Golden Rule Loc: Washington State

I see that Adorama has this tripod on sale with the Sirui K-20X 38mm ballhead. Is this a good tripod for a Nikon D750 with up to a 400mm lens? Thanks for any advice.

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

I have two Vanguard tripods, but not that model, and they are quite solid. The ballhead seems to be quite robust and has a large weight limit. But I find that I don't tend to use long lenses with a ballhead. I use either a Gimbal Head where I can balance the camera and lens, or more recently, I bought a heavy duty tripod with a fluid dampened panhead and I am liking that a lot with long lenses.

casyjones3 Loc: Bronx NY

I have the Vanguard Alta Pro 384 CT and Sirui K30x. When using my Nikon D7100 with the 18-300mm I find there is a slight creep when locking it down. This set up is the next level up from the one you are looking at.So if focusing on the eye when locking down I get the middle and lower eye lid. So no the set up you are looking at I do not believe can handle 400mm lens with out vibration and creep. . Check out Gene51 replies on tripod. He is one of the most knowledgeable persons on this site. With Gene51 input last month I checked out and bought a Feisol CT-3472LV and believe this will be my final tripod. When checking out tripods do not just go on the weight it is rated on but check out how thick the top leg is for vibration.

Golden Rule Loc: Washington State

Thanks for the advice. I will do a search on tripod discussions.

traveler90712 Loc: Lake Worth, Fl.

I agree with JimH123, a gimbal is the only way to go. Look into the Nest gimbal. One of our members owns a store that sells the "Nest" brand Carbon Fiber Gimbal Head Model NT-530H. Several members here use them as well. http://www.cameracottage.com

Golden Rule Loc: Washington State

Thanks JimH, I am just kind of starting the tripod shopping. I have a cheap tripod and found it lacking a whole lot when I was in the Palouse area in June.

Golden Rule Loc: Washington State

Okay, I claim ignorance but the Nest Gimbal head looks great but does that mean you have to attach a plate to every lens if you are going to quickly change lenses? Or perhaps attaching a plate to just the camera and your long lens then simply attaching the camera to the Gimbal once you change to a smaller lens??

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

The plates are cheap on eBay. I purchase enough for everything I wish to mount.

Golden Rule Loc: Washington State

Will the nest gimbal head also accommodate attaching the camera to the head with a smaller lens (70-200mm)? I'm heading over to the tripod discussion by Gene51 and learn more.

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

I wouldn't suggest it. You need a tripod with thicker legs, especially the top tube. The K20X is pretty light duty. Better to get their K40 - no chance it will slip and it's only about $40 more expensive. As far as a tripod is concerned, I will point you towards the RRS guide to tripod selection:

http://blog.reallyrightstuff.com/choosing-a-tripod-part-1/
http://blog.reallyrightstuff.com/choosing-a-tripod-part-2/
http://blog.reallyrightstuff.com/choosing-a-tripod-part-3/

And the Gitzo tripod catalog - attached below.

On pages 13 through 15 of the Gitzo document it discusses the relationship between torsional rigidity, lens angle of view and top tube diameter. They recommend for a 400mm lens, their Series 4 tripods, which have a top tube diameter of 36.6mm. Nowhere do they mention load capacity. But they do suggest that if you get their tripod with 32.2mm top tube, you should be ok using up to a 300mm lens. I think I remember reading that this is the diameter of the top tube on the Vanguard.

That being said, it might not be the best choice. Especially if you use a TC or intend to get a longer lens down the road. If I am wrong about the top tube diameter and it is actually larger, then you will likely be ok.

I will suggest that you take a look at the Feisol CT-3472. It has a top tube of 37mm, weighs only 3.8 (3 section leg) or 4 lbs, and costs $500 if you get the 3 section legs, or $510 if you get the 4 section legs. I ordered mine in 2007 when it was first introduced, and use it heavily, at least several times a week. I think the Vanguard is 6.5 lbs. Not sure what your use will be, but if you are packing a couple of camera bodies, several lenses, water, lunch etc the 2-1/2 pound difference is significant.

BTW, I got my Feisol after owning a Gitzo series 3 for a month and being disappointed with it's stability. Not that it is inherently unstable - it was more than adequate with lenses up to 300mm, just as their documentation states - but with my 500mm it was a bit unstable. This was not the case with the Feisol, and I currently use it with my 600mm F4, and I am still satisfied. The next step up would be a Really Right Stuff, or a Gitzo Series 5, which would be too heavy and way too expensive - but either would be a bit more stable. Maybe if I hit the lottery one day.

Attached file:
(Download)

Golden Rule Loc: Washington State

Thanks so much Gene.I have just been through the tripod discussion from last month and started my education. Better to buy the right accessories the first time 'round. I would mainly use a tripod for landscape with hiking included in carrying the tripod so I have a lot of learning to do.

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

I just bought a tripod for that purpose - main two criteria were light weight and torsional stability. I ended up with the Feisol CT-3442. It only weighs 2.31 lbs and is fine with up to 300-400mm lenses. It easily fits into a carry-on bag, and given the weight, it is really a non-issue to stick in my backpack. I don't think very much of their heads, though. Good price, but I find the Sirui heads better - more stable, smaller, lighter, useful levels, etc - I have a K30X. I also use an Arca Swiss Z1 with the big lens, and while it is a better ball head, the K30X holds it's own. Good luck!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Like Jimh123, I have to Vanguards - Tracker 4 - and they are tough and durable. I'm not a fan of ball heads, though. I like to set one angle and then the other.

SteveLew Loc: Sugar Land, TX

I have looked at most of the more popular tripods including all that have been mentioned here or linked. I plan on upgrading my current 20 year old Bogen tripod with an Induro with an Induro head. The Induro line are light in weight for the loads supported and this line of tripods are fairly priced.

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

I recently purchased a Benro aluminum tripod that was extra tall. It's heavy compared to some of the smaller carbon fiber (it comes in a 6lbs) units but it is solid as a rock, even with long lenses.
http://www.adorama.com/betma47axl.html
I generally use this indoors but I will take it with me on outings as long as I don't have to carry it to far. I never have to bend over to look into the eyepiece or to use the screen so in the long run it's easier on my back. It comes with a center column but I never have had to use it as it is tall enough for me without the center column, just another point the makes this tripod so solid. This tripod has a 44lb rating and it can hold anything I have thrown at it with ease.
When I bought the tripod I purchased the Sirui K-20X 38mm ball head with it, great combination but I also use a Movo gimbal head on it as well for my long lenses.