Which Tripod?

[dav56]

I have just got a canon 400d and a Canon EF 100-400mm lens to go with it. Could you please advice me on what is the best type and make of tripod I will need to go with it, I am interested in wildlife photography in particular birds. I would rather buy a really good one that will last me rather than waste my money on one that only lasts for a few trips out.

Thanks
Dave

[Chris_Johnstone]

Giotto, Velbon and Ergorest are all good makes.

Warehouse Express
Naviate to the tripods on the left of the page.

Many professional photographers also swear by manfrotto tripods. Warehouse express has a big range at competitive prices. Have a look into ball and fluid heads to keep everything nice and smooth.

You can also get quick release platforms which would come in handy too.

There's quite a large range so think of all the things you need your tripod to do and then jsut search the market for them.

I agree that splashing out a little extra for some durability is a good idea.

Chris

P.S I'm gonna be looking for a tripod to mount a Sigma 170-500 in the near future so let me know what you decide and how it works out.

[Boddie]

Originally Posted by dav56

I have just got a canon 400d and a Canon EF 100-400mm lens to go with it. Could you please advice me on what is the best type and make of tripod I will need to go with it, I am interested in wildlife photography in particular birds. I would rather buy a really good one that will last me rather than waste my money on one that only lasts for a few trips out.

Thanks
Dave

Its not a good idea to use this lens with a tripod. You should be thinking of a monopd but with IS why do you need a tripod?

[yorky]

You might also like to consider getting a good quality bean bag (large). These are easy to carry about and are invaluable if you are in a spot where the tripod can't be assembled. If you are intending to photograph a lot of wildlife, then I would also suggest that a monopod might suit your situation better. BUT BEWARE, as with tripods, there are a lot of inferior monopods on the market that quite frankly are worse than useless.
See if you can strike up a good rapport with a local photographic supplier who should be more than willing to let you try various models.

[Kev Lewis]

Originally Posted by Boddie

Its not a good idea to use this lens with a tripod. You should be thinking of a monopd but with IS why do you need a tripod?

Because you can turn the IS off and still get a better image on a tripod than hand holding or monopodding with IS on You also leave the IS on as the lens knows it is being mounted on a tripod.

Personally I use the Gitzo 1348 carbon fibre tripod and manfrotto 393 head for wildlife work with big lens. A beanbag is also a great support for low level work.

After buying good glassware, the second biggest improvement in quality and detail comes from using a tripod

[JeffH]

Hi Dav56, I've got a similar Canon body/lens setup but the EOS30D instead of the 400D. For walking about photography I use a Manfrotto 681B monopod (professional quality but costing only about £40) with the IS switched on and as Boddie suggests.

However, I've spent much of today photographing a Kingfisher in my garden with the lens mounted on my old Slik tripod (with the IS switched off) and I've found that, as Kev says, the results using the tripod are far better than anything I've so far achieved just using the monopod and IS function.

In fact, I've decided to look for a new tripod as well as I reckon it's horses for courses.

Jeff

[Gaina]

Has anyone tried the BENBO 1 Tripod Kit? It was in Digital Camera magazine in the summer and I think it might be just the job for me.

[themightyzog]

Yes the Benbo is THE tripod for nature work - it will allow you to position the camera exactly where you want it (high or at ground level) on any surface and the bottom legs are sealed so it can stand in water.
The light weight version should be fine for you.
The only 'strange' thing I have done with mine is to mount 2 ball and socket heads on it (one on top of each other), so that I can then place the camera into any position.
Chris

[Oy]

I use the Manfrotto 190ProB with 222 Joystick head - it supports my D200 and 500mm fine and the joystick is very versatile.

[nightshade]

Originally Posted by Gaina

Has anyone tried the BENBO 1 Tripod Kit? It was in Digital Camera magazine in the summer and I think it might be just the job for me.

This may be too late Gaina but I use the Benbo and find it very good