MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Mornin' Don,
I like Nikonians legs, I have the 3246 version which are just a little heavier than his and black in color so as not to reflect sunlight (3040, 3046 and 3246 are all almost the same legs and they only use 3 knobs for full extemsion instead of 6 knobs). But I hate the 3047 head with long glass, its just too slow and inaccurate with a lens like the Bigma. A good ball head is the ticket for most work, and I recommend the Bogen 3038 or the Bogen 3055, (I use them both). If you like the Gimbal style head, the Bigma is light enough to use a less expensive option than the Wimberly, I have used the Beike (Wimberly copy) and the Desmond Gimbal with the Bigma and actually like the Desmond, which I converted to take my Bogen hexagonal quick release plates using an RC0 adapter plate.
These legs are a bit heavy, but very stable. If you are looking for something a bit lighter, I would suggest the Bogen 3021 (or 3221 in black) which is a 3 section set of legs with no middle brace so you can use them in a wide variety of positions and even lower to 10" off the gound, or reverse the center post and set your camera right at ground level.

Desmond Gimbal, Bogen 3246 legs, Nikon D7000 and Sigma 150-500mm

silver Loc: Santa Monica Ca.

This is a subject that causes more debate then anything else here. People are so opinionated and of course there tripod is always the best. I always tell my students to think about how much they have invested in there camera equipment and it is not a small amount. With this in mind why, as many people do, do so many people buy cheap wobbly tripods to support cameras and lenses that cost thousands of dollars? I cannot understand the logic behind this. Now I know just as in the past there will be people responding to my post as if I shot an arrow through there hearts telling me that there $80.00 tripods are just as good as other more expensive tripods and there $80.00 tripods are more then sufficient to do the job. I seriously think that these people have never been on a hiking trail or have shot anything else other then there cats or there cars or there babies and I am sure for these subjects a cheap tripod is wonderful in there eyes. I personally have seen on enough occasions where these cheap tripods fail and really expensive camera equipment smash to the ground. I was leading a workshop and a lady had a brand new canon 5d mark 2 and she was using a cheap tripod with a very flimsy heat with a spring loaded locking mount and sure enough the tripod went over because of the camera and lens weight and the camera and 70-200 lens smashed on the ground and that was that. What is your equipment worth to you? A good tripod will cost upwards of $300-500 for the legs and then a good head will be another $200-300. I know that this is a lot of money but consider that you have already spent how many thousands on your camera and lenses, isnt it worth it to spend enough to get a tripod that will do the job and do it well? I just went through this with somebody on this site and they thought that I was insulting there tripod because they had an $80.00 tripod and they took it personally that I said that cheap tripods were not good. Well, if somebody is blissfully happy with there $80.00 tripod thats fine but I am sure that they dont use it in the field, they are using it to shoot flowers in there back yard and there wifes jewelry. A good tripod for your good equipment is essential and you should spend a comparable amount that you spent on your equipment. Dont be cheap when it comes to this purchase. I do not say this because I am trying to sell you something, I say this because I really care about people and I want to see people get something that will do the job and do it well. I know that there are people on this site that will be insulted by my remarks but I have see tripod failures too many time on my workshops. Thats my 2 cents.

Gary Truchelut Loc: Coldspring, TX

I agree that you should not skimp on a tripod but pairing the camera and tripod sure makes sense. You don't need to spend a fortune on a tripod for a camera and lens combo that weighs 2-3 lbs. That being said if you can only afford one tripod buy the best you can buy and that will work for your equipment now and in the future. Most of us buy one tripod and then after a while realize it won't be sturdy enough for the new setup we just bought then are forced to buy again.

sundancer2004 Loc: oak island, nc

Whew!!!!! sure is exhausting hauling those filled sandbags up the canyon...............................lol jk

Trevor Dennis Loc: New Zealand (South Island)

The only problem with CF legs that I have encountered is lack of weight, but you can hang your camera bag on them if you need to. They are actually amazing stiff and secure other than that.

I just can't see any ball head keeping 500mm still enough, but there are various gimble alternatives that won't break the bank.

Nikon_DonB Loc: Chicago

Thanks for all the info my friends. I forgot I had this Digital Concepts tripod. What do you guys think. It looks pretty sturdy.

Hi MT, What do you think of this. It'll hold the D600 with the 70-300mmVR with no problem. Think it'll handle the Bigma too? It's got a center hook for the bag too(counterweight.)
Oh! and Nikonian does have nice legs(I heard they used to call him tripod, too.) Now I know why.....lol(D's gonna kill me.)

Digital Concepts Tripod

rhc7

with the lens, look for a tripod collar. the collar fits about the lens and then is attached to the tripod head. the collar takes the weight of the camera and lense OFF the screw hole in the bottom of the camera and provides balance for the camera/lens... In fact you can use it as a hand hold at times.. the collar usually opens up and then snaps shut and allows you to switch between horizontal and potrait very easily, yet remain attached to the tripod.

rhc7

with the lens, look for a tripod collar. the collar fits about the lens and then is attached to the tripod head. the collar takes the weight of the camera and lense OFF the screw hole in the bottom of the camera and provides balance for the camera/lens... In fact you can use it as a hand hold at times.. the collar usually opens up and then snaps shut and allows you to switch between horizontal and potrait very easily, yet remain attached to the tripod.

Nikon_DonB Loc: Chicago

Thanks rhc7. The lens does come with a collar. Thanks for explaining the usage. Makes sense.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Bad dog!
You promised not to tell!

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

I believe that a gimbal head would work well on your Digital Concepts tripod.

Lensmaster RH2 gimbal head

Nikon_DonB Loc: Chicago

Not a bad idea. Thanks D.

Zero_Equals_Infinity Loc: Canada

I would spend the money to get a proper tripod and head.
Otherwise you will not have stability, and it may fall over resulting in a damaged or destroyed camera and lens.

This tripod is well priced and will do the job -- http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-055XPROB-Tripod-Legs-Black/dp/B000UMX7FI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356315569&sr=8-1&keywords=055XPROB

That Lensmaster head would work well if you are using it mostly for bird and wildlife. A general purpose good quality ball will work well if you are more of a generalist.

This would probably work well without breaking the bank
http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-MH054M0-Q2-Magnesium-Quick-Release/dp/B004MKNJ6G/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1356315569&sr=8-15&keywords=055XPROB

The call is yours, but it is awefully false economy to go below this for the camera and lens you are using. You will only end up trading up incrementally to a more expensive set of legs and head anyway, and put your gear at risk if you go too light, (as per the Digital Concepts tripod.)

As per silver's comment:
I personally have seen on enough occasions where these cheap tripods fail and really expensive camera equipment smash to the ground. I was leading a workshop and a lady had a brand new canon 5d mark 2 and she was using a cheap tripod with a very flimsy head with a spring loaded locking mount and sure enough the tripod went over because of the camera and lens weight and the camera and 70-200 lens smashed on the ground and that was that. What is your equipment worth to you?

If you go with the Digital Concepts and have an accident, I don't want to hear any grousing. :roll: :roll:

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Since you already have a tripod that can be stabilizes with a gallon water jug (easy to dispose at end of shoot) suspended on center post, I suggest purchasing a head that meets your intended primary use of your Sigma 150-500mm lens: gimbal (or similar) for for wildlife & BIF or ballhead for general photography. Once you own a head, you can eventually upgrade from your Digital Concepts tripod to a heavier, more expensive tripod.

Robert-Y Loc: Cambridge UK

I have the 055X and it is a cracking piece of kit, I aim to buy a Gimbal during January.