Is my tripod suitable for my lens?

[mal from cessnock]

I want to start using my 300 f/2.8 canon lens - do you consider the Manfrotto 190xprob a sturdy enough tripod for this lens? After buying it, I got deeper into this craft and wished I had 190xpro which has a higher reach but basically constructed the same.

[OzzieTraveller]

G'day Mal

My tripod is a manny too - but after a decade of use the sticker giving its model number has well & truly worn away
My suggestion is to look at it when extended for use & note its vibration/lack of etc

When the camera & lens is attached...
- can you tap the camera & have no vibration?
- if the wind is 'heavy', does it vibrate the tripod?
- can you grab the head of the tripod (where the legs all join) and twist the entire assembly? - how much? - how much force is needed?

This will give you some of the answers
Regards, Phil

[fisher]

Hi Mal , I hang my camera bag of the bottom of the centre column to help with vibration ect.

Cheers Fisher

[kiwi]

Mal, every tripod and particularly the tripod head is certified to support a particular weight....Id look that up on the manfrotto website and compare to the weight of the body/lens combo

[mal from cessnock]

Thanks a bunch Phil, Fisher and Kiwi
The stated capacity for this model is 5kg and the 300 F/2.8 weighs in a kilo or so under that - butt there's nothing like getting an opinion from fellow photographers who have put them through their paces.
I'll adopt the "hanging from centre hook" techique Fisher :)
Again, thanks fellas for your input.

[carrg1954]

In normal circumstances ,if you need to hang something off the centre column, perhaps you should be looking at another tripod.

[JM Tran]

I think u should get a bigger and more sturdier tripod, the 190XB was never designed for big heavy lenses, and even though it states such and such load capacity, with the 300 f2.8 and a camera attached, you are on the borderline already. It also depends which head is attached to it too - obviously something like a small ball head or pistol grip is a receipt for disaster:D

[mal from cessnock]

JM Tran, thanks for your response - agree with you and hence my post in the first place. But I don't want to - goodness I've spent so much already.
My good news is that I use a Wimberley Head - perfect item. Bought to use in combo with my tripod and monopod.
The monopod/head/300 F/2.8 are well paired - has you opinion changed about the tripod now you know what head I'm using or is it even clearer now that I need to update my tripod?

[JM Tran]

JM Tran, thanks for your response - agree with you and hence my post in the first place. But I don't want to - goodness I've spent so much already.
My good news is that I use a Wimberley Head - perfect item. Bought to use in combo with my tripod and monopod.
The monopod/head/300 F/2.8 are well paired - has you opinion changed about the tripod now you know what head I'm using or is it even clearer now that I need to update my tripod?

hmmmm interesting Mal, you got a great head for heavy lenses, but the not so thick legs of the 190XB is what still gets to me.......great legs for travel and general usage as its not too thick and heavy, but for your application - the Wimberley + 300 f2.8 + camera will make for a very top heavy load - Im just worried a gusty wind will tip it over as the legs arent thick/heavy enough. Back from my army days we always got taught to put the heavier stuff down first, same as you would in designing a building:)

then again, the legs of the 190XB can be spread out even more, although the top heavy load is still there to put pressure on the legs and may be prone to a bit of shaking or tension.

[kiwi]

I agree with JM. I guess its easy enough to test the stability, but there's not much point in having great glass, great head and wobbly legs

[mal from cessnock]

Thanks again JM and Kiwi - guess I'll be looking on eBay for a reasonably priced second.

[mal from cessnock]

Can you recommend one fellas?

[mal from cessnock]

Hey fellas, found this one on eBay, Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripod - do any of have an opinion as to suitabilty for the stated glass and head?

Opinions gratefully appreciated.

[Michaela]

The 055XPROB is what I use for my 7D and 100-400 lens and it's as steady as a rock. :)

[mal from cessnock]

Thanks for that Michaela. Is the 100-400 lens similar in weight to the 300 F/2.8?

[agb]

The canon 300f/2.8 is 2550 g, the 100-400 is 1360g. The 7D is about 900g.

[fisher]

I agree with JM. I guess its easy enough to test the stability, but there's not much point in having great glass, great head and wobbly legs

Hi Kiwi Sounds Like me after happy hourssss:beer_mug:

[kiwi]

Someone recently posted a link to a very nice set of nice gitzo legs at a good price, worth a search

[Allann]

I use the Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripod with a Wimberley head for my 600/4 + flash + 1D3, so you shouldn't have any issues with the 300. Makes for a good choice for many other scenarios too. I wouldn't use anything smaller though.

[mal from cessnock]

Thanks Kiwi, I'll do a search.

Allann - thanks for your heads up with the 055xprob

Incidentally, I'm using a 5DM2 with grip - with a few nice L lenses.

[mal from cessnock]

and in closing this trhread, a nice new Manfrotto 055xProB arrived today. I'm gonna fun with my 300 F/2.8 now.

For those interested, the Manfrotto 055xProB, 190xProB and 680b monopod ALL fit in the one Manfrotto MBag80P without any trouble. I'm so pleased about this, it makes lugging stuff around just that little bit more tolerable. No heads tho, they fit in my ThinkTank :D

[mal from cessnock]

Hey Al, just noticed you have a smugMug too!
I had so much fun tweaking it and making it just how I wanted - previously had my own coded site - smugMug, so much better than having to markup a new page everytime I have images to upload.

[Allann]

well done and congrats. Should get many years of great service from it. little jealous about the 300 2.8 though. If your ever up this way, make sure you drop in ;)