Searching for a tripod that supports D500 and 500PF lens

[Harris McMann]

No center column

70 inch

Carbon fiber

8x

Will not need for travel.

What has worked for you?

 

[tclune]

I use the Leofoto LN-364C and like it a lot. I bought mine from Desmond Photographic over their eBay site because they have the best prices I've seen for Leofoto gear: Leofoto LN-364C Systematic 75mm Bowl Tripod Legs Carbon Fibre Fiber CF | eBay If you do any studio work, you may want to end up getting one of their center column options, which lock into the place that the bowl goes and allow you to make fine adjustments in height without fiddling with individual leg heights. If you do video with your setup, the Leofoto YB-75LP leveling base ( Leofoto YB-75LP 75mm Leveling Base with Platform YB-75LP B&H ) is very handy. For still photos, the Leofoto LB-75 leveling base ( Leofoto LB-75 Leveling Base with Butterfly Handle with 75mm ) is just as useful and a tad cheaper. FWIW

ETA: OOPS! Overlooked your height requirement. The LN-364C only goes to 63". Other Leofotos will get taller. Two that pop up right away are the LM-324-CLX, which has a bit slimmer top leg but goes to 77.6" and is otherwise similar to mine, or the LN-404C, which is quite hefty and has a 100mm center bowl (which was the pro standard size, but is harder to find compatible devices for in my experience -- or possibly in my price range ) The LN-404C goes up to 85.5" and has a stellar reputation.

 

[Bobby2Shots]

No center column

70 inch

Carbon fiber

8x

Will not need for travel.

What has worked for you?

Your tripod height requirement should be roughly 10 inches beloe your eye-level... or roughly 15" below your overall height. The camera and head will add roughly 10" height to your viewfinder.

re "center-columns", they can be as different as night and day in performance and design. I wouldn't be without one on a well designed quality tripod. (for example, a 3-series Gitzo Mountaineer with its' unique drop-out column assembly)

I would easily recommenf either a 3-series Gitzo Mounraineer or 3-series Gitzo Systematic in the height that you need. (longer versions "L" long'or XL Xtra long")

As always, the right choice for you will depend on your shooting conditions (wind, flowing water, etc) and terrain. (sloped vs level ground.

--
Veni, Vidi, Velcro;
I came,,,, I saw,,,, I stuck around.

 

[Ellis Vener]

A used Gitzo 410C and Rationale No. 5 head. The 410C is an all metal mostly aluminum with steel fittings tripod.

 

[Harris McMann]

Thank you. I am looking into your suggestions.

 

[Harris McMann]

Thank you. I will be looking up your ideas!

 

[Harris McMann]

Thank you. I will be looking into your suggestions.

 

[dazzerfong]

Not a lot of tripods with no center column. Personally I use the RRS TFC34 which is the lightest tripod with legs that thick. FLM also have their FLM CP34-L4C II which is very similar to the RRS TFC34L. Both the FLM CP34-L4C II and RRS TFC34L are about 68" tall.

 

[Harris McMann]

Thank you. I will do a search for your recommendation.

 

[john isaacs]

No center column

70 inch

Carbon fiber

8x

Will not need for travel.

What has worked for you?

Use the B&H Photo search tool on tripod legs. You can select maximum height (70"), material (Carbon Fiber), and center column included (no).

I get 9 items. Most indicate 10x carbon. All of these will hold a D500 and 500pf easily (in fact, most tripods will do so).

Personally, only my video tripods have no center column, and I certainly wouldn't want to exclude one for that camera/lens combo. A center column provides greate flexibility in adjustin height (so you don't have to re-level the legs every time you need to make a small adjustment).

I do think what you are looking for is way more than you need. And you're going to pay for it, as the price for these tripods ranges from $549 to $1349.

 

[Ellis Vener]

If you want a carbon fiber legged tripod and are willing to spend on a new high end model , these are tried and true brands- Benro, Gitzo, ProMediaGear, and Really Right Stuff. And They all source their carbon fiber tubes from high end manufacturers and the tubes are formed from 8 to 10 layers of high quality carbon fiber cloth.

each of those brands have the option for no center column.

I am 6’5” and when I decided 8 years ago to move from an aluminum and steel tripod to c.f. (I was getting tired of the weight), after doing about 6 months of research (forums reviews, talking to bicycle shops, and when possible, tripod manufacturers, I narrowed my choices to PMG and RRS. I ended up purchasing a PMG TR344L.The largest camera package I have used with it is a Nikon Z 9 and Nikkor Z 600mm f/6.3, with a Manfrotto 608 Nitrotech fluid head. For long telephoto work I prefer fluid heads to tilting gimbals.

 

[crowley213]

Not a lot of tripods with no center column. Personally I use the RRS TFC34 which is the lightest tripod with legs that thick. FLM also have their FLM CP34-L4C II which is very similar to the RRS TFC34L. Both the FLM CP34-L4C II and RRS TFC34L are about 68" tall.

Another "vote" to have a look into the FLM tripod legs. I use them since years and they work great for me.

I also have two FLM ball heads, but I "retired" them mostly since I use, whenever possible, my Arca-Swiss Leveler 75, a great tool for my style of photography, means mostly stills.

In case you are interested in FLM, and you have questions, drop Ari from FLM an email, he is a great guy and resource to answer your potential questions.

 

[Harris McMann]

Thank you. I just ordered a Gitzo SYSTEMATIC G1325 Studex Series 3 Performance Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs from KEH in excellent condition for under $270.

 

[Harris McMann]

Thank you. I just ordered a Gitzo SYSTEMATIC G1325 Studex Series 3 Performance Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs from KEH in excellent condition for under $270. I believe it is a great tripod.

 

[Ellis Vener]

Which head will you be using?

 

[Harris McMann]

I ordered tbe Movo GH800 MKII Carbon Fiber to go with the Gitzo.

 

[Harris McMann]

Thank you. I went with a Gitzo.

 

[Turbguy1]

Personally, I use an inexpensive aluminum video tripod from Amazon. Less that $150, and a gimbal head (about $45) for my Sigmonster, 300-800 f5.6). They work fine. The leveling capability of the bowl (typicaly +/- 15 degrees) gives some fine control.

YMMV.

I

 

[Richard B99]

Thank you. I just ordered a Gitzo SYSTEMATIC G1325 Studex Series 3 Performance Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs from KEH in excellent condition for under $270. I believe it is a great tripod.

That’s a venerable set of sticks. Studex is an old name that was used by Gitzo in the 1980s to 1990s I think!