Need help with tripod/ballhead (1 Viewer)

QuestionableCarrot

Well-known member

• Sep 3, 2011

• #1

Hi

I know this has been done to death but I have a Sigma 150 500 and want to photo Kingfishers at my local river. Whats the best (and cheapest) setup for a bird photographer?

I am getting really confused with ballheads and gimbals.

I just want someone to tell me whats the best,basic and cheap setup for taking the tripod out now and again as I prefer to walk and shoot.

Ta very much

 

GYRob

Well-known member

• Sep 3, 2011

• #2

Apart from large rather expencive ball heads most tend to be used for landscape this is simply because the land scape is not going to fly off you have plenty of time to set things up although cloud formations can put a bit of a rush on.

Gimbals tend to be used for fast action because you can set them up to be ready so you just have to grab the camera and swing onto the subject ,In use there is very little diffrence between a sidemount gimbal or a full gimbal but some sidemounts do need a ball head.

Rob.

 

QuestionableCarrot

Well-known member

• Sep 3, 2011

• #3

Cheers for that mate.

Could you recommend a cheap set up for me?

 

stevo

Well-known member

• Sep 4, 2011

• #4

Have you considered a monopod?As you can get them with feet.

Steve.

 

Jaff

Registered Member

• Sep 5, 2011

• #5

Don't rule out the pan and tilt heads as these operate in much the same fashion as a Gimbal head but obviously are much cheaper and will be more suited for a lens such as yours.

 

J

johnf3f

johnf3f

• Sep 18, 2011

• #6

The cheapest tripod + head that will (IMO) do the job properly would, as far as I know, be a carbon tripod such as the Triopo 1227 (Item No 180665506909 on a well known auction site) and a Gimbal head such as the Manfrotto 393 or the Lensmaster Gimbal (see Gyrob's sig) which I hear very good things about - though I have not used one myself.
The total cost would be about £250 - which is a quarter the price of my Gitzo/Wimberley setup, yet should still do a VERY good job for you.