Choosing a tripod

[DeanoH]

Christmas comes but once a year, and this year I want to get Kaye a good tripod for Christmas. We've had crappy ones in the past and they just drive you nuts. So what I want is a good one.
The tripod I, sorry Kaye, requires needs to be capable of carrying the weight of D80/D300 with 80-400mm VR. It also needs to be reasonably portable as most of our bird photography is done 'in the bush'. I don't know much about different head types so need a bit of help here too.
I bought Kaye a Manfrotto monopod with a basic #234 head last year and this has been great but I think this head is a bit light for a tripod.

Deano:)

[dmdigital]

If you want a really good ballhead get the Really Right Stuff BH-40, Lever release plate and an L-bracket for each camera and a foot plate for the 80-400. Expensive, but second to none in quality and will last forever. Really Right Stuff - (http://www.reallyrightstuff.com)

As for tripods: Manfrotto, Benro at the lower end, Gitzo at the higher end. B&H Photo and Video in the USA is good for Gitzo prices but watch the shipping costs.

Try and get a 3 leg section tripod as the 4 section usually aren't as stable.

[flagg]

I picked up a good tripod on ebay (manfrotto 055prob) and an 029 head for about $200.

..the 190 is a bit small IMO.

You don't mention budget? There are some really nice carbon ones.. ;)

[WhiteD3]

It depends how far you want to carry it. Earlier this year I purchased a Manfrotto 190XPROB with a 804RC2 head for $280. Works great with my 500D and not too heavy.

[locorr]

I picked up a Manfrotto 074B with a 029 head in very good condition at a garage sale for $5.00. As you could imagine I'm rapt with my purchase. I wouldn't like to carry it too far in the field but it's rock solid.
I also got a Velbon Veb-3 for $3.00 which is much lighter but still quite stable.
I got a Velbon DH-30 for $1.00 that my 7 year old son can use with his point and shoot. Very light and unstable but lowered to my sons height not too bad.
I do like my garage sales.

[DeanoH]

Well done locorr, you'd have to be happy with that. Is your avatar a Monte Carlo blue D2 ? Only ever seen two this colour.

Deano:)

[locorr]

Not sure what the colour was called but it's gone now.
Only 4wd I have now is a Rav4, which is not a 4wd.
Still looking for a wreck to chop into a ute.

[Cap]

Go the 055xprob with a pan/tilt head instead of ball for birding. The 055 is a tad heavy but super stable which is equally important! I got the RC488 ball head, which is a pain for biring as you got to hold the camera in position when you find a bird, then lock it in. Pan/tilt allows you to move the camera around more freely - plus they are generally a cheaper head.

[dmdigital]

Get a good ball head with torque control on the ball and it is fine. RRS, Markins, Kirk etc are a lot better than the Manfrotto RC488.