[andy153]

By Don - "I think the key thing to look for is a tripod at least as stable as the Manfrotto 055 you mention, and it should have a centre column that can be set to the horizontal position. Current workshop project is to do this for my version of the 055 that does not feature this."

Don - my 055 MF 4 Mag fiber does have the ability to use its centre column horizontally.

All my supports, 3 Manfrotto tripods - 055V; 055MF4; 058; and a Manfrotto Monopod - 679; have had their heads replaced with Arca Swiss Heads- one Acratech, one Arca Swiss B1, two Markins. And all lenses that require support have Arca Swiss plates on, I also use Kirk L Brackets on each camera body.