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Tripod and Head


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6 replies to this topic

#1
Johnb

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Hi Guys and Girls, I have been looking for a tripod and head that will easily handle my Nikon D850 with a Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E lens attached.

My head height is 5ft 8", and then down to low level.

 

There are just so many options open to me its doing my head in.

 

I am not looking for a travel unit specifically, just something that is robust enough to take a minimum of 10kg or 20lbs, and which is stable at full height, and easy to adjust and lock solid, ie pan and elevation, and then remain stable while I manually focus. I am not restricted by price but obviously I don't want to be paying over the odds.

 

I would prefer to hear from some ones personal experience of a setup rather than any suppliers written claims.

If you can give me any suggestions I would be very grateful.

 

Regards John.



#2
Merco_61

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If you want the best engineered tripod you can get, the Sachtler ENG2, either CF or alu with a FSB 10 head comes to mind. They are pricey, but very fast to set up in the field and much less prone to resonance than other, more conventional legs.

 

If you want something a bit more portable but still very high quality, a Gitzo Systematic Series 4 or 5 with either a fluid head or a gimbal are hard to beat. You pay some extra for the name, but they stand up to professional use for many years.

The reason to go with a Systematic is that no center column is steady enough to not introduce resonant harmonics at some shutter speed.

 

The Gitzo copies from the far east usually work well, but when they start to wear finding parts for friction collars and other fittings can be problematic. Sirui have impressed me more than the others, but I don't use them myself.


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#3
Nikon Shooter

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… something a bit more portable but still very high quality, a Gitzo Systematic Series 5 with either a fluid head or a gimbal are hard to beat. You pay some extra for the name, but they stand up to professional use for many years.

The reason to go with a Systematic is that no center column is steady enough to not introduce resonant harmonics at some shutter speed.


+1 zillion!

I used Series 5 every day since years. I have 4 of them:

2x four sections for wildlife (picture bellow)
no column but a levelling base is imperative IMO and a
gimbal — from JOBU Design, mine is too big for your lens
but they have lighter ones.

2x three sections for on location
with columns and ball heads


77.jpg



#4
Johnb

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Thanks guys, I have made a note of your suggestions and of course, take your personal experience as what counts, and will check them out.

So these tripods and heads you are suggesting, I can take out into the field, set up with the camera and lens attached, find the viewing area I am interested in, lock it down, and then adjust the lens focus without the tripod or head moving, is that right.

My 200-500 takes a bit of force to turn the focusing ring just a little bit. It is quite stiff, which is one of the problems I have had. That little bit of torque is enough to move the tripod or head setting. Plus it is a pain just getting it fixed in the direction I want to look. You lock the pan down and the elevation changes.

 

Yea I bought it with no experience of what I actually needed, but then, that's all part of the learning curve I guess. I would like to sort it out now in one hit, and not spend loads of £sss finding out what I don't want.

 

Thanks for your input guys, very much appreciated.   



#5
Nikon Shooter

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It is quite stiff, which is one of the problems I have had. That little bit of torque is enough to move the tripod or head setting. Plus it is a pain just getting it fixed in the direction I want to look. You lock the pan down and the elevation changes.

 

Hi John,

With a good tripod, a levelling base and a proper gimbal, when
locked, nothing will move. When unlocked, there will be no worry
for your gear as the gimbal will hold everything securely.

See this…

https://youtu.be/pVNkAe5GtJw



#6
TBonz

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Also, if you wander over to this area you will see several other similar threads that have additional info...

 

Bags, Tripods, and Accessories - NikonForums.com



#7
Johnb

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Thanks guys some great recommendations. The Sachtler looked great but as a beginner, I could not warrant paying that for a tripod, but I went for the Gitzo Systematic series 4 from WEX. I have the legs and the gimbal, just waiting for the centre geared column to turn up.

 

Thanks for the suggestions guys, now I am sorted