Tripod for 500mm f/4

Hello all,
My tripod broke today, forcing me to face the fact that its time for a new one. But here is the thing- I am currently saving up for a 500mm f/4. I will need a tripod that can handle a gimbal head and a 500mm f/4, but at the same time, the more expensive the tripod the longer I have to wait for the lens... Of course I would love a Gitzo, but that would put a big dent in my 500mm fund... Are there and tripods that won't break the bank but also won't break under a 500mm f/4?
Thanks as always!
-Cam

Cam,

I don't know what the 500mm and camera body would weigh, but if you don't have to have carbon fiber, you could get a Manfrotto 055XPROB which is rated for 15 lbs. I just paid $147 for mine through Amazon. So far I'm quite pleased with it.

Peter

For the money, Manfrotto certainly makes a nice tripod, but I would recommend a heavier model than Peter recommended. I think a rating of 15 pounds would be grossly under rated for a 500 f/4. Personally. I would recommend biting the bullet and buying the LAST tripod you ever intend to buy, instead of buying and buying until you finally get want you want. It'll be cheaper in the long run (but I also understand that sometimes budget constraints just don't allow for that). The Gitzo GTS3530LS certainly comes to mind as a tripod that might meet that LAST tripod criteria, but I'm sure there are many others as well.

You could also look at the Feisol tripods, my husband and I both have one of the Feisol elite (I think the 3472 I'm not at home to check) It is a workhorse and easily carries the wimberly head and our 500mm lenses. I believe it is rated at 26 lbs which is more than adequate for the 500 and the Wimberly.

Do consider the Feisols - excellent quality and strength, lots less in cost.
Sandy

Hi Cam

I'm chiming in here to agree with Bill. If you are pointing towards a 500mm and a gimbal head, you'll need a good sturdy tripod--the equivalent of a Gitzo 3 series.

We carry Gitzo, and we are also aware that the pricing of their tripods has become pretty high! After researching for a high quality lesser priced line, we found on Induro. Their 3 series tripods will have no trouble with your proposed lens and head combo. We've been pleased with Induro, and they are about two-thirds of the cost of Gitzos.

You can see the Induro line here: Induro

Like Hali, after going through several tripods, I ended up buying the Feisol 3472, carbon fibre tripod for my 500 and Jubu gimbal head and attachments, and love it. The Feisol easily handles the weight but it comes with an adjustable centre column AND a flat plate if you need that kind of setup. Not only is it half the price of the other name brands, the quality of build is as good, if not better, but I could even find one like like the 3472 in the other brands. One of the best decisions I ever made

Garry
Toronto

Regardless of the brand of tripod, a 500 f4 (8 pounds), body with battery pack (2-3 pounds), flash unit in the Canon 580 range (1.5 pounds) and gimbal head (wimberly, 3.5 pounds) puts you at 14 pounds. Add in a flash bracket and flash extender and you are over the capacity of a 15 pound tripod. Don't do this - at a minimum you will be making it a lot tougher to consistently get sharp shots.

For what you propose to put on the tripod, try to find something with double the weight requirements - 28-32 pound capacity, at a minimum. The money spent now on more solid tripod will be worth it in the long run.

I second Dan B.'s comment on weight. Definitely don't get a tripod whose weight spec is even close to what you're planning to attach. I had a Slik (and replaced it with a heftier version, which I like very well) rated for 11 lbs and it gave me trouble (only about 50% sharp shots) with about 6 lbs of camera and lens (canon 5D + 400mm f5.6).

I agree with Dan 100%