legion3 Loc: Deer Park Long Island

i am looking for a sturdy light weight tripod for my 5d mark 4 and some long lens all help appreciated

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Benro or Manfrotto Carbon Fiber.

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

The lightest, strongest tripods are made by Gitzo and Really Right Stuff, and right behind them Induro, LeoFoto and Benro. I don't consider Manfrotto light nor stable enough to use with long lenses (greater than 400mm). I personally use a Feisol CT-3472 with my 600mm and sometimes a 1.4x TC. It's fine for my use. Cost is about $600, the others cost more. Also, my Feisol weighs 4 lbs - all others with similar stability will weigh at least that, and some as much as 5.5 lbs. You'll need to budget for a decent head, too.

TBerwick Loc: Houston, Texas

I use a Benro Series 4 Mach 3 long tripod that can extend well above my head with a gimbal head. It is not particularly light, especially with the 150-600 Tamronator but I just sling it over my shoulder and watch the pitying looks in my direction. I did buy a shoulder pads thru B&H that ties on to the right to save my shoulder.

CO

UHH members have already listed good tripods. If you're looking for a lightweight gimbal head also, take a look at the Jobu Jr.3 or Jobu Jr.3 deluxe gimbal head. It weighs only 1.5lbs but can support up to 12lbs. That's plenty of capacity for most lenses unless it's a large aperture 400mm or larger telephoto. It has a precision needle bearing and thrust bearing in the tilt axis. It also has finely adjustable friction. They designed a bushing for the panning axis that gives smooth motion with some dampening.

Jobu also make larger gimbals for heavier lenses. Wimberly is also excellent.

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

You might want to look at a Manfrotto 393 gimbal head.

It is by far and away the most stable head I could find, with a load capacity of over 44 lbs. It sells for $179 at B&H. I modified mine by attaching an Arca Swiss style clamp so I could use all of my plates and tripod collars that use the Arca Swiss dovetail.

It's not light at over 4 lbs, and it doesn't lock down - I don't care about the latter because I bought a gimbal to allow me to move the camera to follow active subjects, not to do macro work. But I've had mine 12 years and the only negative has been the fact that I lost the rubber grip around the knob that adjusts the drag on the panning motion. It was a simple matter to order a pair of replacements for a few dollars and secure one onto the knob with a little Pliobond glue, and keep the other as a spare. Without the rubber grip, a camera and lens could conceivably make contact with the exposed metal knob and cause a scratch. Iv'e used mine in snow, rain, and at the beach on windy days when sand and salt spray were abundant. Never had a problem.

I looked at the Jobu and others and found them unsuitable for my needs - my D800+battery grip+600mmF4 weighs in at 14 lbs.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

The Really Right Stuff website has some great information on selecting a tripod. To me it is more about getting the needed stability, strength and ease of use than saving a few ounces or a pound of weight. Buy once, cry once as they say and don't end up wasting your money on a closet full of bad tripods and accessories. You can find some great tripos and accessories on eBay if you know what you are looking for and have the time to watch and track them on eBay.

CO

If you get a gimbal head avoid cheaply constructed ones like the Manfrotto 393. It only has bushings at the pivot points that are subject to much more wear. Higher grade gimbals have precision needle bearings and thrust bearings - far superior. They're made of hardened steel and precision ground. Some will have a conical bushing at the panning axis. The conical design remains free of looseness even if there is wear.

Manfrotto 393 construction


High grade gimbal heads have precision, hardened needle and thrust bearings


Precision ground and hardened thrust bearing used in gimbal heads

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

A heavy camera and lens do not mix well with a "light" tripod !

Irregardless of cost and brand, what are your stability expectations and height requirements ?

Do you expect to be doing long shutter speeds with long lens in low light or macro work without flash ?? The higher you go, the more weight and size ( and cost) is required goes up dramatically !

Or, is it more a matter of supporting and controlling a heavy lens using fast shutter speeds while following action ?? Flopping mirror cameras will require a really good tripod collar and head/attachment and heavier tripod for any given level of stability.

The higher your expectations, the heavier the tripod must be ! Carbon fiber and three section legs seem to have the best weight to stability factor.

..

lloydl2 Loc: Gilbert, AZ

take a look at the robus series 3 tripods available only through BHphoto...

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1034917-REG/gitzo_gt3542l_gt3532_mountaineer_series_3.html

Gitzo Series 3 Mountaineer

nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY

There's a line between "lightweight" and "sturdy". Can you get to a photo dealer who carries a variety of tripods and put your camera on different ones to see how sturdy they "appear".

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

After this thread quiets down and responds end, I recommend a search of UHH for tripod recommendations. You’ll find enough suggestions to get your head spinning. But, consistently, the advise will emphasize tripod and head combinations that emphasize stability over weight capacity.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

You live on Long Island. Drive into NYC and visit B&H's store. They have just about anything you could want, including Really Right Stuff, which until recently was only available directly from RRS. Look them up online, and do some comparisons. I believe the site will tell you whether an item is in stock and probably also if it is in the store. Plus you can also call and ask if ones you want to see are available for examination at the store rather than at the warehouse.

Gene has given you the right information. You get what you pay for.

lloydl2 Loc: Gilbert, AZ