5 segment legs... wobble-wobble-wobble!
I'm glad to see in your second post, you've upped your budget. MTshooter, who owns a camera store in Montana, (Cameracottage.com) is a real guru on the subject of tripods. His store is also the national rep for Nest products. Your needs for a tripod to be "packable" and light weight means "Carbon Fiber" for light weight, and for shooting animals, and birds, indicates a gimbal head. You may want to check Camera Cottages website, and give him a call. I'm sure he can help you with possibly a used tripod, and head. Or, well built Nest Product. I bought a sale tripod from him and was not disappointed.
B
If you can, try and stick to 3 or if you have to 4 section legs. The legs are only half the battle, then you need to find a good head or gimbal.
OK and which heads should I be considering to go with the CT-3472?
Looks like my budget needs to be ITRO $1000 to get something decent...
Mundj wrote:
You might check out the Mefotto line. They have good reviews and offer a compact tripod/monopod design. I have a Vanguard Altra Pro that is an excellent value but will not fit in a back pack.
I have the MeFoto Roadtrip, it is fairly sturdy although it would not be up to say a 1Dx with a 600mm f4 it serves my purposes well. Best part is it folds up very compact and fits beautifully on a backpack but when open is tall enough for me. I am 6'2".
I will get some hate mail for this, but I use an inexpensive Sunpak Ultra 700TM tripod with a Bogen 3025 Manfrotto 3-way tilt pan head. These are quality heads that can be purchased used for about $30. The Sunpak head is junk, hence the installation of the Bogen. Also, to improve stability I do not raise the center post. The complete rig is only ~$80, so if you don't like it, you're not out much $$$.
Best,
Jason
Gene51
Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
I had forgotten about his wisdom - and it totally makes sense!
Gene51
Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
Mundj wrote:
You might check out the Mefotto line. They have good reviews and offer a compact tripod/monopod design. I have a Vanguard Altra Pro that is an excellent value but will not fit in a back pack.
It definitely would be a stretch to suggest that either might hold a 600mm lens steady.
Buy The Very best You can afford, it will outlast your camera/lens combo,
bobwalder wrote:
Looks like my budget needs to be ITRO $1000 to get something decent...
Only if you are shooting a STATIC subject in LOW light at 600mm .....otherwise, not so much !
bobwalder wrote:
Thanks - I should add right now that I am not looking to spend more than around $150-200
Whatever you buy in that price range will be extremely disappointing.
Budget amended - head recommendations please? I don't need everyone telling me I should spend more or buy the best I can afford... I took on board the excellent advice and raised my budget. I am pretty sure a budget of $1000 for legs and head should get me there...yes?
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