Tripod / Ballhead help

[JHunter]

So this fall I'm going off to college and won't be able to steal my dad's tripod all the time and am looking to buy one, but I'm not really sure what I should be looking at. I have access to a set of bogen/manfrotto 3205 /190B legs that I think are decent, but nothing great (and heavy). I don't have any heads, though for the last few years I've been using a kirk bh-1 with a RRS clamp, so I already have RRS plates for my lenses / camera, making the 488RC2 head seem unappealing.

The tripod / head will mostly be used with either my 24-70 or 70-200/2.8, as I'll be leaving the 100-400 with my parents, so it needs to support that much at least. My next lens purchase will hopefully be a 300/2.8 for sports, so if the tripod can support that as well it would be nice.

Currently I'm looking at the Markins Q3 head, but I'm not sure how well it would do with the 300/2.8. From reviews here I know it will work pretty well for the 100-400, so I assume it would work as well with the 300, as that seems well within its carrying capacity, and being a heavier, better balanced lens than the 100-400 it should be more stable, right?

As a first year college student I don't have a ton of money, so gitzo tripods are unfortunately out, and if I don't need to spend money on the legs I'd rather not. I don't see the 055XPROB being any better than my current legs, but I might be wrong on that.

[condyk]

I have the Q3 and it holds the Nikon 300mm 2.8 VR fine and allows finger tip micro adjustment without sagging. I think it's a tad heavier than the Canon IS. I use it with D700 and grip so likely around the same weight as your possible set up. I'd try the legs and then decide if suitable. The investment in the Markins will be a good one whatever legs you may use in future.

[tvphotog]

I see, you need a new set of sticks and head as you'll be leaving this setup at home.

The less expensive lightweight sticks are Benro and Feisol. There are several threads here on both. The Q3t is a superb, light weight item meant to go with 180 degree invertible legs, such as the Feisol, Benro Travel Angel and Gitzo 1541t. It'll support 80 lbs.

I don't know what you mean that if you don't have to spend money on legs, you'd rather not. Are you asking if you really need a tripod?

[JHunter]

Jay : The kirk head is my dad's, and he's keeping it for use with his large format camera. If I didn't need to buy a new head I wouldn't, but the only other head we have has trouble supporting a point and shoot, much less a 70-200.

Condyk : Thanks for telling me the Q3 will hold a 300/2.8. That makes me feel pretty inclined to get it, especially since, as you said, it should last me forever or nearly forever, which is why I'm willing to invest in a good head that will work with gear I get in the future.

I haven't been able to find much about the 3205 legs, so I can't tell how they'll do with my gear. I'm not sure if they have a hook for a bag or not, but if not then I'll make one. is it worth buying better legs than them? And if so, what would I be looking for, preferably fairly light and portable but able to support at least a 70-200 if not a 300/2.8. Are the benro and feisol CF legs any good?