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Neewer carbon fiber tripod
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Dec 13, 2019 13:53:01   #
htbrown Loc: San Francisco Bay Area
 
I was given a Sigma 150-600 lens for my birthday this summer(!) This is a big honkin' lens. I have a sturdy tripod for it, but the ball head is barely up to the job.

The tripod I have is too heavy to hike with, and so is this lens. So... I'm getting a gimbal to put on the heavy tripod, and am looking for some lighter legs I can hike with to put the ball head on.

When searching around, I keep seeing the Neewer carbon fiber tripod come up in various lists of top ten tripods. At $100, I'm a little cautious about it. I'd be very interested in hearing from any hogs that have actual experience with this tripod, and learning what they think. They claim it can handle 26.5 pounds, which is way more than anything I'm going to put on it (assuming the big Sigma is going on the gimbal).

I know conventional wisdom says I should buy the flat-out best I can afford, but some of us have shallow pockets, so I'm tempted.

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Dec 13, 2019 14:16:57   #
rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
 
I hike with my Sigma 150-600 Sport quite often. I have a carbon tripod but for the heavier lenses and gimbal head, I use my aircraft aluminum tripod. It's a wee bit heavier than the carbon one but a lot sturdier. Another thing to consider; using fast shutter speeds will also eliminate tripod shake, even with a long lens.

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Dec 13, 2019 14:50:27   #
Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.
 
htbrown wrote:
I was given a Sigma 150-600 lens for my birthday this summer(!) This is a big honkin' lens. I have a sturdy tripod for it, but the ball head is barely up to the job.

The tripod I have is too heavy to hike with, and so is this lens. So... I'm getting a gimbal to put on the heavy tripod, and am looking for some lighter legs I can hike with to put the ball head on.

When searching around, I keep seeing the Neewer carbon fiber tripod come up in various lists of top ten tripods. At $100, I'm a little cautious about it. I'd be very interested in hearing from any hogs that have actual experience with this tripod, and learning what they think. They claim it can handle 26.5 pounds, which is way more than anything I'm going to put on it (assuming the big Sigma is going on the gimbal).

I know conventional wisdom says I should buy the flat-out best I can afford, but some of us have shallow pockets, so I'm tempted.
I was given a Sigma 150-600 lens for my birthday t... (show quote)


FWIW - I use a big Tamron 150-600, but use an old Bogen tripod from a yard sale, with a gimbal head on it, center column and legs matching width. It is a heavy tripod, also tall, but it is sturdy and easily takes the weight. I also use a tall, Vanguard tripod (ABEO Plus 363AB) with ball head (BBH-300 ) at times. Again, heavy enough to handle the weight, tall enough that I don't need to stoop, with a center column the same width as the legs

Not something I would want to lug very far though for sure, but for me, when I am shooting with that big Tamron, I prefer tall and sturdy and am not planning on hiking.

The Vanguard tripod I picked up at a great discount from B&H as Vanguard was discontinuing that model and they were selling out all they had at a deep discount. I am thinking it was a $300.00 tripod selling at 125.00 at the time. Watch for special deals on higher end stuff, and you can get lucky.

One note - If you skimp on a tripod, you may well end up buying it at least twice.... better to get what you need, or more than you need instead of skimping.

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Dec 13, 2019 15:15:27   #
Hamltnblue Loc: Springfield PA
 
for the price, I found the Sirui W2204 tripod and G20x Ball Head a great mix.
The product is a Chinese brand but gets great ratings.
It's sturdy, waterproof, and a good weight. The Ball head is rated for about 40 pounds and is rock solid.
The price is about half of a Gitzo and almost as good IMO.

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Dec 13, 2019 15:18:04   #
htbrown Loc: San Francisco Bay Area
 
Thanks for the ideas, but I'm specifically interested in people's experience, if any, with the Neewer tripod. I've bought other Neewer things and have generally been pleased with them.

Reply
Dec 13, 2019 16:04:12   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
htbrown wrote:
I was given a Sigma 150-600 lens for my birthday this summer(!) This is a big honkin' lens. I have a sturdy tripod for it, but the ball head is barely up to the job.

The tripod I have is too heavy to hike with, and so is this lens. So... I'm getting a gimbal to put on the heavy tripod, and am looking for some lighter legs I can hike with to put the ball head on.

When searching around, I keep seeing the Neewer carbon fiber tripod come up in various lists of top ten tripods. At $100, I'm a little cautious about it. I'd be very interested in hearing from any hogs that have actual experience with this tripod, and learning what they think. They claim it can handle 26.5 pounds, which is way more than anything I'm going to put on it (assuming the big Sigma is going on the gimbal).

I know conventional wisdom says I should buy the flat-out best I can afford, but some of us have shallow pockets, so I'm tempted.
I was given a Sigma 150-600 lens for my birthday t... (show quote)


What you can afford has no bearing on whether you will be spending your money wisely on something that will work for your stated purpose - or just buying something because it's cheap and may work. I don't have to own one to tell you that while the Neewer may be a great tripod, it will be a little wobbly for a 600mm lens, especially if you are using it with a crop sensor camera. The top leg diameter is only 25mm, and it will be roughly equivalent to a Gitzo Series 1 - which Gitzo recommends will support up to 100mm, or as long as 200mm if you are careful and don't mind a few images blurred by camera movement. The Gitzo sells for $1000 without a head.

https://www.gitzo-shop.ch/contents/de-ch/Gitzo_katalog_2016.pdf

To put it into automotive terms - A Prius is an outstanding car - we have two of them we like them so much. But I think I'd rather have an F150 to make my runs to the local Home Depot . . . it doesn't mean the Prius isn't any good - it's just not the best choice for hauling "stuff." Think of the Newer as being a bit delicate for the task of supporting, with stability, a 600mm lens.

And it's not about load capacity either - I have a Feisol CT-3442, with 28mm legs. This is roughly equivalent to a Series 2, adequate for 200mm an ok, with care, up to 300mm. So, I have tried using my 150-600 and not been happy. It has a load capacity of 55 lbs. It's a great travel tripod, and at $400, about half the cost of a comparable Gitzo.

If you believe that the Neewer will work for you, then buy it. If you are hesitant (and you should be), then consider something a bit more robust. I have found that my Feisol CT-3472 is equivalent in stability to a Gitzo Series 4, and has a max leg tube diameter of 37mm and weighs 4 lbs with out the head. It is stable with a 600mm. It costs about $600 without the head.

I would not suggest you consider a tripod with skinnier legs - unless you don't mind shake and blur. LeoFoto makes a tripod that is equivalent to a Series 5 and has a 42mm (I think) top leg tube - it is a bit heavier, but works well with 600mm and longer (great if you are using it with a crop camera). It costs around $550.

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Dec 13, 2019 16:13:11   #
htbrown Loc: San Francisco Bay Area
 
Gene51 wrote:
I don't have to own one to tell you it may be a great tripod, but a little wobbly for a 600mm lens, especially if you are using it with a crop sensor camera. The top leg diameter is only 25mm, and it will be roughly equivalent to a Gitzo Series 2 - which Gitzo recommends will support up to 200mm, or as long as 300mm if you are careful and don't mind a few images blurred by camera movement. The Gitzo sells for $1000 without a head.

If you believe that this will work for you, then buy it. If you are hesitant, then consider something a bit more robust. I have found that the Feisol CT-3472 is equivalent in stability to a Gitzo Series 4, and has a max leg tube diameter of 37mm and weighs 4 lbs with out the head. It is stable with a 600mm. It costs about $600 wiithout the head. I would not suggest you consider a tripod with skinnier legs - unless you don't mind shake and blur. LeoFoto makes a tripod that is equivalent to a Series 5 and has a 42mm (I think) top leg tube - it is a bit heavier, but works well with 600mm and longer (great if you are using it with a crop camera). It costs around $550.
I don't have to own one to tell you it may be a gr... (show quote)


I'm thinking of the Neewer for everything but my 600. I'll use my heavy tripod for that, since I won't be hiking with the big lens. Someone else here said they hike with that lens, but s/he must have a better back than do I.

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Dec 13, 2019 16:24:31   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
htbrown wrote:
I'm thinking of the Neewer for everything but my 600. I'll use my heavy tripod for that, since I won't be hiking with the big lens. Someone else here said they hike with that lens, but s/he must have a better back than do I.


That would work I suppose - the head may be the main drawback.

FWIW - I have the Sigma Sport, and have never used it on a tripod. I also had a 600mm F4 which was over 12 lbs, and could not be hand held. This is what I bought the Feisol CT-3472 for in the first place - even though I didn't have the lens at the time I bought the tripod.

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Dec 13, 2019 16:37:01   #
htbrown Loc: San Francisco Bay Area
 
Gene51 wrote:
That would work I suppose - the head may be the main drawback.

FWIW - I have the Sigma Sport, and have never used it on a tripod. I also had a 600mm F4 which was over 12 lbs, and could not be hand held. This is what I bought the Feisol CT-3472 for in the first place - even though I didn't have the lens at the time I bought the tripod.


I have a gimbal head in the works for the 600, which will be on the heavy tripod. I'll put my current ball head, which is plenty beefy enough for anything else I have (and am likely to ever go on a long hike with) onto a new tripod light enough to hike with. Ideally, that would be a carbon fiber tripod.

I'm trying to determine if there's a carbon fiber tripod that I can both afford and will be halfway decent. The Neewer looks like it might be, but I was hoping someone with experience of it could chime in and tell me if I should avoid it for some good reason.

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Dec 14, 2019 06:52:43   #
ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA
 
htbrown wrote:
I was given a Sigma 150-600 lens for my birthday this summer(!) This is a big honkin' lens. I have a sturdy tripod for it, but the ball head is barely up to the job.

The tripod I have is too heavy to hike with, and so is this lens. So... I'm getting a gimbal to put on the heavy tripod, and am looking for some lighter legs I can hike with to put the ball head on.

When searching around, I keep seeing the Neewer carbon fiber tripod come up in various lists of top ten tripods. At $100, I'm a little cautious about it. I'd be very interested in hearing from any hogs that have actual experience with this tripod, and learning what they think. They claim it can handle 26.5 pounds, which is way more than anything I'm going to put on it (assuming the big Sigma is going on the gimbal).

I know conventional wisdom says I should buy the flat-out best I can afford, but some of us have shallow pockets, so I'm tempted.
I was given a Sigma 150-600 lens for my birthday t... (show quote)


Please think twice. I had this tripod, and it has a serious design problem. The center column sticks when extended, and it requires impact (hitting it on the ground) in order to retract it. After having this happen, i went on line and found a video review that commented on the same thing, and declared that the tripod could not be recommended. I did not have UUH to advise me at that point.

The worst part of the experience was dealing with Neewer customer service. I figured this was a defect, right? Despite descriptions and photos of the problem, they refused to deal with me until i supplied the Amazon order number. After i did that, their response was that the tripod was operating within spec. Translated, I took that to mean, “you bought a cheap piece of junk, what do you expect?”

So, if you plan never to extend the center column, or ever have a problem that requires customer service, you should be fine.

For me, I resolved never to purchase another Neewer product, and bit the bullet and graduated to (used) Gitzo tripods.

Good luck.

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Dec 14, 2019 06:56:49   #
clemente21
 
htbrown wrote:
I was given a Sigma 150-600 lens for my birthday this summer(!) This is a big honkin' lens. I have a sturdy tripod for it, but the ball head is barely up to the job.

The tripod I have is too heavy to hike with, and so is this lens. So... I'm getting a gimbal to put on the heavy tripod, and am looking for some lighter legs I can hike with to put the ball head on.

When searching around, I keep seeing the Neewer carbon fiber tripod come up in various lists of top ten tripods. At $100, I'm a little cautious about it. I'd be very interested in hearing from any hogs that have actual experience with this tripod, and learning what they think. They claim it can handle 26.5 pounds, which is way more than anything I'm going to put on it (assuming the big Sigma is going on the gimbal).

I know conventional wisdom says I should buy the flat-out best I can afford, but some of us have shallow pockets, so I'm tempted.
I was given a Sigma 150-600 lens for my birthday t... (show quote)


I don't have the 600, but I have the Neewer tripod, which I use when traveling. For the price it is a decent tripod. It is light, folds small and it comes with a carrying case. It comes with a head too, although I find it stiff when rotating. The largest lens I have is a 70-300 and it does the job.

Perhaps you could buy it from somewhere with a flexible return policy so you could try your setup. Like you I was undecided to buy it because I found it cheap, but the specs said otherwise. I decided to get it and for my purposes I don't have any regrets.

That said, when I have a job I leave the Neewer at Home and rely on my heavy Manfrotto. Hope it helps.

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Dec 14, 2019 07:27:55   #
Collhar Loc: New York City.
 
htbrown wrote:
Thanks for the ideas, but I'm specifically interested in people's experience, if any, with the Neewer tripod. I've bought other Neewer things and have generally been pleased with them.


Then you have answered your own question. Buy what you like.
"I'm specifically interested in people's experience, if any, with the Neewer tripod. I've bought other Neewer things and have generally been pleased with them".

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Dec 14, 2019 08:21:25   #
gwong1 Loc: Tampa, FL
 
htbrown wrote:
I was given a Sigma 150-600 lens for my birthday this summer(!) This is a big honkin' lens. I have a sturdy tripod for it, but the ball head is barely up to the job.

The tripod I have is too heavy to hike with, and so is this lens. So... I'm getting a gimbal to put on the heavy tripod, and am looking for some lighter legs I can hike with to put the ball head on.

When searching around, I keep seeing the Neewer carbon fiber tripod come up in various lists of top ten tripods. At $100, I'm a little cautious about it. I'd be very interested in hearing from any hogs that have actual experience with this tripod, and learning what they think. They claim it can handle 26.5 pounds, which is way more than anything I'm going to put on it (assuming the big Sigma is going on the gimbal).

I know conventional wisdom says I should buy the flat-out best I can afford, but some of us have shallow pockets, so I'm tempted.
I was given a Sigma 150-600 lens for my birthday t... (show quote)


htbrown, You may want to talk with fellow hogger MTSHOOTER, before you buy. He owns Camera Cottage (https://www.cameracottage.com/) and sells various tripods and gimbal heads (I own one). He is honest and will give advice even if you do not purchase from him. Gary

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Dec 14, 2019 08:24:42   #
camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.
 
I have no experience with Neewer but a carbon fiber tripod with ball head and capacity to hold 26 lbs. looks like a bargain to me. If you have the chance to check it do so, it is the best way to know if it is what you want.

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Dec 14, 2019 08:35:12   #
digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan
 
htbrown wrote:
I was given a Sigma 150-600 lens for my birthday this summer(!) This is a big honkin' lens. I have a sturdy tripod for it, but the ball head is barely up to the job.

The tripod I have is too heavy to hike with, and so is this lens. So... I'm getting a gimbal to put on the heavy tripod, and am looking for some lighter legs I can hike with to put the ball head on.

When searching around, I keep seeing the Neewer carbon fiber tripod come up in various lists of top ten tripods. At $100, I'm a little cautious about it. I'd be very interested in hearing from any hogs that have actual experience with this tripod, and learning what they think. They claim it can handle 26.5 pounds, which is way more than anything I'm going to put on it (assuming the big Sigma is going on the gimbal).

I know conventional wisdom says I should buy the flat-out best I can afford, but some of us have shallow pockets, so I'm tempted.
I was given a Sigma 150-600 lens for my birthday t... (show quote)


RRS has some good ones, that actually work the load....RJM BALL-HEADS, that is

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