Tripod recommendations.

Posted by Lisa Trefry on the Big Photo Hunt community board.

I'd love some advice from those of you who photograph wildlife regularly.

I'm currently using a Manfrotto Befree Advanced with an MH494 ball head, paired with a Nikon D750 and a Tamron 150-600.

I've realized my biggest frustration isn't the tripod itself—it's the ball head. When I'm photographing birds or wildlife, I find myself constantly loosening it, having the camera flop, tightening it again, readjusting, and often missing the shot. I also find it difficult to smoothly track moving subjects.

Most of my photography is birds and wildlife around Massachusetts, my backyard bird setup, and wildlife trips. Upcoming trips include Alaska, and hopefully Katmai and Grand Teton in the future.

I'm looking for a setup that is easy to use, stable, and allows me to smoothly follow moving wildlife.

I'm also seriously considering switching to a mirrorless system within the next year, so I'd love recommendations that would work well with both my current DSLR and a future mirrorless setup.

For those of you with experience:

- Do you prefer a fluid head or a gimbal for this type of photography, and why? - What tripod and head are you using? - If you were buying today, would you buy the same setup again? - Is there anything you wish you had known before making your purchase?

I'd really appreciate hearing about your real-world experiences. Thank you!