I've read the links - help with tripod decision

First, thank you all for the great Stickies and links. I'm a little overwhelmed with it all, though, so was hoping that you kind souls could help narrow things down a little for me.

My gear: 40D, no grip, and the 100-400 or 70-200 2.8 IS are the largest lenses I own right now. I'm sure at some stage I will be adding a long prime, but that isn't going to happen in the near future...I would guess at least a year.

My uses: portrait shoots for groups (like at a school ball or daycare etc) and evening sports outside under "lights". I will likely use it for scenics and the like, too, but at the moment I am not finding much time for that. My tripod will not get used every day or even every week most of the year, but when I want it, I want to know it works.

My criteria: super light isn't a priority as I won't be doing a lot of air travel with this tripod and I won't be doing a lot of long hikes, so probably something in the middle will do. I don't want something super heavy as I will be doing some 10-30 minute walks to where I need to be and do not have an assistance.

My budget: well, I really don't know. I'd *like* to stay below $400 if at all possible, but understand that a tripod is something that needs to be right the first time.

I've been putting off buying a tripod for months now as I just get too overwhelmed with the choices and trying to figure out how best to use my cash.

I think that there are a lot of tripods that fit your bill (as you are aware or you wouldn't be asking for referrals). I personally use a Giottos MT-9170 and have found it to be strong, well-built, and reliable. It is made of aluminum, so it isn't ultra light, but I have carried it quite a bit without much inconvenience. I hope that your $400.00 dollars is just for the tripod, and not for a ball-head as well. I believe that any tripod is only as good as the ball-head, so that is where my money is invested ($130.00 in the tripod and $350 in my Markins M10 ball-head (and that is really a modest price for a great ball-head).

Thanks for the quick response...I guess I should be more clear with an overall budget, the problem is, I don't really have a strict budget. I'll spend what I have to, but don't want to spend just to spend!

a lot of people tend to get a manfrotto 055XPROB with a 488 RC2 head...its a great combination and should be no problem holding your lenses

That's only $275ish at BH , yankee?

That seems like a fabulous price if this will actually be suitable for my needs! Reading the reviews on BH the word "heavy" comes into play a lot...but I couldn't find a weight. Any idea on what a lighter option would be? I saw someone mention an extra $200 for CF and depending on the weight of this one, $200 would not be out of the question to save a substantial amount of weight but keep the stability and flexibility.

To me that is a great tripod and I think you would enjoy it...another, more expensive option is a gitzo gt2530 with the same 488rc2 head...this combo is nice and would suit you well...but honestly I think the manfrotto is a nice choice....but the gitzo is hard to beat

yankees3791 wrote in post #5695041
a lot of people tend to get a manfrotto 055XPROB with a 488 RC2 head...its a great combination and should be no problem holding your lenses

You'll find this tripod is quite well recommended. I stepped on the scale last night with mine and its ~6.6 pounds. Not light by any means. Gitzo tripods also come highly recommended but the price starts at 500 and goes up from there. If you have the coin buy the best, buy it once, and have it for life.

Like yourself, my longest lenses are the 70-200/2.8IS and the 100-400L. I opted for a Gitzo GT2540, which is probably the minimum for these lenses as far as Gitzo goes. If you plan on going to a longer prime eventually, such as the 400L/5.6, you'd be better off with the Gitzo 3xxx series. The Gitzo costs a little more, but it'll be the last one you'll buy for a long time. Also very lightweight for taking on hikes. MY GT2540 and Markins M10 head weigh in just under 4 pounds (using the bathroom scale method), but its probably more likely just over 4 pounds.

all of the suggestions are good and its up to you...the 2530 is a great tripod and I don't see it having a problem with a 400mm f/5.6 with tripod collar...the manfrotto tripod is also very good...all in all its up to you to decide what you want to spend...gitzo or manfrotto...can't go wrong with either