RRS Loc: Not sure

From what you say I'd say you don't need a gimbal head and a 3 way pan will work just fine. A ball head could work too but you would have to learn to use it and ALWAYS have control over your camera and lens prior to releasing the friction on the ball.

WayneL Loc: Baltimore Md

Sirui K30 or K40, plenty of locking strength.

happy sailor Loc: Ontario, Canada

Hi Carol, I have the Vanguard 253CT tripod with the Vanguard SBH100 ball head. I have a Canon 6d with battery grip and my heaviest lens is the Sigma 150-500. Both the tripod and the ball head have no trouble supporting this setup. I like you usually take a bit of time setting up my shots but on occasion I shot bicycles racing by my driveway and just loosened the ball and panned the shot, it was easy and turned out very well. The 253CT has carbon fibre legs, is fairly light and imho a very decent tripod.

I still think I would like a gimbal head at some point and do more birds in flight shots.

Have to go, a hawk just flew by and parked itself in a tree in the back yard, going to try and get some shots.

bweber Loc: Newton, MA

I agree. Switched from a very good Kirk Ball Head to Manfrotto Pistol Grip. I use it for Portraits and mostly Landscapes. I have used it with Canon 1DS iii with a 70-200 2.8 lens without any problems.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Out in the field, I prefer a ballhead for general use. They are lower profile, without protruding handles that can catch on branches/sleeves/cuffs and also make the tripod harder to pack for travel.

Because you have one rather large tele-zoom, yet would like your tripod to serve other purposes, you might be interested in a gimbal "adapter" instead of a full-size gimbal head.

The difference is that a full-size head replaces any other head on the tripod entirely, making it sort of "large lens only" dedicated. A gimbal adpater, on the other hand, works in conjunction with a ballhead that remains on the tripod and it only takes a few seconds to switch back and forth between standard use and gimballed.

Some examples of gimbal adapters are the Wimberley Sidekick (the original), Induro GHBA and Jobu BWG Micro.

To use one of those adapters, you need a fairly heavy duty ballhead. And, you need to use Arca-Swiss style quick release platforms and plates on all your gear. The A-S QR serves both to mount the gimbal adapter and to adjust the balance of your lens(es) on the gimbal. Of course it's also convenient in a lot of other ways. But the A-S plates add $25 to $60 to the cost of each camera and each lens with a tripod mounting ring.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I think the Pan/tilt head is more suited for your style of photography. If you think you might purchase a larger lens than the 150-600, then I'd probably consider the gimbal head. But a gimbal is a little overkill for that lens and isn't suited to any of the smaller lenses that don't have a foot on them. So the Pan/tilt is my recommendation.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Hi Carol, for what you want, I would recommend the Manfrotto #222 or #322 grip action ball heads - very ergonomic and easy to use - it is what I use on my tripod - meaning I do have extensive experience. There are a couple of other things that I recommend in conjunction with these heads - but I will have to take a picture of them and post later for you ....

Boone Loc: Groundhog Town USA

You will find a lot of different opinions on this subject, but I will tell tell you this:

Look at the "SIRUI" LINE. I have the K 20 and the K 30. The K 20 I use on a mono pod and a light weight tripod. I have used this head with several setups with no problem. However if you want just one head...I would recommend the K 30. It is really a super head that will hold anything you have. Try it...if you are not 100 % happy Amazon has a super easy return policy.

And if you are ever interested in a Mono Pod....Look at the SIRUI "P 326". I use this every day as a walking stick (bad back) as well as for my profession. I said I would never spend a $100 on a mono pod, but now I would not have anything but the P 326.

I baught the heads first....was so impressed....I then got the P 326 after seeing the Youtube reviews. Just my 2C worth.

Thanks, Boone.

Find it here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004QC6VOW?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00
:roll:

Rick from NY Loc: Sarasota FL

I tend to take reviews in general (and on Amazon and other non-photo specific sites) with a grain of salt. If the guy is happy with his results using the pistol grip, that's great for him. But his idea of "good" and mine might vary greatly. Perhaps he was shooting at some very high shutter speed? Perhaps he was printing at 4x6? Perhaps he couldn't tell a well focused shot it it bit him on the butt?

I can tell you that I have used that grip numerous times and I have found that it seldom produced an image that I was satisfied with when shooting with a pro sized DSLR and anything much longer than 200mm at "normal" shutter speeds. And this refers to the sharpness. Trying to lock that rig on the focus spot (unless perhaps the spring is brand new) is an exercise in futility.

Don't take my word of the reviewer's word for anything. Buy a pistol grip at Amazon and try it. If it works for you, great. If not, return it. Opinions are like...., well you know the saying.

The only review that matters to me is mine. And I am a tough critic.

pete-m Loc: Casper, WY

Same for me.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Exactly which/what "pistol grip" are we talking about ??

neilds37 Loc: Port Angeles, WA

I agree with you on Amazon reviews. Before I purchase I analyze them. The pistol-head I purchased from them, about 1-1/2 years ago, had numerous reviews stating the locking lever broke in a short time. I found out after I bought anyway (around $30, so not much out if it was crap), that their problem was operator error. Mine has had 100's of actuations of that lever, and the whole head is as tight as when new. I have light-weight gear, so can get by on few $$ for accessories :)

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

deffinetly pan tilt. as for the tripod, between $125-200, you should be able to find legs and head to fill the bill.

bweber Loc: Newton, MA

I also agree that Amazon reviews can be a problem. I purchased my Manfrotto pistol grip used from my trusted camera store. The head was a little loose. However, a quick check on the Manfrotto web site brought me to the owners manual and complete instructions on how to tighten every thing. Now it works like it was new.

neilds37 Loc: Port Angeles, WA

VANGUARD GH-300T Pistol Grip Ball Head (Black)