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

Let alone $10-$20k worth of gear...

Murray Loc: New Westminster

Love the phrase “unanticipated long lenses”. That means if (another) winds up in my bag, it’s an accident, right??😅😅😅

RCP

I researched tripods a year+ ago and learned quite a bit, so do your homework. A few tidbits:
- equipment weight isn't as critical as you might think, other factors will make the determination. such as the longest focal length of the lens you want to use means you want a tripod with larger diameter legs (they are much stiffer). Gitzo and Really Right Stuff websites have info on this factor
- yes on carbon fiber; much better vibration dampening and stiffness. there's a test report some fellow did a while back on that available on the web
- get one as tall as you need to have the viewfinder at eye level for your normal shooting (don't forget to take into account the head you select; only use a center column for unusual circumstances as they add to vibration
- heads are a whole 'nother research project!
For my needs, I wound up selecting an Induro CLT304L and Acratech GPss for my Sony a6300 w/300mm lens (I'm 5'9") and I'm happy with the choices.
Have fun and good luck!

lhardister Loc: Brownsville, TN

If you do a search of UHH on your topic, you will find a wealth of information, and not a little argument, previously posted. FWIW, I have a Sirui N3205-X with K-30 ball head which I like very much for its small size, strength, portability, and relatively reasonable price. I think it would work fine for kids' sports and street scenes with an a7iii and lenses up to about 300mm. For my attempts at shooting wildlife with telephoto rig and gimbal head, I use a considerably larger, heavier, purportedly more stable but much less portable Induro carbon fiber rig.


Best regards,

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

I had no intentions of going longer than my inexpensive 55-300. I will not bore you with the gory details. Check the bottom left side beneath my avatar.

WayneL Loc: Baltimore Md

Sirui makes good tripods and ball heads that you don't need to take out a second mortgage to buy.

Murray Loc: New Westminster

I think my wife has the same way of thinking.

Best

Murray

rfmaude41 Loc: Lancaster, Texas (DFW area)

That would also be my suggestion.

No need for the google search:

https://www.cameracottage.com

Bipod

Given your interests, I think you've got what you need already: a monopod. Especially since your camera is
lightweight (about 1.3 lbs with battery and without lens, I think) and has 5-axis inside image stabilization.

As I just posted on another thread, tripods are a compromise between maximum stability and minimum weight.
No single tripod can do all jobs. The particular "features" of a tripod are not as important as its particular compromise
it strikes between stability and weight.

Special requirements requiring more stability:
* windy conditions
* long exposures/low light
* telephoto
* macro (if you plan to shoot flowers, you'll need a tripod that can get down to flower level).

After about $130, additional money just buys reduced weight. That's important if you're going
to be carrying the tripod long distances--otherwise it's not. Don't think you have to have carbon fiber
or titanium just to keep up with the Jones. And the best way to buy tripods is used.

So it comes down to:
(1) how you plan to travel (driving, hiking, flying),
(2) where you plan to shoot, and
(3) how much you value convenience vs. stability.

Do you also have a tripod already? It might work just fine.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

If you are spending 1K, you do not need my advice ...... but I will say, you should spend a lot of time mastering a good monopod.

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DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

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

So, am I to understand that you are saying you would put $10-$15k worth of camera gear on a $139 tripod? I guess in certain environments one could use a $1.39 hanger bolt and just screw the camera gear to a tree...

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Carbon fiber bolts are the way to go. They're lighter and absorb more vibration.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

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