tripod and head for Nikkor 500mm VR?

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04-15-2009, 07:57 AM
Scott Grant

tripod and head for Nikkor 500mm VR?

i'm very close to pulling the trigger on a Nikkor 500mm VR.

i have no real in depth knowledge of tripods other than that i know my manfrotto 190 and ballhead aren't going to cut it.

could someone recommend a tripod for me to use with this lens? i would be shooting birds/wildlife mainly. i'm 6 foot tall if my height needs to be taken into consideration.

i've read that the Wimberly head would be the way to go with this size of lens, correct?

thanks in advance!

SG
04-15-2009, 08:12 AM
Alfred Forns

Gitzo 3530 LSV and a Wimberley Head. Would be your best bet Scott .... big congrats on your lens !!!
04-15-2009, 09:46 AM
Scott Grant

i don't quite have the lens yet Alfred. this is a very hard purchase decision for me!

thank you very much for the response Alfred...much appreciated!

SG
04-15-2009, 10:10 AM
Alfred Forns

Will be one sweet lens if you can get it !!! ... also difficult to find !!
04-15-2009, 01:10 PM
Scott Grant

indeed it is Alfred. the lack of availability was making my purchase decision very easy. i've now located a store that is selling the lens at the 'old' price, before Nikon's hike, and they are in my country, which makes this much more convenient and predictable for me (no duty, etc.)

thanks again!
04-15-2009, 05:44 PM
Maxis Gamez

You may want to consider a Feisol carbon fiber tripod. I have one of the large ones and cost much less. They are rock solid.

Good luck!
04-15-2009, 08:27 PM
Bob Howdeshell

I agree with the recommendation
Gitzo 3530 LSV and a Wimberley II Head
04-16-2009, 02:58 AM
Lance Peters

Wimberley II Head - nothing comes close :)
04-16-2009, 07:39 AM
Scott Grant

thanks again for the recommendations everyone! i do trust the opinions i receive here!

Maxis, Feisol? have you been using the gear very long?

i'm curious about this line of tripods, but wondering if i should spend almost 10 G's CDN on a lens, and then try and skimp on the price of a decent tripod?

do you feel the quality is as high as Gitzo's?
04-16-2009, 07:51 AM
Maxis Gamez

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Grant

Maxis, Feisol? have you been using the gear very long?

i'm curious about this line of tripods, but wondering if i should spend almost 10 G's CDN on a lens, and then try and skimp on the price of a decent tripod?

do you feel the quality is as high as Gitzo's?

I have been using my Feisol carbon fiber tripod for a while now in salt water, sand, mud, and everything else you can think of including a wedding ;) and even my kayak and NO, I don't rinse it off, in fact my spikes still have some sand from my last shooting. The tripod is rock solid!

Just a suggestion.

Thanks!
04-16-2009, 07:52 AM
Scott Grant

suggestions are good. thanks Maxis.