T3i + 200-500mm lens, tripod recommendations?

Hey everybody, newcomer here.

I have a Tamron A08 200-500mm lens, the older version; I can't find exact specifications or a good scale for a few pounds, but its between 3-4.5 pounds.
I've been shooting a lot of nature/landscape-texture videos with it on my T3i and the pan/zoom on my tripod is just frightening. I feel as though the head is going to snap right off, its rated for 7.8 pounds, slightly higher than my rig.

So I have a great lens and a camera suitable for my purposes. So what are some mid-priced tripods for around 15lbs or more? I understand the differences between types of head construction, so gimbal is way out of my price range...though I believe they're made for fast-panning sports/nature photography.

Thanks!
-m

Do you guys think that the Davis & Sanford FM18 will adequately support a 200-500mm lens?

The appropriateness of any tripod MUST minimally be able to not fail with the weight on it, but typically they're rated for much less than that failure point. The more probable issue is that the longer the lens the more torsionally rigid and dampening the whole assembly must be as a 1 deg vibration is MUCH more significant at 500mm than 200mm. Practically speaking, the smallest Gitzo tripod would SUPPORT the largest 35mm camera/lens combo but wouldn't necessarily do so in an adequately motion stable manner....thus Gitzo's conservative rating for maximum lens length per model.

I have that lens + a 40D. My tripod is the Feisol 3441S with the Photoclam 40 ballhead and I find it works great. I'm away from my camera gear at the moment so I can't tell you the weight limits.

Ah, Russ, that is all really useful information. As you said, the "max load" rating is not great to go by. Advertising can be pretty deceptive when you're watching youtube videos (the amateur's playground).

Since I'm looking for quality panning with a very oblong setup, I now expect to be spending a good $300+ for a head. At that price, I would never order something based on what someone else said. My best bet is to visit my local photo store with my gear, ask their opinion, shoot videos on a few different setups and watch the quality back at home.

As for what I said about gimbal; are they in-fact intended for photgraphy, not cinematography?
Thanks.

I have a Benro A2970F that I picked up for $154 off Amazon. It is not a light, small tripod at 4 1/2 pounds, 26" collapsed & supports 22 lbs. But, it is very sturdy and I am very happy with its performance. I just picked up a used Mongoose Gimbel M2.3 head (19 oz)for $200 and it is fantastic.

The combo is no problem for taking it in the car and then walking a couple hundred yards or so. But, I wouldn't want to carry it all day on a hike.

jbrackjr wrote in post #14365906
I just picked up a used Mongoose Gimbel M2.3 head (19 oz)for $200 and it is fantastic.

The combo is no problem for taking it in the car and then walking a couple hundred yards or so. But, I wouldn't want to carry it all day on a hike.

But would you use it for shooting video? I understand how the multiaxis system works, but they appear for fast-paced still shots.

That's the least expensive one I've seen yet for up to 500mm. My lens is 200-500mm F5-6.5, or 5.6, I just found the box for it in my basement. Let me just come out and say I just found out what this means per its effectiveness in low-light. I did not originally purchase the lens, my father did about 6 years ago, but its brand new still.

With such a large lens and high aperture rating, will this even be effective for video?

Sorry, my experience with video is very limited. If I was going to shoot a family video, I would use the gimbal head that I just bought and be happy with it. However, there are heads made for doing primarily video that would be better (I assume). Your lens would be great for shooting nature and wildlife.