47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

How familiar are you with the Opteka, dirtpusher? $120 seems almost too good, but is really tempting as a traveling tripd.

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

Sorry, I should have worded this better. My concern was only to make sure the load capacity met the OP's needs. This model may well meet your needs and handle your equipment, but I could not be sure of his equipment, or future needs. I too have Manfrotto and love their equipment.

MtnMan Loc: ID

I got one a couple of months ago and love it. I use it with a D800 and Sigma BigMa and it works great. The horizontal adjustment feature is great to take Milky Way. Paid about 380 with Mg center column.

I use a Manfrotto panning head. Might go for thr ball one day.

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

Could it be the way you are carrying your tripod? maybe a strap would milk a little more use out of the old one!

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

as to the height, you don't have to shoot fully extended all the time. if you use a stool, chair, a stump or even kneel , it gives you more leeway.

Moles Loc: South Carolina

Consider breaking the bank a little and buy a Gitzo tripod and a Really Right Stuff head with quick release. Not cheap, but I guarantee that you will never regret it.

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

You may want to look at KEH.com. They carry used tripods with or without heads, and also sell used heads. Plus, the suggestion to call or email MTShooter, at the cameracottage.com can help you. He may have a used one laying around. I bought a nice travel tripod a few weeks ago, it is a "Pro Source" item.

B

oldgeezer3 Loc: SoCal

My AutoZone store can get you cork gasket material at a reasonable price. Check your nearest AZ store and tell them that "Chuck at 5614" sent you. That is a lot less than a new 'pod. Use contact cement to keep the cork in place. Good luck to you, too. Does your hi, ing gear include a back-pack camera bag? If so, it should include straps for hanging your 'pod, but I agree that 9# is no feather!

North_27 Loc: Murray, Utah

I just purchased a Induro CT214 carbon fiber tripod from Adorama. $400.00 with a $100.00 rebate. Holds up to 26 lbs

peterg Loc: Santa Rosa, CA

Good choice. On-line reviews are excellent. I like my CT314. I was worried about any stability difference between 3 & 4 legs. Four legs is plenty stable. When I hang my 180# body on the CT314 with all legs fully extended, the legs hardly flex.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Good news is that you might be able to get away within your budget Bad news is that you will need to spend twice that for adequate support for a lens that is effectively 400mm or longer.

You might want to take a look at this one:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=848831&gclid=CjwKEAjwv9-gBRD5ofn2jd2N0UUSJACcdilsJKrO4jhn3Orc1Qqah0YnsWTBMgiXhkFDGv7D2Onu_xoC5vjw_wcB&Q=&is=REG&A=details

This tripod weighs only 2.5 lbs and is a total delight to travel with and backpack, and it is solid support for short to medium focal length lenses, such as what you are planning on using.

I have been using its bigger brother, the 3472 ever since I returned a Gitzo 3541 back in 2007 because it was inadequate for a 400mm lens with a cropped sensor camera. That tripod sells for over $700, and it is a magnificent piece of engineering and execution, but it is not designed for that long a focal length. I had hoped it would be ok, but I found the $550 Feisol more robust and more stable, closer in performance to the series 5 Gitzo than the series 3. And the price is a bargain.

BTW, I should add, that dealing with Feisol directly was a complete pleasure - excellent customer service - www.feisol.com. I beat my tripods up hard - not once in 7 years have I had an issue. Their CB-50 ball head is ok, there are better but they are more expensive.

Lastly, don't bother with a center column, it only adds instability.

NewzShooter Loc: Las Vegas, NV

I have this tripod. I use for my D7100 will ALL my lenses. LOVE it! Can pick it up with my little finger, yet it's strong, durable and I love it, love it, love it.

Aaron Braganza Loc: Sydney, Australia

:thumbup:

djlouden Loc: Ocala, Florida

Adorama's site has the ability to search for legs that meet your spec. I searched for units that were 75" or greater without center column extended.
Though I noted that there were some in the list that do not meet the requested view. Maybe this can help you in your search.

Here is the link:

http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=itemlist&cat1=Tripods%20%26%20Supports&cat2=Tripods&cat3=Tripod%20Legs&Feature7=75.1%22%20to%20100%22&Startat=1

Happy shooting

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

I have the Induro CT214 with the BHL-2 head. With the center column extended it is 65". The head is rated for over 50#, more than the 26# leg rating. There is a hook on the bottom of the center column to hang your backpack or any other weight to add stability. It is stable, yet compact. I ship the legs in chuckle luggage and pack the ball head in my Airport backpack when traveling, FYI. I use a smaller LowePro backpack for specific gear on day trips. The US warranty on Induro is 10 years, an added bonus.