Lens too Heavy for My Tripod!

[WNK]

I have a number of tripods (3 to be exact -- one regular mini, one flexy-leg mini, and one regular). I really wanted to use them for my huge zoom lens, but the the two smaller ones don't seem to be strong enough for my bulky lens... it just bends forward and points straight down. Any advice/tips/help on getting it to hold steady? Anything I can use to "prop up" the lens or reinforce the tripod so that it will hold the weight?

Thanks in advance!

 

[EOS_JD]

No - you really need a new tripod!

I found this with my cheap tripod and a standard 17-35 Tamron lens (which is not very heavy).

Ended up buying the Manfrotto (Bogen) 055 ProB and a 486RC4 head.

Superb in use and I can get my 20D with grip, flash and a 70-200 f2.8 IS on it with no problems

So buy a decent one and you'll enjoy using it.

 

[MPowerM3]

If your lens support it you can use a ring on the lens and mount the tripod to that. Or drop some serious coin on a new tripod!

 

[Funky]

i always go on the fact, if i can lean on it without the legs bending ill buy it.

 

[SaSi]

I have seen good tripods rated for ultra heavy weights that seem to suffer when combined with a heavy zoom.

The laws of physics cannot be ignored and mounting a 3kg camera+lens combo on a 3kg tripod can be very costly. The center of mass is pretty high always (camera and head are on top) with the tiny tripod legs amounting to a very little amount of mass.

Heavy, ugly and large tripods are made so for a purpose. So that your expensive camera and lens is safe.

 

[WNK]

Thanks for the feedback... I guess I'll have to lug my massive tripod around when I want to use my zoom lens. Oh well!

 

[The_Traveler]

It is probably the head that is slipping.
If your tripod has a detachable head you can just buy a new head.