Tripod & Head

I am looking at buying a tripod with head. I have never owned one. As of right now my heaviest lens is 300 F/4 with a 1.4 attached to it. At my age of 72 I will probably never buy another. Wondered if this would be a good purchase. I am 5' 5"
B&H # MAO55XProb @ 189.99
B&H # MA498RC4 @ 139.99

Thanks Dale

Probably can't go wrong with that.

dale,

that'll work, but i think you'll have a bit of droop after framing up your shot when you snug up the ball head. i had one, it drove me crazy.

That ball head is not a great idea with a 300mm f4. It WILL droop and/or sag.

I'd recommend taking a look at the Cullmann MB 6.5, great head, will hold almost anything you clamp on it, not too expensive either. Cullmann aren't that well known outside of Germany where most of their products are made, but you can be sure you're getting a quality product. They also come with a 10 year warranty.

I wouldn't get the RC4 combo; get the RC2 if you go with Manfrotto's QR plates - that'll be a better match for the DSLR and lenses. The RC4 plate is big enough to overhang the camera and be awkward when you're hand-holding. Or do it right and get an RRS BH-40 with the B2-40 LR clamp and put an RRS L plate on your camera.

Jon wrote in post #12705110
I wouldn't get the RC4 combo; get the RC2 if you go with Manfrotto's QR plates - that'll be a better match for the DSLR and lenses. The RC4 plate is big enough to overhang the camera and be awkward when you're hand-holding. Or do it right and get an RRS BH-40 with the B2-40 LR clamp and put an RRS L plate on your camera.

Perfect!

I used a Manfrotto 488 with a converted Feisol Release clamp and Arca Swiss style plate with my Canon 500 f/4 and it worked great. ( No dropping at all) I converted all my plates to Arca Swiss style, because it's much simpler and has better gripping power, not to mention, standard plates. Manfrotto has too many style plates. As luck would have it I am selling my Manfrotto 488 with a Feisol clamp. If you must have Manfrotto I can convert it back in minutes.

Let me know( PM me)

Al

Thanks to all