In no way do I think you're having a go - I very much appreciate all the comments.

Today I took my K10d + 1.4x TC + 70-200mm F2.8 siggy which is a bit lighter and shorter than my new 400mm f4. I just didn't find anything there seemed to make things that stable when zoomed into 300mm. I can only imagine how you're feeling with the F* lens (I almost put an offer on that when I saw it!)

So how do people normally brace long lenses other than a £600 tripod. I'm coming around to the fact that I'll need to spend a bit on a tripod, boo hiss

Just came bak from jessops and found that the problem is the head. Even with the manfrotto there was quite a bit of wobble in the eye piece.

So ignoring other requirements what is a very sturdy tripod for long glass?

How's the iq on that bad boy, and what are the specs / make?

Well I'm happy to go without light now. I'd care less if the tripod weighed 5kg so long as it was cheapish and very stable.

I'll probably go out and take a look at a few today and see what I'm thinking. Thanks all!

Odd - just realized I didn't hit add comment so my post disappeared! Whoops! It's really been one of those weeks of misplacing things.

I found the tripod and tried it out with my camera and 70-200mm f2.8 siggy, however being one of those days I couldn't find the lens collar to mount the tripod to the lens. Thus I was trying it with mounting at the body and it really wasn't that stable. I could visually see lens motion even after using a 2 second delay timer prior to taking an image. The tripod seems a bit on the cheap side with no markings on it other than made in china, but I also wonder how much more stable more expensive ones are as just walking on the floor caused enough motion to be seen at the end of the lens. Below is a pic of the tripod, thoughts? I want stable above all else so what's the answer?

I'm a fan of the that range myself - I had (and am selling) the 18-50mm for ages until I spent a fortune on the 16-50mm f2.8 DA* lens. I can highly recommend the sigma at the very least.

LBA is now causing me to sell off my previous favourite lens. I've now got the DA* 16-50mm but wasn't really ready to sell off my siggy until my latest big glass purchase (a lovely 400mm f4).

So... Here is my mint condition with box, and pouch (basically brand new) siggy 18-50mm f2.8 EX DC Macro - reputed as much sharper than the 17-50mm Tamron, and google is saying the cheapest it's available is £318.89. (http://www.google.co.uk/products?q=18-50mm+sigma+f2.8+pentax+ex+dc+macro&hl=en&s... )

Looking to get £235 including all shipping costs to anywhere in the UK. Anyone outside the UK, TBD. Also could possible be interested in random trades if anyone has something they want to propose.

Hrm, I picked up the tripod from the friend prior to leaving for Canada and on my return it's nowhere to be found. Where'd I put it damnit!?

In terms of what my requirements are: Cost and stability are primary. I'll put up with a bunch of weight so that it's cheaper.

How would this one be: http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/77485/show.html it's on sale and it's a 4kg load. There is also a manfrotto carbon fibre tripod + case on sale at jessops but it's 130 quid which seems a bit excessive to me.

Looks like it's in good nick and at a good price if you needed this sort of thing. If I didn't just buy some long glass I might have considered this.

On further thought - big isn't really that much of a requirement. I also just got offered a free tripod from a friend but have to pick it up next week. I'm betting it won't be the best, but thanks all for the suggestions!

I'll report back when I get the free one and then figure out if I need more after that. It does have me wondering if it is possible to use tripod legs with a different head... Guess I have to see what make it is.