joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Many recommend a capacity of twice the weight of the lens, camera, flash, etc., combo. I would suggest going as high as you can afford for maximum stability. You will save money in the long run by never having to upgrade and have peace of mind as well. And you don't need a center column, they just reduce stability.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Although there are several valid points made, I respectfully disagree with some of the response. There's absolutely nothing wrong with a really well built, strong, sturdy, heavy tripod, unless you're toting it through the woods of a swamp or any distance more than a couple few hundred feet from your mode of transportation, or it's just too big for your mode of transportation.

I travel quite a bit on a motorcycle, a Honda Goldwing, and although the Goldwing is a really large motorcycle, it's not all that conducive to carrying large or heavy tripods.
My usual accompaniment when out and about on the motorcycle, looking for a place to take some pics is, my Nikon D7200 with a Sigma 150-600 Contemporary lens which I use handheld because its light and usually either my Canon 5DSr or 7DII with a Sigma 150-600 Sport that sits atop a Manfrotto 290 series tripod with a gimbal head.

The tripod is aluminum, has a center post, although I rarely raise it, and three section legs. It supports the camera quite well and I'™ve never had any problems with stability or excess shake. If I'™m in a fairly windy situation I will bungee an available weight to the tripod to increase stability and decrease shake, or I will drive a large aluminum nail into the ground and attach a bungee to the nail and tripod for increased stability and reduced shake. It may sound like a lot of work but it'™s not, just takes a few minutes and a bungee cord and a rock. The big nail is aluminum, 12 inches in length and can be found at any Home Depot or Lowes. I secure it to the tripod with the bungee, in transport.

These photos of Ruby Throat Hummingbirds may not be a great photos but given the distance I was to the subject and the crop factor, the detail is fairly good for shots taken with a camera sitting atop a relatively inexpensive aluminum tripod and an aftermarket zoom lens at 600mm.

By the way, love the Heron shot, very nice...

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

Thanks!

I routinely move around quite a bit, so the party tent stake doesn't work for me. I do a lot of hiking into the backcountry for some of my shots, so light and stable is paramount.

The hummers look pretty good to me.

Here are some of my other shots:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gene_lugo/

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

I only had time to look at the first page but I liked every photo there, especially the fox, will check the rest later when I'm not at work. I just hope some day I will have the time to get out and pursue this passion we call photography to the extent you have. By the way, its not a party tent stake, not that big, just a 12 inch aluminum nail.

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

Just teasing about the tent stake. But it did remind me of one.

Thanks for stopping by.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

The tent stake is a great idea !

R.J. Loc: Overland Park, KS

Thanks for the information ,great image.
Ron

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

Isn't it?

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

And if you understand tripods, you will realize that load capacity means nothing. Really.

R.J. Loc: Overland Park, KS

Thanks for your reply.
R.J.