Bruce, whatever head you get you need to equip it with an Arca Swiss type QR system - simply the best - I've used Kirk's pieces but RRS also supplies quality items. I've used Kirk pieces for over 20 years and they've never let me down.
I have a Kirk ball head but I mostly use a Bogen mini gear head for precise composition control. I've converted it to a Arca Swiss QR system. I currently use a Gitzo Mountaineer tripod for all my lenses/bodies including my 600mm. It's carbon fiber, under 5 lbs with positive leg locks - not cheap but it's probably the last tripod I'll ever need. Its light weight was a deciding factor in choosing it. -----Original Message----- >From: Bruce Walker <bruce.wal...@gmail.com> >Subject: Need recommendation for solid, luggable tripod > >I must finally give in. It's clear even to me that my trusty Manfrotto >190XPROB tripod with the 486RC2 ballhead simply cannot support a 645Z >+ 90mm lens -- total weight 5.7 lbs / 2.59 kg. I'm trying to do macro >shots and the damned thing has to be torqued well above the target >framing then allowed to slip down into final position. Grrr. > >It may be that I could just upgrade the ballhead, but I find that the >quick release plates don't grab as securely as they should. Ie, >there's slippage and the camera shifts in the mount. > >So ... > >What tripod + ballhead + qr plate is recommended by the collective >wisdom of the PDML? > >It should fold down to around 2 feet so I can strap it onto my camera >roller case. It should securely hold at least 6 lbs of camera bits. > >I really like the way the 190XPROB lets me mount the camera close to >the ground -- within 6 inches or so by flipping the center post >horizontally and spreading the legs out wide -- but I could sacrifice >that I suppose. > >Preferably one that I can buy new, retail, in North America. :) > >Thanks! > >-- >-bmw -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
