Im looking to upgrade my tripod.
My current tripod is a Manfrotto 055pro with a Markin M10 head. My biggest lens is a 300mmf2.8. I would like to get a 500mm f4 in the future but am not sure if that will happen.
I want a carbon fibre tripod without a centre column. I would like to try and keep the weight around 1.7kg or less. The height of the manfrotto is good so something around the same height would suit.I have been considering a Feisol 3342.The weight rating is 10kg/22lb. The next options are a Feisol 3472 or Gitzo 3541LS. I have noticed that B&H have the listed the Gitzo as discontinued so what alternatives are there?. The price limit is around $600 US.
Any thoughts or suggetions would be very helpfull.
I also have a Manfrotto 055pro tripod and found the centre column too long when I really wanted to get it close to the ground. Do you know that they make a short aluminium centre column which is interchangeable with the original carbon fibre centre column? It's much cheaper than a new tripod.
Edit: I've checked on Manfrotto's website - the short column fits all 055 series tripods.
I think the pro model has a 2 piece column that simply unscrews. Down at the bottom of the column is a rubber piece. Just loosen this and the column comes apart in a long piece and a short piece.
A Gitzo GT3541LS is very hard to beat for supporting a 300/2.8 and occasional longer lenses. If it's marked as discontinued, it's because there's a revision coming, but it's likely to be a fairly minor one. It will be more compact than the Feisol (which is equivalent to a Gitzo series 4 in tube size), but still a good match for the lenses you're talking about.
Easy, RRS TVC-33. 1.9kg, support up to 23kg/50lbs. No center column and height of 58", folder 26". I have the 34L and love it but it is 2.1kg so maybe pushing your 1.7kg limit too far but then its height is 68.25" and I'm 6'3" so needed to go that way plus it folds smaller. I'd go for either RRS or Gitzo if you want to support the 500. I've yet to use a Feisol but I'm looking at one for a travel tripod but for my larger gear would want something that I know will work.
People compare the RRS 3-series to the Gitzo 5 series for support but RRS 3 series is only Gitzo 3 series in size. Could also look at RRS 2 series that I've seen compared to the 3 series Gitzo for support but again its smaller than a 3 series Gitzo. Maybe the 24L would be a good fit. It is 1.7kg and extends to 66.75". If you went 24L then I would probably go to the BH-55 head eventhough its a bit big for the spyder but if you don't plan on using a Gimbal for the 500 then you'd need the BH-55 over the BH-40. Or I guess you could keep the M10 but I'm not sure how sturdy it really is for a 500.
Thanks guys but im really not wanting a centre column.
Ive looked the RRS tripods but a bit to pricey for me I guess a secondhand 3541LS is the best way to go.
