Wildlife Tripod: I'm looking for help in deciding which way to go with a tripod for Wildlife photography. I recently acquired a Canon 500 mm f4 lens and I have an Induro gimbal. I've...

Stevea57

I'm looking for help in deciding which way to go with a tripod for Wildlife photography. I recently acquired a Canon 500 mm f4 lens and I have an Induro gimbal. I've been looking at Benro, Induro, Gitzo etc. My question is more specifically would it be best to get a tripod with a flat platform which would accept a self leveling attachment, etc., with a gimbal or would a screw top 3/16 thread be sufficient with a gimbal attached?

Ronsh Loc: Floresville,Tx.

Stevea57 wrote:

I'm looking for help in deciding which way to go with a tripod for Wildlife photography. I recently acquired a Canon 500 mm f4 lens and I have an Induro gimbal. I've been looking at Benro, Induro, Gitzo etc. My question is more specifically would it be best to get a tripod with a flat platform which would accept a self leveling attachment, etc., with a gimbal or would a screw top 3/16 thread be sufficient with a gimbal attached?

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Ronsh Loc: Floresville,Tx.

How do you like lens. Is it the old one or the new one. What camera are you putting it on? Ya I want one too!

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

A method for fast and easy leveling of the platform is highly desireable with a gimbal. .... !

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PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Stevea57 wrote:

I'm looking for help in deciding which way to go with a tripod for Wildlife photography. I recently acquired a Canon 500 mm f4 lens and I have an Induro gimbal. I've been looking at Benro, Induro, Gitzo etc. My question is more specifically would it be best to get a tripod with a flat platform which would accept a self leveling attachment, etc., with a gimbal or would a screw top 3/16 thread be sufficient with a gimbal attached?

For Wildlife you need to use a Gimbal Head. Your lens should have an attachment for a quick release plate Arca Swiss plate. That would that would mount to a Arca Swiss clamp.

https://www.amazon.com/UTEBIT-Release-Plates-Camera-universal/dp/B06ZZQSJBN/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1522259614&sr=8-5&keywords=camera+quick+release+mount

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Stevea57 wrote:

I'm looking for help in deciding which way to go with a tripod for Wildlife photography. I recently acquired a Canon 500 mm f4 lens and I have an Induro gimbal. I've been looking at Benro, Induro, Gitzo etc. My question is more specifically would it be best to get a tripod with a flat platform which would accept a self leveling attachment, etc., with a gimbal or would a screw top 3/16 thread be sufficient with a gimbal attached?

What len(es)?

genehp Loc: carbondale,PA

Try me photo you will be surprised about price, Ibought mine at b&h check it out.

Properframe Loc: US Virginia

Three solid brand choices Steve. You will spend a little return shipping but maybe try what I did. I eventually omitted the Induro, ordered the Benro COM48CXL and the Gitzo 3543XLS. Put them side by side. Compared them with my gimbal WH200. Really wanted to keep the Benro as it was so close for much less. And they give you the travel bag too! But twisting on them confirmed the Gitzo was just more solid. So though it was a couple hundred less I returned the Benro. Cost about $20 to ship back. Figure what qualities you want, narrow it down and try them out. If near a reputable shop see if they can offer advice and enough stock to try. Of course it would then be proper to purchase the item from them for their help and courtesy. Maybe see if they have any small extra value item to throw in as they know you just ate some sales tax.
I have had no issues leveling the gimbal just using the tripod legs. That is just me, YMMV.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Stevea57 wrote:

I'm looking for help in deciding which way to go with a tripod for Wildlife photography. I recently acquired a Canon 500 mm f4 lens and I have an Induro gimbal. I've been looking at Benro, Induro, Gitzo etc. My question is more specifically would it be best to get a tripod with a flat platform which would accept a self leveling attachment, etc., with a gimbal or would a screw top 3/16 thread be sufficient with a gimbal attached?

I'm so sorry, I should have read your post more carefully.

Anyway, many better tripods offer a leveling base - basically a low profIle flat platform with a domed bottom and "bowl" receptor assembly with a bubble level that allows you to get the mounting platform level whill the head is mouted on the platform. The bowl is a feature typically found on video tripods because most video heads only offer vertical and horizontal movements - in similar fashion to a gimbal head.

Depending on the tripod, it usually comes in the form of a user-installable assembly that replaces a non-adjustable platform. Gitzo, RRS (my personal favorite), Induro, Feisol and other high end tripods offer this. You are definitely looking at the right gear, btw.

TomV Loc: Annapolis, Maryland

I use a Feisol CT-3471 that has a 4" diameter flat top. I could put on a quick-level Leveling Base LB-75100 on it if desired. I shoot birds with large lenses and a LensMaster gimbal and have not had the need for the LB. I can see the use of the LB if you are using something other than a gimbal. I guess I typically shoot on level surfaces so it is easy to set the legs to about the same length do the fine tuning with the gimbal.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

TomV wrote:

I use a Feisol CT-3471 that has a 4" diameter flat top. I could put on a quick-level Leveling Base LB-75100 on it if desired. I shoot birds with large lenses and a LensMaster gimbal and have not had the need for the LB. I can see the use of the LB if you are using something other than a gimbal. I guess I typically shoot on level surfaces so it is easy to set the legs to about the same length do the fine tuning with the gimbal.

Yes, uneven ground becomes much more challenging ....

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rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

For critical shots, a leveling base is required, makes it quick and easy to achieve a stable and level platform. All of these will have a mounting screw that will allow you to attach a gimbal head.

jcboy3

Stevea57 wrote:

I'm looking for help in deciding which way to go with a tripod for Wildlife photography. I recently acquired a Canon 500 mm f4 lens and I have an Induro gimbal. I've been looking at Benro, Induro, Gitzo etc. My question is more specifically would it be best to get a tripod with a flat platform which would accept a self leveling attachment, etc., with a gimbal or would a screw top 3/16 thread be sufficient with a gimbal attached?

Tripods with leveling bases are pretty large. They are very convenient for quick setup. I have a couple, but I rarely use them for wildlife because I'm more interested in portability. And less interested in stability because I'm shooting high shutter speeds.

I sometimes use an Acratech leveling base; it's compact with a large bubble. It's similar to their ball heads, just squatter and with less adjustment.

But really, with a little practice, you can level up a tripod pretty quickly with leg adjustments as long as it has a good bubble. Two leg adjustments and you're ready to go. Pick the leg that the bubble is closest to and shorten until the bubble lines up with another leg. Then shorten that leg until the bubble is in the center. Practice a couple of times, and it becomes automatic.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

TomV wrote:

I use a Feisol CT-3471 that has a 4" diameter flat top. I could put on a quick-level Leveling Base LB-75100 on it if desired. I shoot birds with large lenses and a LensMaster gimbal and have not had the need for the LB. I can see the use of the LB if you are using something other than a gimbal. I guess I typically shoot on level surfaces so it is easy to set the legs to about the same length do the fine tuning with the gimbal.

I use the same tripod and base with a gimbal and even with an Arca-Swiss Z1 ball head for quick pano shots. I just level the base and use the in-camera leveling indicators to get it level one time, then I can move the tripod to another location and just use the LB to square things up again.