Which Tripod?

yamahatdm900

yamahatdm900

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Graham
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Decide to get a decent Carbon fibre tripod, and Im after a bit of advice.
99% of the time the biggest lens I will use on it is a 70-200 f2.8 with a D300, but I have a 400mm f2.8 so I have decided to get one that will be able to handle the 400 as well.
So what to get would, the likes of the Giotto MTL8271B 3 section or the Manfrotto 055CXV3 Carbon Fibre 3 Section be man enough for the 400 or would I be better going something more sturdier?
I would prefer a c/f tripod to make it easier to lug along on walks etc,
But Im totally open to suggestions and ideas because my knowledge of tripods you can write on a back of a postal stamp:)
 
Choosing a tripod is something which needs a lot of thought. Prices can be daunting, but the truth is you get what you pay for, and if you're looking for a combination of rigidity (which you obviously need with your 400 f/2.8) AND reasonable lightness, then you're going to have to pay for it. There is a weight saving with CF, but in truth it usually isn't that great when compared to aluminium alternatives. The real benefit of carbon fibre, for me anyway, is that on freezing cold days it's a lot more pleasant to handle being intrinsically warmer.

Don't forget either, that it isn't just about weight and rigidity - some tripods can be a pleasure to use, while some can be a pain the rear end, just due to lack of ease in setting up, particularly when you're out in the field and it's freezing cold.

Try to buy it right and buy it once. Perhaps if you gave some indication of how much you're prepared to spend it would be easier to suggest some tripod choices, but that 400 f/2.8 is a monster heavy lens and you can't afford to cut any corners - you'll just regret your choice later.

Personally, I'd be looking at the Gitzo range. You don't want anything with a centre column - just three good legs with a plate on which to mount the lens or head. Centre columns just add instability with very heavy lenses.
 
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CT said:
Choosing a tripod is something which needs a lot of thought. Prices can be daunting, but the truth is you get what you pay for, and if you're looking for a combination of rigidity (which you obviously need with your 400 f/2.8) AND reasonable lightness, then you're going to have to pay for it. There is a weight saving with CF, but in truth it usually isn't that great when compared to aluminium alternatives. The real benefit of carbon fibre, for me anyway, is that on freezing cold days it's a lot more pleasant to handle being intrinsically warmer.

Don't forget either, that it isn't just about weight and rigidity - some tripods can be a pleasure to use, while some can be a pain the rear end, just due to lack of ease in setting up, particularly when you're out in the field and it's freezing cold.

Try to buy it right and buy it once. Perhaps if you gave some indication of how much you're prepared to spend it would be easier to suggest some tripod choices, but that 400 f/2.8 is a monster heavy lens and you can't afford to cut any corners - you'll just regret your choice later.

Personally, I'd be looking at the Gitzo range. You don't want anything with a centre column - just three good legs with a plate on which to mount the lens or head. Centre columns just add instability with very heavy lenses.
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Like you said I only want to buy the once, I don't plan to use at the minute with the 400 f2.8 I expect that you could well change in the future, but I don't want to buy a tripod and decide i do want to use it with 400 so I rather bite the bullet now and regret it later.
Budget would love to keep it below 300, but I expect Im dreaming at that price so if needed the low 500's if it there was a case for it up to 600.
Like I said I am open to suggestions alloy or c/f? etc?
 
Well I'd go for CF anyway.

I have a Gitzo 3530L which I use for my long lens stuff and I can honestly say it's the best tripod I've had, and I've had a few. Three section legs attached to a simple round plate for max stability and the lowest number of joints to cause problems. It's an absolute pleasure to use and the anti lock twist locks are a cinch to set up and adjust very quickly.

Just check the height will be OK. I'm 5'11" and the height is fine for me - don't forget to add around a foot for a gimbal head and the height of the camera body to the viewfinder. A couple of years ago I spent a few days at a Great Spotted Woodpeckers nest . If you can imagine the scenario with the tripod fully erected and the lens tilted right back on the head pointing up into a tree, putting the camera lower than the top of the tripod - I was still able to stand comfortably upright effectively looking up into the viewfinder and avoiding any stooping which is just downright tiring, especially when it's for long periods.

It's a tripod a lot of heavy lens birders use and it will support your 400 f/2.8 with no problem at all. You could argue a case for going for a 5 series Gitzo which is even more sturdy, but it's debatable if you need to go that far IMHO.
 
Thanks Jack, whats the main difference between the Mountaineer and the Systematic range, spec seems fairly similar?


Quick edit:just noticed the Mountaineer has centre column
 
You got it. :D

I haven't checked prices but should be well under 500 quid I'd think.
 
A very quick scan shows the Gitzo GT3531S Series 3 Systematic Tripod at £520 :eek:
Oh well might as ell get it right first time, to make it even worse just missed a free bag offer by 10 days:)
 
yamahatdm900 said:
A very quick scan shows the Gitzo GT3531S Series 3 Systematic Tripod at £520 :eek:
Oh well might as ell get it right first time, to make it even worse just missed a free bag offer by 10 days:)
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b****r -It looks like they went up - no surprises there. :D

Have a good scout round though and make sure you're getting the best price. It's a superb bit of kit - you'll never regret the purchase and if and when you want to sell it will retain it's value very well.

I have another Gitzo an Explorer which is a more compact lighter thing and I have the bag with it. Waste of time - I always carry the tripod in one hand and the lens and camera (held by the lens foot) in the other -same with the 3530 which is very light for such a sturdy bit of kit.
 
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Anything in the redsnapper range? I have one of their Carbon tripods which I think is excellent.

Don't forget about a good carrying solution. I've carried my tripod miles for those early morning sunrises because it was light and unnoticable.
 
CT said:
b****r -It looks like they went up - no surprises there. :D

Have a good scout round though and make sure you're getting the best price. It's a superb bit of kit - you'll never regret the purchase and if and when you want to sell it will retain it's value very well.

I have another Gitzo an Explorer which is a more compact lighter thing and I have the bag with it. Waste of time - I always carry the tripod in one hand and the lens and camera (held by the lens foot) in the other -same with the 3530 which is very light for such a sturdy bit of kit.
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Something going up in price - no surprises then, I will have a good look around in the week. Many thanks for you help, the vast range of models was a bit confusing:D
 
Oops - buggered up the link!
 
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CT said:
You're welcome - it is confusing that's for sure, but have a look at this link which shows the simple plate head arrangement which you need for any heavy lens and that 400mm of yours particularly - it's one of Canon's heaviest.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Gitzo-GT3530S-6x-Carbon-Fiber-Tripod-Legs-Review.aspx
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I do appreciate the help, been a few times lately i thought I get out and do some shooting when I have started to regret not having a decent tripod.
I did mount my 400 on a cheap Alloy one I do have - alarming wasn't the word I thought the poor thing was going to collapse under the strain and that was before I extended the legs:D
 
LOL. Well you've invested a lot of wonga in that lens Graham and the cost of the tripod is small beans in comparison if you want sharp images from the lens.

Good luck mate. :thumbs:
 
CT said:
LOL. Well you've invested a lot of wonga in that lens Graham and the cost of the tripod is small beans in comparison if you want sharp images from the lens.

Good luck mate. :thumbs:
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You right there. Im mainly a motorsport man, but lately I been thinking more and more of doing some more landscape and night stuff and in the future some nature photography.
 
Does the negligible weight saving of carbon matter, can't imagine you are going hiking with that set up anyway and remember carbon can be crushed if shut in something like a car door

My suggestion is buy the Manfrotto 055XPROB, aluminium, but has foam on the legs if handling is a concern. Good height with no centre column raised, solid as a rock and clip locks on the legs, personally dislike the twist things no matter how much the tripod costs, just never give me confidence. Even the Gitzo ones attracted criticism due to the plastic shims fitted and much prefer the clip type, can see when they are locked and adjustable too.

Saying that I do have twist locks on my travel tripod, but think they all have, do seem fine, but still never 100% sure and doesn't carry the sort of weight you are talking about

Spend the saving on a good ball head because you will need a solid one otherwise an expensive tripod is just a waste of money if you get lens creep
 
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tijuana taxi said:
Does the weight saving of carbon matter, can't imagine you are going hiking with that set up anyway and remember carbon can be crushed if shut in something like a car door

My suggestion is buy the manfrotto 055XPROB, aluminium, but has foam on the legs if handling is a concern. Good height with no centre column raised, clip locks on the legs, personally hate the twist things no matter how much the tripod costs.

Spend the saving on a good ball head because you will need a solid one otherwise an expensive tripod is just a waste of money
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No I won't be going hiking with the 400, but I will with some of other stuff.
I had thought about the 055X but the max load if I wanted to use the 400 was a bit of concern for me. Like I said really wanted peoples experience and knowledge on this before I got one.
 
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I had thought about the 055X but the max load if I wanted to use the 400 was a bit of concern for me
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You would have about 2kg to spare with the D300/400mm f/2.8 combo and Manfrotto no doubt build a safety margin into their weight figure
 
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The Manfrotto 190 weighs about 11 lbs.

The Gitzo 3930 weighs 5lbs and has a load carrying capacity of about 40 lbs.

Weight is an issue. Any sort of wildlife photography or motorsport is going to involve a deal of walking and these weights start to get onerous very quickly.
 
The Manfrotto 190 weighs about 11 lbs
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Not sure that's right, in fact pretty sure it isn't, 055 only weighs approx 2.5 kg so 6lbs at most and its heavier than the 190
 
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