puppymic

I want to buy a video head for my spotting scope STS-80HD, I use gitzo 1540 tripod & Canon 30D camera, would anyone please give me a suggestion which of the following video head should be chose?

1. Manfrotto 501
2. Manfrotto 503
3. Gitzo 2180
4. Gitzo 2380

it would be ideal if the video head & tripod combination could also support a Canon 328 len.

Many Thanks  

tbob

Mandy,

I use a Manfroto 501 for digiscoping but I believe it is no longer produced. As for tripods, I selected a carbon fibre tripod which when collapsed would fit inside my suitcase when traveling.

Strength and weight of tripods is important, it is no use having a tripod which is too heavy to carry around Mai Po all day, but again you don't want a very light tripod which will easily fall over.

Personally the tripod head is the most important part of the setup, you want something that will pan and tilt smoothly. Both Manfroto and Gitzo are reliable brands so it then depends on your budget.

Check the weight of your camera setup and then see if this is within the specified limits of the tripod heads, otherwise you may never be able to balance your camera/lens combo.

Bob

puppymic

Bob,

Thank you for your kind advice  

As you said, the weight of tripods is important (it is already very heavy for me to carry a spotting scope, eyepiece, adaptor, a DSLR camera and a tripod), and therefore I would like to choose a light weight tripod head.

1. Manfrotto 501 - 1.6kgs - max 6kgs
2. Manfrotto 503 - 1.95kgs - max 8 kgs
3. Gitzo 2180 - 0.6kgs - max 4kgs
4. Gitzo 2380 - 1.4kgs - max 5kgs

I prefer to choose the Gitzo G2180, the weight is only 0.6 kgs with a maximum loading upto 4kgs. (my camera setup should be around 5.5 - 6 kgs), but I want to collect some existing users' opinion before I buy the tripod head.

Mandy

cwchan

Mandy,

I understand you may already have you decision. But  bear in mind,  forget bringing two systems (digiscoping and DSLR) with you in birding, birding gives you pleasure NOT pressure. Sorry Neil, you are exception. :

Regarding the tripod heads, don't look at the figures alone. I am afraid the 2180 may not be able to give you a steady suppot for your digiscoping gear nor for your future 328. Consider the other three.

Wing

puppymic

Chak Gor

Sometime I will bring the 30D and TLS-800 to connect the spotting scope, but I will not bring 2 systems (long len and spotting scope) together because I really can't take them both  

I will search more information and try to test the fluid heads before I make the final decision. Temporary I will use the Velbon ball head, it could fix the scope very tight.

thank you very much.

Mandy

hsteen

I use a Gitzo 2380 and works great.

The Manfrotto 501 is not produced anymore.

cywong

I have a completely new Manfrotto 501; I have not even attached it to any camera or tripod. I would like to sell it because it is too bulky for me.

If anyone is interested in it, please sell me a message.