[360 Photography]

I am a surf photographer using an EF600mm setup on a Monfrotto 058 Triaut tripod to give me the elevation to shot whilst standing on a small step ladder. It works brilliantly as I can set up at ground level, get up the steps and then hoist the kit up to my level using the mechanism that releases all three legs at once.

The problem is that it is made of steel and it is hard to stop the rust with all of the salt around, it is also pretty heavy to carry around some of the cliffs that I have to climb over to get interesting angles.

My current tripod is on its last legs (excuse the pun!), I have been looking around to see if there is a carbon fibre tripod with similar functionality and have drawn a blank. I just thought I would ask the question hoping that someone might have a great alternative solution!

I also need a new head. Does anyone have any experience with the Jobu Black Widow, Wimberely or the Kirk King Cobra set ups?

[360 Photography]

After much research, and no other sugestions, I have opted to replace the 058 with another 058! I am going to experiment with a twin camera set up on the one tripod, one with a EF600 and the other with a 100-400 lens mounted on the Manfrotto 131DD bar. I will let you know how I get on.

[stepheno]

Interesting posts and a very specific setup you need there. I can't offer any recommendations I'm afraid but..surely that's a lot of weight for one tripod? Two cams, a 600mm and a 100-400

[360 Photography]

Yes it will be interesting to see how I get on, hopefully the the bits will arrive today. My problem is that at certain beaches I am positioned on a cliff looking across the bay and have surfers on the far side which I shot with the EF600 and a converter and also have surfers almost at my feet which I plan to snap with the 100-400mm.

The 058 is a pretty stable tripod so I think that it will cope and the idea with the bar is that you can slide it so that it is off centre leaving the 600 close to the tripod and the 100-400 counter balancing it on the other side.

It sounds great in theory - I will let you know how I get on!

[stepheno]

Wishing you luck. Hope the whole kaboodle doesn't fall over the side.