E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Yup! My face can stop a eight-day clock and make it run backward.

I have a Gitzo carbon fiber tripod for weddings and light to medium duty jobs. The ones I recommend in my previous post are extremely well built but not fancy. Few folks remember the Majestic tripods. They are still in manufacture and they are the real deal!

Regards!

(Download)

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Try hanging the bag from the camera, NOT the tripod.
For example hang it from the strap if the strap is attached to the camera lugs. That does WAY more than hanging from the tripod.
If your strap is on the tripod mounting probably won’t do much.
With a longer lens it’s MORE important to stabilize the lens mount and not the camera mount!!! Try it
SS

latebloomer Loc: Topeka, KS

Listen to this man. I did after throwing $200 on Vanguard Tripod. I purchased the Feisol recommended. What a difference it makes. Vibration is the critical factor.

James Van Ells

I use a Canon 5D4 with a Sigma 150-600 with a gimbal head on an Induro 440 tripod. Weight capacity is 60# and it is stable. The model I have is no longer made but they have comparable models. I am a bit over 6' so I need a tall tripod and can use this one without the center column extended.

levinton

I favor the Samson tripods, e.g. model 7301 with 7201 head. These are available on EBAY for often <$100 and are very solid but not exactly backpackable. There are also dolly models but have not tried them.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

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dandev Loc: Enumclaw, WA

The finale - I ended up buying the RRS TVC 34 and BH55 ball head. Plus all the plates for cameras and lenses.
The tripod is rock solid. A total improvement over my Manfrotto. I used it to shoot big horn sheep in the desert with a Canon 100-400 with 1.4X and the shots were excellent.
With the ball head off, I was able to fit the tripod crosswise in my suitcase.
My only complaints:
1. The anodize on the metal parts is not great. I brought the tripod on a hiking trip and brushed it up against some granite rocks and it deeply scratched the ball head finish. A black magic marker should fix it.
2. Some of the screws needed to be tightened on both the ball head and tripod. Not a big deal - but an oddity that I had to do it.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

Of course it’s not great now - it’s unreasonable to expect any anodized finish to withstand that kind of abuse.