Tripod Help - D800

[chrism_scotland]

I've been using a Manfrotto Befree travel tripod for the last year and so and its great but sometimes I'm finding its not tall enough and its a little light weight for the D800 & Sigma 100-300 f4 combo.
I'm looking to get something sturdier for using when I'm not on holiday and I'm not averse to spending to get something good (why have £2000 of kit on it and spend nothing on a tripod!).

I was in Calumet tonight and had a look at at a few - started looking at Manfrotto (already have the befree so cross compatibility of QR plates) and had a look at the 055 Range both the Carbon and Aluminium but wondered if anyone used them and also any recommendation on heads?

Also had a look at the 3 Legged Thing Jack which seemed good value, came with a head and bag for £250 but didn't seem quite as well built as the Manfrotto.

 

[PaulButler]

I have the frotto 055xprob and a 496rc2 head, works well. Very sturdy and the articulated arm is useful too.

 

[chrism_scotland]

Thanks Paul - do you have the Carbon or Aluminium?

 

[PaulButler]

Aluminium.

 

[lensworx]

If your looking for a heavy weight tripod take a look at the Redsnapper RS-324, Well built and hard to beat for the money.

 

[Cagey75]

I use a Giotto's MTL9361 B - goes nice and tall when needed, very stable/sturdy, I've had it out on rocky shores in windy conditions, never budged. The 3-way head that came with would be great for video too I imagine. Not sure if you can even get that model now? But it was reasonably priced and still looks like new after 2 years of battering.

It's nice and weighty without being overly heavy. And it has no problem with a D800E + 300mm lens on, not a wobble.

 

[Tringa]

Agree with Mark, the RS-324 is sturdy bit of equipment.

http://www.redsnapperuk.com/index.html

Dave

 

[chrism_scotland]

Thanks folks going to have a wider look on-line but the Carbon Fiber Manfrotto options - also wondered if anyone used the
Manfrotto X-PRO 3-Way Head which looks like it might give me better adjust ability than just a ball-head.

 

[Randy Williams]

Both carbon fiber as well aluminum tripod have their own importance. Both are tripods but have little difference between both.
If you want tripod for traveling purpose than go for Carbon fiber, CF are light in weight. But if we consider sturdiness than aluminum is much stronger than CB tripod. Price wise their is lot of difference between both. Price Of CF is little high as compare to aluminum tripod. At the same time aluminum tripod is more stable than carbon fiber due to to its sturdiness.
I am having Proaim aluminum tripod with 100mm bowl and spreader. It is a combination of value and quality.
Have a look on Carbon fiber tripod and aluminum tripod with 75mm bowl head.

 

[realspeed]

If your using A Nikon D800 think about fluid heads for the movie part of the camera. What I came up with was a manfrotto 055 XPROB with a Manfrotto MVH502AH fluid head.

Link to

No problem with weight the head takes. I have the D800-Battery pack -AF-S 80-400mm lens and mic on mine with no trouble

 

[chrism_scotland]

Thanks for all your help folks - I bought a Carbon Fibre Manfrotto MT055CXPRO 4 section tripod with a ballhead tonight in Calumet. Thought the 4 section was just that little bit shorter when folded which I felt would make me more likely to take it with me - seems light as hell!