Why spend so much on a tripod?

SkipD wrote in post #10388134
There's absolutely no way that I would want a "three-way pan" type of head for still photography.

+1 for that - forget the tilt-and-pan types, get a ball head. I just bought an 055XProB + 498RC2 combo and I'm loving it.

Viva-photography wrote in post #10387835
I am a young, I can carry weight.
I don't mind a heavy tripod. I actually love heavy gear (to a point).

I just want one thats very sturdy and dependable

Then go for one of these:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_3661.html#spec​ifications



Seriously though, if you think 500mm or 600mm telephotos reveal instability/vibration in tripods, wait until you look through telescopes -- focal lengths of 1700-2200mm quite commonplace.

SkipD wrote in post #10388002
No head "comes with" a Manfrotto 055 series tripod unless the dealers put together a package. Normally, you buy a tripod and then you buy a head and assemble the two. That way, you can choose ANY head (from many manufacturers) to put on your tripod leg set.

Yep,,that's the way I've bought tripods..

Good tripods last forever. I have gone through two cheep tripods and then said why am I spending all this money on buying new tripods why not just spend my money once and be done with it.

Prior to this thread, I considered purchasing the Dolica AX620B100 from BeachCamera for $39.00 shipped minus the 8% Bing Cashback and 3% MrRebate Cashback since it has 225+ positive but adequate reviews including one video review.

Now, a Manfrotto 3021BPRO tripod and a Manfrotto 488RC2 head are arriving to my front door this week(end). I'd like to thank you guys for your thoughts and inputs but my wallet begs to differ...

and here I am still using a velbon ve3 that I bought for like 20 bucks

A 1D4 & 400 2.8L II + WH-101 weighs in at 8.99Kg/20# and costs over $10K. My old Bogen 3205 (equivalent to the current 055 Series & rated at 8Kg) strained when I put that combo on it. Plus, I had to squat to look through the viewfinder. A Benro C-458 EX & gimbal is rated at 20Kg/55# and will elevate the 400 to 6'6" without the center column extended.

too bad, the tvc-33 is way to tall for me........i e-mailed RRS and see when they're going to release the tvc-23 but I think they won't tell me that so i guess back to gitzo gt2541