ecurb Loc: Metro Chicago Area

Gitzo Tele Studex legs with a flat plate and pan/tilt head. I've never liked ball heads. Have used this tripod with 8x10 Deardorffs, 4x5 Sinars, 21/4s and Nikons. Rock solid from floor level to nine foot tall.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Hi Janyce, I assume you are doing birds and wildlife - if so - speed matters in moving, setting up and getting the "right" height for the scenario of the tripod - if - you are using one.

I like centerposts ! - they are FAST in making smaller/fine height adjustments and allow going HIGH (important for birds and airshows). I will give up ultimate stability for convenience and speed - as long as my shutter is higher than 1/250. Centerposts also allow for a smaller footprint of the tripod. But, yes, you do give up some stability - if - that really matters and depending on how much you raise it.

As always with these larger zooms I recommend using a stabilizer bracket to overcome the inadequacies of the OEM tripod collars.

For your height and weight requirements, I am thinking you will need a pod with at least a 36mm top tube 4 section most...
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rcurrie Loc: Kingsport, TN

Check Fiesol--Good sturdy tripod at a reasonable price.

tcthome Loc: NJ

You won't be sorry. I went to B&H rite before everything started shutting down & looked at both. I felt the tolerances were much tighter on the RRS. TVC 34L MK2 was my choice. I also notice they sell leg socks for the tripod (looks like long skinny plastic bags) if your looking to protect your tripod legs from salt water. Just try & rinse off the sand & such before collapsing the legs down.
If money is an issue , FLM & Robus cost less with great build quality.
Have fun , Tom

cosmo54 Loc: Easton, PA but will travel for photos

Thanks Tom. I see you live in Keansburg. I grew up in Laurence Harbor. :-)

Imagemine Loc: St. Louis USA

If I may suggest Induro stealth GTI 304l is the one I own, it has no center column & twist locks, it's been very good to me and cleans easily 👍

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

I forgot to say you can turn the tripod upside down and put it in the shower to rinse it off - set it outside in the sun to dry off -OR- use a leaf blower on it.
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Guy850 Loc: Connecticut

Robus RC-5570 Series 3
Load Capacity 55 lb.
Maximum Height 70.1"
Minimum Height 4"
Folded Length 25.4"
Optional Center Column
549.95 at B&H
I own this,one draw back no retractable spiked feet,spiked feet are included but need to swap them out as needed other than that I love it.

Billybam

I purchased innorel 70c. Carbon fiber, no center colum, will support 88lb of gear also. Excellent heavy duty tripod, professional quality, purchased on Amazon.

User ID

I have treated the lowest leg sections of a gitzo with “Great Stuff” so there’s no way they can need draining cuz those sections are no longer hollow.

Also acquired an extra center column and sawed it off short for spreading the leg set to near ground level.

BillyM Loc: newburyport ma.

Hi, I was wondering what head you use on the RRS tripod? Thanks

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

I use the Acratech GP ball head. When I bought my RRS tripod I considered switching over to the RRS BH-55, but didn’t think there was any real advantage to justify the price. Both are excellent, and when paired with a RRS L bracket you’ll have a high quality, stable, and versatile platform that will meet pretty much any photographer’s needs.

PACSMAN Loc: MA

I also recommend the RRS 34L. I have had it in salt water many times and has been stated it's easy to disassemble to clean. You'll pay a little more but it will last forever. The company is also very easy to deal with. I also can recommend the RRS BH-55 ball head.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

You will not find a new Gitzo or RRS tripod in the size and capacity you need for $600 or anywhere close to that amount.

The Really Right Stuff TVC-34L Versa Series 3 Mk2 and the Really Right Stuff TFC-34L Mk2 both are 69" tall but both costs over $1100. (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=Really%20right%20stuff%2034RL&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma

The most comparable Gitzo GT3543XLS Systematic Series 3 is 79" tall and sells for $900. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1328240-REG/gitzo_gt3543xlsus_systematic_tripod_ser_3_4s.html

Would you consider used? If so, I'd recommend a Gitzo G1348. That's the model prior to the current one mentioned above, not quite as tall and a bit less weight capacity. However, G1348 are rated to hold 33 lb., more than enough for the gear you mention. And they are about 66" tall at the platform when fully extended, so by the time you add a head to it and sit your camera atop that, it would be plenty tall for you.

A couple years ago I bought a like-new but used G1348 Mk II for ~$400,off eBay, including shipping and an accessory rapid center column (a new Gitzo rapid column currently sells for $240). I put a cheap 50 lb. rated ballhead on that for around $80 (until I get a bargain on something better!) I got a used, equally nice G1325 Mk II for even less money ~$325 (incl shipping and a leveling platform).... but that tripod might be a little short for you, without any center column.

Just recently someone got an even better deal on eBay... I noticed a brand new, still-in-the-box G1348 sold for $310 (incl. shipping, but no center column). There aren't any bargains on G1348 on the auction site right now, but they show up fairly regularly. There is a heavier duty G1548 available... I don't know how tall that is, though.

Among the Gitzo models, if you don't want a center column (for the best stability), you'll need to look at the Systematic models. The Studex, Mountaineer and Traveller models all have non-removable center columns.

There simply aren't a lot of tripods that are...

1. Extra tall.
2. No center column.
3. Carbon fiber.
4. Rated to support 30 to 60 lb.

B&H Photo has a huge selection of tripods... Lists 359 leg sets and 678 leg/head combos. However, after you apply the above criteria, the list of leg sets quickly narrows down to choice of eight, with prices from $459 to $1160. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/products/Tripod-Legs/ci/2636/N/4075788741?filters=fct_center-column_7414%3Ano%2Cfct_material_774%3Acarbon-fiber%2Cfct_maximum-height_1446%3A65in%7C70in%7C75in%2Cfct_support-weight_1445%3A30-lb%7C33-lb%7C35-lb%7C39-lb%7C40-lb%7C44-lb%7C46-lb%7C50-lb%7C55-lb%7C60-lb And there are only two leg/head combos ($960 & $1149) that meet those same criteria: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/products/Complete-Tripods-with-Heads/ci/2635/N/4075788742?filters=fct_center-column_7414%3Ano%2Cfct_maximum-height_4143%3A71in

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Yes, if you truly want to go tall - especially without a center post - you have to pay up ....and carry the weight....
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