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09/20/2005 07:38:20 PM · #1			 | 
		
		I'm ready to trash this $15 Best-Buy no-name tripod. Let's get a manfrotto!
 
 Any suggestions? Anything you love/hate in a tripod? What's the best tripod for the price?
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09/20/2005 07:39:27 PM · #2			 | 
		
		I'm very happy with my 3021BPRO.  It does everything a great tripod should do and i think it's about $150.  You will need to choose a head to go with it that suits your own style and needs...
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09/20/2005 07:56:45 PM · #3			 | 
		
		Originally posted by jmsetzler:   I'm very happy with my 3021BPRO.  It does everything a great tripod should do and i think it's about $150.  You will need to choose a head to go with it that suits your own style and needs...  |   
 
 I second the vote for that exact tripod.  I will have this tripod until I'm 80...
 
 For the head, I got the 322RC2 or something like that. |  
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09/20/2005 08:48:27 PM · #4			 | 
		
		Originally posted by jmsetzler:   I'm very happy with my 3021BPRO.  It does everything a great tripod should do and i think it's about $150.  You will need to choose a head to go with it that suits your own style and needs...  |   
 
 Well, I have to agree.  I also have the 3021BPRO with the 322RC2 head.  Grouped as a kit here. 
 
 This set-up has not disappointed me.
 
 JV |  
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09/20/2005 09:06:18 PM · #5			 | 
		
		Originally posted by thatcloudthere:   Originally posted by jmsetzler:   I'm very happy with my 3021BPRO.  It does everything a great tripod should do and i think it's about $150.  You will need to choose a head to go with it that suits your own style and needs...  |   
 
 I second the vote for that exact tripod.  I will have this tripod until I'm 80...
 
 For the head, I got the 322RC2 or something like that.  |   
 
 I also use this tripod. you can't go wrong with it. Strong and able to go high enough for me to use without being hunched over. Gotta love it.
 
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09/20/2005 09:29:38 PM · #6			 | 
		
		| one of my requirements for my tripod head was that it had a level in it to measure both front-to-back and left-to-right level.  the one i settled on has a bubble level that does both.  that was pretty important to me, especially because i chose a ball head. |  
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09/20/2005 10:06:29 PM · #7			 | 
		
		Originally posted by muckpond:   one of my requirements for my tripod head was that it had a level in it to measure both front-to-back and left-to-right level.  the one i settled on has a bubble level that does both.  that was pretty important to me, especially because i chose a ball head.  |   
 
 THIS is the perfect solution for that.. i bought one of these and I use it quite a bit.
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09/20/2005 10:07:09 PM · #8			 | 
		
		I'm in the market for a new tripod as well.  I was looking at the vertical version of that grip.  Seems like the horz version would be a little awkward to grab compared to a joystick style vertical.  What do you think?
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09/20/2005 10:17:25 PM · #9			 | 
		
		Originally posted by Kaizen:  
 Well, I have to agree.  I also have the 3021BPRO with the 322RC2 head.  Grouped as a kit here. 
 
 This set-up has not disappointed me.
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 I agree with this tripod as well and love it, but I choose the 3265 grip ballhead. I just liked the feel of the vertical joystick-style head. It also felt more solid to me than the 322RC2 even though that one is rated stronger.
 
 Edit: Neil, I got sidetracked at B+H while typing this (so easy to do). You're right about the vertical joystick, that's why I got it. Try them both out for fun and see how they feel.
  Message edited by author 2005-09-20 22:23:18. |  
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09/20/2005 10:20:24 PM · #10			 | 
		
		The 322 has some issues moutning a lens on the pod with a canon body and a battery grip.. there are some 'space' issues.
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09/20/2005 10:26:39 PM · #11			 | 
		
		Originally posted by jmsetzler:   The 322 has some issues moutning a lens on the pod with a canon body and a battery grip.. there are some 'space' issues.  |   
 
 Same thing with the 3265. Kind of a pain in the a$$ to take the grip off the camera just to mount the camera properly. Kind of defeats the whole quick-release idea. I wish they would make a spacer for the q/r plate. |  
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09/20/2005 10:39:20 PM · #12			 | 
		
		Originally posted by Kaizen:   I also have the 3021BPRO with the 322RC2 head.  Grouped as a kit here. 
 
 This set-up has not disappointed me.
 
 JV  |   
 
 good to hear this about this set up, this kit has been on my wish list at B&H for about 2 weeks now. Just have to wait a few more weeks before I can buy it plus a LOT of other goodies
 
 James |  
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09/20/2005 10:42:38 PM · #13			 | 
		
		Originally posted by jmsetzler:   The 322 has some issues moutning a lens on the pod with a canon body and a battery grip.. there are some 'space' issues.  |   
 
 do you mean like using the lens ring collar dealy where you mount the lens to the pod and not the camera on the pod? 
 
 if so I may have to rethink my future purchase of this set up
 
 James |  
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09/20/2005 10:45:38 PM · #14			 | 
		
		| i have a manfrotto 3021Pro with a 488rc2 midi ball head and it flat out rocks!  the ball head has a panning lock.  the whole rig will support 15-17 lbs.  heavy, but very, very sturdy.  it runs about $250+, and pound-for-pound, it's worth it in the long run. |  
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09/20/2005 10:46:38 PM · #15			 | 
		
		3021Pro Manfrotto here with 3-way 3030 head. No complaints whatsoever.
 
 R.
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09/20/2005 10:47:40 PM · #16			 | 
		
		| This is a great set up: 3021/3030  for $199.95.  Although you may want to go for a different head. |  
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09/21/2005 05:25:27 PM · #17			 | 
		
		Thanks guys, any more suggestions? That one looks really nice, I'm tempted!
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09/21/2005 05:37:54 PM · #18			 | 
		
		Originally posted by Plexxoid:   Thanks guys, any more suggestions? That one looks really nice, I'm tempted!  |   
 
 Looks fine if you like ballheads. I don't. But I photograph stationary scenes almost exclusively. I get much more control with a 3-way head. If you're trying to react to flowing variables, then a ballhead is the way to go. With a 3-way you can square up your planes and still pan or tilt without losing the set orientation.
 
 On the other hand, when I'm shooting a seascape and I see a gull flying by, I have 3 separate controls to loosen up before I can track it :-) But when I'm planning on stuff like that, I handhold....
 
 Robt.
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09/21/2005 06:33:18 PM · #19			 | 
		
		Originally posted by Telehubbie:   Originally posted by Kaizen:  
 Well, I have to agree.  I also have the 3021BPRO with the 322RC2 head.  Grouped as a kit here. 
 
 This set-up has not disappointed me.
  |   
 
 I agree with this tripod as well and love it, but I choose the 3265 grip ballhead. I just liked the feel of the vertical joystick-style head. It also felt more solid to me than the 322RC2 even though that one is rated stronger.
 
 Edit: Neil, I got sidetracked at B+H while typing this (so easy to do). You're right about the vertical joystick, that's why I got it. Try them both out for fun and see how they feel.  |   
 
 As long as you're not opposed to using an Alan wrench on a couple of bolts you can reposition the grip on the 322RC2 from the default right-handed configuration to a vertical or left-handed orientation. The Alan wrench and instructions for making the conversion come with the 322RC2.
 
 As you may have guessed, I too own (and love) the 322RC2 ball head, but it's attached to a Gitzo  Explorer 2220, which I fully expect to be using in 30+ years. The reason that I chose this tripod is because of the huge flexibility afforded by the rapid column and the independently locking legs. At $250 this tripod is more expensive than the 3021BPRO, but it was well worth the extra money to me.
 
 (edit to fix quote)
  Message edited by author 2005-09-21 18:35:55. |  
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09/21/2005 07:26:41 PM · #20			 | 
		
		I have the Manfrotto #390 Junior Manfrotto. It's sturdy and well constructed with aluminum legs and cast metal head/plate.  It has a reversible center-post, which I like. It's also nice and light for hiking and what not.  It was under $150.00 CAD.  However, I don't like that the head isn't removable and hence can't be replaced with a pistol grip or panning head. It doesn't have a level bubble either.
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09/21/2005 07:29:52 PM · #21			 | 
		
		Originally posted by jmsetzler:   Originally posted by muckpond:   one of my requirements for my tripod head was that it had a level in it to measure both front-to-back and left-to-right level.  the one i settled on has a bubble level that does both.  that was pretty important to me, especially because i chose a ball head.  |   
 
 THIS is the perfect solution for that.. i bought one of these and I use it quite a bit.  |   
 
 I just use a line level and it only costs a couple of bucks at the hardware store.  Not quite so convenient but it works none the less.
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09/22/2005 03:55:13 PM · #22			 | 
		
		I also use the 3021pro.  My head choice is the 488RC2.
 
 sp edit
  Message edited by author 2005-09-22 15:55:48.
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09/22/2005 04:28:32 PM · #23			 | 
		
		3021 pro w/ 322 grip.
 
 The only issue with the 322 and the10D/20D grip has to do with not being able to open the battery door on the grip while the QR plate is installed. Not really a big deal. Also, you can easily configure the 322 with the grip on the left or right sides and also set it up as a vertical grip.
 
 IMO, it's the best of the lot.
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09/22/2005 06:00:58 PM · #24			 | 
		
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