Best tripod for entry bird photography?

[Dave Throgmartin]

How much safety factor do you usually recommend versus manufacturers specifications for how much weight a tripod or monopod can handle? 2X? 3X?

Thanks
Dave

[HDNitehawk]

How much safety factor do you usually recommend versus manufacturers specifications for how much weight a tripod or monopod can handle? 2X? 3X?

Thanks
Dave

You know it is not just safety, it is stability as well. At 2x with a telephoto lens on my Gitzo 2550XQR that is rated at 11 pounds I still get a bit of creep when setting it. If you tap the lens you might get some vibration, of course I use it at odd angles for macro and it is not a ballhead.
I have a cheaper tripod and head that is rated about 2x and it performs about the same. When I am using it with a shutter release for macro, I even whatch how I hold the cord of the release. I have found that even the movement of the cord can cause vibration and you get some blurr.

The higher rating you get the less problem you should have with vibration and movement. You said you wanted something light to hike with, so it may be a compromise for you. Going 3X or more is adding weight usually. If I had to carry something for hours on end I would tend to go for a smaller tripod and just be aware of its frailty.

Personally I wouldn't go less than 2x the weight I intend to hold. At 2x I would be aware of any vibration and movement I am getting so I can compensate.