Hi, 1st post so please forgive any errors/wordiness. Am looking to buy a Very Strong and Sturdy tripod/head combination and understand it helps others feedback here to provide specifics, which I will attempt my best to do. I recently purchased what I thought would be a great tripod/monopod combo (as I'm looking to buy both, either eventually or combined and now) on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013UES6NK/ref=od_aui_detailpages01?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

for primarily doing nature/wildlife/sports photography. During a test the day I received it found it would not hold my D7100/14-24 2.8 zoom lens in portrait mode securely so I promptly returned it for a full refund. Since then I've purchased the Fx200-500mm lens which I love so far with hand held shots, but weighs a ton and will subsequently need a Very strong combination of legs/head to hold it securely. I do like the models that have the hook for use in the center tube to hang a cam bag from for additional support, and have already checked out tripods/heads such as Bogen, Manfroto, Gitzo, Benro, Nest, and even the FotoPro TS-83C. I would like to keep my budget at/under $750 for both, and understand carbon fiber is much lighter for deeper adventures in the woods & hiking. Am planning on doing some shooting soon in the Blue Ridge Mtns area(near where I live) and hope to go to Bryce/Zion Nat'l parks next year, along with the GCanyon on the list again as well as Yellowstone(Bison/Grizzly/Wolf/Geyser), the GTetons, and The Most Beautiful place on Earth photogenically (IMHO), Yosemite, where Every turn of your head yields a spectacular shot...

I like to gather as much info as I can, and even with all my review readings here and other places, am still on the fence on the ball/pan head types but do appreciate everyone's POV on each as it generates ideas as to which type would be most beneficial for me & my shooting. I also plan on doing some shooting with "sandy footings" in the OBX as well, so am trying to find the best overall combination for my current/future needs to avoid having to buy/maintain two separate tripod/monopod & head combinations.

Thanks to everyone in advance on what may seem like an overly used question here requiring feedback- it's all greatly appreciated. Also wanted to mention future equipment (HOPEfully, IF Nikon EVER releases more D850s) will be that, and their FX "nature" counterparts - the 14-24/24-70/105 2.8 Nikkor lenses, Sooner than later, I hope....

Hi JimBob, were you referencing the Manfrotto 294 Carbon Fiber Tripod with 496RC2 Ball Head, or another tripod? I've got a D7100 w/a 200-500mm & know w/the bracket generally requires a monoP support, but was wondering if this has the capability to support the two?

Great comparison and points Dave- thanks for sharing! I've owned/used DXO Optics pro since vers 10 was the latest/greatest the past couple years, and found it Very powerful. I too found the "AI" Very interesting in how the software interpolates the digital image & determines camera body/lens combo, along w/aperture/SP as well. Incredible algorithm processing software for sure! I've been reading a Lot about LR lately & am amazed How Popular it has become & well used and was looking for a comparison of the 2 products, which you've done a very nice job at the high level of doing- thanks! Have been considering purchasing LR, but with the power of DXO am thinking about keeping it up to date & purchasing PSE as an accessory.

Have always taken .jpgs but have noticed lately that many of these post-shooting software programs seem to prefer .raw file editing instead. Is that b/c the compression software used in .jpgs which does not allow the software to utilize its full potential when modifying/enhancing digital images? Am thinking so, & probably a redundant question, but wanted to ask as I've been wondering if this is the issue & if I should switch to .raw files for editing w/DXO (and possibly PSE in the future) instead of saving the pics as .jpg? I Always use the "Fine" feature as I never know when I'll get that "Wow" shot but the downside of course is they take up Much more space, especially If you save both .jpg & .nef files, which I've done in the past. Was also wondering how the .nef files compare to raw, & if they are even better for editing than .jpg and .raw files in your experience? Am obviously using a Nikon body for all my work- so far.

Thanks!

Thank you- much appreciated & good info! I take it they are an auth. Nikon USA dealer? I would Drive there to get one instead of not knowing When mine will be processed. That's also a Big part of my frustration, as I've spent Thousands of $$ there over the past 10 yrs or so & feel that Should garner some priority, but with them they only seem to care about the Pros based on my numerous contacts with them since pre-ordering & the False information I've received. Guess I'll have to start spending my Many Thousands of $$ elsewhere.. Unfortunately the Only good local camera store we had anywhere near where I live (Ritz) closed it's doors, most likely due to places like B&H/Adorama/Amazon.. Thanks for confirming my suspicions & sharing your success... :-)

Thanks for the feedback! Appreciate the info and your being forthright with your response. Good to know about the other 2 backorder products as well and will stay abreast of their availability as well. Thanks for the BB tip- already checked them out & they are sold out but another venue to keep in mind (If you don't mind paying the taxes- 6% in my case). Thanks for the reply and will continue to keep fingers/toes crossed.

Again- good info to have, Thank You for sharing! :-)

Not sure how lucky I am since I was Hoping to have it while on vac 3 wks ago for a 2 wk period in OBX, but am keeping fingers/toes crossed. Was still able to get some "decent" shots w/my 7100 & new 200-500 Nikkor lens, even without a monopod.. Thanks for the info & will be sure to look into Nikon's "rumors page" as I was'nt aware they had one!

Hi, would you mind sharing where you got yours from- B&H/Adorama/other, & about when you put your name on the pre-order list? Am thinking B&H probably saved all of their initial shipment D850s for their professional customers, & is not about "1st come 1st served" based on the responses I've gotten (and not gotten) from them... Am happy for those that received theirs, but frustrated as I"m sure many others are that I'm still waiting about a month later with NO Blue Sky timeframe even given- not sure if it will be weeks, Months, or YEARS before I'll get mine....

Along with probably Millions of others, am still waiting for mine, having been on the list since mid August... Would you mind sharing where you got yours from? Am on B&H's YEARS long waiting list, & am as frustrated as I'm sure Many others are. My primary frustration is due to wanting to get my photog business off the ground along w/purchasing a couple other FX lenses..