanks again SScott- Great point, esp w/the 200-500 lens. And a good physics lesson as well.... but Thanks Tom for the sandbag idea- good one too! Was thinking my cam bag will More than suffice for them IF it does'nt break the legs... It's actually a very versatile backpack that I've had weighed down to what Feels like Nearly 40 lbs of equipment! I know- only take what you Think you'll need. Another lesson learned..

fotogfile

And Great Galleries btw SScott- Esp love the hummingbird shots- tack sharpness and vivid colors..!

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Thanks !!

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

Hey FOTO, I see you mentioned FotoPro TS-83c in your original post. All I can say that this is a carbon fiber fairly light weight beast with no center column (good thing ).... I bought mine after it was endorsed by Dr. Nikon who is a fellow Hogger. I cannot say enough about the sturdiness and high quality of this tripod.. Just wanted to give a shout out for FotoPro as you don't here much about the brand here.

Bill_de Loc: US

There is a reason the better, heavy duty tripods don't have a center column. If they are there people will use them rather than adjust the legs ... lazy. 3 or 4 section is not really a deciding factor. My 4 section 1548 has lower legs that are much heavier than those on some popular 3 section models.

Although the 200-500 is heavy to you right now, compared to Nikon's 200-400 or 500mm prime it is a lightweight.
A Gimbal head has some advantages over a ball head. Even if you forget to tighten the knobs, if it is set up right the lens won't flop forward.

RSS and Gitzo are my favored brands.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/used/1301005/?c3api=1876%2C89827194362%2C&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrIzJwKHs1gIVQ1mGCh3HyghiEAQYAiABEgJOZfD_BwE--