OK, I have a Slik tripod that is older but i love it cuz its sooo steady and solid, It has a Gitza Brevete S.G.D.G. head on it.
I have lost the screw that holds the camera AGAIN but this time I have not been able to find it. This screw has been the bain of my tripod experience. The other thing I dont like about the head is that the wieght is not born over the center, but off to the side (see attached iPhone pictures) and when I have my 1-400 mounted on it it is a little unstable.
I want to upgrade one day to a 500 or even 600mm lens and not have to worry about the off center wieght. What are your suggestions?
Here is the first shot of the brand name
and this is of the slot that lets the crew come out all the time
and this is a shot of how the weight bearing area is off center which leads to instability with my heavier lenses




