Camera/tripod mount

I've tried various search terms but haven't had any luck with this question. I find that shooting with my heavy lenses in portrait orientation is impossible with my tripod because the weight of the camera/lens causes it to tilt no matter how hard I tighten the screw to the camera body. Am I just using the wrong mount on the thingamajig that is attached to my camera, or is it the thingamajig attached to my tripod that is the issue? The tripod I am using is the manfrotto 3030, if that makes a difference. Knowing the correct terminology (thingamajig doesn't cut it), might help, of course. What say you, photo gurus?

Get a better ballhead. That's a very common problem (drooping) with lower end heads.

ballhead, that's the term I needed. I was hoping to get by with the tripods I have, both manfrottos, and not spend more than $400-$500 on a ballhead and plates. The Really Right Stuff RRS looks like good gear, but I have to wrap my mind around the price....

I recommend Markins q10 ballhead

Sounds as if your fundamental issue is a need for an anti-twist lip on the QR plate, to prevent the body from twisting on the QR plate while tilted on the ballhead...Manfrotto 3157NR

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ral_Anti_Twist_​Quick.html

This just came out today, for whatever it's worth:

http://www.dpreview.co​m …est-tripods-for-under-450

do your heavy lenses have a tripod foot?
it sounds like you're attaching camera to tripod even with your heavy lenses so if they have a tripod foot I'd switch to that and see if that helps.

The two heavy lenses you have, the 70-200mm and 100-400mm, can both take feet so there shouldn't be any problems if you use them. The next heaviest is probably the 50mm, but a plate done up nice and tight should handle that on a 1D, if not then the plate Wilt suggested will sort that out.

The L-Plate advantage.

http://www.youtube.com …o&feature=playe​r_embedded

DisrupTer911 wrote in post #13059806
do your heavy lenses have a tripod foot?
it sounds like you're attaching camera to tripod even with your heavy lenses so if they have a tripod foot I'd switch to that and see if that helps.

yes, they do both have tripod mounts, it never occurred to me to actually use them. DUH! Will definitely give that a go before I proceed any further with anti twist things etc. Thanks so much for the 411, don't know why I never thought to use them. I've been researching some of the options others have mentioned here in this thread, so if I'm not happy with the result when mounting the tripod collar, I know I have options. thanks again!