Last night I learned the value of a good tripod while trying to photograph humming birds. I was using my Sigma 150-600C and the ball head would constantly sag.So I need to get something reliable. What are your recommendations?
I cannot afford the high dollar legs and heads but I am looking for something that would be an all around tripod that is sturdy and that can pack up without taking up too much room, maybe I am asking for too much.
I would consider purchasing the sticks and head separately or even consider a good used set up. I live about 50 miles southwest of Chicago and there are no dedicated camera stores in the area where I can do a hands on to see what would work.
Brian, one thing about tripods is they're as diverse and as many products as cameras are out there. So you will no doubt hear about a variety and it really does take a bit of shopping and narrowing things down before buying. I do not have a personal preference on the ballhead. I've had a few and I'm not using long glass that causes a bunch of drifting and sagging. However, in the tripod arena I cannot over promote a Feisol unit. I've had the 3301 for more then just a few years now and I use mine once a week religiously. It has never failed me on any front and works flawlessly for my landscape outings.
I bought mine directly on line at Really Big Cameras from Kerry Thalmann who was a previous NPN member years back. They also have an array of ballheads to choose from too. You can always contact them for final decisions or recommendations for your needs.
If I read your post correctly, it is the head that is causing the sag. If that is true, most likely all you need is a ball head that will handle the weight of the lens.
On the other hand, if the tripod legs are flexing and the head is not holding the lens well, then you may be looking at new tripod/head combo that will adequately support the combined weigh of the camera and lens.
I do not have a specific recommendation for you, but I have heard good things about Feisol. I have a Manfrotto CF and a Kaiser ballhead and they work for me, but I do not use big glass.
--P
What brand of tripod/head are you currently using right now? If you are serious about photography, then you may want to save up your money and get something that will work for you. Consider it a long-term investment. Heavy lenses and ball heads are a bad combination. Big lenses tend to flop as you have discovered. I use a Kirk ball head for macro work and switch to a gimbal mount when using the 600 mm. I used to use the ballhead with the 600 mm and missed quite a few shots due to the instability of that lens/tripod head combination. The gimbal works like a charm, but it was not cheap. Gimbal heads work fairly well for birds and wildlife--especially for fast moving critters like hummingbirds. One suggestion is to look for used equipment once you figure out what you want to purchase. B&H and Adorama often have used tripod legs and tripod heads for sale. E-bay can be frustrating, but sometimes you can snag a descent piece of equipment for a reasonable price................................Jim
Brian: One option on the head, if you do a variety of photography, is to go with a good ballhead and a Wimberley sidekick to convert it to a pseudo-gimbal. I've used a true gimbal for years, but I bought the sidekick for use with my 150-600 C and it works like a champ with that lens. I adjust the balance point for the 600mm position, but it doesn't seem to become too awkward when I zoom out. I do second the recommendation for a gimbal for bird photography, though you can hand-hold that lens if you have half way decent light.
There are some good reviews on ball heads on line that I looked at and I ended up with the Arca-Swiss Z1. Not as expensive as some, but not cheap either. I believe there's a Feisol ballhead that gets pretty decent reviews and is relatively inexpensive. I have heard really good things about their legs, but have no personal experience with them.
I bought my Sidekick used from the LensAuthority.com, the sales division of LensRentals.com. They have a surprisingly good collection of non-lens items in their used inventory and have pretty good descriptions of their condition.
What I found, more expensively than I should have, is that you can spend the dough for a good tripod and head, or you can spend less dough for a mediocre tripod and head and then spend the dough for the good tripod and ballhead. Avoid the cheap stuff. Because you'll end up replacing it with good stuff.
The last five years I have used a Gitzo 2460L (I'm tall and need the length) and a Really Right Stuff BH-55 ballhead. Not inexpensive. But very durable, rock solid and reasonably lightweight.
I've used Feisols for years without problems (and sold one of them to a Moderator here last year), although I usually hand-hold for birds and flight shots.
The RRS BH-55 can't be beat - you can find them used on EBay and B&H.
If you don't use a big lens, the smaller version of the BH-55 is fine .
Sandy
Posted by Brian Murphy on July 3, 2016 at 10:25 AM
I am currently using a Dolica tripod. It is actually an okay tripod but I am expecting too much from it. I believe I paid about 79.00 for it on sale with a regular price of about 129.00 or so. Not the best but it got me off to a start anyway. Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I am looking into all of them.
Brian
Brian:
I agree completely with Jim. You can buy something that is just OK, then you'll still not be happy, or you can save up and buy the right tripod and be done with it for a LONG time.
Take a look at the Induro line of tripods. Very good quality and a price that while still not cheap, does provide a good value. I'm not a fan of their ballheads however. I much prefer heads from Kirk, Really Right Stuff, or Markins.
I've used the RRS BH-55 for years and was always very pleased with it. More recently I began using the Uniqball UBH-45 and after getting used to it have found it to be my new favorite. It locks up really solid (88 pound rating) and works just-as-adveritsed as a gimbal head.
I just purchased a new Feisol 3472, and it's a tank. So far I love it and bought it because I wanted something sturdier than my Manfroto with a Markins head. I also puchased the CB 70D ball head from Feisol, and it's is also a tank. Haven't had them long enough for good review, but so far so good. I'll save my old set up for longer hikes as this new combo is quite a bit heavier. Total cost was just over half of what a comparable Gitzo,plus RRS setup. I guess time will tell if it pays off in the long run. I've still got lens purchases ahead so a $700-800.00 savings is substantial.
Discussion
13 repliesI cannot afford the high dollar legs and heads but I am looking for something that would be an all around tripod that is sturdy and that can pack up without taking up too much room, maybe I am asking for too much.
I would consider purchasing the sticks and head separately or even consider a good used set up. I live about 50 miles southwest of Chicago and there are no dedicated camera stores in the area where I can do a hands on to see what would work.
Your input will sure be appreciated.
Happy 4th and have a safe holiday.
Brian
I bought mine directly on line at Really Big Cameras from Kerry Thalmann who was a previous NPN member years back. They also have an array of ballheads to choose from too. You can always contact them for final decisions or recommendations for your needs.
http://reallybigcameras.com/Feisol/Tripods
If I read your post correctly, it is the head that is causing the sag. If that is true, most likely all you need is a ball head that will handle the weight of the lens.
On the other hand, if the tripod legs are flexing and the head is not holding the lens well, then you may be looking at new tripod/head combo that will adequately support the combined weigh of the camera and lens.
I do not have a specific recommendation for you, but I have heard good things about Feisol. I have a Manfrotto CF and a Kaiser ballhead and they work for me, but I do not use big glass.
--P
What brand of tripod/head are you currently using right now? If you are serious about photography, then you may want to save up your money and get something that will work for you. Consider it a long-term investment. Heavy lenses and ball heads are a bad combination. Big lenses tend to flop as you have discovered. I use a Kirk ball head for macro work and switch to a gimbal mount when using the 600 mm. I used to use the ballhead with the 600 mm and missed quite a few shots due to the instability of that lens/tripod head combination. The gimbal works like a charm, but it was not cheap. Gimbal heads work fairly well for birds and wildlife--especially for fast moving critters like hummingbirds. One suggestion is to look for used equipment once you figure out what you want to purchase. B&H and Adorama often have used tripod legs and tripod heads for sale. E-bay can be frustrating, but sometimes you can snag a descent piece of equipment for a reasonable price................................Jim
There are some good reviews on ball heads on line that I looked at and I ended up with the Arca-Swiss Z1. Not as expensive as some, but not cheap either. I believe there's a Feisol ballhead that gets pretty decent reviews and is relatively inexpensive. I have heard really good things about their legs, but have no personal experience with them.
I bought my Sidekick used from the LensAuthority.com, the sales division of LensRentals.com. They have a surprisingly good collection of non-lens items in their used inventory and have pretty good descriptions of their condition.
What I found, more expensively than I should have, is that you can spend the dough for a good tripod and head, or you can spend less dough for a mediocre tripod and head and then spend the dough for the good tripod and ballhead. Avoid the cheap stuff. Because you'll end up replacing it with good stuff.
The last five years I have used a Gitzo 2460L (I'm tall and need the length) and a Really Right Stuff BH-55 ballhead. Not inexpensive. But very durable, rock solid and reasonably lightweight.
Jim
The RRS BH-55 can't be beat - you can find them used on EBay and B&H.
If you don't use a big lens, the smaller version of the BH-55 is fine .
Sandy
Brian
I agree completely with Jim. You can buy something that is just OK, then you'll still not be happy, or you can save up and buy the right tripod and be done with it for a LONG time.
Take a look at the Induro line of tripods. Very good quality and a price that while still not cheap, does provide a good value. I'm not a fan of their ballheads however. I much prefer heads from Kirk, Really Right Stuff, or Markins.
I've used the RRS BH-55 for years and was always very pleased with it. More recently I began using the Uniqball UBH-45 and after getting used to it have found it to be my new favorite. It locks up really solid (88 pound rating) and works just-as-adveritsed as a gimbal head.
Sandy