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Thread: tripod for canon 500f4

  1. #1
    Loic Carbonnier
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    Default tripod for canon 500f4

    I need help selecting a tripod for a canon 500f4
    Thanks

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    Hi Loic,

    I've taken over 20,000 shots with my Induro CT414, with an Arca-Swiss ballhead/Wimberley Sidekick combination on top. It's very sturdy and has proven reliable over the twelve months that I've used it with a Canon 7D/500mm f/4 combo mounted on it most of the time.

    Surely, others will name some other alternatives, like Gitzo. If you can, compare the Gitzo and Induro side-by-side, as I was able to do before I bought.

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    I am using a Giottos MTL9271B with a Manfrotto 393 head and the combination proved to be very usable with the 300mm f2.8, 400mm f2.8 and 600mm f4.
    This is the best, budget, solution I have used until now if you do not want to spend too much.

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    A standard combo for this lens is Gitzo 3000 series tripod legs and a Mongoose 3.x or Wimberley gimbal head. For the legs you need to decide if you want 3 or 4 sections. The latter packs up shorter but is not as sturdy as the former. I also have a Gitzo levelling base which is indispensable IMO. The 5000 series Gitzos are big and sturdy but probably overkill for the 500.

    Don't get the legs with the video bowl on top (LSV at the end of the 4-number designation). You need legs with the top plate to which you screw on the head. The "L" in these letters means Long which gives you a taller tripod when fully extended. I have the L version and am about 178cm tall but find I almost never need all the height of the L version.

    To summarise the trip leg discussion, there are a lot of Gitzo 3530LS tripod legs out there supporting 500mm lenses.

    I agree that it would be wise to compare the Gitzos with the Induros. The Induro tripods look very functional.

  5. #5
    Danny J Brown
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    I use the Gitzo GT3530LS with Wimberley II Head and find the combo to function beyond my utmost expectations for my 500/4 on the 1D4. My 500/4 has a Really Right Stuff replacement foot, by the way, instead of an Arca Swiss attachment plate. Everything balances perfectly right in the middle of the foot.

    DB

    P.S. The rig didn't work as well with my 40D until I bought a battery grip to add a little weight to the backside of the fulcrum. Then it was perfect.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Danny J Brown View Post
    I use the Gitzo GT3530LS with Wimberley II Head and find the combo to function beyond my utmost expectations for my 500/4 on the 1D4. My 500/4 has a Really Right Stuff replacement foot, by the way, instead of an Arca Swiss attachment plate. Everything balances perfectly right in the middle of the foot.

    DB

    P.S. The rig didn't work as well with my 40D until I bought a battery grip to add a little weight to the backside of the fulcrum. Then it was perfect.
    I once considered buying a Wimberley, but finally I chose a Manfrotto 504HD. The 504 is heavier (2.9kg) but it can do both BIF (just as good as a Wimberley) and it gives sharp and steady shots when shutter speed is decreased for stationary birds. To put it short, the 504 is suitable for both BIF and stationary birds. A Wimberley type gimbal head is good for BIF but it's not stable enough for slow shutter speed birding.

    And I am using a Gitzo GT3530LS tripod, Gitzo series 3 or series 5 is needed to install a 75mm video fluid head such as my 504HD onto it. And if you are rich enough you may consider to buy the lighter Sachtler FSB 8 instead of the heavy 504 fluid head.

    Last edited by James Shadle; 02-05-2011 at 05:56 PM. Reason: Only one image per post please.

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    BPN Viewer Charles Glatzer's Avatar
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    IMO, the Sachtler carbon fiber is king. However, because luggage space and weight is at a premium nowadays it is not typically the best option for the globe trotting nature photog, Therefore, I believe the new RRS tripods to be #1 with Gitzo #2.

    Best from YNP,

    Chas

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    If the total weight of a 500 f4, a gimbal-type head and flash arm, a Canon 7D or 1D MK III body, flash and flash extender comes to around 18-20 pounds, would a Gitzo Basalt model 2830 tripod with a stated 22 pound maximum load capacity be sufficient or is that set up cutting it too close to safely operate the lens and camera body?

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    I believe the rule of thumb for a good stability is to chose a tripod with a maximum load of double the weight you will have on it. So if you want to hold 18-20 pounds you would want to shoot for one close to 40 pounds max load.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Doug Schurman View Post
    I believe the rule of thumb for a good stability is to chose a tripod with a maximum load of double the weight you will have on it. So if you want to hold 18-20 pounds you would want to shoot for one close to 40 pounds max load.

    Thanks, Doug.

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    Second the vote for Induro CT 414. Has been working great for me! I can also recommend the Induro gimbal head.

    Mark

  12. #12
    BPN Member David Pugsley's Avatar
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    I've been quite happy with the Feisol 3372 combined with a RRS BH-55 ballhead and Wimberley Sidekick.

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