When the time comes, a rock solid tripod is worth its weight in gold! For a lot of purposes such as wildlife, action or bird photography, this couldn’t be more true.
All of these photographic styles call for using telephoto lenses which requires a tripod with a high load capacity. Not to mentioned that it should also be lightweight to travel with plus incredibly strong.
Recently I picked up a Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 for my Canon 70D as I wanted todo some bird photography. But then I begged the question… What are the best tripods for 600mm lens? Well after a lot of digging and some thorough testing, I have come up with some great picks!
But first…
How I Found The Best Tripods For 600mm Lenses
Upon researching the best tripods for this list, I wanted to first see what was needed from a tripod for a larger telephoto lens. So here is a checklist that I made before adding any lens to my list. This allowed me to find the most suitable products within a respectable budget.
- Load capacity: For me this was very important as a telephoto, large zooms and super lenses can range from 6lbs-12lbs, not to mentioned the weight of the camera! So having a tripod that can handle all this weight confidently was a must!
- Tripod head mount: Most telephoto lenses mount to the tripod with an integrated foot which made me opt for tripods without a included head. This saves money as I can choose a dedicated ball or gimbal head.
- Stability: While a tripod might have a high max load capacity, it unfortunately doesn’t always mean that its stable. So I found tripods that are incredibly stable and are made out of stainless steel or carbon fiber.
- Portability: As photographers, we like to go out on location which could be a mountain range, stadium, lake and the list goes on. So having a tripod that can travel with us is a must.
- Price: While price is definitely important, I didn’t let it deter me from the more pricey models. However I have found some good options for all budgets.
Ok, lets get stuck in!
Top 3 Best Tripods For 400, 500 & 600mm Lenses
1. Induro CLT304L Carbon Fiber Tripod (Best For Value & Performance)
Induro CLT304L Carbon Fiber Tripod Specifications
Weight: 4.74 lbs
Collapsed Height: 23.23″
Extended Height: 69.29″
Maximum Load: 44.09 lbs
Price: Click here to find latest price
Induro CLT304L Carbon Fiber Tripod Review
First up on my list of the best tripods for 600mm lens is the Induro CLT304L. For me, this tripod struck a great balance between being incredibly useful for my bird photography without breaking the bank.
Fast forward 6 months and I have been very happy with this unit to date. It’s max load capacity of 44.09lbs is more than enough to hold my Sigma 150-600mm lens plus the Canon 70D. I would also go as far to say that this could easily handle a full frame camera with an even larger lens.
Overall I was very pleased with this Induro tripod and always pack it with my gear when going to location. Currently I using this with a gimbal head which is a lot of fun! This tripod comes highly recommended!
2. Sirui W-2204 Carbon Fiber Tripod
Sirui W-2204 Carbon Fiber Tripod Specifications
Weight: 3.7 lbs
Collapsed Height: 20.5″
Extended Height: 70.9″
Maximum Load: 39.7 lbs
Price: Click here to find latest price
Sirui W-2204 Carbon Fiber Tripod Review
Moving onto the next tripod on my list is the Sirui W-2204 carbon fiber tripod/monopod combo. Sirui is a relatively new brand which I have really come to love. I have used several of their more affordable tripods and monopods which they are known for.
While I did find that this tripod was less stable than the Induro. It was still more than adequate for my Sigma lens and any other lens around the 5-8lb weight. Just be wary when using a heavier lens/camera combo.
As for the head, I opted for a Movo GH800 gimbal head with an arca-swiss plate which allowed me to manoeuvre incredibly quick! Overall this tripod was a joy to use and is ideal for a bird/wildlife photographers on a budget. A must have!
3. Gitzo GT3542XLS Series Tripod
Gitzo GT3542XLS Series Tripod Specifications
Weight: 4.89 lbs
Collapsed Height: 28.39″
Extended Height: 78.94″
Maximum Load: 45 lbs
Price: Click here to find latest price
Gitzo GT3542XLS Series Tripod Review
Last but not least only my best tripods for 600mm lens list is the mighty and verryyy expensive Gitzo GT3542XLS. Gitzo is considered the Cadillac of tripods amongst professional photographers, and as you might have guessed, they come with a hefty price tag! This particular tripod costs more than my camera :O.
While I didn’t purchase this tripod, I have used it on several occasions when going to bird photographer meet ups. After using this tripod with a Canon 600mm f/4 lens, I can see why they are worth so much.
While this tripod was way out of my budget, it was outstanding to use and hopefully one day I can get one for myself! This is also a great contender as one of the best tripods for heavy lenses.
Final Thoughts
After using all of the above tripods, I would have to say that the Induro CLT304L was my favourite and is the most accessible for photographers. While I have only used it for bird and wildlife photography, I can see it be used for action and even sports photography. You can also check out my guide on the best monopods to learn more.