jmccl Loc: Western Shore of Utah Lake

Gotta love B H PhotoVideo. I just did some research on chat with them and I'd like some feedback from fellow 'hoggers on their recommendation. I have several heavy cameras including a mini SpeedGraphic, Linhof 617 pano, and some heavy 300mm f/4.5 and a 600mm reflex. When I use my cheap plastic tripods the head sags so I can't get a level horizon and when I adjust left/right/up/down the movement in the head binds and is jerky. Also, there is a lot of "slop" between the camera and the head making framing imprecise. The $1000 Novoflex and Slik were too much for my budget so the chat technician at B&H recommended the Sirui W-1204 coupled with a Manfrotto XPRO. I would appreciate feedback as to whether anybody has any negative experience with these and based on your experience will I get smooth framing movement and solid lock down. If you have other suggestions in the $300 - $400 package range (less if the product fits my desires) please share your opinions with me. Thanks.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1156935-REG/sirui_bsrw1204_w_series_waterproof_tripod.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1034870-REG/manfrotto_mhxpro_3w_3_way_pan_tilt_head.html

ChristianHJensen

For a heavy setup, I don't think you want a head with quick release plates like that one. An Arca type plate/clamp system is way sturdier. For a tripod, I would look at something without a center column as the column add a lot of wiggle to the setup. Take a look at Leofoto - they make some terrific sturdy carbon tripods at very reasonable prices. I have the 404C, which is a really heavy duty version - it is about $500 but comparable to the top end tripods costing north of $1k

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

I know quality tripods are very expensive. They are even more expensive if you try to cut corners before you buy a top end tripod. I know this from experience. Save your money until you can get a quality setup.

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

The Sirui tripod is ok, but the head is for the birds - it shakes like a leaf in the wind. Sirui has better, more stable tripods, btw.

Why not get a K30X or K40X ball head?

here is a video that shows that the smaller, K30X ballhead doesn't sag - and you don't have to lock it down to the point that you can't move it without loosening it. It has an 8.5 lb load - D800 and Sigma Sport 150-600 - on it. it is sitting on top of a Feisol CT-3442 tripod.

Attached file:
(Download)

pendennis

My preference for tripod heads goes toward a 3-axis head. I've used both the 3-axis and ball heads, and after 50 years of photography, I'm solidly in the 3-axis camp, although I do own a couple of good ball heads.

There are a number of 3-axis heads out there using the Arca-Swiss plate system, and I've converted all my Bogen/Manfrotto 3047's and 3039 to Arca-Swiss.

Ball heads are an acquired taste, and difficult to use unless you practice at using them. Some people do get a bit unsettled by the total free movement of those heads when not locked down.

As a couple of respondents have mentioned, don't skimp on either the head or the tripod legs. Nothing is worse than a head or tripod that doesn't feel solid. If it doesn't feel solid, it probably isn't.

CO

I have the Manfrotto XPRO 3-Way pan/tilt head that you supplied a link for. I like the head a lot except for Manfrotto's quick release system. The head is made of aluminum and is very precisely machined. All three axes move without any slop and is has adjustable friction. The handles collapse in to make it more compact when transporting it. The quick release is the part I'm disappointed with. The lever often will not rotate enough by itself to completely lock in the quick release plate. I have to always push it to make sure everything is securely clamped. I'm starting to buy heads that have Arca-Swiss clamps. I purchased the Acratech Nomad ball head.

Benro recently redesigned their 3-way pan/tilt heads and they now have Arca-Swiss clamps. They are the HD1A (11lb capacity), HD2A (17.6lb capacity), and the HD3A (26.4lb capacity).

Benro HD1A, HD2A, HD3A now have Arca-Swiss clamps

queencitysanta Loc: Charlotte, North Carolina

Check with MT shooter on the board, Carter's Camera Cottage

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2018/06/black-rifle-blow-ups-the-kaboom-collection/

Whatever Carter tells you take it to the bank

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

I agree with others. The Leofoto 404C is a carbon fiber tripod that is built like a tank and extend taller than most. Benro makes high quality tripods and heads as well. I recently bought the Benro geared head ($200) and it is rock-solid and the fine adjustments of the three axis makes it perfect for macro work, landscape, and panoramas.

queencitysanta Loc: Charlotte, North Carolina

Sorry wrong link for Cater's Camera Cottage

http://www.cameracottage.com/tripods

The tripod I got will go to 7 feet and support a tank. NT 404 CT

queencitysanta Loc: Charlotte, North Carolina

Sorry wrong link

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

Unfortunately you will find it difficult to find both tripod and head within the $300-$400 range that will support heavy gear adequately and also not slip. You need to make sure that the capacity of each is more than adequate, especially since weight is not the only factor determining support and stability. For instance, when you adjust the shooting angle, the weight is no longer truly centered over the tripod, which results in a different set of forces. To help understand what to look for, read this: http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/tripod-guide RRS gear is above your budget, but the principles still apply to other gear.

Pay attention to what Gene51 suggested above.

zzzynick Loc: Colorado

ebay. I bought a 3046 Monfrotto tripod for 100 dollars.
Google it.
It's not new, its heavy, raises up to 8 foot, and it's steady as a rock. If I am not mistaken the load limit is 25 pounds.
I put a gimbal head on mine. Which requires tools, it doesn't just spin on.
My heaviest combination is a Conon 1Ds mark 3 and a f/2.8 70-200 mm IS L. It does exactly what a tripod needs to do, hold everything steady.

You can pay a hell of a lot more for newer and lighter. I would rather spend a 100 or so on a tripod and use the rest for a L lens.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Here's what I don't like or would be concerned about with those two recommendations...

... The tripod looks good in most respects, except without raising the center column, it only reaches 53". Is that tall enough for you? Remember that a head and the camera atop it will add some height... and it only needs to reach your eye line (not your full height)... but for best stability, it's best to avoid raising a center column... or, even better, not to have one at all. To do that, a leg set needs to be adequate height on its own.

... I'd also worry about the tripod converting to a monopod.... does that effect is stability or durability? I also find this sort of an unnecessary "feature", since with any tripod you can simply extend only one of the legs and use it like a monopod.

... The reverse-folding leg feature of that a tripod will only work with a compact ballhead. This feature allows the tripod to fold up smaller and protects a ballhead by "nestling" it among the legs.... but it won't work with a pan-tilt head like you want.

... I do like that the tripod mentioned has twist-type leg locks. Those are low profile, making them less likely than lever or thumb screw type to catch on branches, cuffs or sleeves while carrying or using the tripod. Twist type leg locks also are self-adjusting and work without any tools. However, the four section legs in that particular tripod will make it a bit less stable, both because of the additional section and lock, and because the lowest leg section has to be small diameter in order to fit inside the next higher section. Three section legs can't collapse as small for storage and travel, but are more stable. It's also quicker to set up a tripod that has fewer leg sections.

... A pan/tilt head like that is probably the best bet for your purposes. However, what worries me about that particular one is that it uses one of Manfrotto's proprietary quick release platform & plate systems... They makes two different ones (as well as some heads now using the more universal Arca-Swiss compatible QR system).... this is the smaller of the two. For large format and medium format cameras, I think you will find it a bit undersized. Of the two Manfrotto QR systems (which are not compatible with each other or with anyone else's QR system), the larger one that uses hexagonal plates is generally preferable for large and medium format cameras. For very large, long, heavy telephoto lenses, an Arca-style QR system is preferable to allow use of a gimbal type head or adapter.

... I would instead recommend either a head with Arca-type QR system or one without any QR at all (which could easily be converted to Arca-type later, if you wish, simply by adding a QR platform). There are adapters to convert either of the Manfrotto proprietary QR systems to Arca-type... but using them adds another possible point of failure and, for that reason, aren't ideal.

I haven't any personal experience with them, but at your price point there are....

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1158029-REG/induro_clt203phq1_2_stealth_carbon.html
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/952225-REG/velbon_geo_e535d_3_sec_flip_lock_grounder.html
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/952188-REG/velbon_geo_e635d_4_sec_flip_lock_grounder.html

These are leg/head combos, which might get you more for your money. The Induro pretty much hits all the points, addresses all my concerns above. It's slightly lower The Velbon tripods both use flip locks on the legs and are lower weight rated than the Sirui or Indure leg sets. I'm also not sure if the head on the last Velbon is Arca-compatible... it might use yet another proprietary type of QR. I didn't look at tripods and heads sold separately or those without quick release at all.

NCMtnMan Loc: N. Fork New River, Ashe Co., NC

With heavy lenses you might want to consider a gimbal head for whichever tripod you choose. You can get a Movo gimbal head for $100-200 depending on whether you want aluminum or carbon fiber.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

Interesting observation that you have to push the Manfrotto release lever. The Arca-Swiss clamp doesn’t screw itself down, either.