Anybody with BIG glass? I'm considering eventually buying a Nikon 800mm lens, which is a little over ten pounds. I'd like some suggestions on a sturdy tripod and pan/tilt head that...

Tiny Tim Loc: Forest of the Pacific Northwest

I'm considering eventually buying a Nikon 800mm lens, which is a little over ten pounds. I'd like some suggestions on a sturdy tripod and pan/tilt head that will handle this size of lens. I'm not looking for the most expensive, by all means.

steve82009 Loc: Cheyenne, WY/Cochise, AZ

Lots of tripods at B&H. I bought a Manfroto a couple years ago and it handles my Canon 400 with ease. Check out the selection at B&H.

Tiny Tim Loc: Forest of the Pacific Northwest

steve82009 wrote:

Lots of tripods at B&H. I bought a Manfroto a couple years ago and it handles my Canon 400 with ease. Check out the selection at B&H.

I know where I can find a big selection. I'm looking for those who can tell me what exactly they bought and if they thought it was a good choice.

ricardo00

I have a RRS TVC-34L tripod and used the Wimberly gymbal with the 800mm f/5.6 lens (I have rented this lens several times, including once for Yellowstone in winter). What you really should look into is a long lens stabilizer so you can attach this lens at two points not just one. The one I bought is no longer manufactured but I believe RRS has one. When you shoot with the 800mm lens and its 1.2TC any slight vibration from wind, etc is amplified.

Shooting with the 800mm lens
Shooting with the 800mm lens...

(Download)

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

You’re looking at a $16,000 lens and worried about paying for a tripod?

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Tiny Tim wrote:

I'm considering eventually buying a Nikon 800mm lens, which is a little over ten pounds. I'd like some suggestions on a sturdy tripod and pan/tilt head that will handle this size of lens. I'm not looking for the most expensive, by all means.

For Tripods, I always recommend the Really Right Stuff Versa Series 2, 4 section legs product line with a Acratech long lens Head and their Large Leveling Base

https://www.reallyrightstuff.com/tripod-series-2-4-sections
https://www.acratech.net/tripod-heads/long-lens-heads/long-lens-head/
https://www.acratech.net/leveling-products/large-leveling-base

Steve Perry has a different take with a monobod with a gimbal hood

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fgj8bMviZOw&t=306s

You are spending $16,000 on a Nikon AF-S Nikkor 800mm F/5.6E FL ED VR lens? Why scrimp on the support system?

Tiny Tim Loc: Forest of the Pacific Northwest

ricardo00 wrote:

I have a RRS TVC-34L tripod and used the Wimberly gymbal with the 800mm f/5.6 lens (I have rented this lens several times, including once for Yellowstone in winter). What you really should look into is a long lens stabilizer so you can attach this lens at two points not just one. The one I bought is no longer manufactured but I believe RRS has one. When you shoot with the 800mm lens and its 1.2TC any slight vibration from wind, etc is amplified.

What is RRS?

Tiny Tim Loc: Forest of the Pacific Northwest

SuperflyTNT wrote:

You’re looking at a $16,000 lens and worried about paying for a tripod?

I'm not made of money.

Tiny Tim Loc: Forest of the Pacific Northwest

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

For Tripods, I always recommend the Really Right S... (show quote)

Where do y'all get that I'm trying to "scrimp" on the support system? I just don't need nor can I afford the most expensive. Just because I'm considering buying the 800mm, doesn't mean I can afford to go out and buy a Rolls Royce. Give me a break.

ricardo00

Tiny Tim wrote:

What is RRS?

Really Right Stuff

https://www.reallyrightstuff.com/tripods

Tiny Tim Loc: Forest of the Pacific Northwest

ricardo00 wrote:

Really Right Stuff

https://www.reallyrightstuff.com/tripods

Thanks.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Tiny Tim wrote:

I'm considering eventually buying a Nikon 800mm lens, which is a little over ten pounds. I'd like some suggestions on a sturdy tripod and pan/tilt head that will handle this size of lens. I'm not looking for the most expensive, by all means.

OMG, you opened this can of worms again

But my suggestion is: Gitzo GT5561 SGT now out of production but gitzo has others in the same range. Consider Gitzo 5563GSUS and a Kimberley gimbal head.
I have been using one since 2010 for everything but landscapes and scenics.

Larryshuman

I have a Nikon 600mm F:4 G VR and a Gitzo 3541 and the Kirk Enterprises Gimbal 1head. Works great. The Gimbal cost me $625.00 and the tripod cost me around $750 in 2011.

tcthome Loc: NJ

ricardo00 wrote:

I have a RRS TVC-34L tripod and used the Wimberly gymbal with the 800mm f/5.6 lens (I have rented this lens several times, including once for Yellowstone in winter). What you really should look into is a long lens stabilizer so you can attach this lens at two points not just one. The one I bought is no longer manufactured but I believe RRS has one. When you shoot with the 800mm lens and its 1.2TC any slight vibration from wind, etc is amplified.

I second this tripod. I just picked one up at B&H back in January. It is solid as a rock. I went with a video head which works well but, you will want something like the Wimberley mentioned for that lens. I checked out Gitzo & some others. The tolerances & fit even in the legs were so much better. I believe it is the best Mede tripod out there & unless I run it over with my truck or drop it off a cliff, it will out last me.
Enjoy your new equipment.

ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA

Most responses have mentioned but not emphasized the preference far a gimbal head rather than a ball head. A gimbal will provide better support and flexibility for a big lens. There are many out there, but Wimberley is probably the most widely used.