Posted by Steve Makin on November 29, 2007 at 6:10 AM
I need to sort out a tripod and suitable head, looking around on here and elsewhere there's all sorts of conflicting advice (as usual) so this is aimed directly at those whoe are using the Sigma 300 - 800, what combination do you use please, it looks like the best part of a grand is needed, Gitzo and Wimberley ?, but which models
your help much appreciated
Posted by Mike Smith on November 29, 2007 at 6:43 AM
Phil T uses the full Wimberley gimbal with a 800mm prime, Sekiat Chan uses the Manfrotto 'Tuning fork' /monopod head with a 300-800mm - these are probably the 2 most popular heads in use
If it were me it would be a no brainer choice: 5 series gitzo CF, plus the dedicated Gitzo ball leveller (now discontinued?) and a full Wimberley gimbal with long rail arca swiss dovetail type lens plates on the lens to fine tune CofG balance - it is such a big heavy lens you need a very stable platform to get max performance out of it.
The ball leveller is frequently overlooked, adds about 1.5 pounds to kit weight but makes the tripod setting up such a doddle for perfect horizontal panning - trying to fine tune tripod leg length with such a heavy rig is a real pain in the *ss
Posted by stewart canham on November 29, 2007 at 3:49 PM
While I dont have a Sigma lens,I hsave just bought a Benro tripod(C358-n6) and I have to say that it really is a first class piece of kit,very well made and very stable,have a look at the link..
http://photopal.co.uk/index.php?cPath=41&osCsid=a6aa071f0117d4dd6ab616eb96800c7f
Stewart........................
Posted by Andy Astbury on November 29, 2007 at 4:42 PM
Gitzo 1548, leveling base and Wimberly 2 head - the lens is too heavy for the 'tuning fork' Manfrotto gimbal, and I wouldn't trust it on a Sidekick head either.
The above combo works for me and I wouldn't change it for anything.
Posted by Steve Makin on November 29, 2007 at 5:12 PM
Andy, do you know Bob Rigby's shop, was thinking of a trip, I hear thats the best place in Cheshire who carry stock of this sort of stuff.
Posted by Andy Astbury on November 29, 2007 at 8:07 PM
Know it like the back of my hand Steve, been a customer since he first opened it after he moved up from the Enterprise Center in Macc.
Bob used to be one of the 'honchos' at Pelling and Cross in Manchester - boy oh boy, those were the days
First thing Bob ever sold me was a brand spanking new Canon A1 out of the very first batch that came into the country - and here's the puppy - it still takes brilliant images and it's the best part of 30 years old!
Posted by Andy Astbury on November 30, 2007 at 3:05 AM
Know it like the back of my hand Steve, been a customer since he first opened it after he moved up from the Enterprise Center in Macc.
Bob used to be one of the 'honchos' at Pelling and Cross in Manchester - boy oh boy, those were the days
First thing Bob ever sold me was a brand spanking new Canon A1 out of the very first batch that came into the country - and here's the puppy - it still takes brilliant images and it's the best part of 30 years old!
Discussion
6 repliesyour help much appreciated
If it were me it would be a no brainer choice: 5 series gitzo CF, plus the dedicated Gitzo ball leveller (now discontinued?) and a full Wimberley gimbal with long rail arca swiss dovetail type lens plates on the lens to fine tune CofG balance - it is such a big heavy lens you need a very stable platform to get max performance out of it.
The ball leveller is frequently overlooked, adds about 1.5 pounds to kit weight but makes the tripod setting up such a doddle for perfect horizontal panning - trying to fine tune tripod leg length with such a heavy rig is a real pain in the *ss
http://photopal.co.uk/index.php?cPath=41&osCsid=a6aa071f0117d4dd6ab616eb96800c7f
Stewart........................
The above combo works for me and I wouldn't change it for anything.
Bob used to be one of the 'honchos' at Pelling and Cross in Manchester - boy oh boy, those were the days
First thing Bob ever sold me was a brand spanking new Canon A1 out of the very first batch that came into the country - and here's the puppy - it still takes brilliant images and it's the best part of 30 years old!
Bob used to be one of the 'honchos' at Pelling and Cross in Manchester - boy oh boy, those were the days
First thing Bob ever sold me was a brand spanking new Canon A1 out of the very first batch that came into the country - and here's the puppy - it still takes brilliant images and it's the best part of 30 years old!