Tripod choice with a $ 400.00 budget?

Dear Board,

I am looking at getting a tripod and to me at least the choices are mind-boggling. I need something to support a 1DMK11 or gripped 20D used with a Sigma 150-500. I am also 6'5" tall and while I don't mind stooping down a bit I don't want to have to look through the viewfinder with my hands on my knees. Weight is only a minor consideration, a tripod and head that weighs between 5 and 7 pounds is easily within my handling abilities. The ability to convert to a monopd is a plus but not a requirement.

I have a budget figure of $ 400.00 +/- for the tripod and a ballhead. I'll consider pre-packaged combo's as well as sticks and head purchased seperately. Down the road I anticipate adding the Manfrotto 393 gimbal head but for right now my budget is pretty well carved in stone.

Reading reviews and threads on the internet leads me to believe I need a tripod capable of supporting anywhere from 15 to 40 pounds depending on the brand and how they rate their capacity. Some people hang 600/f4's on Manfrotto 055PRO's and others wince at putting even a 70/200/f2.8 on the same set of sticks.

I know many people will suggest overspending on the tripod to insure I get something that will last. That is fine in theory but I can't see any advantage to spending what I spent on my second hand body and lens for a part time support system. If I get flush enough to own a $ 10,000 camera and lens combo I'll drop $ 1,000 plus on the support system but until then I'd really like to stay around the $ 400.00 mark.

Is there anyone out there with my gear or something similar that can make a recommendation based on actually using a particular tripod set up? I'd love to go and look at rigs but I really don't have the opportunity to shop and inspect tripods anywhere locally.

Regards,

Tim Murphy

Are you sure you want a ball head for a big lens and heavy body? The price limit may require some compromises. After reading lots of posts on the FAQ for tripods and heads, I ordered a 055 prob and a Manfrotto ball head, but I don't plan to use it with anything longer than a 100 mm macro lens. The 055 might do it for you, barely. However, you may want to look at the FAQ and consider a 3 way head or another sort of head given the price limits. I think that big lenses call for expensive tripods, but perhaps not ball heads. Some people seem to swear by gimbal heads for the bigger lenses.
Sturdy and strong will cost, and good ball heads that can handle heavy loads are very costly.

If you don't mid weight, I would definitely look at aluminum Induro legs, probably their AT313 model. I have the AT213 and love it. It is very well built and very sturdy. All of Induro's tripods are available at B&H. I found Induro's legs better than the comparable Manfrotto legs.


http://www.indurogear.​com …ies-8m-tripods-at313.aspx

I suggest as well to go for the Induro AT313 Tripod with a Arca Swiss compatible Induro BHD2 Ballhead to it. Together they cost under 370 $.

As a last comment. I caution not attach a big or tall lens to a ballhead, at least be very careful! In order for you to use safely a long lens you would also have to get a Wimberley Sidekick (250 $). It is much better and extremely fluid in use as well. I strongly suggest to get a AK-100 Sidekick Adapter (43 $) with it. After all the Sidekick is way more better than the Manfrotto 393. It is quick to take off and use the Ballhead instead with small lenses. The Sidekick doesnt take too much place in your bag as well.

When you move to the Arca Swiss system you would also have to add Arca Swiss compatible plates with it for the camera (Wimberley P5) and the Sigma 150-500 lens (Wimberley P40). Thats all. Main thing is you get to the Arca Swiss system right now. You wont regret it. The good thing about universal plates is you can use them with future gear as well. No need to get new plates every time you change the camera or lenses.

Dear Callum and Aris,

I am looking hard at the Induro AT313 Tripod as well as the Benro A3580F Tripod as the legs for my set up. I figure I can budget $ 175.00 to $ 225.00 for the legs and be able to buy all that I will ever need on the bottom part of a tripod set up.

The head is where I am slowly beginning to learn that I will be better served with a gimbal head. Thanks to artyH I talked to buddy at work with 500f4 and he said I could make do with a ball head but I'd like a gimbal head better. I am still liking the Manfrotto 393, but I am also considering the Opteka GH1 as well as the CoralPix CPGH. I know the last two are knock-offs of better known and higher priced products but I am a hobbyist, and a part time one at that.

I'll pick up a ball head somewhere that will be adequate for either my 1DMk11 or 20D with my other lenses and call it a day. I might hit the $ 450.00 or even $ 500.00 mark for the all in price but I'll be happy and my wallet will be happy too.

Regards,

Tim Murphy

i just bout the INDURO AT313 and the VANGUARD SBH-300 and I'm really happy with it. its on the heavy side but the weight don't bother me as much as long as i know my gear is secured.

I use the Manfrotto MK294 with 3 way head. It supports my gripped 5D mark III and 70-200 2.8 with no problems. I personally don't think you need anything super expensive unless you are using some of those really long prime lenses .

+1 again on the Induro AT313. I've been using one for a few years and it works great. It's taller than some others as well.

For a head I'm using the Acratech GP. It will put you at about $575 for the pair, but I've used it with my heaviest setup, and it works well. (5d3/gripped +Sigma 120-300 +2X TC). The Sigma alone weighs about 7 lbs. The GP also has a gimbal feature.

http://acratech.net/gp​-1/

Dear Board,

I bought a set of Benro A3580F legs, a knock off gimbal head and a Benro B-2 ballhead along with a lens plate and spare body plate yesterday from a reputable stateside dealer. They are being shipped to me and I'll report back on what I find in the box but I suspect I'll be happy with everything.

I went with the Benro legs over the Induro AT313 because spec wise they were virtually identical and the Benro A3580's cost about $ 20.00 less.

Regards,

Tim Murphy