Tripod recommendation pls!!

My old travel tripod is on it's last leg, so I'm in the market for a replacement. Can I get a recommendation for a relatively sturdy tripod and ballhead combo? My main requirements are:

• ability to accommodate a 7D + 70-200 2.8 IS II
  
• I'm 6'1 so the taller the better
  
• price range for tripod + ballhead preferably $500 or less, cheaper is always better
  
• weight is not much of a concern as I'll generally put it in my checked bag which is carry-on sized at 22 so it needs to fit this folded"

Feisol 3441T
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …RAVEL_4_SECTION​_TALL.html

Markins Q3T
http://www.markinsamer​ica.com/MA5/Q3T.php

Here is a review of the combo: https://photography-on-the.net …?t=929662&highl​ight=3441t

a bit more than I'm hoping to spend, but I'm willing to pay a bit more if the quality is there.

Thanks

Haha, sorry. I sorta overlooked your budget.

I don't think I've read anything but good about either Feisol or Markins, especially the Q3T. I have the Q3T and use it with my Benro 2680t. I love my Benro, but had I known about Feisol before I probably would have gone that route. The Benro is excellent, but it's probably on the short side for you (I'm 5'6" and it's perfect for me).

I don't think you will be disappointed with the Feisol and Markins combo.

You can get the Q3T head with a screw clamp to save $20 if a lever release is not important to you.

im in a similar boat and have been researching for the past few weeks. my final decision came down to either the feisol 3441 & Q3T ($720) and the benro C2682TB1 ($365). Both are about the same folded length and similar weights. the benro head can hold more and comes with a padded case and converts to a monopod. at this point i have more or less decided to get the benro/mefoto and use the saved $$$ to put towards upgrading my non-traveling tripod or buy some new glass.

Alternatively, there is the 3441S, which is the short version of the 3441T - cheaper, but again, might be too short for you.

If a center column is not important to you, there is the 3442.

Here is a good summary of the Feisol line of sticks:

http://reallybigcamera​s.com/Feisol/Tripods

I would also not hesitate to purchase from them.

pdrober2 wrote in post #15528843
im in a similar boat and have been researching for the past few weeks. my final decision came down to either the feisol 3441 & Q3T ($720) and the benro C2682TB1 ($365). Both are about the same folded length and similar weights. the benro head can hold more and comes with a padded case and converts to a monopod. at this point i have more or less decided to get the benro/mefoto and use the saved $$$ to put towards upgrading my non-traveling tripod or buy some new glass.

I'm not a fan of the transfunctional tripods. I had one (a HorrusBennu) and did not feel it was as sturdy.

I can vouch for the C2682 personally, it is a pretty sturdy piece of equipment.

v35skyline wrote in post #15528854
Alternatively, there is the 3441S, which is the short version of the 3441T - cheaper, but again, might be too short for you.

If a center column is not important to you, there is the 3442.

Here is a good summary of the Feisol line of sticks:

http://reallybigcamera​s.com/Feisol/Tripods

I would also not hesitate to purchase from them.

Thanks for that link! I'm pretty close to going with a set of Feisol sticks. They have models that would be great for my height. I don't mind bending over a little but why do it if I don't have to.

Need to do more homework on the ballheads which I'm honestly a little ignorant about

Markins and Really Right Stuff are probably the ways to go. That isn't to say there aren't other good heads.

Things to consider:
- you want a head with a small enough base that you can reverse fold your legs as flat as possible (one of the primary advantages of travel sticks)
- diameter of the ball (the larger the sturdier)

I've heard Photoclam heads are good, though I've never seen one. As mentioned, I have the Markins Q3T (seems to be the most popular travel head) and have used various RRS heads/sticks - both are nothing short of excellent.

One thing people don't like about the Q3T is there is no pan lock - rather, it's a tension knob. In practice, this makes no difference to me. Just FYI.

Check out the HorusBennu thread here.

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1017625

I bought the C-3540V and have been delighted. I'm 6'2" and rarely extend the center column.
Bought the FX-45Q Ballhead after I got the tripod and could see and feel the quality. This tripod is so good it is definitely my last. It is rock solid and so light. The bottom legs are almost 1" in diameter. It's much more stable than my Manfrotto 055PROB which is about the same height, weighs a ton and stays in my studio. Just noticed the price is now $40 higher than I paid on the HB.

I really like the FX-45Q ballhead for the lever action and quick adjustability. I bought it in black and it's smooth as silk. People also really like their LX-5 heads which are significantly less expensive. There are lots of posts and pics in the HB thread.

Here's an Ebay link that shows features on the tripod. I think you can buy the tripod with head under $400.

http://www.ebay.com …ipods&hash=item​3a6ecc36e5

I was extremely disappointed in the quali of my HorrusBennu. Maybe it was just my model. I hated that the rubber grips on each section came loose every time I twisted them.

pfjbaldwin wrote in post #15529006
Check out the HorusBennu thread here.

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1017625

I bought the C-3540V and have been delighted. I'm 6'2" and rarely extend the center column.
Bought the FX-45Q Ballhead after I got the tripod and could see and feel the quality. This tripod is so good it is definitely my last. It is rock solid and so light. The bottom legs are almost 1" in diameter. It's much more stable than my Manfrotto 055PROB which is about the same height, weighs a ton and stays in my studio. Just noticed the price is now $40 higher than I paid on the HB.

I really like the FX-45Q ballhead for the lever action and quick adjustability. I bought it in black and it's smooth as silk. People also really like their LX-5 heads which are significantly less expensive. There are lots of posts and pics in the HB thread.

Here's an Ebay link that shows features on the tripod. I think you can buy the tripod with head under $400.

http://www.ebay.com …ipods&hash=item​3a6ecc36e5

I've been reading mixed reviews on the HorusBennu sticks, but I'll do some more research. The price is certainly better, the maximum load rating is about 3x greater than the comparable feisol sticks, I'm more than a little skeptical about that.

If true, the increased capacity means I could use it for the 300 2.8 IS I'm thinking about buying later this year. I'd always assumed that I would need to buy a 2nd, sturdier tripod once that happens....

My HB fits in a 22" overhead bin luggage on the diagonal with the ballhead. Minimum size is 21.6" without head. It is not reverse collapsable.

Very pleased with my Vangaurd Alta Pro 263AT. There's also a lighter (and about 2x more expensive) carbon fiber version, they make some smaller travel ones that I wasn't really impressed by though. I've got the GH-100 head, that will hold up to about 10lbs before it starts to slip, I think they make a few others that'll hold a little more weight, the legs are solid as a rock.

Here's some youtube videos that go down the whole list of features.

https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=zza4opZtbQo
https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=XZw05oeo7cA
https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=-3Of5DKocsE

With a little work you can find them sub $200