do i really need a 22lb tripod?

[medicdude]

i am bidding on some avmona stuff on ebay. the legs im looking at (at-L105T), says it has a capacity of 22lbs. while that would be nice, im not sure i need that much.

i added up the heaviest stuff i will have (Xti W/ grip and two batts, 70-2002.8LIS, 430ex with batteries) and its only about 8 or 9 lbs.. would i be okay with a tripod that holds 11lbs? (sunpak platinum plus i can get for a good deal right now at worst buy)the little one i have now i got when i got my p/s, it only holds 4.4lbs and its just not enough. its quite wobbly.

[SkipD]

Especially with inexpensive tripods, I would suggest you get one with the highest rating possible while keeping the physical weight of the tripod in a useable range for you.

The "capacity" rating of tripods is something that seems to have no standard as a basis for the advertised numbers. One manufacturer may rate their equipment at the edge of falling apart if you exceed the rating while another may rate theirs for the greatest weight that it will support and keep it steady at the same time. There could easily be a 3:1 ratio in the actual weight you'd want to use on two tripods rated at the same max weight value.

[Mark_Cohran]

The capacity of the tripod head is more important than that of the legs (once you get strong and stable legs), especially if using a ball head. So, you have to look at both parameters.