Just like a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, a camera is only as stable as the most unstable part of its support. You've mentioned the Manfrotto 055B legs - a decent set. The lens mount to the camera is not a point of instability, nor is the tripod ring to lens coupling likely to be one. You mention a pan & tilt head - what brand and model, and what's its rated capacity? The 7D + 70-200mm f/2.8 is a reasonably heavy combo. Also, what (if any) quick-release system?
Head is an 804RC2, which claims to be rated for over 8.5 lbs. Lens+body combo comes out to (back of envelope) a little over 5 lbs.
Despite the near-omnipresent rants about the smoothness of the head's adjustments in Internet reviews, it would seem up to the task... although now I do recognize it's the most "economical" element of the setup and might be due for replacement.
I think we probably found your "weak link." It's not so much the head's load capacity, although you're getting close to it with the 7D/70-200 2.8 IS/TC combo, it's the quality of the parts. Low end consumer gear really can't be expected to produce professional, tack-sharp images outdoors unless conditions are quite still...
Originally Posted by canoli
So for someone who's not fond of ball heads, and also not ready to drop 1600 on that sexy gitzo geared machine... does anyone think a wimberly (or equivalent) gimbal is going to present any horrible user experience on a less-than-300mm lens for a photographer expecting to upgrade focal length within a few months?
I'd really prefer to avoid buying heads when I could be buying glass.
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