I have been reading the different posts on tripods and heads. I'm looking for a tripod and head that would work well with a large scope (80-100) and can also be used separately with a camera and a large lens (300-500). I've attached a list of the following;
The different Tripods options could be;
The Gitzo GT1530 weighs 2.5 lb w/ 17.6 lb weight capacity
The Velbon 530A weighs 2.8 lb w/ 8.8 lb weight capacity
The Gitzo GT1931 weighs 3.1 lb w/ 15.4 lb weight capacity
The Swaro CT101 weighs 3.1 lb w/ 11 lb weight capacity
The Gitzo GT2530 weighs 3.1 lb w/ 26.4 lb weight capacity
The Velbon 630A weighs 3.4 lb w/ 13.2 lb weight capacity
The Gitzo GT2931 weighs 3.6 lb w/ 22 lb weight capacity
The Manfrotto 190MFV is 3.7 lb w/ 8.8 lb weight capacity
The Manfrotto 055MFV is 4.4 lb w/ 15.4 lb weight capacity
The Velbon 730 weighs 5.1 lb w/ 17.6 lb weight capacity
The leg-lock on the Swaro, Velbon & Manfrotto Tripods are flip type and the Gitzo is a twist collar.
The different Head options could be;
The Manfrotto 700RC2 weighs 1.14 lb w/ 5.5 lb weight capacity
The Swarovski FH 101 weighs 1.19 lb w/ 7.7 lb weight capacity
The Gitzo G2180 weighs 1.26 lb w/ 8.8 lb weight capacity
The Veldon FHD 51Q weighs 1.30 lb w/ 5.5 lb weight capacity
The Manfrotto 701RC2 weighs 1.76 lb w/ 8.8 lb weight capacity
The Manfrotto 3130 weighs 2.20 lb w/ 8.8 lb weight capacity
The Manfrotto 128RC weighs 2.30 lb w/ 8.9 lb weight capacity
The Gitzo G2380 weighs 3.00 lb w/ 11 lb weight capacity
The Wimberley Gimbal weighs 3.15 lb w/ a lot of weight capacity
The Manfrotto 501 weighs 3.30 lb w/ 13.2 lb weight capacity
The weight is a consideration but also the stability. I have been considering the Velbon 530A and the Gitzo 2180. What do you think or have any other suggestions? A new twist in the equation is today we were in need of a head that would allow us to tilt the camera 90* or instead have a tripod with a break-shaft that allowed a 90* shape. Again any successfull insight into what works or products that you have used that don't work would be appreciated.
Greg
The different Tripods options could be;
The Gitzo GT1530 weighs 2.5 lb w/ 17.6 lb weight capacity
The Velbon 530A weighs 2.8 lb w/ 8.8 lb weight capacity
The Gitzo GT1931 weighs 3.1 lb w/ 15.4 lb weight capacity
The Swaro CT101 weighs 3.1 lb w/ 11 lb weight capacity
The Gitzo GT2530 weighs 3.1 lb w/ 26.4 lb weight capacity
The Velbon 630A weighs 3.4 lb w/ 13.2 lb weight capacity
The Gitzo GT2931 weighs 3.6 lb w/ 22 lb weight capacity
The Manfrotto 190MFV is 3.7 lb w/ 8.8 lb weight capacity
The Manfrotto 055MFV is 4.4 lb w/ 15.4 lb weight capacity
The Velbon 730 weighs 5.1 lb w/ 17.6 lb weight capacity
The leg-lock on the Swaro, Velbon & Manfrotto Tripods are flip type and the Gitzo is a twist collar.
The different Head options could be;
The Manfrotto 700RC2 weighs 1.14 lb w/ 5.5 lb weight capacity
The Swarovski FH 101 weighs 1.19 lb w/ 7.7 lb weight capacity
The Gitzo G2180 weighs 1.26 lb w/ 8.8 lb weight capacity
The Veldon FHD 51Q weighs 1.30 lb w/ 5.5 lb weight capacity
The Manfrotto 701RC2 weighs 1.76 lb w/ 8.8 lb weight capacity
The Manfrotto 3130 weighs 2.20 lb w/ 8.8 lb weight capacity
The Manfrotto 128RC weighs 2.30 lb w/ 8.9 lb weight capacity
The Gitzo G2380 weighs 3.00 lb w/ 11 lb weight capacity
The Wimberley Gimbal weighs 3.15 lb w/ a lot of weight capacity
The Manfrotto 501 weighs 3.30 lb w/ 13.2 lb weight capacity
The weight is a consideration but also the stability. I have been considering the Velbon 530A and the Gitzo 2180. What do you think or have any other suggestions? A new twist in the equation is today we were in need of a head that would allow us to tilt the camera 90* or instead have a tripod with a break-shaft that allowed a 90* shape. Again any successfull insight into what works or products that you have used that don't work would be appreciated.
Greg