Tripod for 120-300mm F2.8

Trifid · 3 Apr 2009 at 14:55

I am in the market for a new tripod. Having only previously used a cheap Jessops one I am a bit lost in the market so will require some assistance.

I'd like to know what people recommend for £100 (doubt it is enough but useful for gauging value for money), £200 and £300.

Also, should I go for the Sigma TC or get Canon ones? (1.4x and 2.0x).

Thanks.

Edit: It will be used for airshows and wildlife.

Cyanide · 3 Apr 2009 at 14:58

I've got a RedSnapper tripod and ball head. It's pretty solid and holds my D300 and 70-200 just fine. Can't really fault it for £100

King4aDay · 3 Apr 2009 at 16:07

Well worth forking out for a bracket head with a lens that size, the Manfrotto 393 is very good and one of the most affordable at about £100. Obviously you'll need a tripod/monopod too, I've only ever used my 120-300 on a monopod so I'll leave someone else to make that recommendation.

Trifid · 3 Apr 2009 at 16:18

How did you find the monopod? I did plan to use it with a monopod before it arrived, I then had second thoughts.

However I've not used a monopod before.

King4aDay · 3 Apr 2009 at 16:52

Yeah I found it really good on a monopod... obviously you need to keep the shutter speed up a bit. The mobility you get with a mono + bracket head is pretty awesome. Haven't tried it on a tripod to compare mind you.

rpstewart · 3 Apr 2009 at 16:53

Trifid said:
Also, should I go for the Sigma TC or get Canon ones? (1.4x and 2.0x).

You'll probably need to go with the Sigma. The Canon TCs have a projecting front element and hence only fit a small number of lenses (L series long primes and a couple of L zooms).

D.P. · 3 Apr 2009 at 16:53

I will refer you to this document for a good read:
http://www.bythom.com/support.htm

Considering your investment in the Sigma 120-300, I believe the options are fairly clear.

D.P. · 3 Apr 2009 at 16:55

rpstewart said:
You'll probably need to go with the Sigma. The Canon TCs have a projecting front element and hence only fit a small number of lenses (L series long primes and a couple of L zooms).

If its anything like the nikon tcs you can snap this off to make it work. Not sure of the need though. I think the Sigma TC on the Sigma lens should give quality as good as a Canon TC

rpstewart · 3 Apr 2009 at 17:44

D.P. said:
If its anything like the nikon tcs you can snap this off to make it work. Not sure of the need though. I think the Sigma TC on the Sigma lens should give quality as good as a Canon TC

I'm not sure snapping off a bit of the barrel and one of the glass elements is that good an idea....

Trifid · 3 Apr 2009 at 18:53

What do you lot recommend for legs? Reading around the Manfrotto 393 is meant to be highly rated for the head.

D.P. · 4 Apr 2009 at 12:16

rpstewart said:
I'm not sure snapping off a bit of the barrel and one of the glass elements is that good an idea....

On the Nikon TCs it is just a plastic tab

D.P. · 4 Apr 2009 at 12:18

Trifid said:
What do you lot recommend for legs? Reading around the Manfrotto 393 is meant to be highly rated for the head.

For legs, a Gitzo 3531

That is on my to buy list. The 3541 has 4 section legs and fold down small but compromises on a some stability. The 2 series (e.g. 2531) wont be enough for 300 2.8 lenses.

^^Gord^^ · 4 Apr 2009 at 13:55

Not sure if the 120-300 f/2.8 shares the same attachment as the 300 f/2.8 but I can say the Canon 1.4x TC fits and works fine with the 300 prime.

V-Spec · 4 Apr 2009 at 16:32

I used to have a Manfrotto tripod that cost me around £120, I used to use it with my 300 F2.8 and it wasn't that wonderful for stability...
When I got my 600mm F4 I moved to a Gitzo 5541LS which is expensive, but it made my shots so much steadier and i'd never go back.

With the 120-300 i'd definitley go for a Gitzo 3500 - it makes no sense to spend thousands of pounds on cameras and lenses and support them with a £100 tripod, you'll never get the best out of them.

Messiah Khan · 4 Apr 2009 at 16:34

I use a Gitzo 3540XLS and a Manfrotto 393 head for my 300mm f2.8. Nice and solid combination, although somewhat large for small hides.

Troop · 4 Apr 2009 at 16:49

Manfrotto 055XPROB, will do you, you might get one for £99.99 if you look around, good solid tripod legs, use mine with the Nikon 300mm f/2.8

D.P. · 4 Apr 2009 at 17:27

V-Spec said:
I used to have a Manfrotto tripod that cost me around £120, I used to use it with my 300 F2.8 and it wasn't that wonderful for stability...
When I got my 600mm F4 I moved to a Gitzo 5541LS which is expensive, but it made my shots so much steadier and i'd never go back.

With the 120-300 i'd definitley go for a Gitzo 3500 - it makes no sense to spend thousands of pounds on cameras and lenses and support them with a £100 tripod, you'll never get the best out of them.

Agreed, as posted above.

V-Spec · 4 Apr 2009 at 18:32

The only thing i'd add is you need to look after them. If it ever gets salt water into it, it needs stripping and fully cleaning.
Mine was almost wrecked by the time i'd finished photographing the Seals, it took 3 of us to get one of the legs out.. However once it had all been cleaned, degreased and regreased it was as good as new.