Help me understand tripod/ballhead weight capacities

Will be looking for a decent tripod set up later in the year and I've always kind of liked the Manfrotto 190XPROB as an entry level set of legs. It's specs say it can support 11 pounds.

Now, if I got a ball head that can support say 40 pounds (ball park figure), does that mean that when I add that ball head on those legs, both can hold 51 pounds of gear? I know this seems like really simple stuff, but I wasn't sure if it was that easy just to add the amounts together and thus use heavier gear.

Not additive! The weight carrying capacity is only as strong as the weakest link.

The true problem of assessing 'capacity' is that there is absolutely no single test standard that is used for measuring the limits of a tripod or a ballhead. This spec is as bad as 'watts of amplifier power' specs back 50 years ago.

No, your setup is only as strong as the weakest link. With the setup you have listed, you should be able to mount 11 lbs of gear on it before the tripod(legs) start to sag under the weight.

Thanks guys. I feel dumb for not understanding but wasn't sure if it was additive or not.

I first have to asses how much weight would be on the tripod before purchasing. No lens larger than a 24-70 and the largest body would be a 1 series.

with a pocket wizard of some sort on camera most likely 90% of the time.

That rig is about 5lbs

I use as a standard that the capacity of the weakest link, the ballhead or the tripod, should be three times the weight of your heaviest setup. May be overkill, but everything you shoot will be stable.

But there are really no standards for manufacturers to use when determining capacity of their products.

I go for the same. At least three times the weight of my rig.

If your stuck in the price range of the 190 series, just spend a bit more and get the 055XPROB with the 498RC2 head and youll be fine. Its a very tried and true combo and will handle pretty much any modern rig up to 200mm no problem or even something like the 100-400L.

ben_r_ wrote in post #13919880
I go for the same. At least three times the weight of my rig.

If your stuck in the price range of the 190 series, just spend a bit more and get the 055XPROB with the 498RC2 head and youll be fine. Its a very tried and true combo and will handle pretty much any modern rig up to 200mm no problem or even something like the 100-400L.

I honestly want a RRS TVC-24L and A BH-40 or 55. I don't like to buy cheap then upgrade with some things. I want to invest in a solid tripod solution that will last a lifetime.

StayLucky wrote in post #13932775
I honestly want a RRS TVC-24L and A BH-40 or 55. I don't like to buy cheap then upgrade with some things. I want to invest in a solid tripod solution that will last a lifetime.

that's not messing around, you're straight to the point with the good stuff!
Not a bad philosophy though, I've probably spend close to that on tripods and heads and I don't have a setup anywhere near that quality...

elogical wrote in post #13932954
that's not messing around, you're straight to the point with the good stuff!
Not a bad philosophy though, I've probably spend close to that on tripods and heads and I don't have a setup anywhere near that quality...

The only reason I've had to sell things off and repurchase my flashes and triggers is because I wanted to upgrade to a better model or I've had to start paying back student loans and I was in a car accident and had to pay out of pocket since the guy who hit me wouldn't accept the claim and his insurance declined it.

I know I'm going to be photographing for a lifetime, I really am passionate about it. So, I see no need to buy something cheap that I'll replace in 2 years or so.

from what i heard at the local camera shop.. the bigger the ballhead is, the less likely it's going to creep. also, depending on the design of the ball head... like how the screw pushes the ball against the ballhead unit.