I have decided to purchase an Opticron MM4 77 and now thoughts turn to the best options for tripod and head!
I am thinking of the Manfrotto MVH500AH which seems to be highly regarded here and pairing it with Manfrotto MT290TC3 Xtra carbon fibre legs. With an angled MM4 I should be able to use the tripod with very little if any centre column elevation (I am 5'8" - 1.72m tall) and being three section legs I think they should be fairly sturdy even with the relatively light-weight MM4 ( of course 3 sections means they will take up more room in my luggage but I think that is an acceptable trade off).
I intend this scope and tripod to be my only outfit so want to get it right. I will be travelling with it (for instance to the Canary Islands next year) but also using it year round here mainly on wetlands and flocks of wintering geese. I certainly don't intend trekking miles with it but I think an essence of portability is useful.
Any thoughts would be gratefully received.
Chris
I am thinking of the Manfrotto MVH500AH which seems to be highly regarded here and pairing it with Manfrotto MT290TC3 Xtra carbon fibre legs. With an angled MM4 I should be able to use the tripod with very little if any centre column elevation (I am 5'8" - 1.72m tall) and being three section legs I think they should be fairly sturdy even with the relatively light-weight MM4 ( of course 3 sections means they will take up more room in my luggage but I think that is an acceptable trade off).
I intend this scope and tripod to be my only outfit so want to get it right. I will be travelling with it (for instance to the Canary Islands next year) but also using it year round here mainly on wetlands and flocks of wintering geese. I certainly don't intend trekking miles with it but I think an essence of portability is useful.
Any thoughts would be gratefully received.
Chris