What tripod and head should I get?

MarkE70 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-03-2008, 04:07 PM

I've decided to go for my new lens (canon 500mm f4). I figured i will need a good sturdy tripod. I have a budget of around 400 quid for the tripod and head. Does anyone recommend any? Alternatively, I'm toying with the idea of just a monopod as that is what i currently use with my bigma lens, but I'm not sure if this will work on the 500mm (which is about twice as heavy). Any advice would be appreciated, Cheers, Mark.

Seajay · #2 (**permalink**) 12-03-2008, 04:25 PM

Hi Mark.
If the 500 is twice as heavy as the Bigma then a tripod will add even more weight! I thought like you for a good strong tripod but on the urging of Graham and others on this site opted for a monopod. This I found to be excellent advice as they are surprisingly effective and of course much lighter and less bulky.
The mistake I made was getting one that was not strong enough (starting to get play - still usable but annoying). I have a Wimberly head on mine with a qrp which is fairly heavy in itself without the camera and lens.

Will watch this thread with interest as I'm looking to replace my monopod and have no idea with what. Must be light and very strong though.

Colin

Jon · #3 (**permalink**) 12-03-2008, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkE70

I've decided to go for my new lens (canon 500mm f4). I figured i will need a good sturdy tripod. I have a budget of around 400 quid for the tripod and head. Does anyone recommend any? Alternatively, I'm toying with the idea of just a monopod as that is what i currently use with my bigma lens, but I'm not sure if this will work on the 500mm (which is about twice as heavy). Any advice would be appreciated, Cheers, Mark.

Iwill PM you so I do not advertise
Jon

eeyore · #4 (**permalink**) 12-03-2008, 04:39 PM

monopods are good for lenses like the bigma but i would suggest that for something as heavy as a 500 f4 you definitely want a tripod - and if you are going to spend that sort of money on the glass its worth spending a few hundred on a top line carbon fibre effort and decent head from a good manufactuer.

I have the manfrotto 55DB and 190DB plus 222 head which i am hapopy with - this is steel as i cant afford the CF versions but they do them. You might also want to look at one of those unilock things - though i find using one of those to be like fighting with a greased octopus in a coal cellar at midnight.

you might also want to invest a few quid in some decent bean bags and something like the kirk low pod to use when shooting prone.

pressld2 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-03-2008, 05:23 PM

I have very recently upgraded my tripod as I found my lightweight Velbon was not up to the job with the D300. I couldn't manage £400 so went for the Manfrotto 055XPROB with the 804RC2 head which is avalable as a kit for about £170. It is quite a lot heavier than the Velbon but I'm coping. And anyway, one has to suffer for one's art!

I'm still a bit unsure about the carbon fibre tripods as I thought that a lot of the stability of the more expensive models came from the extra weight. I did have my Velbon blown over once with the D70 on it. Fortunately no damage done but I wouldn't take the chance with the D300.

Dave P.

wildlifesnapper · #6 (**permalink**) 12-03-2008, 05:58 PM

Hi

I use a Gitzo 1325 carbon tripod for my 500mm with a wimberley head which makes the camera and lens feel weightless in use(there are cheaper variations on the gimbal).Not too heavy to carry and very sturdy, certainly wont get blown over.
"Personally" I wouldn't go with a monopod as surely,the whole point of spending thousands of pounds on an F4 lens is so you can use low ASA settings and not have to crank them up to 800ASA etc.Also I wouldn't fancy wrestling with a 500mm all day

.

neil

MagpieMick · #7 (**permalink**) 12-03-2008, 06:13 PM

Hello Mark,

Not sure if a Monopod would be the way to go.......all the time but every now and then they are useful supports.
If you've been walking around for say an hour your shoulders and arms are aching you've two options keep hold of it or lay it down !!!

With a tripod it holds itself up while you look through your bins etc....

As i said to you in a previous thread im still to make my mind up its either the 500 F4 or the 300/800 but i knew what tripod and head i wanted and have had them just over a month and i can honestly say its brilliant....just need the lens to sit on top.

The tripod i got is a Gitzo GT3540LS with Manfrotto 393 Head..

I know plenty of people that have spent £500 and £350 on the other three gimbal type heads then you still need to by the release mounting plate as extra........!!!!!!!! ............ When the 393 for £100 perform every bit as good and comes with the quick release plate......!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For tripods look at the GT3540LS or GT3530S there is others that support the same weight they are just more expensive.....DON'T have a adjustable center column go for the studex range flat base plate absolute minimum vibration..

For Monopods look at GM2540 or GM3550

They look, feel and perform just brilliantly.....and no i don't work for them..!!

Mick..

wildlifesnapper · #8 (**permalink**) 12-03-2008, 06:34 PM

The 393 looks a good support (wasn't out when I got my Wimberley!!)

Agree with Mick about getting a tripod without a central column , more rigid.

neil

peterjclarke · #9 (**permalink**) 12-03-2008, 10:22 PM

I use a Gitzo (twenty years old) and a Manfrotto 501 fluid head. the head is not the best and i would like a better one but they are between £400 and £1000. What I like about this setup is I can use my cable release held onto the panning handle with an elastic band so that when I press the shutter I'm not introducing any additional vibrations. I'm not sure if this really is better than a gimbal type head as I've never used one. I've got a 300 F2.8 VR and it is only a kilo lighter than the 500mm f4 and this works very well for me. If I need a lighter tripod I put the head on a smaller Calumet tripod which is still pretty sturdy and more easy to manoeuvre than the gitzo.

Peter

Blackbrook Eye · #10 (**permalink**) 13-03-2008, 03:15 AM

I have several tripods and the one I use most is in my hide, this is a wooden theodolite tripod which weighs a lot, with a heavy duty pan and tilt head by 'Ising'. I note that in this and other posts folk have decried tripods with centre columns, why, because a tripod has a centre column doesn't mean that you have to use it but in some conditions it can be a big help, better with than without In my opinion, keep all of your options open.