Kowa 884 tripod and head suggestions

[bwp]

I just ordered the 884 and am wanting to get a solid tripod and head for it. Bonus if I can use it to shoot off of as well. What would you recommend?

 

[Cynoscion]

RRS. Buy once, cry a lot but never have to buy again, haha. I waited until I found a pretty much new one on here with an anvil 30.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

As a long standing supporting vendor here on the forum it is our pleasure to assist in discussing different options and opportunities with you. Please give a call, 516-217-1000, when you have a few moments

 

[Brian Fahs]

I really like my slik 824 and gitzo 1720 fluid head. Got the setup on ebay for a steal a few years back.
I prefer the gitzo fluid head over my outdoorsmans regular pan head with the bulk and weight of my 884.

 

[bwp]

I’m thinking I’ll go with the va-5 head. It seems to be liked by everyone. Still not sure on what tripod I’ll get. Going back and forth on Slik and Sirui

 

[Kostrize]

Sirui IMO. Great value. Read several reviews of Sliks breaking in the field

 

[bwp]

I saw Cameraland has the ST-125 with BA-5 head for $254 currently. Is that a good tripod for the 884? I want to make sure it’s solid

 

[Kostrize]

That would be a perfect setup for what you’ve described IMO. I have the ST-124 with VA-5 and love it. I haven’t tried RRS but that’s probably the only appreciable performance improvement

 

[sndmn11]

Manfrotto 055 carbon 3 piece leg and a sirui v55 head.

He have broken parts on all carbon promaster and sirui tripods we have had.

 

[bwp]

No. Not IMO. A $2500 spotter on a $250 tripod /head combo is a bad choice. And shooting off that will suck.

What’s the budget choice you’d go with? Anything in the $500 range?

 

[Cynoscion]

The va5 is a legit head for glassing no doubt but the fact that you said you wanted to shoot from it is the reason we’re saying you need to up your tripod/head game.
You will think you’re stable and shooting well from lesser tripods with a pan head but once you shoot off of a top tier tripod/head combo, it’s night and day difference. I would’ve never thought I could get as stable on a tripod as I can on my RRS/anvil combo.