Recomendations for a Tripod please

[Lazarus52980]

I am a Nikon shooter, and just purchased a 70-200mm 2.8 lens. Due to how heavy it is, I feel I am going to need a tripod for some situations now. Could anyone recomend one taht will be able to handle a heavier lens like that?

I have not researched tripods yet, so please help me with what to look for and what to avoid.

I just don't want to buy something I will want to return after a month...

 

[Imp]

I'm just slowly getting into photography, so I bought a $70 Dolica off Amazon. It can handle around 5 kg (?) and comes with a ball head. That's all I looked for. Reviews were pretty good.

I heard a lot of recommendations for Manfrotto, but they're pretty pricey. My only real concern was weight capacity. Good idea to measure the weight of your camera and lens, or get it off specs, then guestimate what you might add in the future.

There are Joby GorillaPods available for DSLRs, but I'm not sure I'd trust them because you essentially assemble your own tripod. If the legs are poorly set up, it can tip over, whereas a traditional tripod has fixed leg positions.

 

[Syborg1211]

You might consider a monopod first, since based on your other thread you were more interested in your children's sports photography and things like that. Tripods don't lend as well to quick movement, and a lot of places don't allow tripods where they do monopods.

Also, a low cost tripod is going to have a hard time keeping a zoom lens as stable as you'd like it to be. That lens is heavy and will require a good(pricey) head/leg combination to not have sag effects. Sag effects are when you set up the shot how you want it, then lock the ball head into place and then take your hands off the camera. Then the weight causes the lens to sag down, killing the composition you just set up.

 

[Anteaus]

I like the MeFoto Roadtrip. It also doubles as a monopod.

http://www.amazon.com/MeFoto-A1350Q1...eFoto+Roadtrip

 

[fralexandr]

what's your budget? and what are your intended uses?

sirui t-025x $240
http://www.pentaxforums.com/news/sirui-t-025x-unboxing-and-first-impressions.html
weighs 1.5lbs, 13.2lb capacity
also usable as a table-top tripod

 

[iGas]

Any 70-200mm f/2.8 are nice to have how ever it will be a pain in the arse, and require a monopod for sport/children photography.

If outdoor sport is your game, then perhaps an f/4 zoom would be more manageable or a 180mm prime lens.

Or get the below:

 

[Lazarus52980]

Any 70-200mm f/2.8 are nice to have how ever it will be a pain in the arse, and require a monopod for sport/children photography.

If outdoor sport is your game, then perhaps an f/4 zoom would be a manageable or a prime lens.

Or get the below:

LOL. If it matters, I lift fairly heavy three days a week already, but I will still admit that after holding that thing up for about an hour and a half today at the park, my lower arms a little tired...

 

[Lazarus52980]

what's your budget? and what are your intended uses?

sirui t-025x $240
http://www.pentaxforums.com/news/sirui-t-025x-unboxing-and-first-impressions.html
weighs 1.5lbs, 13.2lb capacity
also usable as a table-top tripod

My intended use is kids sports, and some family portrait work.

My budget? It's really whatever it has to be, but the larger amount, the longer before I can buy it...

 

[iGas]

LOL. If it matters, I lift fairly heavy three days a week already, but I will still admit that after holding that thing up for about an hour and a half today at the park, my lower arms a little tired...

I love the 70-200L f/4 IS (got it because it is 1/2 weight of the f/2.8), however I still want to get the f/2.8 because of the creamy bokeh. Perhaps I should look into getting an 85L f/1.2 or 135L f/2.

 

[fralexandr]

then you probably don't need a carbon fiber .
There are a lot of good $50-$100 bogen/manfrotto/etc, aluminum/metal tripods + heads on craigslist that weigh ~5-10lbs that should work (i.e. bogen 3205/bogen 3036).

I don't do much sports photography, so you'll probably also want a monopod (they're handy for other types of photography too) like everyone else is suggesting.
The tripod's more for when you can stay put for a bit.

LOL. If it matters, I lift fairly heavy three days a week already, but I will still admit that after holding that thing up for about an hour and a half today at the park, my lower arms a little tired...

;D you're doing it wrong j/k! Though it might help if you find something to stabilize yourself against, like a tree or post (if there are any ), or you can use your leg if you're shooting in a kneeling position.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/reviews/long-exposure-handhelds/introduction.html
a somewhat humorous guide to shooting with longer shutters, some of which might help reduce fatigue when using heavy lenses.

 

[jpeyton]

I use a Manfrotto 055XPROB because I like the ability to switch the center column from being vertical to horizontal.

 

[blastingcap]

what's your budget? and what are your intended uses?

sirui t-025x $240
http://www.pentaxforums.com/news/sirui-t-025x-unboxing-and-first-impressions.html
weighs 1.5lbs, 13.2lb capacity
also usable as a table-top tripod

+1 on Sirui, it's a little-known brand in the U.S. but it's supposed to be a step up above Benro/Induro and close to Gitzo quality at a fraction of the price. They make good aluminum as well as carbon tripods.

 

[glen]

Horrus Bennu

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/37130082

 

[imported_Irse]

Been shooting football for 10+ years. Almost nobody I've seen uses a monopod for a 70-200. Watch any football game. Handheld. They use the monopod for much bigger lenses. I find it much easier to swing it around than to move around the monopod when you need to cover different areas of the field. Most times I'll even handhold my 300 2.8 along with my 80-200.

Going back to tripods, I have a Benro but you probably don't need something that expensive if you're using it mostly at home or where you don't have to carry it a lot (like hiking). Velbons are also good and don't cost too much.

 

[Imported]

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