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

Heavier is not more stable. I had a 14lb Bogen 3051 - with a 3047 head - was fine for my view camera, but wasn't worth a dime with anything longer than 135mm on a DSLR.

Heavier is cheaper.

Old big heavy tripod is nothing more than an old big heavy tripod that will sit in the closet because it is an old big heavy tripod.

Ugly old Gitzos are great, but heavy and ugly and definitely not cheap.

Best thing for the OP to do is to rethink his budget.

Dusty

For wildlife photography get yourself a Gimball Head.

Dusty

Get yourself a good Gimbal Head.

ggttc Loc: TN

I agree...got the Nest Gimbal from Mt shooter and it handles my d7100 and the Tamron 150-600 without a problem...but its on a Bogen 3021 which is on the heavy side

prettynice Loc: Southbury, CT

What tripod would you recommend with the gimbal head and the 150600 lens?

ddonlewis

Let's put in some reality here. We have been told forever that tripods will make your photos better, sharper if used. We have all gone through buying several over the years from lighter to heavier, and cheaper to more expensive. An interesting question is will you use it? In my case with the best intentions I have rarely used it outside. For me it's to big of a pain to carry, set up and use. Plus today you have image stabilization on lenses. Having said all that your choice is either a great aluminum on the cheaper side or carbon on the lighter side. For the pros Gitzo has been the standard, but you will not get one with a head for less than $1,000, which is beyound ridiculous unless your a pro. My recommendation would be to buy one of the following options on EBAY. Manfrotto 3021 has been the standard on the aluminum side and you can buy one used with a head for $150. It's rock solid and weighs about 5 or so pounds. You can buy a used Gitzo for $450. You may be able to find one with a head. Then you have the Sirui option that some have suggested, which is one of many off brands that is affordable. You're choice. The Manfrotto may be the safe choice until you decide if your style will use a tripod faithfully.

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

Lot's of advice, most of it words that have been read and repeated by others.

Read the three parts to this:

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/Be-a-Gear-Expert/Choosing-a-Tripod/Part-1-Understanding-Load-Ratings.html

And Page 14 of the attached catalog (see download link below)

to gain some knowledge and clarity about what tripod might be suitable and what it can cost and why.

You will immediately understand that load capacity, tripod weight, the tripod that Joe Hedgehog uses and loves, and lots of other advice I've seen - are all misguided attempts to help you, mostly with bad information. The end result is that by following such advice, you will be at least one or more tripods before you get the one you really need. The 150-600 absolutely requires a rigid, high level tripod. There are many fine less expensive ones, but most will leave you either underwhelmed or just plain frustrated. If need to or want to learn from your own mistakes. no one can stop you. Or you can read and learn and become acquainted with what you really need, and maybe buy just one more tripod and get it right in one shot.

If you are getting light (and you should), you should be looking at a carbon fiber tripod with a 37mm or larger top tube diameter. Without a head and no extendable center column it will weigh between 3.6 and 5 lbs, depending on the number of leg sections. The brand is less important, since there are only a few that make such a tripod. To my knowledge, the least expensive that meets this criteria might be the Feisol 3472 or 3372 - from experience I can tell you it is more rigid than a Gitzo Series 3 (which is expected, since it only has a 28mm top tube), and not quite as rigid as a Series 5 with its 39mm top tube.

For me the choice was a good compromise. To support a 600mm lens I needed a Gitzo series 5 carbon, or the equivalent RRS. But my budget was considerably more modest. That is how I first came across Feisol 7 yrs ago. I took a chance, returned the Gitzo Series 3 carbon I had purchased just a month earlier, and ordered a 3472 - and never looked back. It has 4 leg sections and weighs slightly over 3.5 lbs, and has a 37mm top tube, and 90% of the time it is dead stable, regardless of whether I use the 600 or a 150 macro - I get consistent, sharp results. I ordered mine directly from www.feisol.com and it took a week to get. I think I paid $550 in 2008. I take it backpacking and on day hikes - and it solves most of my needs. I suppose I could get a lighter duty tripod for landscape work, (no long lens or macro) and it would be smaller and lighter- but I have other better things to spend my money on, a second pod would be a bit of a luxury.

I am not implying that you need to spend $2000 on a tripod and head, but I am saying that there are some reasonable alternatives to that if you are willing to deal with a small amount of compromise - but the concept is the same - performance, not stats, will determine how happy you will be with your purchase. And top tube diameter is the best predictor of performance.

2014 Gitzo Catalog
Attached file:
(Download)

Tom H Loc: St. Louis, MO

I asked Carter, (MTShooter), the same question. He sold me a very sturdy second hand tripod and a new NEST gimbal head. It is great. Buying a used tripod kept the price down and within your budget.

Carter's Camera Cottage: http://www.cameracottage.com/

Basil Loc: New Mexico

I am by no means an expert, but I did a fair amount of research before I bought my tripod. I wanted something sturdy, light weight, and fast to set up, break down. I previously had an aluminum tripod made by Targus that I bought on the cheap at Costco. I did not like the little flip-tabs the Targus used to release the legs for extension but many of the name-brand tripods used these little mechanical tabs. I ended up with the Sirui N2204X, which is a Carbon Fiber, four section tripod with twist-type quick release legs. So far I am extremely happy with my purchase (from B&H). It is not cheap but it is definitely well made. One leg removes to make a mono-pod, which is a nice plus. The fitting for the removable mono-pod leg is machined brass. All the fittings and controls work very smoothly and seem well manufactured. Here is a demo of the N2204 (not the X). As far as I can tell, the difference is, my X version has two legs that are padded: http://youtu.be/ZOevriaMTxQ

Another thing I like that when the legs are extended, with the camera attached, the height is just about right for me (I'm 5'10") without the need to extend the center post (thus helping with stability).


I also bought the Sirui K-20x ball head (sorry this is in German): http://youtu.be/-fnzfkpcZCM

I also bought the NEST Gimbal Head from MTShooter, a regular here. The Nest Gimbal head is a very well-made, light (Carbon Fiber) gimbal head that comes in it's own very nice carry case. http://youtu.be/gwEM8OQQgKM

WayneL Loc: Baltimore Md

Good choice but with a Sirui K-30X ball head.

Basil Loc: New Mexico

I actually thought about that, but opted for the NEST gimbal for my larger lenses. For the other lenses I have, the 20 works great.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

This is really excellent advice that really resonates with me. The good news is that after following it and buying a used Gitzo 5541LS my tripod no longer resonates like cheaper ones do!

For anyone looking at using long lenses reading the catalog makes so much sense. What I fail to understand is why Gitzo makes it so hard to get to the information. I have found it hard to locate via websites or through Google searches the leg diameter specifications for many tripods that are considered to be so important according to Gene51's excellent advice.

Perhaps there are easier ways to locate the information since it seems so pertinent.

Gene, any suggestions other than the ones you frequently post?

Perhaps we could make a copy of the salient details and get them anchored in the resources section or somewhere if they are not already out there somewhere!

Many thanks

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

And, he pays forward, like Woody Hayes used to say. So, if you can, pay him back a little!

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

churchchef

Wow! Great information. I'm sold! Sorry that I didn't know this when I bought a tripod a month ago. Your reply to the question is the kind that this forum needs more of. You have a genuine concern for person who needs help, and explain the product's its key features and benefits, how it works, where to buy it. And without any tone of bias or criticism, or going off on a techno rabbit trail. "A man diligent in business stands before kings, not mean men". Thanks Dik