Tripod and Head Recommendations

[Don Thompson]

I know this has been asked countless times but I have done a search and cannot find this exact question. If it has been answered and I missed it, I apologize in advance.

I know everyone recommends Gitzo tripods and various heads to go with them. I can afford neither the Gitzo or most of the recommended heads. I don't plan on going on long hikes where weight might be a major concern. I do need a steadier tripod and head.

Most of my photography is wildlife/birds with some landscape. I have a Canon 40D, my longest lens is a 100-400mm f/4.0-5.6. I am considering a Bogen/Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod with either a Bogen/Manfrotto 488RC4 or a Bogen/Manfrotto 393 heavy duty gimbal type head.

Should I at some point in the future be able to afford either the 400/2.8, 500 or 600 I would also budget for a better tripod/head combination.

Will the tripod and head(s) I am considering work with the equipment I have? Do you have any suggestions for others in the same price range?

Thanks for any help or comments.

[Todd Frost]

Don, I use a Giotto tripod GB4180 and the Manfrotto 3421/393 gimbal type head you are referring to with a Nikon 400 f2.8afs w/D300 and grip or D2 series bodies and love it. Did quite a bit of research as well before purchase as I did not have the money to spend on Gitzo or Wimbwerly. Hope this helps.

Todd

[Chris Hansen]

Don,
I have the Bogen/Manfrotto 055XPROB and it is a good steady tripod. I have been using it with a 10D and the 100-400 for both birds and landscapes. I have an old Bogen 3055 heavy duty ballhead that works well with it. Admittedly having good, quality equipment helps to get images. It isn't the end all though. After all a lot of photography is just creativity,hard work and practice. Creative people create awesome looking images with plastic cameras and point and shoots.

Good luck with your decision and God bless,

Chris

[Simon Bennett]

Don, the Bogen/Manfrotto 393 is a fine gimbal head, just a bit heavier than the more expensive options and doesn't take a flash adapter. Simon

[Don Thompson]

Thanks for the input. I believe that I am going with the 055XPROB and the 488RC4.

[Tony Whitehead]

I have the 055Pro in aluminum and carbon fibre and both are good solid tripods. The carbon is significantly lighter for travel and more friendly in weather extremes.

[Ryan McDaniel]

Don- I have just about the same question as you. I've been researching tripods for a month and came up with the same conclusion as you. I have been waiting to pull the trigger on the 055XPROB with a 488RC2 head for use with my 40D and 100-400mm lens. I haven't been able to find anything that represents a better combination of performance to price. I would love to have carbon fiber, but all of the CF tripods in my price range seem to have serious drawbacks (like 4 leg sections for the Adorama flashpoint series).

One question- why the RC4 quick release instead of the RC2? Is there an important difference? I plan to permanently mount qr plates on my body, 100-400 lens and my spotting scope.

Thanks,
Ryan

[Dug Threewitt]

Don- I have just about the same question as you. I've been researching tripods for a month and came up with the same conclusion as you. I have been waiting to pull the trigger on the 055XPROB with a 488RC2 head for use with my 40D and 100-400mm lens. I haven't been able to find anything that represents a better combination of performance to price. I would love to have carbon fiber, but all of the CF tripods in my price range seem to have serious drawbacks (like 4 leg sections for the Adorama flashpoint series).

One question- why the RC4 quick release instead of the RC2? Is there an important difference? I plan to permanently mount qr plates on my body, 100-400 lens and my spotting scope.

Thanks,
Ryan

I'm not Don, but I believe the RC4 has a bubble level built into the plate. I tried one for a while with a cheap ball head and it was too big for me. The size seemed like it would work better on a medium format camera.

[Don Thompson]

Don- I have just about the same question as you. I've been researching tripods for a month and came up with the same conclusion as you. I have been waiting to pull the trigger on the 055XPROB with a 488RC2 head for use with my 40D and 100-400mm lens. I haven't been able to find anything that represents a better combination of performance to price. I would love to have carbon fiber, but all of the CF tripods in my price range seem to have serious drawbacks (like 4 leg sections for the Adorama flashpoint series).

One question- why the RC4 quick release instead of the RC2? Is there an important difference? I plan to permanently mount qr plates on my body, 100-400 lens and my spotting scope.

Thanks,
Ryan

Sorry for not getting back sooner but I have been very busy and haven't been visiting much in the last week. As Dug indicated the RC4 has the built in bubble level and it was recommended to me by someone on another forum.

I did buy the 055XPROB and the 488RC4. While I haven't use them much yet, I am happy with my choice. Both seem well made and look like they should stand up to many years of use.