Originally posted by Alex645 This is a really good question but a conundrum. You can lose weight going with carbon fiber, but that's going to be over $200. You want a substantial head to hold the 645N, but then that's going to add weight.
I've only once had a quick release plate fail and destroyed a lens and camera in the fall. That quick release was a light weight plastic foot.
And yes, you can always hook a back pack to add weight and stability to a hook on the center column, but then thinner legs or a smaller ball head are still going to be mismatched with a 645 and the considerable weight of the lenses as well.
I can offer solutions if you can spend probably double your max of $200.
Yes, I understand your points. Still, I really don't want to spend $400. I'd rather compromise on other aspects, and I might spend a bit more than $200 if I had to.
---------- Post added 04-25-20 at 04:34 PM ----------
Originally posted by C_Jones There are Sirui tripods that are near two pounds in weight that you may want to look at. A shortcut to one is below. There is the T-005SK aluminum version, but it is rated at 2 pounds less weight capacity than the T-025SK. I am not sure if the 645N and your lens are light enough for one of the tripods, but the specs are mentioned on each listing at B and H.
Some of the carbon fiber version specs are:
Key Features
Load Capacity: 13.2 lb
Maximum Height: 53.8"
Minimum Height: 3.1"
Folded Length: 12.2"
Below is the shortcut to the carbon fiber version listing at B and H that I was referring to.
Sirui T-25SK T-0S Series Travel Tripod with B-00 Ball Head Thanks very much for the recommendation of the Sirui - someone else suggested that same model, and it does look good to me. Do you have that model or anything similar? I was wondering if it extends high enough for the eye-level viewfinder of the 645n. I'm not that tall (5 feet 9 inches) so probably anything around 5 feet high (60") would be good - the specs say 54". Also, how good is the twist adjustment on legs as compared with the lever type of adjustments? My Bogen has levers, which I like, and I've only used very old and cheap tripods with twist adjustment on leg length, and they often slipped.
---------- Post added 04-25-20 at 04:36 PM ----------
Originally posted by C_Jones There are Sirui tripods that are near two pounds in weight that you may want to look at. A shortcut to one is below. There is the T-005SK aluminum version, but it is rated at 2 pounds less weight capacity than the T-025SK. I am not sure if the 645N and your lens are light enough for one of the tripods, but the specs are mentioned on each listing at B and H.
Some of the carbon fiber version specs are:
Key Features
Load Capacity: 13.2 lb
Maximum Height: 53.8"
Minimum Height: 3.1"
Folded Length: 12.2"
Below is the shortcut to the carbon fiber version listing at B and H that I was referring to.
Sirui T-25SK T-0S Series Travel Tripod with B-00 Ball Head Oh, also, my 645n with the heaviest lens I have (A 80-160) would weigh about 7 lbs.