Pls suggest a tripod head

[BOUNCINGNRG]

Hello,

At the moment i have the Manfrotto 486rc2 head on a 190xpro legs. I find the head pretty rubbish, there is no tension control.

I'm looking to upgrade the head, i'm really wanting something that will hold a 400 f5.6 + 50d for wildlife and birding, the best would be the Wembly mounts but i can justify that amount of cash. I've head good things about the 488rc2 but i would prefer a head with some tention control so the camera/lens wont slop around all over the place.

Can anyone sugest one for me pls.

Cheers
Mark

[michaelnel]

Those legs are really below marginal for a 400mm lens. For a head, Really Right Stuff BH-55, but really, get some better legs like a Gitzo 3 series.

[René Damkot]

Agree about the legs being marginal.
As for head: Markins (M10 or) M20.

[BOUNCINGNRG]

Dam!! looks like i've got some saving up to do, the heads are coming in close to £250 and the Gitzo 3 series are £250-300

[SuzyView]

I have the 488 and that seems very stable. Is there that much difference in the two heads? You can keep your plates if you upgrade to the 488.

[condyk]

The 488 is marginal at best for the 400mm. It'll hold it Ok it it does tend to droop a tad. I've had three of them over the years and used with all sorts of gear. Specifically for birding I'd go for one of the cheap Wimberley or Kirk copies from India. Seriously ...

I did a review here: click (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=484987)It is actually a close clone of the Kirk King Cobra. If you want a ballhead style then agree with comments about the Markins. Best one I've seen, followed by the RRS model.

[BOUNCINGNRG]

The 488 is marginal at best for the 400mm. It'll hold it Ok it it does tend to droop a tad. I've had three of them over the years and used with all sorts of gear. Specifically for birding I'd go for one of the cheap Wimberley or Kirk copies from India. Seriously ...

I did a review here: click (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=484987)It is actually a close clone of the Kirk King Cobra. If you want a ballhead style then agree with comments about the Markins. Best one I've seen, followed by the RRS model.

Cheers.
I've jst read through your reviews on the Head and Legs, they lood very good and such a good price, i'll be deffinatly getting one of those heads at those prices.

[condyk]

Don't forget to order a lens plate at the same time. I use the same head for everything now and got rid of my ballhead. I replaced it with a camera body L plate and that works great for wide angle/lenses without a tripod collar.

[spitfirejd]

I ordered a Jobu Jr gimbal head for bird photography last week. It should be here soon. The smaller Jobu Jr is designed for the 400 f/5.6, 300 f/4, 100-400, and the like. It is smaller than a Wimberly and a fraction of the cost. I ordered mine directly from the manufacturer b/c B&H was out of stock, plus I got a factory second with slight cosmetic defects for less than US $200. Keep in mind the prices on their website are in Canadian dollars. Here's a link: http://www.jobu-design.com/catalog/item/2588354/4163794.htm