etaoin Loc: Wichita, KS

Looking for a "good" tripod to handle (max load) a Nikon D750 with a 200-500 lens. Got some questions:
I'm 6'2", so center adjustable column or not.
Weight isn't too much of a concern since I won't be hiking with it.
Don't necessarily want to go bankrupt on a fancy-schmancy carbon fibre one.
Have had my eye on a Dutch Hill P900. Any opinions on this one?
Also been looking at the RRS BH-55 ballhead. Thoughts?
When does a gimble head make more sense than a ballhead?
Thanks.

RichJ207 Loc: Sammamish, WA

I have RRS equipment and love it, including a BH-55 ballhead. It is, however, pretty fancy-schmancy. Could you share your target budget? If stability is important, most folks advise against using an elevated center post.

Japakomom Loc: Originally from the Last Frontier

I would check out some of the Nest tripods at Carter's Camera Cottage. Good prices on some solid tripods.
http://www.cameracottage.com/apps/webstore/

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I'm a believer in Gitzo tripods. I've been using one for around 17 years.
--Bob

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Here is my default recommendation especially with budget concerns and please READ the user reviews. - https://www.ebay.com/itm/Slik-Pro-700DX-Super-Titanium-Alloy-Tripod-Legs-615900/371546840953?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372

The RRS-55 is a great ballhead with a great price ! It has a 55mm ball - the bigger the better - if you do not mind the weight or cost !

I like the specs on this head - 45mm ball and pans at the top and bottom. - https://www.ebay.com/itm/ProMaster-SP45P-Ball-Head/302816288861?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372

IMO, ballheads are more for static subjects and not following action. Gimbals are more for following action - so are video fluid heads !

Unless you are shooting a long lens at night, ( or other timed exposures) I like/prefer a rising centerpost for speed and ergonomics. If you are using a 200-500, you will most likely be following action with a higher shutter speed where stability is not the utmost concern and the tripod/centerpost will mostly be providing adequate support at a comfortable level for you.
.

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

For what it's worth, I very rarely use a tripod but i have heard many people say tripod's made in Germany are very well made.

CO

You definitely want to get a gimbal head for the 200-500mm lens. It would be frustrating wrestling with a ball head with that lens. Make sure you get one that has adjustable dampening.

If you want a ballhead, take a look at Markins ballheads with their pan/tilt attachment. Their Q10i and Q20i ballheads are compatible with their BV-12, BV-22, and BV-24 pan/tilt attachments. I rented it once. It's precisely machined and works great.

Markins pan/tilt attachment for ballheads

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

You will find Benro and Induro tripods are very good for the price, and they come with tools and a tripod carrying case. The Benro TMA38CL ser3 m3 carbon fiber 385, and the TMA48CXL Ser4mach3 is also a very nice tripod for the price. Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

A gimbal head makes a lot more sense for the 200-500 lens than a ball head, the ball head will flop around when your trying to adjust
I would check with Carters camera cottage, the owner is a UHH member, I bought one of the Nest gimbal heads for my G/F and found it to be as steady as my Wimberly which cost twice as much. I would check the Nest line of tripods as well.
I do own and use Gitzo (GT5561SGT) (no longer cataloged) and Manfrotto (055CX Pro4)tripods
I googled the Dutch Hill tripods and found nothing other than surveyors tripods.

queencitysanta Loc: Charlotte, North Carolina

I bought two tripod's fromcarter at carter's camera cottage.

Tripod 1 up to seven feet and supports 70 pounds

Tripod 2 Travel tripod folds up tp !9" supports 44 pounds

Nest NT-648H Ball Head supports 44 pounds I use this on both of my cameras

Carter also has UHH pins for your hat or vest

jmw44 Loc: Princeton, NJ USA

I highly recommend the Robus RC-5570 tripod. Great quality for the price. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1383159-REG/robus_rc_5570_c_5570_tripod.html

I use the 200-500 on my D500 and love it. You may have to wait a while as they are back ordered right now. They are popular and for good reason. It is rated for much more weight than the Dutch Hill you mention, also.

I use a Katana Jr. gimbal head and love it. I'm sure you'd be happier with a gimbal than a ball head for that lens.

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

Even a $110 aluminum tripod that weighs 6 lbs will hold your camera and lens load - which is about 6.75 lbs. The reason to get a tripod is to stop vibration, not resist gravity. A monopod does a great job of resisting gravity. Only tripods with a large apex (where the legs come together) and thick legs - top tube typically 37mm or thicker, will provide the stability you need.

However, since you are also inquiring about a gimbal or RRS Ball head, and a 6.6 lb Dutch Hill P900, you are not averse to spending a "proper" amount of money for legs and a head.

This Leofoto LN 404 C is only slightly higher in price than the P 900 - but it is considerably stiffer, has a huge 100mm dia bowl and is one of the more stable tripods out there these days. If you see any vibration it will most certainly not be due to an inadequate tripod. The top leg section is a hefty 40mm in diameter, making it comparable to a Gitzo Series 5 or the RRS Series 4 and without a center column it extends to 71" and when you add a head, it will put the viewfiinder above your forehead. I suggest this only because you aren't concerned with weight. It does weigh 7.78 lbs, only 1.75lbs over the Slik being suggested by another poster, but with a load capacity of 110 lbs compared to the Slik's 22 lbs, you can see the extra $ or so over what you would pay for the P900 is well worth it.

https://thecentercolumn.com/tripod-reviews/leofoto/leofoto-ln-404c-review/

I own an Arca Swiss Z1 ball head. Markins, RRS, Kirk, Feisol, Sirui and FLM all make similar or better products. Again, since weight is not a concern, the FLM CB-58FTR would be worth considering. It is slightly cheaper than the RRS, just as well made, and I like the quick release on the clamp that allows for slightly different plate dimensions to be accommodated. I also like the easy on/easy off feature to remove the head from the tripod, and the dual levels on the clamp.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1085533-REG/flm_12_58_960_cb_58ftr_professional_ft_series.html

And a review of the FLM head:

https://photographylife.com/reviews/flm-ballhead

I use a very simple gimbal - the Manfrotto 393, which I modified by adding an Arca compatible clamp. You can do this either of two ways - you can get just a clamp and bolt it directly to the lens plate using the three supplied bots, or you can get a conversion kit that would eliminate the plate. Either way works well.

I used my 600mmF4 with both my Arca Swiss Z1 and the 393 with equally good results. Both are very sturdy, and the Z1, like the other ball heads in it's class - has a large ball diameter which allows you to set the friction to just enough to hold the camera in place when you take your hands off, but not so tight that you can't move the camera without first releasing it - aka the "Sweet Spot". This is a feature of a good ball head, and generally not present in the sub-$200 class of head. The Sirui K-40X is one exception - it performs better than it's specs predict. It does lock down nice and tight, even with a 14 lb camera and lens combo, and still has a nice sweet spot.

Now I am going to make a suggestion - if you can, try and use the lens and camera without a tripod at first. It is far less combersome, and can result in fewer missed shots because you are setting up a tripod and fiddling around with it.

I walk around with a Sigma Sport 150-600 and a D810. Just yesterday I was at Chincoteague NWR and hiked about 7 miles with it and did not find it unreasonably heavy.

Another thought - have you considered the Tamron 150-600 G2? Both the Sport and the G2 easily beat the Nikkor in image quality at the max focal length, and both have an extra 100mm, and have really good environmental sealing and better build quality than the Nikkor.

Here is a comprehensive review of the 200-500, and some comparisons to other lenses - but you will see that the Sport is considerably sharper. The G2 is only a few ounces heavier than the Nikkor.

https://photographylife.com/reviews/nikon-200-500mm-f5-6e-vr

Here are two videos comparing the G2 and the Sport:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gjxae68EGn0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9C2_uUApQE

I am not dissing the 200-500. It is a very good lens. I am just saying, that if you are thinking about spending up to $1400 for a lens, the G2 provides better image quality, comparable weight, better build quality, and a 6 yr warranty - certainly worth your consideration.

treadwl Loc: South Florida

For cost considerations I would suggest that you do not get the Wimberly full gimbal. I suggest the RRS bll head you mention with the arca swiss plate and then get the Wimberly SIDEKICK. I have this rig and it will support my Nikon prime 500mm lens quite well---I can even pan birds in flight.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

Gimbal or RRS-55 ballhead and Whimberly Sidekick. I prefer the flexibility of the RRS pano gimbal and rarely use my 55 ballhead, even with short lenses and in studio type shooting. You may also want to look at a long lens support. They add stability, RRS and several others make them.

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

...I have that tripod, 38CL, and its great.