prettynice Loc: Southbury, CT

Hi:my budget is about $400-$450. I want a tripod that is great for wildlife and nature photography so rugged is a necessity as is height. Because I will be using my Sony A77 with the Tamron 150-600 lens, which head and what type would you recommend. There are so many brands and types I am totally confused!

Any and all help appreciated! Thank you!

queencitysanta Loc: Charlotte, North Carolina

ck with MT Shooter on this Board

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

agreed Carter has his own store and good deals on just what you need

Dik

For natural outdoor terrain, you will not be working on flat surfaces where setting up a level tripod is quick and easy.

The old Benbo and redesigned Uni-Loc version are both excellent for rugged terrain use.
These tripods lock and unlock all three legs and the center column with one lever. You hold the center column in position with one hand, position the three legs in any position required, and then tighten the lock lever with the other hand. It's very fast!
The legs are rather unique, the bottom tubes are larger than the top tube and the lock knobs are at the top of the large tubes. Makes for less bending down when adjusting length.
With a conventional design tripod, in muddy terrain, debris on the lower leg sections tends to work its way into the sliding sections and raise havoc. With the Benbo / Unilock design that's not an issue.
The clean upper legs slide into the larger bottom legs, and the connection is up at the top of the lower leg, far from the muck.
And the center column can be tilted to any angle, for overhanging or ground level shooting.

They are heavier than carbon fiber tripods, but that can be an advantage when using a fluid damped gimbal head, like the Nest (which I also recommend). Too light a tripod will lift a leg too easily when swinging and tilting a long lens gimbal rig for BIF.
With your budget, look for a used Unilock & a new Nest gimbal head.
Search Tempest might help you find the tripod.

prettynice Loc: Southbury, CT

Thank you! Will look into.

Karl Shuffler Loc: Weinert, Texas

New tripod and head for me,a new joy ..... Manfrotto 055 series tripod with XPRO 3 way head. Aluminium or carbon fiber can be chosen. Three or four section legs depending on need or budget. As for me I choose the 3 section carbon fiber tripod. For me ....... A great choice for using both canon 6D or Nikon D810.

prettynice Loc: Southbury, CT

I looked at those. How is the head? Rock solid? What's the weight load for each? Thanks!

juicesqueezer Loc: Okeechobee, Florida

I would recommend the Nest gimbal from MTShooter, here on the forum. As far as a good tripod, you might want to consider something light, since you will be hiking with it and other gear. Carbon fiber is hard to beat and their price range varies greatly. Induro, Benbo, Manfrotto are names that come to mind that do make good tripods. Another that has had rave reviews is the Feisol.
Good luck in your search, but I believe your price range will quickly be devoured! Remember, you get what you pay for.

Karl Shuffler Loc: Weinert, Texas

http://www.manfrotto.us/category/0

http://www.manfrotto.us/tripods

You can get their catalog and more information here.

Dik

I did some searching, only found one used Benbo (eBay) but here's the US Uni-Loc distributor:
http://www.uniloctripod.com/UNI-LOC%20Tripod%20Buyers%20Guide%20-WEB.pdf

ptcanon3ti Loc: NJ

I just got this tripod, as I was also looking for something with good height with out the center column extended (57" ) good low angle shooting (6" ) carbon fiber, and good load capacity (39.7 pounds). I got it for $407 shipped.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1085544-REG/sirui_bsrn3204x_n_3204x_carbon_tripod.html

tsilva Loc: Arizona

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

With that budget you will likely buy yet another tripod and head - A 600mm lens on a crop sensor has a field of view of a 900mm lens, and only the top RRS and Gitzo tripods will adequately support the combination. You can go cheaper, but you will repeat that several times before you get the Final and Great Tripod and Head. There is something you should know - the load carrying capacity - often quoted as a criteria for tripod selection - is total BS. You cannot predict how stable the lens and camera will be from just the load capacity. You need to know how stiff and rigid it is. Look at the RRS blog post about tripod selection - it will open your eyes. BTW, a far more reliable predictor of stability is the top tube diameter - and for a 900mm lens, even it is helium filled and only weighs 12 oz - should be greater than 37mm. The Gitzo catalog has similar explanations and examples.

Or you could go ahead and buy a $450 tripod in the meantime.

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

32mm on the leg tube is a little light - but a tripod like this should be good for up to a 400mm lens.

Dik

With a total budget of $450 in mind, and careful reading of your intended use - factors to consider -
Heavier is cheaper, and more stable, harder to carry.
Old big heavy tripod is cheapest, maybe most stable.
New materials and design in Nest head give Big Bang for the buck, so try Montana, maybe he can set you up with an ugly old Gitzo and lightly used Nest gimbal head within your budget.