600mm f4 IS ii with wimberley mh200 but what tripod ?

[Aziz Ahmed]

Hi Guys

I am off to Mara and i wanted to know which will be a good tripod for the mh200, i dont think i wil get to use it much there as the safari does not allow you to get of the cars, but wanted to carry a tripod just in case if we get some birds in Flight.

Cheers.
Aziz

[Doug Brown]

What are you looking for in a tripod, and what's your budget?

[David Stephens]

I think you'll have a higher keeper rate for most BIF if you hand hold your 600mm.

I use an Induro C-414 (now CT-414) with a Wimberley Sidekick/Arca-Swiss Z1 ballhead combination when I'm camped out in a position and keeping the lens aimed at one spot for long periods of time. Otherwise, I hand hold.

[John Chardine]

Hi Aziz- It's hard to beat the Gitzo products. For the new (and lighter) 600/4II you could probably get away with a Series 3 Gitzo Systematic rather than going to the Series 5.

http://www.gitzo.ca/product_list/72038.71837.72020.0.0?n=0&va=t&intl_code=

[Aziz Ahmed]

I think you'll have a higher keeper rate for most BIF if you hand hold your 600mm.

I use an Induro C-414 (now CT-414) with a Wimberley Sidekick/Arca-Swiss Z1 ballhead combination when I'm camped out in a position and keeping the lens aimed at one spot for long periods of time. Otherwise, I hand hold.

Hi Dave, i tested my 600 handheld yesterday, i did manage some nice shots while the birds were stationary but probably need to learn the technique on handholding for BIF.......especially i need to get the settings on the 5diii sorted i got it since a couple of month and upgraded from the mkii so the AF multi functions are bit confusing for me currently.......

I got a 100$ monopod from manfrotto which has these legs that balances the monopod out for the time being till i manage to get hold of another 1000$ to get a good tirpod......the wh200 sits perfectily on this mono pod.

[Aziz Ahmed]

What are you looking for in a tripod, and what's your budget?

No budget as such just want to get a good sturdy tirpod that can support the 13000$ properly, i got the mh200 so it should fit that aswell.

[Aziz Ahmed]

Hi Aziz- It's hard to beat the Gitzo products. For the new (and lighter) 600/4II you could probably get away with a Series 3 Gitzo Systematic rather than going to the Series 5.

http://www.gitzo.ca/product_list/72038.71837.72020.0.0?n=0&va=t&intl_code=

Thanks for the recommendation, i did manage to see one of the gitzos today at the wimberly dealer, who rarely stocks anything ! lol and it takes them 2 days to locate the product !! but finally i found the wh200head there and no plate !!

[David Stephens]

Aziz, there is some technique to hand holding these super-teles. Part of it is using the muscles and practice. I recommend shutter speeds over 1/1000-sec while learning, but I've hand held with great results as low as 1/160-sec. You CAN do it; however, a monopod is a fine interim step.

[Doug Brown]

I'm a big fan of Gitzo. Check this one (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/846213-REG/Gitzo_GT3542LS_GT3542XLS_6x_4_SECTION_SYSTEMATIC.h tml) out; works great with a 600.

[Jon Swanson]

I would recommend checking on the RRS tripods. After 2 leg fails on Gitzo tripods (coming unthreaded from the base) I am really enjoying the RRS one I have purchased for my 600VR.

[John Chardine]

I would recommend checking on the RRS tripods. After 2 leg fails on Gitzo tripods (coming unthreaded from the base) I am really enjoying the RRS one I have purchased for my 600VR.

Hi Jon- I have Gitzo and am wondering what "coming unthreaded from the base" means. Could you explain.