Need Tripod suggestions for telephoto lens

[firebuffgal]

Just purchased the Nikon 200-400 lens and Wimberley Head. We currently have a Monfrotto 055xprob that has a load capacity of 15.4 lbs. We love love love this tripod and it is easy to carry and offers quick set up.

Though my lens/camera/head weight is close to load capacity I was told that I really need to look at a load capacity of THREE times my actual load weight.

First, is that theory true? (which means our Monfrotto is not enough)

Second, if you do recommend getting a new tripod to support the new weight, what do you suggest? My budget is in the $400 range.

Primary use of the lens will be of roadside wildlife (think Yellowstone). We need the ability to retract and extend legs quickly. We need portability for up to 1/2 mile walks.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

[KenJulio]

The manfrotto is probably enough, I would be concerned with stability with a larger lens like the 200-400 with a Wimberly head.

I would consider the gitzo 3 or 5 series. The 3 series will be in your ballpark if you can find a used ones, as there are always on the market in excellent shape.

[Jim Boyd]

I use the Gitzo GT2941 with my gimbal head. It's seems to be plenty sturdy with my D3 and 400mm 2.8 lens. It's not fast to deploy though. I'm not sure about taking it on a long hike, I think the gimbal head weighs about as much as the tripod.

[venchka]

Good news: You already have a tripod. Try it. Really try it out. Before you go running to buy a new one.
Suggestion: Assuming the center column has a hook, hang your camera bag from the center column. You would be amazed by the increase in stability with a little weight down low.
For real stability, quietness around wildlife, impervious to water, sand, etc. look at wood. Berlebach makes really stable tripods. Portability for 1/2 mile? Anything will work.

[firebuffgal]

Wayne, a wood tripod? Never even heard of that. Now I am intrigued!

Thank you very much, Jim, Ken and Wayne, for your insight!

[DougC]

Originally Posted by KenJulio

The manfrotto is probably enough, I would be concerned with stability with a larger lens like the 200-400 with a Wimberly head.

I would consider the gitzo 3 or 5 series. The 3 series will be in your ballpark if you can find a used ones, as there are always on the market in excellent shape.

Sound advice, as usual.

[kenw]

Originally Posted by firebuffgal

Wayne, a wood tripod? Never even heard of that......!

gads, I suddenly feel really, really old.....

[venchka]

Originally Posted by kenw

gads, I suddenly feel really, really old.....

Welcome to the Club.

Alicia, how is your new lens and head working on your current tripod?

[kenw]

This is what a Canon 50d and 70-200/2.8L look like on an old school Bogen/manfrotto 3001? legs/HD Ball head combo. On a bridge. Over the RR tracks of course.

This tripod setup set me back $125 back in the late 80s?/early 90s courtesy of a sale at B+H: reversable center column, independent legs, large hex QR plate. It's been around the world as checked and unchecked luggage numerous times, and set up in frisky rivers and deep sucky mud. Since the column is reversible there is no column hook to hang weights on, so the added tripod strap holds weights when needed. Like
rocks in that frisky river....'cause using the backpack as weight would not have been a good idea.

[venchka]

Originally Posted by kenw

This is what a Canon 50d and 70-200/2.8L look like on an old school Bogen/manfrotto 3001? legs/HD Ball head combo. On a bridge. Over the RR tracks of course.

This tripod setup set me back $125 back in the late 80s?/early 90s courtesy of a sale at B+H: reversable center column, independent legs, large hex QR plate. It's been around the world as checked and unchecked luggage numerous times, and set up in frisky rivers and deep sucky mud. Since the column is reversible there is no column hook to hang weights on, so the added tripod strap holds weights when needed. Like
rocks in that frisky river....'cause using the backback as weight would not have been a good idea.

Improvisation is a given. Bag of rocks, gravel, sand, water bottles, whatever you find.
Proof once more that a good tripod will support more than you might think. I have & use a set of Bogen 3021 legs from about the same time period-mid 90s. They have supported everything I have thrown at them including the same lens as Ken's above w/2.0 TC & EOS 1 camera, 4x5, 6x7, video camera, etc.

[kenw]

Originally Posted by firebuffgal

We need the ability to retract and extend legs quickly. We need portability for up to 1/2 mile walks.

Made numerous 1-2+ mile hikes thru Yellowstone with the legs extended. Not a problem at all. As long as the camera is secure and you aren't whacking it against Bison or tree trunks you should be fine with reasonable caution.

[venchka]

Ken has all the good tips. With legs extended and lens/camera attached to the head, tripods balance nicely on your shoulder. You are ready to fire in an instant.

[dunderwood]

If you're within whacking range of Bison, you have bigger problems than your tripod :)

[kenw]

Originally Posted by dunderwood

If you're within whacking range of Bison, you have bigger problems than your tripod :)

exactly! And those problems may cause you to be a little careless with the camera/tripod. And swinging a tripod/camera/big lens combo at said head won't stop him.....the very definition of pointless.

We got trapped in Yellowstone by a very large herd of Bison, on 3 sides were a bunch of moms and babies....other was a lone male. We walked gingerly but cautiously past the male with a large pile of dead wood/brush between us keeping as much distance between us and him as possilbe and being forced way, way off the trail to do so. He snorted more than a few times.... We kept moving making sure we never, ever approached him directly or looked directly at him. I think the bright shiney tripod was catching his albeit weak eye, so I draped a jacket over most of it to block the reflection. But using it as a weapon to at least let Darla get away just in case was very much on my mind.....

[KenJulio]

Originally Posted by kenw

exactly! And those problems may cause you to be a little careless with the camera/tripod. And swinging a tripod/camera/big lens combo at said head won't stop him.....the very definition of pointless.

We got trapped in Yellowstone by a very large herd of Bison, on 3 sides were a bunch of moms and babies....other was a lone male. We walked gingerly but cautiously past the male with a large pile of dead wood/brush between us keeping as much distance between us and him and being forced way, way off the trail to do so. He snorted more than a few times.... We kept moving making sure we never, ever approached him directly or looked directly at him. I think the bright shiney tripod was catching his albeit weak eye, so I draped a jacket over most of it to block the reflection. But using it as a weapon to at least let Darla get away just in case was very much on my mind.....

I put the blame of the white canon lens bodies! ;)

Sorry, didnt mean to hijack, but it had to be said!