Tripod recommendations (Page 2): I have been using a Feisol CT-3472 carbon fiber tripod and a Benro GH2 gimbal head for my Sony a77 with a vertical grip and a Sigma 500mm f4.5 lens and...

keithmac Loc: Nanaimo, B.C. Canada

I have been using a Feisol CT-3472 carbon fiber tripod and a Benro GH2 gimbal head for my Sony a77 with a vertical grip and a Sigma 500mm f4.5 lens and have been extremely happy with the combination.I also have the Tamron 200-500 and it works well with that combo as well. The tripod is very stable, light and has plenty of height. The Benro gimbal head is as far as I am concerned as good as the Wimberly and about half the price. I am retired on a pension so I look for the most cost effective but with quality deal that I can find and I think this combination meets all my requirements.

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

planepics wrote:

... How can anyone choose with so many options out there??

It is hard. Over the years you will probably end up with several and each will be better for one application than another.
Most of us who have been at this a while end up with an embarrassing large collection of tripods (and camera bags, and...)

(BTW, I turn my tripod buying mistakes into light stands. Now I have too many light stands! It never ends...)

Shutterbugsailer Loc: Staten Island NY (AKA Cincinnati by the Sea)

If you are drooling so much over that $4500.00 tripod but lack the cash, I have one suggestion; Sell you cameras LOL

JohnnyRottenNJ Loc: Northern New Jersey

I have a Nikon D300 & D7000. When shooting sports from a distance, I use a Tamron 200-500mm lens. I ALWAYS mount it either on my Manfrotto 3021BPRO tripod, or if there is a lot action, I use my Manfrotto 679B monopod. The nice thing about the Tamron lens is that it has the mounting foot so all the weight isn't hanging off the front of the camera mount. Manfrottos aren't known for being the lightest on the market, but they have to be one of the sturdiest. I have had several other tripods over the years, and by far, the Manfrottos are the best quality that I have owned.

papakatz45 Loc: South Florida-West Palm Beach

Check out Induro products.

imntrt1 Loc: St. Louis

planepics wrote:

I was just looking up some info on a tripod I never heard of before that I saw at a wedding I was working at last night (as a banquet server). I found a site that listed all the different brands. There were 83!!!!! This one brand, Libec, ranged in price from around $160 to over $4500! How can anyone choose with so many options out there??

Eine, Mene, Mine, Moe

Scoutman Loc: Orlando, FL

keithmac wrote:

I have been using a Feisol CT-3472 carbon fiber t... (show quote)

I recently attended a birding photofest where Feisols were in great evidence, along, of course with the other "standards." I hadn't heard of Feisols before, but feel they are a good buy and will choose one soon to expand my choices which now include a Ravelli and a Manfroto monopod. Always good idea to see tripod demos on YouTube. Plenty of them available on that site.

Edmund Dworakowski

I searched and searched and didn't want to spend so much for a Gitzo so I decided on a carbon fiber Giottos with a Markim Emil Q-Ball ballhead. Both are very high quality and suit me just fine for my D300s, Battery Grip and 300mm lens. all for under $600.

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

snogost67 wrote:

I am in the market for a new tripod. I am up for suggestions as to what most folks are using and what they like about their tripods.
90% of my photography is wildlife & wildlife in action using a Tamron 200-500mm lens so I need heavy duty (no sag) and fluidity of movement.
Thanks in advance for all suggestions.

Gitzo Carbon Mountainer - and the head is Acratech. I really recommend the head or others made by this great American company

silentknight16 Loc: Cape May, New Jersey

Take a look at the Vanguard Alta series with the 263AGH Pistol Grip... One of the best buys for the money and very good quality... about $200
Ron

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

Edmund Dworakowski wrote:

I searched and searched and didn't want to spend so much for a Gitzo so I decided on a carbon fiber Giottos with a Markim Emil Q-Ball ballhead. Both are very high quality and suit me just fine for my D300s, Battery Grip and 300mm lens. all for under $600.

I paid just over $600 for my camera, 2 lenses, tripod and carrying case.

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

docrob wrote:

Gitzo Carbon Mountainer - and the head is Acratech. I really recommend the head or others made by this great American company

Which model number did you get?
There are quite a few variants of the 6X Carbon Mountaineer and I have not seen any of them "in person" to help make a decision. Thanks.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

I do wildlife with a variety of lenses including Canon 300mm F2.8 L with 2X. Here is what I use and highly recommend ! Manfrotto: #3245 one hand grip adjustable monopod
#222 Grip ballhead
#234RC swivel head ..................

peggyjom Loc: Pacific Northwest

snogost67 wrote:

I am in the market for a new tripod. I am up for suggestions as to what most folks are using and what they like about their tripods.
90% of my photography is wildlife & wildlife in action using a Tamron 200-500mm lens so I need heavy duty (no sag) and fluidity of movement.
Thanks in advance for all suggestions.

I use a Gitzo 2541EX with their ball head GZH2780 safari series. I have a heavy set up T2i with a 70-200 2.8L II canon lens and use a 2X converter most of the time when I think I will see birds or anything I want to get closer to th set up wieghs in at almost 8 pounds. I went with a tripod i knew could could hold it. and i wanted twist legs not flip type. But I do see that manfroto has a push putton at the top that extends the legs. Hmmm interesting wonder how that works. I am VERY happy with my Gitzo. I will say I bought a off set head at first kept it 5 days and sent it back to hard to work with to pan a bird stick with ball. I still would rather hand hold while birding. But I KNOW the shots are not as good when I am using the teleconverter. What ever you choose DO NOT go cheap if your gonna buy one buy the best one you can afford the first time!

peggyjom Loc: Pacific Northwest

imagemeister wrote:

I do wildlife with a variety of lenses including Canon 300mm F2.8 L with 2X. Here is what I use and highly recommend ! Manfrotto: #3245 one hand grip adjustable monopod
#222 Grip ballhead
#234RC swivel head ..................

probably better off using a mono pod for wild life it is so hard to capture something you want with a tropod. I am a rookie but it really is nerve racking sometimes!