NJphotodoc Loc: Now in the First State

Just got a 500mm telephoto for my D7000. Using my old Velbon tripod (rated 10 lbs) which works fine but I'm seeing some slippage even with balancing out to camera on the tripod. Should I bite the bullet and get one with a high weight load rating or are there some tricks folks have found to be effective. Will be doing outdoor animal and travel photos so weight is a consideration.

Thanks!

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

Use the search function and search for Gene51. He has posted much excellent guidance. Start thinking about carbon fiber, and large upper leg diameters. Stability is the issue more than weight capacity, and thinking upwards of around $400 seems to be a consensus.

travisdeland Loc: deland, FL

I agree with Peterff. I also would suggest looking into the Nest brand carbon fiber tripods. They are very well built, and priced quite affordably. Stability is key-weight bearing ability is secondary.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Check eBay. You can get carbon fiber tripods at a reasonable price. Some brand new too.

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

Is your head slipping causing the lens/camera to move even though you've locked everything up?

Your problem is actually stability not load capacity. Even if you were to get a head that locks, the Velbon legs are frightfully inadequate. If you don't want to spend north of $900 for a Really Right Stuff tripod that will be stable with a lens that on your camera has a field of view equivalent to a 750mm lens, and add to that a head to match, then you might want to take a look at the Feisol CT 3472 or the CT-3372 (around $500). I use the former with my 600mm lens and a D800 all day long without hesitation. It is stable and weighs under 4 lbs. Everything else on the market is heavier, more expensive, less stable (most have a center column), and if they are cheaper, the legs are to thin to dampen vibration. The Feisol has a 37mm top tube, and great leg locks so that even fully extended, it dampens vibration very well. I found it more stable than a Gitzo Series 3, that I had for a month and was completely unhappy with. The Gitzo's top tube was only 32mm, which explains why they don't rate it for use with anything longer than 300mm.

The choice is yours - if you get anything with a smaller top tube diameter than 37mm you will be unhappy, and you'll end up either selling your 500mm lens or getting the right tripod eventually. Save yourself the aggravation and just get it as soon as possible. Throw the Velbon into your attic or the back of a closet - you are likely to never use it again once you get a real tripod.

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

I mostly agree with Gene, and followed his excellent advice and ended up getting a used Gitzo Series 5, but there are times when my lighter weight tripods are useful. I'm glad I still have the other others. The big boy does deliver the goods, but it isn't needed for everything, sometimes less substantial ones can be adequate. At 500mm or beyond, not so much!

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

I have a light tripod and it is totally useful - I pack it into the back country, along with lenses up to 200mm - and for this purpose it is more than adequate. It's not useful with a 500mm lens though. Nor did I expect that to be the case when I bought it.

I am jealous of your Gitzo, though.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Don't even consider using that tripod again with that setup. All it takes is one fall of your equipment to ruin your day. Buy something good, but you don't have to take out a second mortgage.

http://www.bythom.com/support.htm
http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/5-pros-and-5-cons-of-using-a-tripod/
http://www.lightstalking.com/tripod-heads/

EddieC Loc: CT

I generally use a Manfrotto carbon tripod with joystick ballhead. For hiking I have a smaller Manfrotto that works well.

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

But what is the longest/weightiest lens you use?

J. R.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

You probably do need something heavier than your Velbon ! Without spending a lot of money, I do like the Slik Pro 700 DX - http://www.ebay.com/itm/371546840953?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT - of course, carbon fiber will be lighter - and more expensive !

For any kind of serious wildlife, I would be looking at a monopod over a tripod for mobility/weight saving and using a video fluid head for tracking movement. And there are other weight saving ways of gaining stability - like this - http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-384073-1.html

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

I have used a 300 2.8 with 2X on a monopod using the Manfro #222 grip action ballhead with a #234 tilt on top - worked for me - but today I use a a video fluid pan/tilt for the smooth trackability aspect.

bgate Loc: Texas

Look at the Slik 824 carbon fiber from B-H, $279.00 includes case. rated at 17.6 lbs, weights 4.1 lbs.

Pkfish Loc: Wilson Wy

My shooter sells the the Nest series . A friend bought several and he is very happy. I bought aGitzo series 5 and it's the bomb but it was 2 times the price of the Nest. I did buy the Nest gimbal head (very well made) Lots of choices out there.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

You need a tripod that has a weight rating of at least double the weight you are putting on it. My 500mm lens, camera, and doubler weighed in at 13.8lbs. My tripod is rated at 39 pounds. It's a Gitzo carbon fiber series 3 and I have an Induro gimbal head. So my tripod is rated at nearly 3 times the weight of my equipment if I have all the stuff on it. I have different camera bodies now that don't weigh as much so I don't think my equipment weighs this much now but I'm glad to have the sturdy but lightweight tripod. Every pounds counts when you are in the field marching around with all that weight, especially the older you get.

I friend of mine bought the Induro carbon fiber tripod that was about as heavy duty as mine and I liked it at first. It was very nice and about 2/3 the price of my Gitzo. But after a couple of years his legs were flopping around all over the place and no matter how much he tried to tighten the star leg bolts, it wouldn't tighten any more. Now I think it's a piece of shit. But I know someone else that had one and they say if he calls Induro they will send a replacement part that is engineered better that will solve his problem free. He hasn't done it yet.

Don't even think about a Silk tripod. Too heavy, not rated for your load and seriously a beginners tripod.