Need help choosing tripod for 500mm Canon

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ukpbz

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Paul
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Hi All,

I have got myself a 500mm Mk1 Canon F4. Loving it

I need a better tripod. I have a Uniloc which is superb just a little short for me as I am 6ft

I do have limited budget so no Big Gitzo's please ( I wish)

I need a good sturdy, lightish tripod that will handle the 500mm plus a 5D or 7D. Be comfortable for me to use at 6ft AND come in at around £350 (£400 at an absolute push)

I have Gimbal head so just the Tripod

Any ideas? Recommendations?

Thanks
 
Mifsuds had a fair few mint condition used Gitzo's that came within your budget or at least they did when I looked the other day.

I have a 3540LS and that is fine with the sort of weight you describe so something around that mark should do the job

Perhaps have a look at Feisol's too, they have some decent looking kit at not too bad prices
 
I actually agreed a price and we went right the way to me asking for his bank details then he decided not to sell
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Bit strange, think he probably regretted advertising it so cheaply, you must have been disappointed, know I would have been

If you do a search think you will find some happy Feisol owners on here, their customer service is reputed to be very good too
 
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I have one of the large Feisol C/F tripods (not rapid) and it is extremely sturdy though light, I would certainly recommend it as a solid base for some big equipment.
 
I too have a feisol rapid and I'm over the moon with it, supports my 600 etc with no problems at all.

Look at the top tube diameters as some are 28mm and others are 37mm, I went for a 37mm.

Max height is I think 154cm which is handy, hope this helps.

Jason
 
Cheffievrs said:
I too have a feisol rapid and I'm over the moon with it, supports my 600 etc with no problems at all.

Look at the top tube diameters as some are 28mm and others are 37mm, I went for a 37mm.

Max height is I think 154cm which is handy, hope this helps.

Jason
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Jason

Sorry to sound dumb but what reason should I make the diameter decision on :-) strength?
 
For a long lens, I would look at those bigger Benros, basically Gitzo Systematic clones. There are a few happy owners on here. DC's e-bay store gets good rep.

I only have experience of a few Feisol products, but everything I've seen has been extremely positive. Very high quality and great value, Feisol deserves to be better known.
 
ukpbz said:
Jason

Sorry to sound dumb but what reason should I make the diameter decision on :-) strength?
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Yes, the larger diameter makes for a much more solid and stable base, it would take quite a bit to move mine when it's setup. Some CF tripods have good top sections but get pencil thin at the feet ... not good for stability.
 
Thickness of the legs is very closely related to the number of sections - eg 3-section nice and fat, 5-section spindly bottom legs. Also most of the leg flex is in the joints, so the less of those the more rigid the tripod will be - all other things being equal.
 
Cheffievrs said:
I too have a feisol rapid and I'm over the moon with it, supports my 600 etc with no problems at all.

Look at the top tube diameters as some are 28mm and others are 37mm, I went for a 37mm.

Max height is I think 154cm which is handy, hope this helps.

Jason
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Hi Jason.

Feisol is in shopping cart along with centre column. I didn't see an option to choose tube diameter. Am I missing something?
 
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The new Feisol gimbal head looks a decent piece of kit.
 
Is that from the UK dealer Paul?

I tried to order a 3342 and was told they'd be out of stock till after Chinese New Year (End of Feb)

I'm tempted to get a 3301, it'll only be holding a D300S with a Sigma 120-300, not a 500/600mm f4.
 
Ah, the waiting game! :D

Fingers crossed, final delivery isn't by GLS or Fedex... :thinking:



Hey! Wait a minute!
Bigvin said:
...it'll only be holding a D300S...
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only...??
banana_sad.gif
biggrin3.gif
 
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