grepper wrote:So, my local camera shop had a Vanguard Alto Pro 264AT excellent condition used legs with a new BH-250 ball head for $200.00. The BH-250 head is very smooth, friction adjustable and Arca compatible. It all looked pretty good, especially the head, so I bought it.Did I do OK?Is that sturdy enough for a D750 / Tamron 150-600? The store said it would be. I can return it if need be, so what do you guys think?Grepper,I have almost the same setup as you, except I have the Vanguard Alta Pro 263AT, which has 3-section legs. I also have the BH-250 ball head.I have shown my tripod to several professional photographer friends and family members, and they all raved at its features and how solidly built it is.I use it with my Nikon D750s and the 24-120mm zoom head with no problems.I think you made a good choice.

chambeshi wrote:Overview including basics. The pie chart speaks volumeshttps://photographylife.com/landscapes/tripods-and-heads-a-landscape-photographers-guideBest line from that article" Even a rock and some duct tape is better than handholding your camera."Hey OP. Send me $100. I've got a solution for you.

Mr. chambeshi, Thanks for the cool link to the travel tripod reviews.  Good stuff.  Appreciated.Mr. nojak, Thank you kindly for your most thoughtful and magnanimous offer, however it got me thinking.  I have a pet rock, and all the little guy does a lay around and look cute.  I purchased a roll of duct tape and decided to finally make him earn his keep.  I'll see how it goes.

SoupOrPhoto wrote:Suntan wrote:SoupOrPhoto wrote:The expensive heads can be much nicer to use, but if you’re not taking long exposures, I’m not sure they add a lot to the final product.It also depends on how/what you shoot.For example, if you're only shooting wide angle landscapes, getting the framing bang-on isn't nearly as important. If you are shooting macros with a long focal length, a ballhead that doesn't flex will really reduce the tedium of composing the shot.Very true—I haven’t done a lot of macro, but I have noticed the MeFoto’s weakness with that application. Both in terms of sagging over time and having the framing change when tightening the knobs.Interesting...I have the Aluminum Globetrotter.  The stock ballhead hasn't sagged for me yet even at a decent down angle with my 200-500 attached and fully extended (I made sure to test it prior to the eclipse).  Granted, I make sure it's wrenched down really tight.I also had the framing change issues when adjusting the knobs; you almost have to anticipate how the view will change and compensate.  That does require a lot of patience and time to get the shot; it's not something you want to be fiddling with if you risk running out of time to get the shot.I think that coupled with the fact that there may very well be droopage if the knobs aren't wrenched with longer, heavy lenses should indicate that their might be some product variance which wouldn't surprise me at the cost. Depending on the OP's needs/wants/patience level it may or may not be an option.  Still, it could be a good option to get now, and then later on down the line upgrade the ballhead.Don't get me wrong, though, I really like mine and can live with the ballhead--for now at least.

greenmanphoto wrote:grepper wrote:Thanks for the info folks. Now have something to go on.Looks like I need to bump up to the $200 range. Another case of you get what you pay for.grepper,This is the Manfrotto 190 that has the center column that pulls out and goes sideways for shooting just like you're talking about shooting. Now, this page is from their site, and is for a new one. But, it gives you an idea of what to look for in a used model.https://www.manfrotto.us/collections/supports/190-series?gclid=Cj0KCQjw5qrXBRC3ARIsAJq3bwqd9czd35cFFlgHOisUKNGKlK6eGMLWpoj8GpGMx76wFhIMpS3gMGoaAjNtEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.dsAnd, as others have pointed out, you DO get what you pay for with a tripod and, even more so, the head. Thom Hogan has an excellent article on his site about buying a tripod. Now, considering your own particular uses and usage level, you probably don't need to go quite as high a level as he discusses, but some of the points are still well taken.Just for grins, I did a search on KEH.com, and here are the first 100 results:https://www.keh.com/shop/accessories/tripods-monopods.html?limit=100Good luck,SamAnd here is a good used Manfrotto!https://www.keh.com/shop/manfrotto-055-floor-standing-tripod-232269.html

Ernie Misner wrote:greenmanphoto wrote:grepper wrote:Thanks for the info folks. Now have something to go on.Looks like I need to bump up to the $200 range. Another case of you get what you pay for.grepper,This is the Manfrotto 190 that has the center column that pulls out and goes sideways for shooting just like you're talking about shooting. Now, this page is from their site, and is for a new one. But, it gives you an idea of what to look for in a used model.https://www.manfrotto.us/collections/supports/190-series?gclid=Cj0KCQjw5qrXBRC3ARIsAJq3bwqd9czd35cFFlgHOisUKNGKlK6eGMLWpoj8GpGMx76wFhIMpS3gMGoaAjNtEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.dsAnd, as others have pointed out, you DO get what you pay for with a tripod and, even more so, the head. Thom Hogan has an excellent article on his site about buying a tripod. Now, considering your own particular uses and usage level, you probably don't need to go quite as high a level as he discusses, but some of the points are still well taken.Just for grins, I did a search on KEH.com, and here are the first 100 results:https://www.keh.com/shop/accessories/tripods-monopods.html?limit=100Good luck,SamAnd here is a good used Manfrotto!https://www.keh.com/shop/manfrotto-055-floor-standing-tripod-232269.htmlErnie,Yep, I'd probably take the 055 over the 190, personally.Sam

Mr. StevenN,Thanks for the post. It's interesting to hear from someone that has pretty close to what I'm getting.The BH-250 seem like a good sturdy head and I should get the Auctus 283AT tripod this Friday or on Monday. We'll see how it goes.That's good to hear you think it is nice and solid.  I just took delivery of a Tamron 150-600mm today. It's a big, heavy lens, 4.38 lbs and the combined weight with the camera is a shade over 6 lbs. Not exactly a pocketable travel solution.Bigger and heavier than I expected but it takes some amazing pictures. Hopefully the Auctus and BH-250 will hold it well. Guess I'll find out.The head was $89 new, and the tripod was $90 used on Ebay.   I'll be amazed if my less than $200 solution really pans out.  Maybe I'll get lucky.

greenmanphoto wrote:Ernie Misner wrote:greenmanphoto wrote:grepper wrote:Thanks for the info folks. Now have something to go on.Looks like I need to bump up to the $200 range. Another case of you get what you pay for.grepper,This is the Manfrotto 190 that has the center column that pulls out and goes sideways for shooting just like you're talking about shooting. Now, this page is from their site, and is for a new one. But, it gives you an idea of what to look for in a used model.https://www.manfrotto.us/collections/supports/190-series?gclid=Cj0KCQjw5qrXBRC3ARIsAJq3bwqd9czd35cFFlgHOisUKNGKlK6eGMLWpoj8GpGMx76wFhIMpS3gMGoaAjNtEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.dsAnd, as others have pointed out, you DO get what you pay for with a tripod and, even more so, the head. Thom Hogan has an excellent article on his site about buying a tripod. Now, considering your own particular uses and usage level, you probably don't need to go quite as high a level as he discusses, but some of the points are still well taken.Just for grins, I did a search on KEH.com, and here are the first 100 results:https://www.keh.com/shop/accessories/tripods-monopods.html?limit=100Good luck,SamAnd here is a good used Manfrotto!https://www.keh.com/shop/manfrotto-055-floor-standing-tripod-232269.htmlErnie,Yep, I'd probably take the 055 over the 190, personally.SamGood, you jumped right on that Sam...I would suggest you go the carbon fiber route if possible.  Just as strong or stronger and the legs don't freeze your hands in the winter.

Ernie Misner wrote:greenmanphoto wrote:Ernie Misner wrote:greenmanphoto wrote:grepper wrote:Thanks for the info folks. Now have something to go on.Looks like I need to bump up to the $200 range. Another case of you get what you pay for.grepper,This is the Manfrotto 190 that has the center column that pulls out and goes sideways for shooting just like you're talking about shooting. Now, this page is from their site, and is for a new one. But, it gives you an idea of what to look for in a used model.https://www.manfrotto.us/collections/supports/190-series?gclid=Cj0KCQjw5qrXBRC3ARIsAJq3bwqd9czd35cFFlgHOisUKNGKlK6eGMLWpoj8GpGMx76wFhIMpS3gMGoaAjNtEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.dsAnd, as others have pointed out, you DO get what you pay for with a tripod and, even more so, the head. Thom Hogan has an excellent article on his site about buying a tripod. Now, considering your own particular uses and usage level, you probably don't need to go quite as high a level as he discusses, but some of the points are still well taken.Just for grins, I did a search on KEH.com, and here are the first 100 results:https://www.keh.com/shop/accessories/tripods-monopods.html?limit=100Good luck,SamAnd here is a good used Manfrotto!https://www.keh.com/shop/manfrotto-055-floor-standing-tripod-232269.htmlErnie,Yep, I'd probably take the 055 over the 190, personally.SamGood, you jumped right on that Sam...I would suggest you go the carbon fiber route if possible. Just as strong or stronger and the legs don't freeze your hands in the winter.Ernie,Just to clarify, *I* am not the one that is looking. I merely stated that of the two Manfrotto models, I'd take the 055 over the 190. I already have a Gitzo 2531 Mountaineer, that is carbon fiber. At this point, I don't really have a need for another tripod.Thanks,Sam

I can only offer to share my experience, as an amateur who enjoys travelling/taking pics.I'm using D750 with primes and found the Manfrotto Befree Color is working well for me. If I had more budget, I would have got the carbon fiber one though.

I received the Vanguard Auctus 283AT tripod. Even fully extended it seems extremely sturdy with very little flex at all even pushing it back and forth and applying a lot of weight.  It weighs 7.06 lbs and has a payload capacity of 30.9 lbs. I know it’s not as light weight as CF legs would be, but I don’t plan on hiking around with it and I actually like the way it plants itself on the ground. I’m thinking it should do well holding the D750 with the Tamron 150-600 G2. The combined weight of that camera and lens is a hair more than 6 lbs. The first tripod I got seemed wimpy and just didn’t inspire confidence at all, but this one does.To my surprise I’m actually impressed and happy with it. It seems beefy, rock steady and about twice as sturdy as the Vanguard Alto Pro 264AT that I returned. When it was new, I think it sold for $300-$400 so it’s not really a cheapo set of legs. While no longer available, you can check out the specs here:https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/763139-REG/Vanguard_AUCTUS_283AT_Auctus_283AT_Aluminum_Tripod.htmlI think I lucked out and did more than OK with a $90 Ebay used tripod.I’m sticking a Vanguard ALTA BH-250 head on it. $90. It’s new (not the old SBH or TBH versions) and there are no comprehensive reviews yet. The head seems very well made and moves smooth as silk. It locks down rock solid and the friction adjustments produce extremely smooth and predictable movement. It has a load capacity of 44 lbs. We’ll see how that goes, especially over time.https://www.vanguardworld.us/photo_video_us/alta-bh-250.html#go-sectionTopI received the Tamron 150-600mm G2, but it’s been raining here in Michigan so I’ve had little chance to play. I did take some hand-held shots and… WOW! I was amazed. When it stops raining I’ll strap the D750 and Tamron on the Auctus let all you most helpful folks know how it goes. Should be interesting.So, for the tripod and head I have $180 into this project. Not bad, eh? But… Will it pan out? We’ll see.Now I’m in search for a top of the line, finely machined, rock solid and smooth as silk gimbal head for $50. Any suggestions?Thank you everybody who responded to my post. You guys provided a lot of excellent information and greatly assisted me in getting up to speed on the current tripod landscape. Everybody here is so helpful. Much appreciated!