Time to take the tripod plunge please help

[TARPONTIM]

I shoot with a 20d my heavy lens right now is 100 400is i shoot wild life and fish I am looking for a light weight tripod to travel around with. Money is not an object i also would like to know what head you recomend.Thank for you help in advance.

[SkipD]

I think you'd be quite satisfied with the combination I use most - a Bogen 3021BPRO along with a Bogen 488RC2 head. It's light enough to carry and both heavy enough and stiff enough to be quite stable.

The 3021BPRO is extremely versatile. The legs can each be at a different angle from the center post if, for example, you need to set up in a rocky area where one leg is way up on a rock ledge and the others are on the ground below the ledge. The legs can be splayed out almost horizontally if that is needed. The center post can be mounted in a horizontal position, allowing you to shoot straight down, or over a wall, or virtually on the ground, and many other situations. You will find many folks on this forum who use virtually the same setup.

Carbon fiber tripods are lighter to carry, but much more expensive. There are many times when I appreciate the weight of my tripods (I have a much heavier one too), especially in a windy situation.

[MDJAK]

As money is no object, go for a Gitzo carbon fiber tripod and a www.reallyrightstuff.com (http://www.reallyrightstuff.com) b55 ballhead with quick release clamp, a full L-body place, and get the panoramic portion of the head also.

[TARPONTIM]

which gitzo do you like

[MDJAK]

I got the 1128, as it is both small and holds the weight I need.

I probably would have gotten the 2 series, such as the 1228, but folded it is almost four inches longer and weighs a pound more. Also, while it holds 18 pounds, as opposed to 10, I don't now (nor probably ever) own any lens that will weigh that much.

http://www.gitzo.com/

[condyk]

If budget no object then my recommendation is irrelevant, but just in case anyone else here is looking for a good solution at a wallet-friendly price ...

I looked around and took lots of advice and finally selected the Manfrotto 488 ballhead with the RC2 QR (thanks Skip, et al for the QR advice!) Very please with it. Excellent weight and build. Does exactly what it needs to and does it perfectly. Very solid. The panning is smooth as silk. No shift or movement. Exceptional value. Cost me just £60 delivered (thanks Blue_Max for the shop link)

I also looked at several light tripod options and eventually settled on the Feisol Carbon Fibre jobbie, CT-3401. I imported it direct to the UK from the manufacturer at total cost of around £150, incl. delivery. No VAT or Duty charged and arrived within 5 days.

Again, an exceptional piece of kit that is PERFECT for the Manfrotto. Build is good and exceptionally light yet rock stable in use. Legs move independently for max. flexibility. I can't imagine I could have chosen better for my actual needs: value, stability, build, low weight all top notch.

I would prefer if the Feisol was a bit quicker to put up from fully folded: you have to twist each leg section locking nut to release and then tighten again, so that's 9 nuts to do if you have the 4 section model as I have (folds smaller for packing!) Maybe I need to get used to it. Of course, it's not something I would do more than a few times per day normally. Other than that it is perfect.

The height of the camera eye piece, when mounted to the ballhead and tripod is exactly right for my height, i.e. 5'10" in bare feet. That's without extending the centre column at all, so plenty of slack there for taller people. You can hang your camera bag from a hook in the centre column to stabilise even further.

My largest (only!!) lens right now is the 100-300mm f4 SIgma with TCon, which is not small, and absolutely no problems at all supporting it. Totally secure.

I'd give the combination 10/10 and I'm not easily pleased :lol:

[Miyamoto Musashi]

I LOVE my GITZO G2220 Explorer!

(I returned the 488RC ball-head and looking for something that doesn't "shift" after tightening)

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/3500/gitzog2220manfrotto488rc23hd.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

[TARPONTIM]

Ihave been thinking of the 2220 my self what kind of weight does it support

[Miyamoto Musashi]

I think 17 pounds, off the top of my head.

[ed2day]

I have the Gitzo 1228 and Acratech ballhead. I'm happy with them. I wouldn't go any light than the 1228 -- in fact I've read pros that think the 1228 is inadequate for stability. Light weight and quality in a tripod don't go together. The weight ratings aren't indicative of the weight lens you'd want to use, particularly for the ballhead. For a (relatively) light weight ball head I'd look at either the Acratech or the RRS.

[DavidEB]

second ed2day's combination -- fabulous. very flexible, rigid, pleasure to use.