digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

A sturdy tri-pod, good enough to warrant a RRS ball head, for 5 to 600 mm lens. Will happily entertain offers and/or suggestions.........RJM

SAVH Loc: La Jolla, CA

digit-up, I just went through that drill here on UHH and received many, many helpful suggestions. In the end, I went with a Gitzo Carbon Fiber GT4543LSUS tripod. You may even be able to go back and see some of the recommendations and comments. I also bought the Wemberley Gimbal for a long lens and the Really Right Stuff BH-55 Ball Head. I am very pleased with all of them. You can certainly get by for less money but so many people noted that they wish they had bought the good equipment first, I decided to try that route. Good luck.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Sure, this tripod would work great: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1328241-REG/gitzo_gt4543lsus_systematic_tripod_ser_4_4s.html

I just have two concerns about it....

- First, it uses 4-section legs. Unless you really need the height, I prefer 3-section legs. Three sections allow the lowest section to be larger diameter, may have less flex, and one less leg lock per leg is a little faster to set up and one less lock to forget to tighten. There is a Gitzo GT4533LS, which is same as above, but with 3-section legs. It's about 1" shorter.

- A Series 4 Systematic tripod is probably overkill... It is probably more tripod than is needed for your gear, may be heavier and larger than you need to haul around with you.

I've been using Gitzo Series 3 Systematic tripods for close to twenty years. I've found them more than enough for everything I've thrown at them (up to 800mm). For use with big lenses, I mostly use an older model very similar to today's Gitzo GT3533LS. It's rock steady... And, when fitted with head and other accessories, about as big and heavy as I care to lug around.

If you don't need that tall a tripod, there is a slightly shorter and little bit lighter version in the GT3533S.

There also is an extra tall version GT3543XLS, but it weighs a bit more and again uses 4-section legs. It so happens, I use an older version of this model, too. The 4-section legs are no problem for me because it's so tall I normally don't have to extend the bottom leg sections at all. I only do so when I want to shoot from a very high angle and plan to use a step ladder to reach my camera's viewfinder! I also have a rapid column fitted to this tripod, which can further increase it's height, though I almost never do that because it compromises stability a bit. Mostly I only use the center column reversed, hanging below the tripod, for low angle macro shooting.

For max stability, my other Gizo tripods don't have center columns. Instead their heads are mounted directly on leveling platforms (which replace the plain platform the Systematic tripods come with). Leveling platforms make for quicker, safer setup with gimbal heads. Rather than fiddle with leg lengths each time the tripod is moved, with a leveling platform, a couple quick twists of a single handle is all that's needed to loosen, adjust, then re-tighten it to lock in level. A leveler adds a pound or two to the tripod. I think it's worth it... though to save weight the head can instead be mounted directly on a the plain platform provided with the Systematic tripods.

Here is a comparison of the current Gitzo models mentioned above: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/compare/Gitzo_GT4543LS_Systematic_Series_4_Carbon_Fiber_Tripod_Long_vs_Gitzo_GT3533LS_Systematic_Series_3_Carbon_Fiber_Tripod_Long_vs_Gitzo_GT3533S_Systematic_Series_3_Carbon_Fiber_Tripod_Standard_vs_Gitzo_GT3543XLS_Systematic_Series_3_Carbon_Fiber_Tripod_Extra_Long/BHitems/1328241-REG_1328244-REG_1328225-REG_1328240-REG

RRS stuff is really good. But personally I think much of it is somewhat overpriced. With 500mm and 600mm lenses, I assume you mean you're looking at one of the versions of the RRS BH-55 ballheads. Certainly that will work, though there are many good ballheads with the same or higher specs... some costing even more, many costing less. I've been using a Kirk BH-1 on one of my tripods for nearly twenty years. It's still one of the best. Nothing fancy, but rock solid though a little heavy compared to some others, and around $100 less expensive than a comparable RRS.

B&H Photo lists choice of 39 ballheads currently in stock with weight capacity between 50 and 130 lb.and with Arca-compatible quick release platform. The RRS BH-55 aren't the most expensive and the Kirk BH-1 isn't the least expensive. Many of those other ballheads would serve very well, I'm sure, though personally I might avoid some of the cheapest and probably wouldn't spend for the most expensive: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?q=ballhead&sort=PRICE_HIGH_TO_LOW&filters=fct_a_filter_by%3A03_INSTOCK%2Cfct_head-type_1544%3Aball-heads%2Cfct_quick-release-system_7375%3Aarca%2Cfct_support-weight_1470%3A100-lb%7C110-lb%7C130-lb%7C50-lb%7C55-lb%7C60-lb%7C66-lb%7C70-lb%7C80-lb%7C88-lb%7C99-lb

Using 500mm and 600mm lenses you might want to seriously consider a gimbal. It will make those big lenses a lot easier to handle. There are several types of gimbals. I've used a Wimberley Sidekick "gimbal adapter" for many years, with lenses like yours. This works in conjunction with a ballhead, rather than replacing it the way a "full size gimbal" would. Back when I bought it, the Sidekick was the only adapter option. It works very well and I've never regretted buying it. Today there are somewhat lower priced, close copies from Induro and Movo... maybe some others, too. I haven't tried them... No need since the Sidekick still does all I need.

The alternative to an adapter is a "full size gimbal", but to use that requires removing the ballhead from the tripod and replacing it with the gimbal. Then, so long as the gimbal is installed, the tripod is pretty much "large telephoto lenses only", until you swap the heads back. This is why I like the gimbal adapter... The ballhead stays on the tripod all the time and I simply add the adapter to it when I want to put a big telephoto on the tripod. (A gimbal adapter + heavy duty ballhead weighs roughly the same as a full size gimbal head... But less than a full size gimbal + ballhead + any tools needed to swap the heads in the field.)

Here's a helpful web page with illustrations of and info about the different types of gimbals, as well as a partial list of some that are available: http://www.carolinawildphoto.com/gimbal_list.htm

To utilize almost any gimbal, you'll need to install Arca-compatible lens plates on your lenses' tripod mounting rings. The design of the Arca-Swiss quick release system, which is utilized by many different manufacturers, allows the lens & camera to be adjusted slightly forward or backward in the gimbal's QR flatform, to achieve equilibrium. That's what makes gimbals so helpful with big lenses, allowing them to be moved around quickly with a light touch. Alternative to lens plates, for some lenses there are Arca-compatible replacement tripod rings or replacement feet for existing tripod rings. A few lenses, primarily from Tamron so far, are now coming with Arca-compatible dovetail built into the OEM tripod mounting ring. I wish all lens manufacturers would do that! (It doesn't detract at all from using the tripod ring & lens other ways, but provides a means of using it directly with the most universal QR system.)

Yes, it certainly is worth investing in a good tripod, head and accessories for use with them. Makes little sense to "go too cheap", since a quality tripod might last a lifetime. There are a lot of good options, so shop around. I'm happy with what I've got and will continue to use it with my DSLRs and large lenses for many years to come, I'm sure. I am considering getting a more compact, lighter "travel tripod" particularly for use with a small mirrorless system I recently acquired. No rush, though... since I already have very good stuff that's more than up to the task, if needed.

digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

Thanks youse guys, all. Bought a RRS head and will put it on my most stable/strong tripod..GOOD INVESTMENT...............................RJM

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

What kind of 600mm lens ?? - and MOST importantly budget - because on UHH the assumption is the sky is the limit and the more you spend - the "better" ....
.

Hamltnblue Loc: Springfield PA

You can also consider this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epPSQaYnU8M

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Do not use a ball head for that large a lens. Get a gimbal head and then look for a Gitzo carbon fiber tripod