mgeyelin

Peak Design. The aluminum tripod is only a couple of ounces heavier than the carbon fiber one, so I went with that. Brilliant design and superior build quality.

newtoyou Loc: Eastport

And now, are you better informed?
Any number of opinions to choose from.
Bill

Poppy2

I have an STX that I’m very happy with!

latebloomer Loc: Topeka, KS

Listen to Gene51. He knows what he is talking about.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

But, it does get poor reviews - and for good reason from what I see .....

Jay Drew Loc: Boise, Id.

I have a Gitzo GT 3541 XLS. The top tube O.D. is 32mm. Overall Length 27 in. w/o center post. A little more with. That's awfully long for air travel. Fine for car travel. I really like this tripod & in particular the “G” lock. All I have to do is lightly snug down a ring w/ 2 fingers & it tightens it's self down the rest of the way if necessary. It takes a little more effort to loosen, but certainly not bad.
Does RRS have an equivalent to the G-Lock? I'm curious, I've googled but not found an answer.
Thanks, Jay Drew

Photocraig

Agreeing with Gene51, always a good bet,

I've had a Gitzo Mountineer for over 25 years and it has stood up extremely well. However, it is a 4 section tripod, with the 4th section legs quite shall in diameter. Here's the GOOD news, with flippy screens, we no longer need our cameras to eye level for most purposes--Birds in flight and sports being the exception. Topping with a Ball head, for me a Kirk B-1, of a RRS would be good. A gimbal, which I have no experience with might serve you well, too.

The real message here is even if a tripod has skinny 4th section legs, if you're of modest height or can kneel etc. you don't need to extend a tripod to 6' all the time, anymore. Under lighter loads, indoors etc, sure, go ahead, and use those skinny tubes. But in the field, even with a smaller zoom (70-300) I don't extend the skinny legs, and just look down (Like a Twin lens waist level finder) onto the Screen in Live View. Works for landscapes and for stationary or walking animals and street folk.

Good luck. There is some good info here--especially reliable from CHG Canon and Gene51.
C

arathorn357 Loc: Sydney, Australia

As an alternative view, I have found stability at height (I am 6ft 2") and the ability to quickly change heads and cameras attached to them mean this solution worked best for me - but YMMV!

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1340216-REG/leofoto_ln_404c_40mm_carbon_fiber.html

FotoHam

Good info. Thanks

HiFromSusan

I have a Bogen Manfrotto that cost all of $3 at a local GoodWill store. But I use it only when I drag out my Canon gear. No need for a tripod with Olympus! 5-axis in-body stabilization gives me up to 5 stops of handholding!

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Us older folks do not like bending over - better to get GOOD legs and go high whenever you want ! - maybe even to satisfy composition ....or on uneven ground.
.

Hamltnblue Loc: Springfield PA

As you see RRS and Gitzo are recommended by many for good reason.
I have a Gitzo and can vouch for it.
Another that is out there is promediagear. They are in the same price range but use aluminum leg locks.

Whatever you decide, it's not just about getting a quality tripod. You can have a nice gitzo, but will be unhappy if you have the wrong one. Make sure whatever you get has ratings well over the minimum required for you 500mm lens. Also don't forget that the quality of the head used is just as important. From the reading I've done It's hard to beat the really right stuff BH-55.

Good Luck

Jeffcs Loc: Myrtle Beach South Carolina

Just make sure you’ll carry it in and out (weight) than make sure it will support more than your rig weights I prefer carbon fiber it’s lighter and doesn’t get cold

Paul Diamond Loc: Atlanta, GA, USA

Hi, More info is needed - a budget amount, how much weight for a "light weight" is too much (including whatever head you will use), how tall do you need it to go and then, how "sturdy".

A 1+ pound Manfrotto monopod, when added to a D850 and 200-500 zoom is about 9.5 pounds of dead carry weight at the end of my arm. That seems to be nearly my limit for me to heft for 3-5 miles at a time (small backpack with extra body, batteries, macro lens, flash, plastic trash bag to cover everything if an unexpected storm happens - on my back).

Way back in my ancient history, working in camera stores to earn $$ to go to college, most customers had not thought about their 'shopping list' of budget, must have essentials and other considerations when they seemed to be ready to spend some money today.

wapiti Loc: round rock, texas