Alps1962 Loc: Fraser michigan

Hello everyone I'm new to this forum and would like some opinions on what's a good tripod to buy. Just bought a Nikon z6ii kit with lens but also have a 150 to 600 telephoto lens. I'm gonna mostly shoot wildlife. Any input will be appreciated and thsnks for your time. Gil

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I put my money, and cameras, on a Gitzo.
--Bob

ahudina Loc: Browns Point, WA

You’ll get a lot of different responses, but I like and use ProMedia Gear.

ken_stern Loc: Yorba Linda, Ca

Years ago I found
The best answer to the question ---
"What's a good tripod?"
is --
The one you take with you!

The one I take is a Gitzo

National Park

I'm happy with a Benro Tripster carbon fiber tripod. I do a lot of hiking, so I don't want to luck around something that is big and heavy.

Alps1962 Loc: Fraser michigan

I was actually looking at Benro carbon tripod at the camera shop I was at this week. Just didn't know about this brand. Thanks

jim quist Loc: Missouri

I bought a carbon fiber Gitzo monopod and tripod for wildlife photography. They are lighter than any others I have had over the years so it makes carrying them nice. If I lost all my gear and had to buy all over again it would be Gitzo. I am 6'2" and I can raise the tripod high enough so that I don't have to bend over to see into the viewfinder. What a nice feature to have.
If you are buying a head check out the Wimberley.
I have this one on my tripod: https://www.tripodhead.com/products/wimberley-main.cfm
I have this one on my monopod: https://www.tripodhead.com/products/monopodhead-main.cfm
It's a bit pricey but in my opinion it just doesn't get any better.

Alps1962 Loc: Fraser michigan

Thanks Jim I will take a look at this set up too.

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

I'm with the others and vote Gitzo carbon fiber. Mine is going strong after 25 years of usage. Get a lot more mileage out of your money by buying used.

Just as important is a sturdy head. Key move is staying with arca-swiss compatible gear. For fast moving birds in flight a gimbal makes sense. Otherwise a large ball head is the ticket. My vote is for Markins 20 series. Relatively light and VERY strong.

TerryVS

You'll get lots of responses! Don't skimp on the tripod! Gitzo and Really Right Stuff is what others are judged by.

The head is as important. If shooting wildlife a ball head is good. If birds in flight a gimbal head is the way you go. Lots of birders here that can give you better advice on gimbal.

As ball heads go a Really Right Stuff BH-55 is great. You can stack just about anything you can think of on it.

Tripods come in metal and carbon fiber. Carbon fiber is much lighter and doesn't transfer vibration. It doesn't get as cold either.

Are you going to hike with it? If so weight comes into play. Something like a Gitzo GIGT2545T Traveler Series 2 Carbon Fiber Tripod is nice.

If not hiking (or really strong!) the larger tripods are better and more importantly taller. If going bigger something like a Really Right Stuff TVC-34L is nice. Remember you may be on a hillside so having longer legs that what you would need on flat ground is handy.

Good luck!

ELNikkor

Welcome to the forum!

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

Assuming you will be using that 600mm lens with it - you ought to be looking at the higher end carbon fiber versions of any of the following brands - Really Right Stuff, ProMedia Gear, Gitzo, Induro, Feisol, LeoFoto. This site has fact based stability ratings on a variety of popular tripods:

https://thecentercolumn.com/rankings/

A decent low cost, but by no means light duty gimbal gimbal head would be the Manfrotto 393 or the similar concept Movo Photo GH1000 MKII and. These two gimbals are under $200 and are a "full yoke" design, unlike the very excellent and time-proven Wimberley WH-200, which is a half yoke - and costs $600. A couple of good alternatives, while pricier than the Movo GH1000 and the Manfrotto 393 but less than the Wimberley would be Benro GH5C or the Benro GH2.

Induro GHB-2, Zenelli KEVLASS-ZX or other models (Expensive), LeoFoto PG-1, ProMediaGear GKJr Katana Pro, Photo Clam Orion Tilt 2, Sirui PH-30.FotoPro E-9H etc. I would stay away from cheap knockoffs of the Wimberley WH-200 - they are only similar in appearance - not stability or durability, and some can be hard to use in very cold weather.

That being said - I have not used my Nikon D810 with my Sigma 150-600 Sport (which I purchased in 2016), on a tripod. I had downsized from a 600mm F4 which was 5.5 lbs heavier, and could not be hand held. I just kick up the ISO to whatever I need and shoot away with the freedom of not needing to be anchored to a tripod and head, and having to spend valuable seconds setting the whole thing up, the bother of having to carry tripod/gimbal/camera/camera bag - for a total of 20 lbs of stuff.

If you buy a tripod, my advice is to consider a budet, then double or triple it to help ensure you get what you need with the waste (and remorse) of buying inadequate equipment and upgrading until you get to the right one. It's not cost effective to keep a closet full of cheap tripods.

At the end of the day you'll have to decide if spending $1000 to $2000 on a tripod and head and a large enough bag to fit everything is worth the expense for those few opportunities where you really "need" the support.

The following was taken with a D810, Sigma 150-600, 1/500, F7.1, ISO 12,800 - hand held, morning twilight about 30 mins after sunrise on a cloudy day.

.

(Download)

kpsk_sony

Be sure it has three legs!

Alps1962 Loc: Fraser michigan

Gene.
Thanks for taking the time and for all the great information. Really good stuff to think about and to take in consideration when getting a tripod.
Gil

Gatorcoach Loc: New Jersey

Nobody has mentioned it so I'll add one more to the mix. About 5-6 years ago I bought a Vanguard carbon fiber tripod. It had all the features of the manfrottos, sliks, and gitzos of the time and cost a good chunk less. I took a chance and have been rewarded with a wonderful, sturdy, full featured tripod.

At least give them a look.