Ok all,


I have researched some tripods and heads and I have a question:


What is the number behind weight rating?


What I'm asking is this: If a tripod is rated to 15 lbs, can it hold 15 lbs of equipment? Can that said tripod hold an 800 5.6 IS lens and 1D body? I'm aware the answer to that question is obviously no. But then if it can't hold 15 lbs, what is "rated to 15 lbs" supposed to mean? ugh... So, To what extent is weight rating deceptive?


thanks in advance for your help in shedding some light [I] on this for me.


brendan