best tripod for 150-500mm lens and manfrotto 393 mount

hi i am after a tripod that will be ok to use with a monfrotto 393 head,nikon d7000,and a sigma 150-500mm lense,found 3 but not to sure what one to get. giottos mtl9361b manfrotto 055xprob slik pro700dx the reviews are all over the place,any help would be great jim

hi
i am after a tripod that will be ok to use with a monfrotto 393 head,nikon d7000,and a sigma 150-500mm lense,found 3 but not to sure what one to get.
giottos mtl9361b
manfrotto 055xprob
slik pro700dx
the reviews are all over the place,any help would be great
jim

I use the manfrotto 055x pro plus the manfrotto 393 head, great for wildlife shots

I use the manfrotto 055x pro plus the manfrotto 393 head, great for wildlife shots

For what you might be doing (FX equivalent focal length 750mm) on a lens without VR Gitzo suggest at least a Series 5 (around £750) in adverse shooting conditions. Gitzo have a point - a Series 2 is not robust enough for 500mm on FX, though I find a Mk 3 6x usually is. For a tripod that will do what you want to a very high standard you may need to at least double your budget - or perhaps go on a weight lifting course and buy a second hand Benbo Mk 1 or 2 (the 2 is only for the super fit) - with plenty of change out of £100. The 393 is an excellent head for the money for birds in flight. Regarding your shortlist I recently had my money back from WEX for the CF version of the Giottos - because it is one of the few photographic items I have owned which I did not find "fit for purpose". In fairness the problem was mainly with the swinging arm and Giottos have told me they are working on a design improvement. I regard the Manfrotto as a good way short of sturdy enough for 750mm FX equivalent. I do not know much about the Slik. Good but relatively heavy possibles new are Aluminum GZT330LS at just under £300, Benbo Mk 1 new at £120 or Mk 2 £145.

For what you might be doing (FX equivalent focal length 750mm) on a lens without VR Gitzo suggest at least a Series 5 (around £750) in adverse shooting conditions.
Gitzo have a point - a Series 2 is not robust enough for 500mm on FX, though I find a Mk 3 6x usually is.
For a tripod that will do what you want to a very high standard you may need to at least double your budget - or perhaps go on a weight lifting course and buy a second hand Benbo Mk 1 or 2 (the 2 is only for the super fit) - with plenty of change out of £100.
The 393 is an excellent head for the money for birds in flight.
Regarding your shortlist I recently had my money back from WEX for the CF version of the Giottos - because it is one of the few photographic items I have owned which I did not find "fit for purpose". In fairness the problem was mainly with the swinging arm and Giottos have told me they are working on a design improvement.
I regard the Manfrotto as a good way short of sturdy enough for 750mm FX equivalent. I do not know much about the Slik.
Good but relatively heavy possibles new are Aluminum GZT330LS at just under £300, Benbo Mk 1 new at £120 or Mk 2 £145.

My friend Glyn1 on here has the Sigma 150 500mm and he uses the 393 and the o55pro, have a look at his portfolio keith

My friend Glyn1 on here has the Sigma 150 500mm and he uses the 393 and the o55pro, have a look at his portfolio
keith

[quote]My friend Glyn1 on here has the Sigma 150 500mm and he uses the 393 and the o55pro, The 055 series is the equivalent of Gitzo Series 2. I do not know any wildlife pro who would accept a Series 2 as first class with 500mm on DX. The 057 series are, according to Manfrotto, "The the best Manfrotto pro tripods, designed to offer the best performance of stability and precision to the keen amateur and pro user. Developed with the most modern technologies, it features the best materials and technical solutions available in the Manfrotto collection. The 057 comes in 4 different models with various configurations of height and column, rapid or geared. Ideal for outdoor, studio and architectural applications, it is extremely versatile, ultra stable ---" Compromise on tripod stability with very long lenses is more for the optimistic than the realistic :)

I use the 055 series, look at my bird shots. I've had many publications in photography magazines , local press and TV I've won competitions in camera clubs and magazines also, using the above equipment. You could have the most expensive cameras, lenses and tripods but that does not make you a great photographer

I use the 055 series, look at my bird shots.

I've had many publications in photography magazines , local press and TV

I've won competitions in camera clubs and magazines also, using the above equipment.

You could have the most expensive cameras, lenses and tripods but that does not make you a great photographer

sorted got the manfrotto 055xpro tripod ,wellpleased with it thanks for the advice jim

sorted got the manfrotto 055xpro tripod ,wellpleased with it
thanks for the advice
jim

Great tripod keith

Great tripod

keith