Tripod for nikon d5100 with 55-300 lens

D

Dave_W

The Dude
Manfrotto all the way and buy a ball head. I started with a platform head and used it for years and it worked fine but about 2 yrs ago I went to a high end ball head and it was well worth the money. Also, invest in a quality quick release, you'll be glad you did.
 
P

pedroj

Senior Member
If you do sports you might want a three way tilt head...I have a Benro tripod that holds my D300 and Sigma 50-500mm
 
G

gqtuazon

Gear Head
Mojo Dave said:
Manfrotto all the way and buy a ball head. I started with a platform head and used it for years and it worked fine but about 2 yrs ago I went to a high end ball head and it was well worth the money. Also, invest in a quality quick release, you'll be glad you did.
Click to expand...

I agree with Dave. I don't like the proprietary head from Manfrotto. They are not arca-swiss compatible such as camera mounts sold by really right stuff. I have a Manfrotto video head but I had to buy an adapter to convert it to a arca-swiss mount.
 
Last edited:
Fred Kingston

Fred Kingston

Senior Member
Manfrotto makes several heads...but the important thing to understand between their models is, usually what appears to be a big difference in price for what appears to be the same models, is that there is a big difference in the weight they'll support... be sure the model you select supports your camera and lens weight... Nothing more annoying than a light droopy head when you hang a big honkin' piece of glass off the end...

An example is the 322RC2 and the 327RC2... One supports ~6 pounds, the other ~12 pounds...
 
W

WhiteLight

Senior Member
fotojack said:
The o55 series tripods are the workhorses of Manfrotto. Can't beat 'em. :)
Click to expand...

Amazing. that just sits perfectly in my budget..
could i bother you for some suggestions for ball heads for this model?
am sure i would need one with a quick release and any added features would be great.
Thanks Jack :)
 
W

WhiteLight

Senior Member
Just a qucik question though.. was going through the specs & saw this-

Maximum Height178.5 cm
Max Height Center Column Extended
142.0 cm

didn't quite understand what the second line means
 
S

silvercreek

Senior Member
I am still using an aluminum Linden LG-3 that I've been using for 20 plus years. It's still in very good condition and does what I need it for. The newer tripods have it beat in the weight category. I don't know that the newer tripods can do anything that mine can't.
 
D

Dave_W

The Dude
silvercreek said:
I am still using an aluminum Linden LG-3 that I've been using for 20 plus years. It's still in very good condition and does what I need it for. The newer tripods have it beat in the weight category. I don't know that the newer tripods can do anything that mine can't.
Click to expand...

I hear ya, my Mafrotto tripod is about 20 yrs old, thick and heavy and works like a champ. I suppose if I were hiking 50 miles with this tripod on my shoulder, my opinion my be different but so far it's met every one of my needs.
 
F

fotojack

Senior Member
letmedanz said:
Amazing. that just sits perfectly in my budget..
could i bother you for some suggestions for ball heads for this model?
am sure i would need one with a quick release and any added features would be great.
Thanks Jack :)
Click to expand...

I would recommend the Manfrotto 496RC2 ball head with quick release. Holds a lot of weight, and works flawlessly. Want to hold more weight?...get the 498RC2. Of course, there are a million great ball heads out there, from cheap to ultra expensive, but ultimately, they all do the same thing....hold your camera steady on the tripod. So ask yourself......what's your camera worth to you, a cheap ball head or a reasonably priced one that will keep your camera steady and safe. Do some comparison shopping on the different ones out there. It will come down to what your budget can stand, and how much you value your camera. :)
 
W

WhiteLight

Senior Member
i was just checking those out.
i see sites stating that 496 series has been discontinued & replaced with 498 series?
any idea whats the difference with RC2 & RC4?
 
Top