Tripod for travel - and use with Canon 100 - 400

[oliverweagle]

Hi there - nice to have found this forum! I'm looking for a tripod that will be comparatively easy to travel with - yet have enough stability for use with the Canon 100 - 400. (My other lenses are the 24 - 105 Canon as well as Tokina 11 - 16)

So, carbon fiber would be nice, as would anti rotation legs. I have looked at Feisol and Gitzo - and even Benro at the other end of the spectrum and many in between. I think I have looked so much I am now just dazed and confused. I think 3 or 4 leg sections (as opposed to 5) and I am open to suggestions regarding ball heads, quick release, etc. Have looked at feisol (once again) and Really Right Stuff - really nice and really pricey! But ...... I really do not want to embark on a curve where I will purchase once - then decide I made the wrong choice and have to purchase again. I enjoy photographing nature and son's sports activities - I shoot with a 40D without grip. Also, I am 5' 7" and would prefer the tripod (without center column extended - should it have one) with ball head, clamp etc to be at around my eye level of 63". I think the closest I have come to a decision (on the tripod alone) was a Gitzo GT2531.

Thanks for your patience and advice!

Another thought - how about a monopod for use with the 100 - 400 for nature and sports - and a tripod primarily for the other two lenses?

[thumper]

I have found for sports and nature, a good monopod more satisfactory for my long lens. Also consider a ground-pod, or one of those bean-bag rifle supports when you need to shoot low. Otherwise, you would probably want a good gimbal head ($$$!) for long lenses on a tripod.

For your other lens, something like a Benro Travel Angel?

And, while I don't have one, I have seen several tripods that strip one leg as a monopod. Just food for thought.

[oliverweagle]

Thank you Mr. Thumper! The Benro Travel Angel does indeed have a leg of the tripod that removes to become a monopod - but the problem I ran into is that it only extends to 52' or 54" if my memory serves me right.

As far as budget goes, I'd like to stay in the $500ish range for the legs.

Thanks again,

Ollie

[PEC]

Having used (and loved) the 100-400, i think a medium CF tripod would be fine. The lens is just a bit slow being 5.6 at 400 so shutter speeds are pulled down. I have ended up with 3 tripods that I use:

Gitzo Traveler when going really light
Velbon 640 as my medium travel tripod (fits nicely in my roller board suitcase)
Gitzo 1325 for my heavier tripod. (used when doing "serious" photography)

I use my Wimberly Sidekick on both the Velbon and 1325 when using long lenses.

While I appreciate your comment that you want to buy one and not have to replace it soon, I haven't been able to follow that sage advice for one simple reason ---

As my passion for photography grows I find the money to upgrade my lenses and bodies, which require me to upgrade tripods and ballheads for the additional weight.

Although I think I am pretty well set with the three I have.

Good luck -

Oh, If you are not needing to hike with the gear, the older non-CF tripods can be bought VERY reasonably these days.

[oliverweagle]

Thanks again - I should have been more clear - I intended to express that I am looking for a one-time purchase to suit this particular need! I'm sure that the search will continue as my interest evolves.

I'll look into the recommendations - Cheers!

Ollie

[groovyone]

There was a review by Abel on the Benro Travel Angel TRCB069. I have the 269 and LOVE it.

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...vel-angel.html

[firebuffgal]

Hi, Matthew, I am curious what tripod you decided to go with.

[oliverweagle]

Hey there! At the end of the day I decided upon the Gitzo GT 1541T and am really happy with my decision. It is nice and light and I had no problems whatsoever hiking with it in Alaska - and it managed the 100 - 400 just fine. More expensive than others - yes, but I will have no qualms about this being my go to tripod for years to come.

Thanks for the follow-up.

Matthew.