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04/13/2007 01:57:07 PM · #1 |
I've used Manfrotto equipment for a loong time now,
but it's heavy and for ohe reason or another,
I can't carry it around any more.
Anybody have ideas on a really sturdy lightweight tripod that
will support my nice Bigma? |
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04/13/2007 02:02:48 PM · #2 |
You might have to go to a carbon fibre tripod. They are lightweight but pricey.
Manfrotto makes a few. There's probably a carbon fibre version of the one you're using now. |
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04/13/2007 02:06:03 PM · #3 |
Light weight=vibration and jitter, especially if there is any wind. The problem is that the support legs are just too flexible. In a studio setting the lighter weight tripods can be effective, but that is most likely where you would leave the heavy tripod!
See if you can find a more comfortable means of carrying the Manfrotto, perhaps with a sling or over the shoulder strap. |
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04/13/2007 02:08:21 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by ElGordo:
See if you can find a more comfortable means of carrying the Manfrotto,... |
Look into a Sherpa...
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04/13/2007 02:17:40 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by ElGordo:
Light weight=vibration and jitter, especially if there is any wind. The problem is that the support legs are just too flexible. In a studio setting the lighter weight tripods can be effective, but that is most likely where you would leave the heavy tripod!
See if you can find a more comfortable means of carrying the Manfrotto, perhaps with a sling or over the shoulder strap. |
You're absolutely right,  ElGordo, that's where the nice, sturdy, but heavy Manfrotto is now, in my studio, looking out the window.
Tell me, do you know if the carbon fibre tripods have the vibration and jitters that you describe? (the cheap tripods I once owned demonstrated V & J for sure!)
I have not actually seen a carbon-fibre tripod on action.
The only way I would be able to carry my good Manfrotto in the field now is with wheels of some sort, and that's a pain.
Oh, and DrAchoo, I agree that the services of a Sherpa would be good; afterall the terrain is similar. But yak milk tea might be a problem... |
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04/13/2007 02:27:23 PM · #6 |
Gitzo is amazing. I love it.
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04/13/2007 03:47:57 PM · #7 |
| Yeah, I use a Gitzo Mountaineer. Very lightweight but sturdy. I've never had a problem with vibration in high wind. |
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04/13/2007 04:01:15 PM · #8 |
I use a Bogen / Manfrotto 190MF3 Magfiber Carbon Fiber 3-Section Tripod that weighs around 3.5 pounds. They also make a larger version, the 055 I think.
When I'm in a windy situation I hang my camera bag or even a bag of rocks from the center post. Don't seem to have a vibration problem. |
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04/13/2007 04:07:10 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by Nikolai1024:
Gitzo is amazing. I love it. |
Yes, I was impressed by the weight of it when we were in Ithaca! I still want to buy something like it. Which model was it? |
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04/13/2007 04:08:55 PM · #10 |
| OMG â€Â¦ I checked out Gitzo's on Amazon â€Â¦ we're talkin' 300-800 $$$ ???? wowsers! |
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04/13/2007 04:30:23 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by nshapiro:
Originally posted by Nikolai1024:
Gitzo is amazing. I love it. |
Yes, I was impressed by the weight of it when we were in Ithaca! I still want to buy something like it. Which model was it? |
I think it is this one:
//www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=7006&A=details&Q=&sku=408476&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation
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04/13/2007 05:25:04 PM · #12 |
This one looks interesting for those on a budget:
Load Capacity: 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg)
Head Attachment Fitting: 1/4"-20 & 3/8" (reversible stud)
Maximum Height: 55.9" (142.0 cm)
Maximum Height w/o Column Extended: 46.6" (118.4 cm)
Minimum Height: 12.2" (31.0 cm)
Folded Length: 21.3" (54.1 cm)
Weight: 2.2 lbs (1.020 g)
Legs Material: Carbon fiber
Leg Stages/Sections: 2/3
Leg Lock Type: Twist
Independent Leg Spread: Yes
Spiked/Retractable Feet: Yes
Center Brace: No
Center Column Type: Sliding
Center Column Sections: 1
Message edited by author 2007-04-13 17:26:41. |
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04/13/2007 05:50:00 PM · #13 |
Oh,Wow. This is excellent information. I'm really
impressed by the low weight of some of the 'good' tripod brands.
Many thanks for all these on=target suggestions. |
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04/14/2007 12:28:21 PM · #14 |
I wanted to mention Benro as well. They're just like Gitzo's but lots and LOTS cheaper.
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04/29/2007 03:56:08 PM · #15 |
Just a follow-up on my question of a few weeks ago. I looked carefully at all the specifications. They all looked pretty darned good. Then I looked at the portfolios of the folks who used them. They all looked pretty darn good too.
I finally went with the Manfrotto pictured here and treated myself to the nice new head too.
My "old" and heavy tripod is Manfrotto and I guess I just wanted to keep the familiar feel.
A windsurfing friend of mine whose mast contains quite a bit of this material did give me the clue that I should be very careful with my new tripod. Seems they break/fracture easily so it would n't be nice to drop it. Since there's usually a camera at the end of it, that would be double trouble.
Again, thanks everyone for your suggestions. I do appreciate them.
Alice |
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04/29/2007 04:23:41 PM · #16 |
| i have those same legs.. except an mf4 tripod - 4 sections instead of 3. I carry it around all the time and am pretty happy with it. |
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04/29/2007 08:01:34 PM · #17 |
Benros are cheap, but they're not 'just like' Gitzos. Gitzo actually spends time engineering their tripods and using the best materials they can, and Benro copies them and uses whatever they can find to bring their price down. The leg spiders are a lot sturdier on the Gitzo ones, and they use better carbon fiber which absorbs vibrations better and should last longer.
Still, if you're not going to be using it in harsh conditions every day, it might not be worth the extra money, since a Benro will do just fine if you shoot in moderate temperatures where nothing's going to melt or crack, and low winds where there aren't many vibrations.
I shoot with a low end Manfrotto (724B) because it's all I can afford, and it is pretty light (probably about the same as a G1540 and an RRS BH-25, but 1/7th of the price), but it's not sturdy enough for a heavy setup and not ideal in wind. It's also not tall enough for me to use without either bending over, or raising the center column which reduces the stability a little. |
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04/29/2007 08:07:36 PM · #18 |
Originally posted by jbsmithana:
I use a Bogen / Manfrotto 190MF3 Magfiber Carbon Fiber 3-Section Tripod that weighs around 3.5 pounds. They also make a larger version, the 055 I think.
When I'm in a windy situation I hang my camera bag or even a bag of rocks from the center post. Don't seem to have a vibration problem. |
I think this is an excellent idea. Light weight tripod and if your out and about take a bag with you that you could pop some weight/s into such as rocks or dirt or something. Is there a more professional version of this idea. |
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