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

Noooooo!

Better to get the corkscrew and a bottle of cabernet. . . Coffee will just add to the vibrations.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Their are many, many, good tripods out their. Manfrotto makes some fine tripods at reasonable price. But also check out the Benro line of tripods, you get a lot of BANG for your BUCK. Also important, make sure you can get one that is high enough for you without having to extend the center column. You may also want to look into a gimbal head for your tripod. This one available through Amazon is a good one with lots of positive user reviews. Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016V1AVV4?aaxitk=m.GzLaX7pfSH0F8hg5rPzg&pd_rd_i=B016V1AVV4&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=5582544217303223519&pf_rd_s=desktop-sx-top-slot&pf_rd_t=301&pf_rd_i=gimbal+head&hsa_cr_id=6792164450101

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

A tripod can easily cost more than the camera it is supporting, so be careful. There are lots of sturdy tripods that won't break the bank. A gimbal would be a good idea for a large lens.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ptm1EFHCo0
https://photographylife.com/how-to-choose-and-buy-a-tripod-for-a-dslr-camera
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/buying-guide/10-recommended-tripods-photography
https://www.adorama.com/alc/8714/article/tripods-choosing-right-support-your-investment

traderjohn Loc: New York City

Wow. How did all the other prior responders manage to offer advice and without sarcasm?

picsman Loc: Scotland

You can also try Lensmaster for a gimbal, there have been many favourable mentions on UHH, I use one and have no complaints. Although sold in the U.K. They do deliver to the USA.

cat2560 Loc: mid michigan

Lol 😂

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Unlike others, I need to know what the item will be used for before offering advice. I am odd that way. I ask for clarification before I recommend an expensive option. I had already asked a few times. I was relived when I finally had enough info to know that the OP had a use the would require this level of option. If my expression of relief offended you, I apologize. The OP did not seem offended.

anotherview Loc: California

Adorama offers a line of tripods which you may wish to consider.

Love Wildlife

Excellent tips Paul. I am looking to buy a tripod and will use your points in my search. Thanks much.

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

Cat, there are lots of possibilities here. You cannot go wrong with a Gitzo Series 4 or 5, or a Really Right Stuff Versa 3 - even if you don't end up spending as much on a tripod and head as you did on your camera and lens, the advice is absolutely on target.

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/tripod-guide

Tripods with thicker legs, larger camera base plate, made primarily of carbon fiber, are going to dampen vibrations faster and better than anything short of a movie studio level aluminum tripod. Beware of plastic fittings, ill-designed connections where the legs attach to the camera platform, etc.

If you are using a 600mm lens to follow birds and wildlife that is moving, a gimbal head is a good idea. I find the less expensive ones to be a bit fragile and not nearly as well-designed and will made as the industry standard - Wimberley - which they often imitate - at least in looks. I would not put $2000 or more worth of camera equipment on a $200 gimbal, or a $150 tripod. It's just disaster waiting to happen.

As far as a cheap gimbal is concerned the Manfrotto 393 is rugged, stable, not a cantilever design like the Winberley and Wimberley knockoffs, and I have had great results using it with a 600mm lens+1.4 TC on a crop frame camera, a NIkon D300. It uses a very stable and strong double "U" design. It is not a head that you can lock down, it is solely intended for action sports or wildlife. Good long lens technique can turn a slightly inadequate tripod and head into a functional piece of gear. Very few successful nature photographers use shutter delay, mirror lockup and/or remote shutter release.

http://www.moosepeterson.com/techtips/longlens.html

http://www.naturephotographers.net/ejp0801-1.html

https://blog.mingthein.com/2012/08/20/long-lens-technique/

I personally use the Feisol CT-3472, and the Manfrotto 393 with my telephoto lenses. But I have a Sigma 150-600 Sport which has never been on a tripod. There is a side benefit of hand holding the Sigma - I now have thicker forearms and biceps, too.

I do look forward to that glass of cabernet after a long day of shooting, however.

easy8

very happy with the Feisol brand on par with gitzo at half the price

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

For low budgets, Slik Pro 700DX ......https://www.ebay.com/itm/Slik-Pro-700DX-Super-Titanium-Alloy-Tripod-Legs-615900/371546840953?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372 - READ the user reviews

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-269999-1.html

I also recommend using a lens support like this - https://www.ebay.com/itm/220mm-Y-ty-Telephoto-Lens-Support-Clamp-for-Arca-Hejnar-Benro-Fluid-Video-Head/172143858639?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372 - with whatever support you are using.

I also recommend using a monopod instead of a tripod unless you are around a nest site, feeding station or in a blind. If you are following action, I recommend using a video fluid head.

If you are doing BIF, handholding is best followed by my bodypod.

..

chuja

Also, even with your current tripod or the new one, remember to turn off the VR function of the camera if you are shooting from a tripod.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Gitzo or Manfrotto - get one that will handle double the weight you estimate your heaviest setup will be including the type of head you choose. I'd get a gimbal head for a lens that large.

seeker613 Loc: Brooklyn, N.Y.

Bill, you may want to consider that in AF, the lens's motor will vibrate the lens & you don't want to have your arms over the lens while that is going on…

Also, remote is good bc even the pressure of releasing the shutter causes camera shake… so go w/something like the the wireless RFN-4s by SMDV if it works on your camera, it has an MC30 type connection (fits righttinto the 10 pin receptacle on my D300s & has half-depress for AF activation & full press for tripping the shutter. I really like it.