DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

My current heavy duty tripod is an old (like 1980s) Bogen 3021. It has only a 1/4x20 threaded bolt to fasten to a tripod foot. Is there any presently available head system that would improve stiffness for mounting a Nikon 200-500 f5.6 lens? I know cameras but am a tripod neophyte.

JR45 Loc: Montgomery County, TX

The type of tripod will depend on what your subject matter is.
I use an INDURO mod CLT203PHQ1 that clamps to the foot of
my 200-500. Most of my work is static. If your subject moves a
lot you may look at a different head such as BALL.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

A lot of Tog's use a Gimbal head for larger glass. Check out Steve Perry's Backcountry Galley YouTube channel for a recommendation.

I have an Acratech Panorama Head on a Really Right Stuff Versa Series 2 tripod for a rock-solid mount.

https://www.acratech.net/acratech-panoramic-head-can-be-used-like-a-long-lens-head/

BBurns Loc: South Bay, California

I am very familiar with a lot of the older Bogen hardware.
You did not state which head you have on the 3021.
Much of Bogen's gear can easily be converted to 3/8-16 if your lens will accept it.
A little more info will help.

queencitysanta Loc: Charlotte, North Carolina

Nest NT-530H Carbon Fiber Gimbal Head
$298.00

This is in my opinion, the absolute best buy in a Gimbal head available ANYWHERE!

The lightweight carbon fiber neck makes for a total weight of only 2.4 pounds! Combine that with the sturctural rigidity and vibration damping capability of carbon fiber and you have a VERY stable platform capable of supporting the biggest of lenses. Fits any Pro tripod with the standard 3/8" mounting stud.

The newest version of this head, available as of 6-15-15, has a wider jaw to allow for "drop-in" of generic Arca plates, as well as the traditional Nest high security style "Slide-in" plates. (One plate included)

Your head will also come with a very nice padded carrying case!
or

Nest NT-648H Ball Head
$129.95

An oil-less ball head with 55# capacity featuring an ARCA "slide-in", high security type Quick Release system that is now fully Arca-Swiss compatible. (The adjustable jaw opens wide enough for ARCA plate "drop-in" installation as well as the Nest "slide-in" plates.) Full ball release with one lever featuring front and back grooving for 180 degree articulation, as well as adjustable friction control.

This head also offers separate base panning control so you are able to pan the head without releasing the ball.

An amazing price for a ball head of this capacity and value!

FREE SHIPPING IF PURCHASED WITH A TRIPOD!

Carter MT Shooter on our board https://www.cameracottage.com/apps/webstore/

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

Check out the tripod and head reviews on The Digital Picture website. He covers ball heads and gimbals on there.

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

Benro and Induro make great tripods, include a tool kit and tripod case and are priced right.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

This is the 1/4 to 3/8 adapter you need to be using - https://www.ebay.com/itm/Stainless-Steel-1-4-to-3-8-Rock-Steady-SS-Bushing-Adapter-Tripod-50mm-Diameter/221968149627?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372

This is the lens bracket you should be using - or one like it - https://www.ebay.com/itm/L200-Long-Focus-Telephoto-Lens-Support-Bracket-Holder-w-Quick-Release-Plate-US/333148557869?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372

I use a Manfro 502 video fluid head with my 300 2.8 ....and 4X5's
.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Your Manfrotto 3021 is a very good tripod. Get yourself a ballhead with Arca swiss attachment and you should be ready to roll.

DaveJ Loc: NE Missouri

Davey,
I have a Bogen 3020 that I took off the head and put a Gimbal on. It works great! I had it left from over 25 years ago. I found a used like new Bogen 3021 tripod and bought for my wife that was way less than the new today. We put the old Bogen head on it for her to use. What head is currently on your tripod? Are you wanting a different head, or just need to make the mount stiffer?
Dave
PS: Read the many threads on UHH about ball heads and longer lens before investing in one, IMO.

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

The current head is stamped #128. Pictures will follow later today when I can download.

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

That tripod is not going to hold a 200-500 steady at all. I used to have a 3051 with a 3047 head and it was awful with anything longer than 200mm. That line of tripods was intended to be used in a studio, and due to the ridiculous weight and large collapsed size, it is unsuitable for field use.

If you are bent on trying to make this work with your lens, the best solution is to swap out the entire collar (better, but more expensive) with a Kirk or Really Right Stuff collar ($210 or $250). Or you can just unbolt the foot and replace it with a new foot, or at the very least, you should purchase a lens plate for around $40-$50 to bolt onto the Nikon foot. This will give you an Arca-Swiss compatible mount.

Then you can get a Gimbal. I like and use the $180 Manfrotto 393. I modified it with an Arca-compatible screw-style clamp from Hejnar Photo. The bolt pattern is the same as the hole pattern on the Manfrotto quick-release plate. I leave this on the gimbal all the time, using the Arca clamp to mount the lens.

If you are using a crop sensor camera, your field of view will be the same as a 750mm lens, making it very demanding for a tripod. At the very least, a carbon fiber tripod with a top leg section that is no less than 37mm would make a stable platform. The least costly tripods that I am aware of would be a Feisol CT-3472, (4 lbs, $600), or a LeoFoto LN-404C (7.5 lbs, $650). Anything less will diminish the number of shots that you will get without blur due to camera movement.

I own a Feisol C-T3472 and have used it with a 600mmF4 + 1.4X TC on a crop sensor camera with good results, but it is better suited for use with shorter lenses on full frame cameras.

Before you go through all of this, have you considered using the lens without a tripod at all? I purchased a Sigma 150-600 Sport (6.5 lbs) and use it all day long attached to a D810, no tripod. The flexibility of not using a tripod makes for more interesting shots that would be hard to get with a camera/lens attached to a tripod.

DaveJ Loc: NE Missouri

Davey,

Your Bogen 3021 and Gene's 3051 are very different tripods. Your 3021 is rated at 13.2 lbs., and your lens is about 5 lbs and body should be less than 2lbs (D850). You can learn the differences here.....http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/reviews/bogtri.html

Are you doing photos of moving animals or birds, or want to lock down the camera and lens for long exposure?
PS: No disrespect meant to Gene.

Dave

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

DaveJ Loc: NE Missouri

That is a Bogen 3126 head, I think. I would think that would be very awkward to use outside with your lens. I would think I'd get a different head on your tripod, and then if your 3021 Tripod is not up to the task, then shop for a different tripod.
Just my opinion.