Best tripod for Canon R7 with Canon RF 200-800mm lens attached

[LoveWeims]

I have a Canon EOS R7 and have very recently received an RF 200mm-800mm lens which is right heavy.  I do wildlife photography (where a tripod is useful when I know the habits of my creatures) and am looking for advice on a decent tripod with a quick release attachment so I more efficiently attached and disconnect the camera without the screw it on drill.

It would also be nice to have a matching monopod compatible with the attachment device for the camera/tripod as I originally thought a monopod would give me the extra help with a bit more flexibility.

I am still learning the easiest way to adjust the telephoto, hold the camera, AND keep the subject in my sights.

[LoveWeims]

Yes, based on all the great input from tge Community, i am now researching both monopods and tripods

[LoveWeims]

Thank you.  I prefer flip locks to twist.  I am not tall.  Been looking at the Benro monopod actually!  Like the features of the $300 Benro.  Thinking carbon fiber

just got the 200-800mm lens and using it has motivated ne to upgrade my alum tripod and the monopod i have absolutely did not work with the equip at all.  

[LoveWeims]

I will post when i learn this lens!  It is winter here now…so my hunting is somewhat curtailed by the hunters with guns….

[Waddizzle]

I am using a Benro aluminum monopod, which cost under $100 USD.  The carbon fiber version is lighter by a small amount.  I use a Kirk MPA-2 tilt head.  It has a very good friction control.  My Sigma 150-600mm doesn’t flop around.

 The tripod is an older Benro Series 3 75mm combination tripod.  I can install a 75mm flat plate, a 75mm center column, or a 75mm bowl as seen in the photo. 

B&H has a house brand, Robus, that I suspect is made by Induro/Benro.  When my model was discontinued, nearly identical products appeared under the Robus brand name.  It’s a tree trunk.

The ball head is a Really Right Stuff BH-55.  This head has zero backlash.  What’s that?

Have you ever tried to photograph the Moon, only to have the lens shift as you tighten it down?  That’s backlash.  This head stays exactly where I point it, even with a few pounds of weight that is leaning off center.

[LoveWeims]

Thank you!  Benro appears to be a well-regarded brand.  I will call a dealer and ask questions about heads on monos for  long lenses v tripods.  Hoping for interchangeability.  My husband informed me he built gimbals (who knew?!!) so we will be jointly researching those v gear heads

Love asking the community.  So many great ideas to research 

[LoveWeims · Accepted solution]

I went with a carbon fiber tripod with a published weight limit of 44 pounds and a total carrying weight of 3.1 pounds.  It won’t arrive til the end of Jan 2025 so my final assessment of it is pending.  Also opted to forego a center post.  For the 200-800mm lens, I bit the bullet and got a Wimberly gimbal.  My preference f

[FloridaDrafter]

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@LoveWeims wrote:

 For the 200-800mm lens, I bit the bullet and got a Wimberly gimbal.

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Don't forget to get the correct lens plate for the 200-800 tripod foot. They don't have one listed for the 200-800, so I got the one for the 800 5.6 - P-40. It has a screw adapter so you can attach it to the tripod foot with the standard screw and the larger screw or one or the other. Note that the tripod foot for the 200-800 has both sizes available to attach the ARCA Swiss plate 🙂

Newton

[LoveWeims]

Yes…i am now faced with another big decision on quick release systems.  Wimberly has a plate advertised for this lens at $100 on B&H….I do now own a Wimberly gimbal and my reason for buying a decent tripod and this gimbal is just to use the big lens.  I prefer (i think) a clamp feature rather than a screw tightening mechanism…so i think i will ask the community a question focusing on systems.  I rather liked the price and features of the Neewers…but do not think they are arca swiss types but since i have NO system now… i have no sunk costs in this kind of thing at this point.  Want 3/8” for sure

[FloridaDrafter]

What you may be seeing for $100 is the AP-608, which is the entire lens foot assembly. Since the foot on the RF 200-800 isn't removable, you just need the P-40 quick release plate, which is $58. This plate attaches to the foot on the 200-800mm and you just leave it there, at least I do 🙂

Once the P-40 quick release plate is attached to the foot of the 200-800, you just slide it on the the gimbal. You can adjust balance and lock in the foot with the thumb screw on the Gimbal. The quick release plate has a downloadable PDF users manual that tells you how to use the various screws. Some are set screws to keep your lens from slipping too far.

Newton

 

 

 

[LoveWeims]

Yep…i figured that out when i opened the box for the gimbal!  Got the p50 which was what they recommended for the 200-800mm.  Now i am looking at body plates as i do not always want to have the gimbal attached (or maybe i will - just thinking about weight)