imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

I have noticed no one has mentioned using a monopod as a lighter weight option ! I also use a small video/fluid head with my monopod which is great for following action and that I can highly recommend. (Sirui VH-10)
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Dutzie Loc: I'd like to know

I have a "Oben". Not sure how much I paid. Wasn't cheap however. Don't go cheap, you will regret it.
Dutzie.

Sentinel4

Induro 313. Holds 40 lbs. There are other Induro tripods but the 313 or an updated version may be needed to hold your long lens.

sentinel4

Photocraig

Considering EVERYONE'S experience of leaving their tripod home, so many times, myself included, these are items that are frequently under used. Be sure to by from a reputable re-seller so if isn't right you can return it. Think: No batteries, no computer chips, lens mold. An easy used buy!
C

ricardo00

I took to leaving my tripod in my car trunk. So on the occasions when I need it, can always go back and get it. Sure it can be stolen, but decided not to worry about that.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-691817-1.html
--Bob

chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand

Before you do anything at all weigh your existing tripods. Then when looking at replacements, even fiber ones, first check their weight (worry about what weight they can support later in the decision process). If you cannot find the weight easily it may be because they don't want you to know because it isn't as good as they would have you believe. Also weight your ball-heads etc. I have been most surprised to find that often the weight saving of your choices are not as significant as you first thought. The next thing to check is the physical size - this might even be more important than any weight saving. Lastly check the weight it can support and the quality of manufacturer.
I did this once and found that a weight saving of 200g was going to cost me $1000 so decided I could manage to lug round that extra 200g and save myself $1000 AND all the time involved in the research etc.
So do your research carefully.

eardoc

Gitzo without center column.

Best video: https://youtu.be/sUH0AYQAFmg

pendennis

No one has mentioned it, but my Manfrotto MT055CXPRO3 is perfect for my needs. Yes, it has a center column, but I often don't need it, and I can hang a bag or weight from the center post for more stability. Most of the time it has a Bogen 3047 3-axis head. When I need a gimbal, I mount an Induro GBH2, instead of the 3047.

I've used it with my Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6, and several other long lenses without any problems.

Lagoonguy Loc: New Smyrna Beach, FL

I agree, Leofoto makes a nice tripod for the money. I have a lighter kit (500 PF & D500) so I didn’t need a heavy tripod so I went with the 364C with an Acratech leveling base. With your heavier kit I would recommend Leofoto’s LN series. B&H sales them. Good luck.

ricardo00

At 6 pounds, I can understand why you would need a tripod! (I would also). The type of tripod you may want will depend on not only the weight of the lens/camera, but also what type of photography you do. For example photographing at low light will require longer exposures where vibrations are more of an issue. And at 600mm, small vibrations will effect the sharpness of your pictures. And a carbon fiber tripod is not only lighter, but damps vibrations more than metal ones. But doubt you could get a decent one for the price you want to pay ($500 for the tripod and ball head), even if used. So think about raising your limit instead of skimping on the tripod.

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

I can second the Vanguard 263pro. I have been using mine for 2 years now and have mounted a quick release plate on it to switch from my ball to gimbal head almost instantly without tools. It also has a hook in the center to hang weight from if it is Windy. I don't use the center column except for macro indoors but it works well for that. Im6'2" am it works good for me. Se Steve Perrys website to read about the quick change of the heads no matter what you buy.

hjkarten Loc: San Diego, California

I found that a single choice does not cover all situations or all lenses.
I have three support systems that are frequently interchanged. I also have at least three other tripods. My standard used to be an old Manfretto/Bogen Model 3001 (?) aluminum. I still like it as it is sturdy, good resonance damping, but heavy.
My choices were consequent to my desire to test each unit before buying them. None of the few remaining photo stores in San Diego stock the high ranked Induro, RRS or Gitzo. The price of the RRS and Gitzo brands are reportedly great, but very pricey. If I were willing to spend that much, I would probably have gone for the RRS. I hope I don't regret trying to save money, but the difference in price between the RRS and the Benro was quite a bit. (i.e., ca. 2.5x to 4x times the price).
The three units I carry in my car are:
1) A heavy duty monopod with three flap down feet. It has quick flap locks on the base allow rapid adjustment in height (Benro AF48FD). The flap down feet are adaptable to varying slopes and I use it with a Wimberley Sidekick. Very easy to set up and move around. Not as stable as a proper tripod, but fast to set up. Only drawback is that it is a bit too tall when I want a ground level shot in the bird marshes. Not much difference in weight between the aluminum and carbon versions because of the three flap down feet and Sidekick. Cost about $100. It is fairly heavy, but less than a comparable height tripod. The photo store loaned me a unit when I was renting a SONY 200-600 mm telephoto. It was so much better than my smaller monopod that I instantly came to accept the additional weight as a worthwhile tradeoff.
2) Carbon Benro tripod TMA 27C. Two rotating collar locks. Oversized carbon tubes that seem to be of good quality. After using it for 8 months, I concluded that I prefer flap locks rather than rotating locks. Pretty sturdy with a total of two extensible legs and two rotating collar locks. I think it was about $330. Used with Wimberley Sidekick/WH200. I try to avoid using the center column as it makes it vulnerable to vibration. Use with stone bag on windy days, and try to keep the height as low as possible.
3) A small and much lighter weight Benro Tripster carbon tripod. I use this when shooting with my 105 mm Macro lens. The leg length is adjusted using rotating collar locks. Subject to severe vibration when legs are extended. I removed the long center column and replaced with an inexpensive stubby short column by Promaster that is about 3-4 inches long (cost only about $12-$14). With the short column, I can even spread two of the legs to each side of my chest for quick shots with the Macro lens as close as 10-15 inches to shoot insect and small flower photos with surprisingly good stability. (I have a moderate Parkinsonian tremor, and results without tripod are terrible.) The Tripster came with a fairly good ball head. It does not provide adequate stabilization for use with the Wimberley. The Tripster was about $210. It is hopeless with telephoto lenses if the legs are even slightly extended. Excellent with Macro lens.

The Wimberley is a superb gimbal. The Wimberley company sells new units with slight cosmetic blemishes for about $100 lower price. Fairly pricey (ca. $500 for unit with Blemish), but absolutely worth every penny!
The Wimberley WH-200 is easily converted to the Sidekick version in 1-2 minutes. I use it with the MonoPod AF48FD and the heavier tripod when shooting with a 200-600mm SONY.
I am also experimenting with making a GroundPod from an old frying pan. That is only used when I am lying on the ground for low angle wildlife/bird shots.
Strongly suggest that you get a remote cable to trigger shutter to reduce vibration, when feasible.
In retrospect, I would not have chosen rotating collar locks for the legs. The flap locks are far more easily adjusted. But that may be a matter of personal choice.
I suggest that you try out the various tripods in your local photo store with the actual gear that you use. Don't hesitate to lie down on the floor of the store as if you were in the field.

jeffkempton

I purchased a Robus RC-8880. It’s a beast. It’s over your budget and does not include a ball head. Robus has smaller less expensive versions.

rcurrie Loc: Kingsport, TN

Check Feisol. Good tripods at reasonable prices.