Tripod & Ball Head

[Judy Becker]

I am thinking about buying the following:

Gitzo G-1278M Magnesium Center Ballhead with a Gitzo GT 2530 carbon tripod. I also plan on getting the Wimberly sidekick from Artie. I have a 30D and my biggest lens is the 100-400. Does this sound like a good setup for my equipment ?

[George DeCamp]

Hey Judy!

Gitzo is a fine product and you can't really go wrong with them. I don't know too much about their bllheads but I suspect they are made well. On the other hand I do know about Really Right Stuff ballheads and the closest to your needs would be a BH-40 ballhead with B2 Pro II clamp.

http://reallyrightstuff.com/rrs/items.asp?Cc=Ballhead40&iTpStatus=0&Tp=&Bc=

Price is higher at $356 I guess about $50 more. I know lots of people with the BH-40 and no complaints at all.

Probably either way though will work!

Happy Shopping! :D

[Chris Ober]

Unless you're planning on getting something larger than the 400 soon, I would skip the Sidekick and use that money for a better ball head.

[Judy Becker]

I am thinking about either of 2 gimble heads .... Mongoose M2.3 which is the one Artie talks about being the right one for the 100-400 set-up or the Wimberley Sidekick which is good for say a 6 lb 300 f2.8 set-up.

But the Sidekick is only $277 while the Mongoose which is advertised to hold the lighter 100-400 is $400. So my thoughts would be why not get the cheaper but stronger set-up and be able to handle a heavier lens if and when I ever go there ??

[Alfred Forns]

Judy it would not be any cheaper since you need the Sidekick plus ball head With the Mongoose is just it !!! The 3.5 which is the one I would recommend will hold a 600

Personally I have used it extensively with a 500 without a problems Love it for traveling Robert O'toole uses it with a 600!!!

[Rene A]

I just bought the Mongoose M-2.3 and the Gitzo 3530 for mounting the Mark III &100-400 IS mounted. I tested it yesterday at the Rockery and found the Mongose M2.3 not nimble enough to tracking BIF. I hand to handhold the camera for that. That was the intend for this setup..

[Judy Becker]

I just took the plunge and ordered the Gitzo 1278 carbon tripod and RRS BH-40 LR 2 ball head. Will be here Monday and I will post my comments. Thanks for all the suggestions.

[Alfred Forns]

Renate if you had trouble with your current set up .... anything else you use will be more difficult !!! With that camera lens combo hand holding is the way to go !!! Good luck !!

[Jesse Ivan]

Wise choice. The Gitzo ball head will not take RRS/Arca style plates. With the Gitzo head you will need to replace or purchase an arca style QR. I use an ArcaSwiss Z1 ball on a Gitzo 500 tripod and love it. The RRS BH-40 is a great ball head, you will love it.

[Johnny Bravo]

Unless you're planning on getting something larger than the 400 soon, I would skip the Sidekick and use that money for a better ball head.

Oh Contrare'!!

Why waste money on a ballhead would be the better question---to support a sidekick would be the only answer. (unless one is doing macro, or product or studio work, I find ballheads of little use compared to gimbal heads.)

[Johnny Bravo]

I am thinking about either of 2 gimble heads .... Mongoose M2.3 which is the one Artie talks about being the right one for the 100-400 set-up or the Wimberley Sidekick which is good for say a 6 lb 300 f2.8 set-up.

But the Sidekick is only $277 while the Mongoose which is advertised to hold the lighter 100-400 is $400. So my thoughts would be why not get the cheaper but stronger set-up and be able to handle a heavier lens if and when I ever go there ??

The sidekick is great up to and including the 500 f4. It's overwhelmed with the 400 f 2.8 or the 600.

[Chris Ober]

Only a waste if one never plans on developing their photography into other areas which would include macro, studio, portrait, landscape, etc... Birds aren't the only thing out there :)



Oh Contrare'!!

Why waste money on a ballhead would be the better question---to support a sidekick would be the only answer. (unless one is doing macro, or product or studio work, I find ballheads of little use compared to gimbal heads.)

[George DeCamp]

Only a waste if one never plans on developing their photography into other areas which would include macro, studio, portrait, landscape, etc... Birds aren't the only thing out there :)

Indeed!!! ;)

I think you will love the combo Judy!

[Judy Becker]

I do plan to do landscape and macro work thats why I re-thought the Sidekick setup for right now. The tripod and RRS came today and it is a gem. Will be out doing some shooting in the AM. The entire combination is so light compared to my old Begen setup. Thanks again for everybodies comments and suggestions.