olsenphotoart

Look at Promediagear.com
On par with RRS but not quite as expensive.

peterg Loc: Santa Rosa, CA

A swinging weight from wind or whatever can make things worse.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Like Shapiro, I like the Manfro 475b - but it is heavy.

Since I am a budget minded person, I do not even look at Gitzo RRS, ect, ect. - also, I do not and many others to not use long lenses/macro lenses for very low light/night work - in which case you might actually NEED a Gitzo or RRS !

So, if you are resistant to high prices, and to not care about "prestige" here are a couple I have been looking at.

The Slik Pro 700 DX can work well for you but may be somewhat marginal in stressful conditions. Read the user reviews.

Here is another, especially if you might be doing video - https://www.ebay.com/itm/ProMaster-CT75K-CINE-Tripod-Kit/382517806362?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372

I put strong value on the ability to go high and using an over capacity head.

..

Bob Locher Loc: Southwest Oregon

Sorry to report that the Bencher/Majestic tripods are no longer available new. I was half owner of Bencher, and we closed the business three years ago so we could retire. There are a lot of Majestic tripods out there - a trip through eBay will prove that. They were exactly as described - heavy, unimaginative and rock solid. We made and sold thousands of them.

Cheers

Bob Locher

CaptainBobBrown

After an almost catastrophic overbalancing of a D500 w/600 mm lens while on a photo expedition on Mauna Kea I bought an Induro graphite fiber tripod. Great stable platform for heavy gear but the airlines treat it like "outsize" luggage even though in its case it's smaller and lighter than golf bag/clubs that we get a lot of shipped by tourists from the mainland. The case though is big enough for both the tripod and all the clothes I take on a trip so that's o.k. Check out Induro line.

DDillon Loc: Pinehurst, TX

I like the RRS too - and it is pricey. I just bought an Induro GIT505XXL. It is carbon fiber and hell-bent for stout. You will need a good head - I went with a Manfrotto XPRO 3Way 200PL-14 to use with a stills/video setup. The entire assembly holds my D5 Mark II with a 28-300 IS USM telephoto lens (heavy) with zero vibration - even with shooting football Friday nights from the top of the press box.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

My personal choice for this gear is RRS. Expensive, but the best. I consider Gitzo equal and have some of both, along with an older, monster tripod made by Monfrotto (the really top-of-line series, 30 years ago). Take a read of RRS's website as it explains quite a bit and will help you choose. Again, my personal choice is Carbon Fiber due to the weight (certainly NOT $$) savings. Best of luck.

crapshooter Loc: Fox, Alaska

I like my 100.00 SLIK

ChristianHJensen

RRS and Gitzo are really nice - and pretty expensive. LeoFoto makes carbon tripods that are extremely similar at less than half the price. Rock solid.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

Gene51 has given you a good rundown of choices. Now you can go to a website like &H and do some research with direct comparisons. Manufacturer websites are also good sources for information.

Besides specifications, other things to consider are customer service and actual quality of merchandise. Part of your research ought to include calling and asking for suggestions - that would give you a feel for how they treat the customers!

I do NOT recommend keeping your tripod head and plate unless you are positive they have full compatibility with the tripod you choose. Some heads are not universally compatible, and Manfrotto is one that you need to make sure. Like Cameras, quality tripods can be buying into a system.

As a RRS user, I have a bias in that direction, but others can also fill your needs. If you decide to go with RRS, you can call them and get advice on the best set-up for your needs. Also, they can help you make sure you get a tripod of the right height - an important consideration! They have helped me many times with decisions and solving problems. The first item I bought from them was a Clamp, and opening the package it was immediately obvious that it was a high quality item. And I have not been disappointed with the complete tripod package.

Hope this helps
Susan

wsnyder Loc: Illinois

Have a Feisol. Veeerry happy with it.

pendennis

I've used Bogen/Manfrotto tripods for years. Mostly the 3036 3033, and 3021. They both worked with variety of formats, and really took a lot of wear and tear without breaking. I sold off the 3036, since I was only shooting digital, and the 3036 seemed like overkill.

A couple of years back, I started shooting film again in 35mm, medium and large (4x5) formats. The 3033 is a solid tripod, but I still wanted something heavier. My local used dealer has had three used tripods that I've bought, and they are really filling the bill. The first was a 3051B. It's really heavy duty, and I like the quick-release legs. I also found a Gitzo 1320 which is a bit lighter, but no less sturdy than the 3051. Finally, a couple of weeks ago, he had a Manfrotto 475B. The 475B is a worthy successor to my old 3036, lacking only in the column elevator lock.

I keep 3047, 3038, and 3039 heads on them, and I've also found a couple of good hex-to-Arca Swiss adapters from an eBay dealer. I've the ultimate (at least to me) in flexibility.

I still have my 3021, and a couple of 055 models in aluminum and carbon fiber. I keep a couple of gimbal heads on them for the longer telephotos.

One can never own too many tripods.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Since you will be using a 150-600mm and a 100-400 with 1.4X... and are doing commercial work with it, I'm going to recommend a serious upgrade from the Manfrotto 190 aluminum tripod. One of the bigger RRS would certainly work and they make excellent stuff, but it's quite pricey. There are less expensive alternatives that can work just as well.

First, rather than getting into specific models (until later), here are some general criteria you should consider while choosing your tripod:

Materials: Carbon fiber is lighter, yet as strong or even stronger than aluminum. Perhaps more important, it also absorbs some vibrations, while metal tripods do not. Highly recommended.

Height: Ideally a tripod at or near max leg extension should be tall enough that you don't need to use a center column. Either have none fitted or, if there is a center column you rarely need to raise it to achieve a comfortable working height. Keep in mind that a head mounted onto a tripod and the camera itself both increase height.... and that you just need to end up with the camera's viewfinder eyeport up to your eye level or slightly above. In other words, the tripod leg set alone doesn't need to be as tall as you are. Measure your eyeline and then allow some height for the tripod head and camera itself, sitting atop it.

BEWARE: Tripod specs on websites may cite a height that is for the legs alone, for the legs with a center column installed but not raised, or when the center column is fully raised... or even with a head installed (if it's a kit including both). It can be hard to compare. Do a search or ask here.

Leg sections vs portability: The fewer leg sections the better for stability and the faster to set up. Of course you have to weigh this against portability... I.e., how small the tripod can be collapsed for travel and storage. The more leg sections, the smaller it can be... but the more time you spend fussing with set up and the flimsier it will be (both because of the additional joints and because smaller diameter tubes must be used to nest inside each other).

Leg locks: There are several different types of leg locks and people have their own preferences. Your 190 probably has "lever" type locks. I've had tripods with those and don't really care for that type of leg lock. They protrude and can catch on things while carrying or working with the tripod (branches, cuffs, etc.) They also wear and loosen over time, so may need adjustment or replacement. Similar, but pretty much self-adjusting and impossible to wear out are "thumb screw" type leg locks. They still protrude and it might be possible for them to loosen and fall off, getting lost. I have one tripod with that type lock, that I mostly only use in studio now (mostly because it's a big, very heavy beast). A third, common leg lock are "twist" type. These aren't as fast to work with as levers, but are lower profile, unlikely to snag on anything... and are largely self-adjusting. It is possible to get grit and dirt in some of them, and unless the tripod has an "anti-twist" leg profile, they can be a bit tricky to set up (need to be loosened and tightened in a specific order). But they are my preference for tripods I use out in the field.

Weight: This is a big consideration for most people. The sturdiest tripods aren't light weight. But if you travel by car and don't need to carry the tripod very far, that may not matter. On the other hand, if you plan to hike for miles with it, you'll probably want a lighter setup.

Head type: There are several types of heads (and some hybrids)... Pan/tilt, ballhead and gimbal are the major types. There are also compact pan/tilt (short control levers to be more portable). And there are pistol grips, which are a form of ballhead (fast acting, but with less load capacity). There are advantages and disadvantages to each type. You're currently using a ballhead and can continue to do so, if you wish. It appears to be rated for 22 lb., which is probably more than adequate for your needs. Your camera and largest lens combo will weight around 7 lb., so you've got triple that capacity (I use a couple heavier duty ballheads, but have lens/camera combos weighing up to 10 or 12 lb.)

You mention a couple long telephotos and if you're using those with moving subjects, you might want to consider a gimbal head. There are several types of gimbal heads, most of which completely replace the existing head on your tripod and convert it to "long lens only". Without swapping back to your ballhead, the tripod with a gimbal is largely only usable with lenses that have tripod mounting rings (which must have Arca-type lens plates installed)... i.e. with telephotos like the 150-600mm and 100-400 you're planning to get. (BTW, once you get the Canon 100-400 II and 1.4X III Extender you might find you don't need a 150-600 at all. The 100-400 II w/that TC has better image quality at 560mm than any of the 150-600mm do in their 500mm to 600mm range. See for yourself: https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=972&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=5&API=2&LensComp=1079&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=5&APIComp=0 The 100-400/1.4X combo will be effective f/8 at 560mm.... but that's only 2/3 stop slower than the f/6.3 that the 150-600s are around the same focal length. )

Nearly all reasonable quality tripods and heads use a 3/8 x 16 (UNC or "coarse" thread) bolt and socket fastening system. A few use tripods that use 1/4 x 20 (UNC), but there are inexpensive bushings widely available to adapt them to 3/8 x 16 that many heads require. If you buy head and legs separately, just be sure they have the same standard fastener size (you're very unlikely to see anything smaller in the size head and legs you'll need).

Quick release: There are a number of different and, unfortunately, largely mutually exclusive types. In some cases, there are adapters... But using one adds another possible point of failure and may cause some reduction in stability. Your MHXPRO-BHQ2 ballhead uses a proprietary type of quick release... exclusive to Manfrotto. I recommend changing that to a more universal, versatile and adjustable) Arca-Swiss type of quick release. This may mean buying a different head (Manfrotto now offers the MHXPRO-BHQ6, which is Arca-compatible)... Or you can simply convert your current ballhead to the Arca-type QR platform.

Many manufacturers make Arca-compatible heads, platforms, lens plates, camera plates and numerous other accessories. Manfrotto (and their sister company Gitzo) have even started doing so. This type of quick release is necessary for some things. You can probably convert your current ballhead.... I bet it's QR platform simply unscrews and uses a standard thread so that an Arca-type replacement can be installed. I've done this myself, with another Manfrotto ballhead. I bought a replacement Arca-type QR platform from Kirk Photo, with 3/8 x 16 fine thread mounting that's the same as was used on the ballhead. It was a bit tricky to remove the old platform, but I was able to do so and installed the new one with Locktite (Red) so it will stay secure. I've used this on a monopod for many years with lenses and cameras up to 8 or 10 lb. with no problem at all.

If you convert to Arca quick releases (highly recommended), you'll also need a camera plate(s) and lens plates for each of your cameras and lenses. There are custom, anti-twist plates made for most camera models (I know they're avail. for 5DIII... two types: one for the camera w/o battery grip/camera body only... the other for it with the battery grip installed). Arca-compatible lens plates (and mounting plates for other devices) can be bought in a wide variety of types and sizes.

Accessories and parts: Spare and replacement parts are available for better quality tripods. You can find parts for most Manfrotto and Gitzo, for example. It probably would be no problem with RRS (Really Right Stuff) either. However, you should check into availability of support for any tripod you consider. There are an awful lot being made "who knows where" that may or may not be repairable, should it ever be needed.

Some manufacturers offer a wide variety of accessories for their tripods and/or see a lot of third party manufacturing support too. This is especially true of some that follow fairly standardized and universal designs... such as Arca-type quick releases. For example, when using a gimbal head it can be very helpful to have a leveling platform on a tripod. There are universal versions of those to fit many tripods... But some implementations are better than others. There also may be cross-brand usability.... for example a number of manufacturers emulate the Gitzo Systematic series with tripods of their own, and some of the components may be interchangeable.

Price: You can spend very little or a great deal on a tripod... and anywhere in between! In general, it's false economy to buy a cheap tripod because it won't be much fun to use and likely won't hold to regular use. So you end up just buying another in a year or two. On the other hand, some tripods and components are extremely expensive. Often it's possible to save a bit buying a kit of tripod and head together, but they both much meet your particular needs. There are some advantages to buying them separately... and for that matter you might be able to save some money by keeping and using your ballhead (with modification to Arca-QR system: $65 to $85... See Kirk Photo, Hejnar Photo and others). You also might be able to find a good, used tripod for some savings. I did!

Nearly 20 years ago I upgraded to a brand new Gitzo Series 3 Systematic G1325 Mark II carbon fiber tripod, fitted it with a Gitzo G1318 Leveling Platform and a Kirk BH-1 ballhead. I also got a Wimberley Sidekick gimbal adapter specifically for use with long lenses. With a carry/storage case and some Leg Coats, it all ended up costing around $1500 at the time. Today it would probably be upwards of $2000. The ballhead is rated for 50 lb., the 3-leg-section tripod for around 33 lb. and the Sidekick can handle lenses up to around 8 lb. or a little more with ease (I have used it with up to 500mm f/4 and even 800mm lenses. I've often used this rig with my 100-400 II... no problem! Actually might be a bit of overkill for that 3.5 lb. lens on any camera it can be used with.)

There are similar from various manufacturers. Some more expensive, others less. And I've bought used Gitzo for considerably less. For example a few years ago I bought another G1325 with G1321 Leveler in like new condition for around $325, shipping included... I fitted it with a cheap Chinese-made full size gimbal ($100), Leg Coats and put it all in a carry case for under $500 total. Even more recently I bought a used, but also like new Gitzo Series 3 Systematic G1348 Mk II with G1318 Rapid Carbon Fiber Center Column for around $400 an fitted it with a cheap Smith-Victor BH8 ballhead (under $100, rated for 50 lb.)... so once again, total invested around $500 by the time I fitted Leg Coats and got a carry case This rig uses 4-section legs and is taller (way over my head, I'm 5' 9"... to I rarely need to extend the 4th section at all). I bought it especially for very high angle and low angle work. I rarely raise the center column, but can if I really need to... Mostly I reverse the column to be able to hang a camera & lens underneath the tripod for very low angle work (such as ground level macro).

Each of these rigs weigh about 9 lb. total. (Wimberley Sidekick, both ballheads and the gimbal head, and the levelers each add 1 lb. or more). Not exactly light weight. Nor are they particularly small. The cases I carry them in accommodate up to around 28 or 30" long tripod and head. But they're rock steady & durable. And at least as stable as the big old aluminum Bogen (now Manfrotto) I've retired to studio-use only because it weighs close to 20 lb.

My point is that if you consider used and shop carefully, you can get a whole lotta tripod for the price of a middle grade one bought new.

There are also some excellent alternatives. Look at the Nest tripods offered by Camera Cottage, which appear to be similar (some components might even be interchangeable). You'll have to inquire for more info, but one model similar to my Series 3 Systematic G1325s appears to cost around $495. A comparable RRS tripod sells for over $1300 for the leg set alone, while a modern Gitzo leg set sells for around $850. There are a number of other good brands. Shop around if you prefer new.

You might use your current ballhead on any of these (with Arca modification or not). Or shop for another. My Kirk BH-1 ballhead is now selling for $385, and the Sidekick adapter for $250. There are lots of alternative ballheads and even some choice of gimbal adapters. You might not need as heavy duty a head for use with those lenses... the $285 Kirk BH-3 would probably be fine, for example, but shop around because there are many to see. When it comes to gimbal adapters, the Induro GHBA is very similar for just under $200 and the smaller, lighter Jobu "Micro" BWG costs about $110. I haven't used thelast two, but I bet any of the three would be adequate for a 3.5 lb. 100-400mm or a 4.5 lb. 150-600mm (I'll stick with the Wimberley for use with my 8 lb. 500mm!)

I do recommend a gimbal adapter instead of a full-size gimbal head that would require removing any other head from the tripod, before it could be installed and used. The gimbal adapters simply fit into the Arca-style QR platform of any ballhead, so that can remain installed on the tripod and you can quickly revert to using it without the gimbal, with shorter lenses that don't have a tripod mounting ring.

Gimbals are another reason to use the Arca-style QR system. With an Arca lens plate installed on it's tripod foot, you can slide a lens & camera forward or backward a little to achieve equilibrium, which in turn makes easy using larger lenses and cameras. (You can't do that with the old style Manfrotto mounting plates.) If you start using the Arca system, you'll need plates for any lenses with tripod mounting rings, as well as for your camera(s). Those are very widely available, too.... prices range from approx. $10 to around $75 ("universal" eBay knockoffs to top of the line RRS). There are even custom Arca-compatible lens foot replacements made especially for the Canon EF 100-400 II (I bought one from Hejnar Photo... RRS and Kirk also make them... there may be others). There are even Arca-type L-plates, which allow cameras to be re-oriented vertically and remain well centered on a ballhead (BTW, a gimbal adapter can also provide a vertical mount. I've done that often, instead of buying an expensive L-brakcet).

Hope this helps!

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

Given the equipment you list, the RRS TVC-34L will certainly serve you well. I have had that model for about six years now, and have yet to have even the slightest problem with it, and I am one who uses my tripod at least 95% of the time, and often in rugged terrain. Pricy, yes. But in my opinion well worth every penny.

As to keeping your current ball head and plates, there is no need to switch if you are happy with them. They will be compatible with the RRS tripod.

Bill_de Loc: US

"Old and ugly but reliable."

This appears as a caption under your picture.

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