like you've never heard this one before, Iam looking for Carbon Fiber Tripod that will support a Canon 500mm and Mk5 ii...THAT WILL NOT BRAKE THE BANK.
Velbon EL Carmagne 540A Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs (Black) - Supports 25 lb (11.3 kg)
I think this the one I have and works will for my 400 and D3s. Carbon fiber is not cheap but this one was around 250-275.
Edit. Guess Mine is now the N630 but instead of twist lock mine a flip locks. Still a good buy.
I fully agree with Ben's recommendation above. I would also like to add that you should be thinking about your ballhead/gimbal requirements, if you aren't already. That's just as critical a part of the support system as the tripod legset. If you will only use the tripod for the long lens, then a full gimbal likely will give you the most stable support and ease of use of your telephoto lens. On the other hand, if you will use your tripod to mount smaller camera/lens combos, you might consider a ballhead plus "sidekick" style solution. A simple google search can give more information on these as well as user testimonials.
I'd agree, invest in a good tripod. I would say to look at something with specs matching a Gitzo 3 series or better for a 500mm 4.0 version 1.
If you watch the boards (buy & sell) or even ebay you might save a few bucks to invest in a ballhead or gimbal/sidekick.
My last tripod was a used gitzo 3 series (CF) I picked up for under $700 in fairly good condition. The sidekick is also able to support the 500mm, but a full gimbal would be better as Mitesh stated.
israeljruiz wrote:
like you've never heard this one before, Iam looking for Carbon Fiber Tripod that will support a Canon 500mm and Mk5 ii...THAT WILL NOT BRAKE THE BANK.
PLEASE SEND YOUR ADVICE...
I think you mean break the bank, but what is the MK5 II
Assuming that will not be heavier than the chunky 1D-X, I would suggest a a Gitzo or RRS 3 series. However, on a budget you can look at similar Feisol legs.
Also consider the Wimberley Sidekick with a substantial ballhead with separte pan controls. A better alternative is the Wimberley Gimbal Head II. I would also recommend the Wimberley P-50 plate.
I use the Wimberley Gimball Head II with the P-50 plate with a Canon 500mm. Before getting the gimbal head, I used the Sidekick with the Induro BHD 3. I also use a Gitzo series 3 tripod.
TheBearman wrote:
I was always under the impression that the first number was the series indicator for Gitzo TPs.
They changed their numbering system a few years ago so that their customers would get confused. The same way that supermarkets shuffle the product locations in their stores every few months just in case you might buy something you that didn't even know existed. (Actually that's not a good example but I like it.)
I would also recommend Gitzo or RRS to the OP, but because I'm conservative I'd suggest a 4-series Gitzo over a 3-series for a 500mm, and a 3-series RRS. It's worth your while to break the bank for good support because if you do that and buy quality in the first place you'll never have to buy another tripod. It will last you through many generations of cameras and lenses.
(Actually that's not a good example but I like it.)