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

I will contend that a properly designed and manufactured L bracket will fit the bottom of the camera and use the base of the camera body to spread the load. I use 2 piece RRS L brackets on my 1Dx2 and 1D MkIII without hesitation including with my 70-200 f/2.8 lens. My L bracket lives on my bodies about all the time...

Bullfrog Bill Loc: CT

How many do you own and why.

ziggy7 Loc: Jax, Florida

I used ball heads for years but Hudson Henry convinced me to switch to a bowl tripod and fluid head for both stills and video and I'll never go back. He has a lot of good videos on the subject but here is a great place to start:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epPSQaYnU8M

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Bought right, a good tripod will last a lifetime AND will be a pleasure to use.

If I were in the market for a travel tripod, I'd seriously consider the Benro Travel Angel Series 2 and V1E Ballhead... under $400: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1157837-REG/benro_fta28cv1_travel_angel_9x_carbon.html

Rated for 22 lb. capacity, the Benro ballhead and tripod have most of the features I'd want: Carbon fiber, 4-section legs, 4 lb. weight, folds to under 20" length, twist lock legs, Arca-compatible quick release My one concern would be is it's tall enough. For best stability, I'd prefer not to need to raise the center column. At 56" tall without the center column, it's a bit shorter than I'd like. By the time I attach my camera, that raises the viewfinder eyeport another 4 to 5".... but my eyeline is 64" and I'd prefer a set up that positioned the camera an inch or two above that. This might be something I'd need to compromise on, with a travel tripod.

Travel tripods generally are best bought as a matched set like this example, so that they work well together.

A full size tripod, on the other hand, can be bought piecemeal so you can customize it more to your specific needs. For example, I'd consider the Feisol CT-3371 Rapid Classic Large leg set ($435) https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/848819-REG/FEISOL_CT_3371_RAPID_CARBON_TRIPOD_LARGE_CLASSIC.html with Feisol CB-40D Ballhead ($145) https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/848858-REG/FEISOL_CB_40D_CB_40D_Ballhead_With_QP_1444750.html.... or perhaps the heavier duty Induro BHD2 Ballhead ($200) https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1179348-REG/induro_bhd2_ball_head.html

That full size Feisol tripod has sufficient height for me without need for a center column, is carbon fiber with 3-section legs and uses twist type leg locks. As a result, that leg set should be quite stable and it's rated for 55 lb. load capacity. The legs alone weight close to 5 lb. The Feisol ballhead is what I'd call "medium duty" rated for 33 lb. and itself weighs approx. 1 lb. (if needed, Feisol offers CB-50D and CB-60D heavier duty ballheads.) Combined the fully collapsed length will be close to 30". The Induro ballhead is a little heavier duty, a bit heavier and slightly taller (Induro offers both smaller and larger versions, too).

Frankly, these are just some examples. There are many other possibilities. I look for specific things that meet my needs best. You need to decide what's important to you and make your selections accordingly. While a quality tripod isn't cheap, it also doesn't need to be ridiculously expensive.

If you will be using just the 70-200mm lens on the tripod you don't need an L-bracket on your camera. L-brackets are bulky and cumbersome when not using the camera mounted on the tripod. Because your 70-200 has a tripod collar, all you need is a quality Arca-compatible lens plate. The lens' collar allows you to change camera orientation.

If you're planning to use other, shorter lenses without any collar, you may want an L-bracket to be able to mount the camera in portrait orientation on a ballhead. It's better than "flopping" the ballhead off to one side to re-orient the camera. Look for an L-bracket that's as low profile and light weight as possible.

Ava'sPapa Loc: Cheshire, Ct.

Thank you all for all of your knowledgable input. I appreciate it greatly. Now I have to do my share and investigate all of your advice.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

SteveLew Loc: Sugar Land, TX

I have an Induro CLT203 tripod. The Induro line of tripods are well made and you will save a money over the RRS tripod. The induro can use the RRS ball heads.

SteveLew Loc: Sugar Land, TX

I have an Induro CLT203 tripod. The Induro line of tripods are well made and you will save a money over the RRS tripod. The induro can use the RRS ball heads.

Ava'sPapa Loc: Cheshire, Ct.

Just to let you all know, I received a Gitzo GT3543XLS and an RSS BH55 from Adorama a few hours ago. Now I'll be ordering a grip L plate from RRS for my D750 and think I'll be done. Again thanks for all of your input.

Magaliaman Loc: Magalia, CA

You definitely "dropped some coin" on that purchase, but it'll more that last your lifetime. Congrats on your new purchase.

Ava'sPapa Loc: Cheshire, Ct.

Thanks. At 71 I'm hoping they'll last for my granddaughter's lifetime too.

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

Congratulations and enjoy! I don’t think you will be disappointed...

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida