Tripod for telezoom lenses

I already have two no-name cheaper tripods and only use them for indoor, but now that I have some telephoto lenses I was thinking of getting a better tripod. I do have the 486RC2 ball head but haven't used it with the 100-400L.

I was looking through the tripods , specifically those mentioned here but they seem to support cameras with small or medium lenses.

I was wondering if someone would recommend a good tripod that would be flexible to handle all my lenses well , including 70-200 2.8 and 100-400L

Also if someone thinks I should upgrade my ball head as well, I'd like to hear suggestions

I do like to travel so weight till about 3KG for the tripod is fine (in addition to my camera gear)

Thanks a bunch.

Well, I just got the Slik 700DX Pro. It's a darn sturdy tripod, rated for 15 lbs. It weighs about 7 lbs, so a bit more than 3 kg. It's also quite tall which is good if you're tall. Here in the states we can get it for $130.

and over all are you happy with it?

Tripod prices are all over the map. Spend as much as you can afford. Carbon fiber offer the most sturdyness compaired to their weight and size. If you get the right one it will last you forever.

Is the slik 700 DX a carbon fiber tripod...it didn't say in the description and review but it's appealing because I am 6'2 and I like the lever on it.

My tripod recommendation for general purpose use is the Bogen/Manfrotto 3021BPro (known as the 055ProB outside the U.S.) topped off with the Bogen/Manfrotto 488RC2 ball head.

This is a very sturdy combination with enough height for most folks.

It is an extremely versatile tripod/head combination, with many ways to support a camera. You can put a camera over a short wall, directly above a table pointing down, inches above the ground, etc.

The 488RC2 ball head has a feature that should not be ignored. That is the separate release for "panning". You can loosen the lever and rotate the camera horizontally without releasing the ball. This is great for scenic panoramic shots.

Here’s the combination at B&H: 3021BPro/488RC2

The 488RC2 is significantly stronger than the 486RC2. I use the 486RC2 on my monopod, and that is a great combination. I would suggest going with the 488RC2 on a tripod, and the 486RC2 on a monopod. Many folks on the forums here like this combination.

I am getting a giottos 8170 carbon fiber and 490 manfrotto ball head, both rated at 26lbs.

I anticipate using a 70-200 with my 5D and see what happens. I will report back.

I would suggest a Gitzo carbon fiber. It eats vibrations.

www.bythom.com/support​.htm

A head is a venture of itself. 486 will be OK for experimentation, but you'll want something sturdier. Ideally a arca plate system.

Buy once and forget about it...

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/t​ripods_&_heads.shtml

If I were to do it again, I'd get a 13 series carbon fiber gitzo and a ballhead... Probably a Kirk or a RRS.

Broncobear wrote in post #2446181
I was wondering if someone would recommend a good tripod that would be flexible to handle all my lenses well , including 70-200 2.8 and 100-400L.

I dumped my older tripods for the Bogen/Manfrotto RC2 system. I have the 3001BD tripod legs (which have flip locks, instead of screw locks), 676B monopod, the 486RC2 ball head, and the 3229 swivel-tilt head. What's most attractive to me is that you can buy an RC2 plate ($12) for each of your moutable gear, then swap them as needed. I have one on my camera and one on each of my two tripod collars (100-300, 200L). Makes things go much faster. I will be buying the 804RC2 3-way pan head in a few weeks.

The tripod is threaded on both ends of the post, so you can put your head on top or below if you're doing macro work. You can also buy spikes for the legs as well, in case you do any outdoor work. I think I spent about $225 for all (and they have a $25 rebate at the moment). Carbon fiber is the way to go, if you're willing/able to spend the money.

Thanks everyone, Ia prpreicate all your valuable input... looks like I need to do some major research

IT's really a damn shame my local camera shop doeesn't have these tripods in stock so I can get the feel for them

For legs I've been very happy with my Manfrotto 190's. It's rated to hold 8.8 pounds which should hold any combination of body/lens you currently have. It's lightweight (CF), sturdy, and highly versatile/adjustable and doesn't break the bank.

The ballhead I use now is the Manfrotto 3265 Joystick head. I find it much more convenient than a traditional ballhead, just squeeze and it's fully adjustable, when you let go the ball stays where it's positioned, no screws or levers. It's rated for up to 5.5 pounds which would hold a body and 70-200 F/2.8 just fine. As a plus it has a built in spirit-level. By far one of the best photographic purchase I've made.

So far in doing the research , here is what I would use the tripod for.

1-Macro shots, as I'm really getting into macro. Not a big deal since my cheapo 40 dollar tripod and ballhead is ok for my macros...but I'm generally close so am careful to make sure it doesn't tip.

2. I live in a high rise with semi strong winds and take shots of the the city at night..but I'd like a sturdier tripod for this

3- I am getting into bird photography...need soemthing to take with me that is fairly eays to bring around on hikes with my lenses.

4- I'm tall at 6'2 which makes the slik 700DX combo appealing.

My telezoom lenses and body are about 8 pounds.

The slik 700 DX is also on sale here for 190CDN.

The Manfrotto 3001BD Deluxe Tripod Legs is also appealing. as is the general purpose use is the Bogen/Manfrotto 3021BPro . But these are more expensive...

Decisions decisions decisions lol...

I really like the MANFROTTO 804RC2 but would that work well with the slik 700DX? or the Bogen/Manfrotto 3021BPro?

I do have the R486CR2 for my monopod but but the quick release 804RC2 seems nice.

Being Canadian I'm out of luck for the rebate.

I use a Benreo C298 and a Benro KS-1 Ballhead for my steup with all the lenses you mentioned. Budget will detrmine which brand to get, but for the highest quality carbon finber available, Benro is the cheapest. My legs were about $325.00 and the head about $100.00. Not cheap, but compared to the similar Gitzo/Kirk setup at nearly $900.00, a bargain.

yes gitzo is super expensive, with the money I put out on glass I can't put that much into a tripod yet...

To be honest I'm leaning towards the Slik 760 cause of the price, it's pretty stable at under 200.

I'm going to be lens poor for quite awhile lol