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Tripods for Wildlife photography with long, heavy lenses

theobserver
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Tripods for Wildlife photography with long, heavy lenses

I am not sure if the search is broken on FM or its my poor skill, but I wasn't able to find any threads.

If there are threads with good information, please please let me know [existing threads have way more good info!].

I use a couple of mirrorless bodies, with 600mm F4 and 400 2.8 (both rented usually), for my photography trips within the US. These are workshops/trips for shooting wildlife, primarily birds and mammals. Increasingly, the photography workshops and trips are in state parks or nearby areas with some treks inside - that means we spend a good 1-2 hours in each spot.

Having a tripod is becoming critical, so I am researching some of the tripods. From a features standpoint, I think I need:

1. Lightweight, so a carbon fiber one, but with about 5ft 8 in total height.
2. Stable, so preferably 3-section legs, and a center column(?). Uneven surfaces are expected so the tripod should be stable even when the legs are at different heights
3. Arca-release plates
4. Support for Ball/gimbal heads (Not 100% sure). Ability to tilt and pan may be important
5. Preferably within $500

I may be missing other parameters, but a well-regarded manufacturer such as Gitzo, RRS, Benro, Manfrotto would be great!

What current models would you recommend?

Aug 09, 2024 at 12:10 PM

Norm Shapiro
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Tripods for Wildlife photography with long, heavy lenses

For what you are doing forget the ball head and get a good gimble.

Aug 09, 2024 at 12:17 PM

rico
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Tripods for Wildlife photography with long, heavy lenses

I use a Series 4 with 3 sections to handle heavy lenses like 800 and 300/2.8. For wildlife in parks I recommend a gimbal which makes waiting for subjects, and framing, super comfortable. You also want spiked feet. The CF construction is most valuable for weight savings rather than stability—your rig has image stabilization, right? The center column is not particularly useful as long as you size the model height for your eye and operating technique. A gimbal like the Wimberley WH-200 adds plenty of extra headroom.

After balancing (perhaps by adding a plate), this kind of setup moves with one finger and no need to lock up. As for heads, I also own a ballhead which is useless for long lenses, and a geared head that would be suitable for landscape but not wildlife. The camera/lens/gimbal shown above fits into a Think Tank Glass Limo: a kick-ass backpack that is ideal for trekking due to its narrow profile. I carry the tripod at my side with a strap.

Aug 09, 2024 at 12:34 PM

Bobarino
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Tripods for Wildlife photography with long, heavy lenses

That would be a fantastic kit for the OP. Hard on the stated budget, but it doesn't get much better. Perhaps a similar but "used" kit?

Aug 09, 2024 at 03:09 PM

theobserver
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Tripods for Wildlife photography with long, heavy lenses

That's a cool setup!

I'll try and find a used kit, but spending $2000 on a tripod + Gimbal head is out of budget right now (at least if I want to remain married!). I just spent a ton of money buying used, but top-of-the-line mirrorless cameras and lenses. Any model recommendations? I can probably spend up to $750-$1000, now that I think about it.

Aug 09, 2024 at 04:26 PM

rico
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Tripods for Wildlife photography with long, heavy lenses

theobserver wrote:
I can probably spend up to $750-$1000, now that I think about it.

My setup is less about fiscal prudence and more about overall functionality.

Downmarket flavors of that tripod and gimbal are available and should serve nicely. Hunt around for brands like Sirui, Benro and Oben. B&H buyer ratings should help you find something perfectly workable for 1/3 price of the (overpriced) premium labels.

Aug 09, 2024 at 06:37 PM

Bobarino
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Tripods for Wildlife photography with long, heavy lenses

theobserver wrote:
That's a cool setup!

I'll try and find a used kit, but spending $2000 on a tripod + Gimbal head is out of budget right now (at least if I want to remain married!). I just spent a ton of money buying used, but top-of-the-line mirrorless cameras and lenses. Any model recommendations? I can probably spend up to $750-$1000, now that I think about it.

I was able to find a used Gitzo GT-3542XLS (extra-long Systematic) which included a Jobu Design BWGHD3 gimbal head and a Jobu flash-bracket for $700. US. ($1,000 CDN at the time). That tripod kit was 4 months old, and included all the paper-work.. The entire kit was in mint condition. Mind you, that was a while back,,, 5-6 years ago.

Be patient and wait for the right deal to come along.

Aug 09, 2024 at 07:14 PM

rico
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Tripods for Wildlife photography with long, heavy lenses

Yeah, used is a good route, and brings the premium brands into reach. I have saved a boatload on used cameras, lenses, and studio gear over the years.

Aug 09, 2024 at 07:46 PM

Imagemaster
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Tripods for Wildlife photography with long, heavy lenses

You can search for recent topics using these, or use the main Search for searching previous years.

Aug 09, 2024 at 09:33 PM

Newenglandrocks
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Tripods for Wildlife photography with long, heavy lenses

Try the Leofoto LM404C and the Fotopro Eagle gimbal (smaller version). You should be able to support larger lenses really nicely, and the pair should come in under $1000

I have had both for several years and find them delightful to use and problem free

Aug 09, 2024 at 10:24 PM

yanr
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Tripods for Wildlife photography with long, heavy lenses

Hard to sort out the chaff from the Youtube influencer vs true opinions, but I've had a good experience with the Leofoto Ranger 365 (gitzo clone) and the PG-1 (Promediagear clone). Find a discount code online for leofotousa and it's quite budget friendly.

The 365 is a bit chunky, so I'd consider going with a 324 (their numbering system is [max tube thickness - sections]) for something a bit more travel friendly.

Aug 10, 2024 at 09:29 AM

Bobarino
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Tripods for Wildlife photography with long, heavy lenses

Here's a Matt Granger quick review of a batch of gimbals, and I'll add another link to the Jobu Design gimbals. (HD3 and Pro 2) The Jobu's are priced in Canadian dollars, which makes them a superb value considering the very high build quality.

It's worth mentioning that you go with a gimbal that allows the cradle to be raised or lowered for balance. Many of the cheaper gimbal heads have a fixed height swing-arm.

Here's the top-of-the-line Jobu gimbal at $569.CDN,,, that's roughly $414. U.S., and they ship free anywhere in North America.

https://www.jobu-design.com/product-page/jobu-heavy-duty-mk-iv

Aug 10, 2024 at 11:57 AM

sjms
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Tripods for Wildlife photography with long, heavy lenses

Had the Jobu Jr3 for a relatively short time. its price was good but its finished quality was less than i would accept. been using a PMG Katana GKJr for a pretty long time now when needed. better finish quality and usage overall. its initial trial usage was for shooting Ultimate Disk tournaments and to this day its still around doing other duty. i'm somewhat prissy about mechanical components and this one makes the grade

excellent XYZ axis adjustment and movement

image: GKJr sitting on top of a RRS leveling platform on top of a RRS TVC24 these days

for this sort of mount its about optimum quality over price.

Aug 10, 2024 at 12:19 PM

elkhornsun
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Tripods for Wildlife photography with long, heavy lenses

One of the best tripods overall is the Robus RC-5570 that sells for $470 and has both a flat plate for a standard head and also a tooless change to a 75mm bowl for using a video head. It has a load capacity of 55 lb and a maximum height of 70" with no need to raise a center column. Excellent construction and the equal of the RRS TVC 34L that I used to own and better than the current Gitzo 3-series that are poorly made at this time.

The Robus also includes an excellent carry case that has an expansion option so I can leave my Sachtler ACE-XL head attached and have the tripod fully inside the case. With RRS or Gitzo tripods I have needed to spend an additional $100 for a carry case for them.

Aug 10, 2024 at 01:29 PM

sjms
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Tripods for Wildlife photography with long, heavy lenses

again, with the carry case?

don't worry the price of your "included bag" is baked into your total purchase.

Edited on Aug 10, 2024 at 02:12 PM · View previous versions

Aug 10, 2024 at 01:32 PM

crisdesign
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Tripods for Wildlife photography with long, heavy lenses

It's not clear what you are using a the moment, are you just handholding those big whites?

Have you considered a monopod + Wimberley MonoGimbal Head? (leofoto makes a cheaper clone) that would fit your budget and it would be a much lighter setup.
I have a series 3 gitzo and Jobu gimbal - which form me is totally fine from a mechanical perspective (smooth and solid) – but together you are adding 3kg to your load... I find the the tripod less and less convenient compared to the monopod for an r5 +500f4 II.

Regarding tripod:
- 3 segments are less fiddly to operate but less compact when packed
- center column reduces stability (when lifted) but it's more convenient – this class of tripod usually comes without one
- RRS makes a lighter version with similar performance of Gitzo series 3 but it's much pricier (at least in UK).
- I have to admit that the locking mechanism on the gitzo series 3 I bought 3 years ago seems to be of a lesser quality compared to my 15 years old gitzo traveller

Consider this for your research: https://thecentercolumn.com/rankings/

Edited on Aug 10, 2024 at 01:47 PM · View previous versions

Aug 10, 2024 at 01:35 PM

johnvanr
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Tripods for Wildlife photography with long, heavy lenses

I have an Induro tripod, which has been very good for a decent price. No center column, which just weakens the setup. I used to use a used (!!!) Wimberly gimbal, but changed to a video head (after Morten Hilmer and some others on YouTube). Didn’t use that new head enough to pass judgment on it.

That’s because I sold my Canon 600mm, switched to Olympus and my tripod always stays in the car.

Aug 10, 2024 at 01:43 PM

elkhornsun
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Tripods for Wildlife photography with long, heavy lenses

sjms wrote:
again, with the carry case?

don't worry the price of your "included bag" is baked into your total purchase.

To me it is still whether to spend $1,000 on a Gitzo or RRS tripod and get a cardboard box and need to spend an additional $100 for a good carry case. With Feisol and with Robus the tripods include excellent carry cases.

So it becomes a matter of $1100 for the RRS versus $470 for the Robus if one is making an accurate cost comparison. The carry case at retail from BH Photo is going to cost me at least 400% more than the cost to the tripod manufacturer to buy the cases in bulk and include it in their cost of goods.

My company produces hole saw kits and the carry cases we use cost us roughly $5 and we could use $2 ones but they would not hold up for our customers. The bean counters take the approach that the good case costs 2.5x as much and should not be used.

Aug 13, 2024 at 08:27 PM

sjms
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Tripods for Wildlife photography with long, heavy lenses

and its your choice to make of course. you are thinking like a bean counter i am thinking as a long term end user. i had the feisol bag when i had the legset back in the mid 2000's. it was a nice bit of marketing, but it stayed in the cardboard box it came in as it was inappropriate for my usage/carry and had low longevity potential. for storage it was fine. but even then, why bother

i have a long history of travel with tooling both for both levels of work that i have done and do. so i found something i felt was more appropriate by someone who put some effort into its design/function*. well worth the quite literally pocket change it cost in the end with a whole lot more versatility and added durability. i think about that first.

a hole saw kit is generally blow molded plastic case and is appropriate for what it is carrying with all those nifty sharp-edged cutters. you think economy of appropriate scale.

in the end I'm not buying a tripod based on the bag they throw in with it nor did i care if there was one with it. i bought what fit my needs separately that had multiple capabilities right down to the drain hole at the bottom.

so, what is the branding on your hole saw kit?

cost over time investment? so far (and far it's been) really good. i haven't seen anything that would technically replace what i have/use already. even they know i'm a hard sell.
i guess this all comes from being a tech most of my life.

*on my super expensive bag: even after getting my bag and with a few good years of use on it i found a minor mod to do at roughly a $10 cost to me. now the $10 price added to it original cost but in my opinion much better overall but i can't bean count it in.

Aug 14, 2024 at 01:15 AM


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