Post your Best Tripod and Head Combination

Post the best tripod and head combination. Please post them in this format.

1. Legs
2. Head
3 Notes - Eg:- Good for Travel etc

1. Manfrotto by Bogen Imaging 055XPROB Pro Tripod Legs
2. 488RC2 Midi Ballhead (Quick Release)
3. Under $300

1.Gitzo 1541T Tripod
2.Markins Q3T Ballhead w/ RRS B2 LR II Clamp

Gitzo 3530LS
Wimberley WH-200
Like a Rock

Gitzo 3540LS
Markins M20
Like a light Rock

Dolica Proline Carbon Fiber Tripod CX620B104 = Cheap ($100) and light, strong as heck.

Cullman Magnesit 35NM Ball Head = Again cheap ($160), Holds 66 pounds, designed and built excellent, very smooth motion even with heavy gear. Big but remarkably light for its size


I'm editing to add additional info.

Maximum load: I don't know. I've had a gripped body/Bigmos on top with no issues. I've also had Stellarvue 20x85mm binoculars on top with no issues, and a gripped body/Sigma 180mm macro/macro rail with no issues. The weakest link would be the tripod, and it'll hold a ton of weight.

Tripod/Ball Head Weight: 5.2 Pounds

Best Suited For: Well heck, I don't know. Holding up camera gear? Seriously, you could easily travel with this. Take the ball head off and stuff it in a bag (soft case was included), throw the tripod in its case, and there you go.

Gitzo Carbon Fibre Tripod G1127G
Gitzo Ballhead G1377M.

GT2530EX Tripod
RRS Ballhead BH55
Goes to ground level.

Gitzo 1325 with shortened 1318 centre column and Markins M10.

Reasonably light, extremely stable.
Images in this thread.

Got it in a pretty misused state from another photographer, and managed to get it back in working order. (One leg lock was corroded stuck, and one leg was loose at the top)

I still have a Gitzo 1349 in non-working order (4 leg locks stuck) from the same photographer

Gitzo 3541LS
Markins M20
Always hated the twists, now with the ALR and G-Lock I'm lovin it.

Oh yeah, light and solid.

Feisol CT 3401N Carbon Fiber tripod w/ PB-70 Horizontal Adapter Kit
Kirk BH-3 Ball Head
Great all around setup. Light and versatile. I have looked at the gitzo and just have not found one that is that much nicer than my Feisol.

Light weight, travel tripod:

Gitzo 1541t CF
Markins Q3t head with standard Markins QR.

I like the idea of securing the camera with a screw thread rather than a lever.

Look at the warranties of similar tripods. Gitzo has a lifetime warranty.

Similar but cheaper tripods have a 3 year guarantee. To my mind, that means the company expects them to last 3 years.

Gitzo also has anti-rotation and G-lock features to stabilize the legs, which is very important in these light-weight travel tripods.

Caveat emptor.

Feisol CT-3442 w/column.
Markins M-10.

Good for: Travel, backpacking, motorcycling, pushbike riding, trekking, general use... highly compact and lightweight, very sturdy and can be set up in seconds. Markins head is just sublime to use, too.

Poor man's Gitzo! I would have had a Gitzo if I had the funds but this appeared to have more specs on paper and was half the price. I'm satisfied I got more than my money's worth... just about the only time that buying anything but the best has paid off.

Jim G wrote in post #7775084
Feisol CT-3442 w/column.
Markins M-10.

Good for: Travel, backpacking, motorcycling, pushbike riding, trekking, general use... highly compact and lightweight, very sturdy and can be set up in seconds. Markins head is just sublime to use, too.

Jim,

Just wonder, on such a lightweight tripod, why did you go with the M10 rather than the Q3 or Q3t, which would allow you to reverse the legs and keep them closer to the head when folded? Are you using a really large tele lens?

Jay

1. Gitzo GT-5540LS
2. RRS BH-55
3. Weight (Tripod 6.28lbs) (Ballhead 1.9lbs)
4. Cost of (Tripod $899.95) (Ball Head $455.00)
5. Max Load (Tripod 55lbs) (Ball Head 50lbs)
6. Tripod and Ball Head weight 8.18lbs
7. Best suited for no vibration.
8. IMO its the best out there and Ill never have to buy another except for maybe a gimbal head. Sure its 2-3lbs heavier then average setup but I've hiked 7 miles with it. If I have to, Ill lose 2 lbs before a trip to compensate...Jeff