traderjohn Loc: New York City

I think your problem is with the head not the tripod. Remove the head and replace it with one that is weight approbate for your camera and lens.

Nikon1201

I have a Me Foto $190 and I use my Sigma 50-500 with no drift or droop.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Info -
http://www.dslrbodies.com/accessories/camera-accessories/tripod-101.html (ByThom)
https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/buying-guides/best-tripod
https://digital-photography-school.com/everything-about-tripods-phil-steele/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIWvjfI_-PA
http://digital-photography-school.com/build-ideal-tripod/
http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/5-pros-and-5-cons-of-using-a-tripod/
http://www.lightstalking.com/tripod-heads/

Choosing -
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/buying-guide/10-recommended-tripods-photography
https://photographylife.com/how-to-choose-and-buy-a-tripod-for-a-dslr-camera
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/buying-guide/10-recommended-tripods-photography

Richard75 Loc: Aiken SC since 2016 from Washington State

You recommended this about 2 weeks ago to someone asking about tripods. I thank you for that because I checked them out and purchased the Nest travel tripod and NT-648H Ball Head from Carter's Camera. I am very happy with it and I suggest also the OP call and talk to them. I am happy I read your comment 2 weeks ago. Thank you

DocDav Loc: IN

Thanks

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

After you read all the replies, suggest you do a UHH search on tripods. You’d be amazed at the opinions and suggestions.

Richard75 Loc: Aiken SC since 2016 from Washington State

By the way, I am planning on buying the large tripod in the future. I am also going to buy the Nest Gimble after I am able to buy the Tamron 150-600mm G2.

jackpinoh Loc: Kettering, OH 45419

Call the people at RRS. They can explain that tripod head quality must be selected based on the longest focal length of your lens. Unfortunately, quality tripod heads aren't inexpensive.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

You don't take a 15 mile hike with this kind of equipment unless you have a troupe to carry your equipment. But if you are thinking that you might carry this type of camera and lens combo for a few hundred feet or maybe up to 2-3 mile, then just put the camera and lens on a gimbal head, mounted to a good sturdy tripod and carry it over your shoulder. Get a tripod with padding or it or buy those LensCoat padded leggings for it.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Original poster wants a tripod that's minimum size and weight for hiking. Plus they are trying to keep total cost down (but is going to need to spend more than they hoped, if they want a good setup).

For that purpose a tripod like the Nest NT-6324CTM "Traveler" ($299) at Carter's Camera Cottage might be ideal. It's not super light... But also is not nearly as heavy as many tripods and sounds to be sturdy enough to provide good stability. It's carbon fiber, weighs 4.5 lbs., claims to support 44 lb., has 4-section legs that are 32mm diameter, and has max height of approx. 65". I'm pretty certain that max height includes fully extending the tripod's rapid-style center column... which makes for somewhat less stability with any tripod. I don't know and haven't been able to find a dimension for this tripod with the center column unextended (which would be more stable).

HOWEVER, like many "Traveler" tripods, the NT-6324CTM's legs fold backwards to make it as compact as possible for storage and carrying, which is about 19" long (including a ballhead, since the legs are reverse folded... head is sold separately though). You don't have to fold the legs backward for storage, but if you don't it won't be at it's most compact.

ONE PROBLEM IS if you fit a full size gimbal head to this type of tripod, it will NOT be able to reverse fold to it's most compact size. The gimbal will be in the way, preventing the legs from reversing all the way.

IN FACT only a ballhead can be used on this type tripod and still allow the legs to reverse for storage. Pan/tilt, fluid and other types of heads would interfere with the reverse folding of the legs.

AND in most cases it needs to be a moderate size ballhead. Too large diameter ballhead also would interfere with the legs folding fully for storage. Carter offers the Vanguard TBH-100 mid-size ballhead (22 lb. rating, $90), which I suspect is a size that would work well with the Nest Traveler tripod. The other two ballheads he offers appear to be bigger and might not work. I'd confirm with him, if interested in this tripod. There are other ballheads the size needed for a tripod like this, avail. from other sources.

So if you want a gimbal for use with a moderately large telephoto like the Tamron 150-600mm, you'll need to decide between...

1. A larger, heavier (non-Traveler-style) tripod with a full size gimbal, plus a separate ball or other type of head if you want to also use the tripod with shorter lenses. In that case you'll need to be able to switch out with the different heads in the field (tools?).

2. A lighter, more compact Traveler-style tripod, fitted with a full size gimbal that prevents the tripod from folding to its most compact, plus a separate ball or other type of head for use with shorter lenses, which will need to be switched out with the gimbal in the field (tools?).

3. A lighter, more compact Traveler-style tripod (but not TOO small or light), with a medium size ballhead for general use and a gimbal ADAPTER (such as the Jobu Micro) for use with the long lens (no tools needed, but ballhead MUST have an Arca-style quick release platform). This would also be the lightest weight and least expensive setup. The Nest Traveler Tripod leg set weighs about 4.5 lb. and costs $299. The Vanguard ballhead mentioned above weighs about .75 lb. and costs $80. The Jobu Micro gimbal weighs under 1 lb. and costs $109.

Compare the latter to the Nest NT-530H Carbon Fiber Gimbal (full size), which weighs 2.4 lb., costs $299... and makes a tripod "big telephoto lens only" when it's installed, so still requires a separate ballhead if you want to use the tripod for other things... and may need tools to switch the heads. Note: I'm not knocking the Nest NT-530H Carbon Fiber Gimbal by any means. It's one of the lightest and more affordable, high quality, full size gimbals. In fact, I'm planning to get one for one of my tripods eventually.

I'm just sayin' it (or any other full size gimbal) might not be "right" for a Traveler-style/hiking tripod, where the concern is keeping things compact and light... and keeping total cost as low as possible. Those were the goals of the original poster.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

That's very risky and a good way to end up with a broken camera and lens. I've carried big lenses and camera that way (foolishly) and had several close calls where things loosened up while carrying them. I now only make very short moves with camera and lens still mounted on the tripod.

RRS Loc: Not sure

Added info: if you are not familiar with a gimbal head, you need to balance the lens to make it work as it should. That's fairly easy for a prime but for the lens that you have 150-600mm as you, zoom, change focal lengths the balance of the lens will also change. If you normally shoot at the max, 600mm, then just set it up and leave it there and you will be good to go. Good luck with what ever you decide but I agree 100%, spend more now and over time you will save a lot of money and frustration.

tomad Loc: North Carolina

I second the posts about the Slik PRO 700 DX. If you don't like the Slik head, just get the legs and the Sirui 10x ball head; together for under $200.

RRS Loc: Not sure

Alan, short question. How would you carry a 600mm prime mounted to a pro body and CF tripod into an area about 200 yards off the road, not rough terrain? Once I get there I don't have time to take the lens out of a case and set up or the owl would be gone. Thanks.

rjandreoff Loc: Hawaii

After some serious homework AND thinking about what I really needed, the Induro Stealth CLT 303 Tripod ($399 on B&H), with a used Wimberely Gimbal Head was the decision. I could not justify the $800, $1000, and even $1200 price tags for the RRS and Gitzos. Carbon Fiber. 44 lb load capacity. Very Light and portable. Long/Short center tubes included. 10 year warranty. Well constructed storage bag. Feet spikes. Supports Nikkor 400mm 2.8 G VR plus a Nikon d4. Lens+Gimbal+Body = 17 lbs. Not a problem. Stable. Would do it all again.