[Freako]

Hi Guys, I guess you have been asked this question a hundred times, I have read lots of threads and still no wiser what to go for.
My question, what is a good Tripod/Head combo for my Canon 40d & 100-400 mm lens. Cheers Mick

[huntsbirds]

I have a similar question but would like a carbon fibre tripod for up to £300. Any suggestions appreciated.

[Kevin Purcell]

Originally Posted by fawkesey

I have a similar question but would like a carbon fibre tripod for up to £300. Any suggestions appreciated.

Take a look at Feisol tripods.

[Roy C]

Is this a duplicate thread, you have already posted one with the same title!

[Freako]

Originally Posted by Roy C

Is this a duplicate thread, you have already posted one with the same title!

It is Roy, I got no feedback so posted on the Canon thread, sorry for any confusion.

[huntsbirds]

I've read & re-read what seems like most of the posts here & narrowed down my choices to the following carbon fibre legs:
Manfrotto 055CXPRO3 v Feisol CT-3342

and for a head:
Manfrotto 700RC2 Mini Video Head v Manfrotto 128RC Micro Fluid Video Head

Regarding the head, I checked out the 128RC today & it seemed rather heavy to put on carbon fibre legs especially when I'm buying them in order to keep the weight down. Therefore I'm considering the 700RC because it's half the weight. I saw a few birders using that head at Titchwell this weekend so I wondered if anyone had much experince of the 700RC - a good, lightweight alternative to the 128RC? Any problems with it?

The legs look very closely matched, the Manfrotto slightly lighter, but I like the look of the Feisol. Again if anyone has experience of opinions on either I'd be very grateful to hear.

I'll be fixing a Kowa TSN-663 on to the tripod & I assume that I'll have no problems with either head? I also have the 100-400mm on a Canon 40D & again, I expect either option to cope easily?
Thanks.

[huntsbirds]

For anyone else looking for information, I went ahead with the Feisol 3342 and Manfrotto 700RC & am very pleased with the combination. The Feisol is outstanding, light yet solid & when fully extended is too high for me at 5'10" to look through the angled TSN-663, so no centre column required.
The 700RC is a little fiddly to use because of the levers required to increase or decrease tension, however I haven't found it to be a big issue as I fairly quickly found the right position for the levers. It is very light & has an exceptionally smooth action.
The only issue is that the case I have my scope in, has a zip which interferes with the quick release plate when attaching & removing. I have found though that is reduced when I pitch the head forward & hold the zip, & it's obviously more to do with the case than the tripod head.
Finally I put the rig into a scopac but I'm not sure whether I'll continue to use it mainly because with a small field guide tucked into it, it seems to weigh almost as much as the tripod itself!

[njlarsen]

If your field guide can go into a pocket, then consider something like this: http://www.naturbutikken.dk/pi/Stati..._2785_189.aspx

Niels

[Kevin Purcell]

Originally Posted by fawkesey

For anyone else looking for information, I went ahead with the Feisol 3342 and Manfrotto 700RC & am very pleased with the combination. The Feisol is outstanding, light yet solid & when fully extended is too high for me at 5'10" to look through the angled TSN-663, so no centre column required.

How do you find the lack of setscrews to fix the 700RC in place on the Feisol (that a Manfrotto tripod would have)?

Does the head stay firmly in place?

See

http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.ph...8&postcount=17

[huntsbirds]

Originally Posted by Kevin Purcell

How do you find the lack of setscrews to fix the 700RC in place on the Feisol (that a Manfrotto tripod would have)?

Does the head stay firmly in place?

See

http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.ph...8&postcount=17

Hi Kevin,
I haven't found loosening of the main screw to be an issue yet, it has stayed firmly in place. I didn't do anything other than screw it as firmly as possible to the legs, but I will report back if it becomes an issue with any solutions I find.
Marcus

[Kevin Purcell]

Thanks for the info, Marcus

[JohnJos]

Originally Posted by fawkesey

Hi Kevin,
I haven't found loosening of the main screw to be an issue yet, it has stayed firmly in place. I didn't do anything other than screw it as firmly as possible to the legs, but I will report back if it becomes an issue with any solutions I find.
Marcus

That is good to hear. The 700RC does have a different panning lock mechanism than the 128RC so maybe you can tighten it more before you get movement in the panning base. Also, the panning base of the 700RC may not have as much damping (fluid resistance) as the 128RC so it doesn't pull the lower base along as you try to pan left..

Also, maybe the center column has a better base for mounting the tripod head.

Good news for sure. Thanks Marcus.