I need your Tripod suggestions please!

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro for Sony Alpha/Konica Minolta

04/17/2008 11:47:19 AM · #26

At first I was turned off about the ball-heads, but after knocking into the handle on my current tripod trying to line up a shot.... I wasn't sure if ball-heads were able to pan but it seems at least some can. I like that those bohens have replacable heads like my brothers old tripod, so I could always get two heads for different tasks. Though those counter-springs on the first suggested seem nice for macro work since I usually want to move the camera so little and the weight is fighting to pull it down with the large lens. :)

JonathanJ

Sony DSLR-A700

04/17/2008 01:17:20 PM · #27

Yes, both the 488RC2 and 488RC4 head allow panning, it is a pretty smooth action.
I haven't played as much with the 3 handle type, although they do look good if you need to make fine adjustments for macro work.

For the type of shooting I do (landscapes, sports, portraits) the ball head works well and lets me change fairly quickly.
I was also reading about the pistol grip type head which looked interesting, not sure how they work in practice.

JJ

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

04/17/2008 01:50:11 PM · #28

Originally posted by togtog:

Awesome, if the tripod is fully extended and a line is drawn between the two feet how far past that line can the column be extended? :)

Depends on the weight on the end of the arm. The most conservative response is that the arm should not project beyond the line drawn between the two legs which the arm is projecting between. No amount of weight will cause tipping in this scenario, however with large weights placed close to the line, you may find that it doesn't take much side force on the top of the 'pod to start it tipping, and weighting the 'pod is a good idea.
What I do is to hang my camera bag over the tripod, letting the bag dangle in the center. That's more than enough weight to provide stability in almost any scenario.
A comment regarding the Bogen/Manfrotto quick-release options: The RC4 system is much more stable than the RC2. I switched, and I will not go back. The one disadvantage is that the plate that attaches to camera or lens is larger. I have not found this to be an issue of any consequence.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

04/18/2008 08:22:03 PM · #29

I actually did manage to find a small store that sells the Manfrotto tripods. The prices are a lot higher however I got to play with one, I have a question about it. Is it normal for the leg sections to be very loose when extending and colapsing the legs. It kinda felt like it was going to fall apart in my hands. The center column flip is cool but again seemed very loose. So is that... normal?

Moose408

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

04/18/2008 09:16:10 PM · #30

Originally posted by metatate:

Slik 700DX is great (and on special). It's pretty hefty but any time you get a decent head on any of these things is gonna be heavy. Check out the reviews from others on this thing if you're interested.

I have the next model down, the Slik 340DX, it only supports 8 lbs as opposed to 15lbs. I too had a cheap Walmart tripod before going to the Slik and it is amazing how much difference a good tripod makes.

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro for Sony Alpha/Konica Minolta

04/21/2008 11:32:05 PM · #31

About the Manfrotto tripods. I need to know something, are the leg sections supposed to be very loose feeling and twist freely when not locked? The ones I tried at the local store were like that and it made it feel very badly built, I'm used to things having a bit more friction when not locked.

JonathanJ

Sony DSLR-A700

04/22/2008 12:10:14 PM · #32

I know what you mean, the bottom section of the legs is pretty loose when it's not locked, the middle section has more friction but the whole thing feels very solid once its locked.

I'm not sure if the looseness is intentional, but it can be useful if you are trying to adjust it to level on the side of a hill or something, can just sort of slide it up and down until you get the little air bubble level.

Just remembered one other thing to mention and that is that I would recommend a head with quick release plates, I hadn't used them before my current tripod but they are brilliant, makes it so easy to go from locked on the tripod to carrying it around again.

JJ

manish

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

04/22/2008 12:25:11 PM · #33

I just bought Manfrotto 055PROBwith 486 RC2 head a few weeks back and have used it on all kinds of terrains and weather for a week long shoot. I am highly impressed by its quality and the amount of flexibility it offers. You can have a look at this combo which surely is good value for money

Neil

Fujifilm X-T30

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

04/22/2008 01:15:33 PM · #34

Originally posted by hopper:

my wife uses this setup ... $115 ... works great

or you could go the route i did and just wait for B&H used stuff ... i have the 3001Bpro legs and 486 ballhead for cheap ... but you have to check B&H every day and just wait for something good.

I have this tripod as well. (Bogen-Manfrotto 725B Digi Tripod with Integrated Ball Head with Dove Tail Plate and Carrying Bag -- paid $113 w/free shipping from Amazon)

It's nice and tall. It's very sturdy. It's very lightweight, almost as lightweight as going with Carbon. It's inexpensive. It's compact--I can carry it INSIDE my regular backpack (with my jacket, not other equipment, and it just fits)

The only downsides: 1) you can't change the head, and 2) it doesn't go extremely low to the ground (or tilt the column).

I highly recommend it if you don't need the tilt, and you are happy with a ballhead. (The ballhead works very well with my Nikon D80 and 18-200 lens). (In other words, not only moves smoothly but locks.) Oh, and it has a quick release, similar to that on other Manfrotto tripods.

Message edited by author 2008-04-22 13:18:26.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

05/05/2008 01:34:08 PM · #35

Hi again,

I'm still in the market for a tripod, waiting to save up enough cash lol. Anyway I have a new, problem, discovery about my camera use that I need to resolve before I get a system. As I said before price is a very important factor and I would not like to exceed $200-250.

I take both landscapes and macro shots. For macro shots my current 3-way head with long handle has... been tolerable. It gives enough control that the camera doesn't get away from me, and lets me lock the directions I already have set. I don't think I would get this sort of control from a ball-head, in fact I am sure I would not.

On the other hand, the other day I was trying to take a picture of a sunrise, only to keep knocking into the handle when trying to look through the viewfinder, for this situation I eventually had to reverse the camera on the head with the handle in front, it worked but looked stupid and was awkward. I imagine a ball-head would be ideal for this sort of work by staying out of the way.

I am also aware of geared heads, which seem to be the best of both worlds, remaining compact but giving exact control. However the cheapest at $206 means I only would have $45 for my tripod budget.

So I am looking for ideas about how to work this out, I could get two heads, a ball and 3-way but then the price jumps again, so I might as well get a geared head. Or are there 3-ways that are less, in my face that I might be able to use.

The camera is usually at eye-height. This is my first SLR, am I using the tripod/viewfinder incorrectly? It would be nice if it was user error in this case. :)

Thanks a bunch again!

outafocus

Nikon D70s

05/05/2008 02:15:33 PM · #36

i just bought a decent tripod. Dynatran AT-858BL pretty sturdy with quick release plate and grip action ball pan-head
i got it at amvona.com price range is right in your ballpark
$134 plus shipping
here is the link : DynatTran Tripod Model AT-858BL

Message edited by author 2008-05-05 14:33:05.

smichener

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

05/05/2008 03:10:00 PM · #37

I picked up this tripodin the fall and I love it. I enjoy shooting landscapes and wanted a tripod that I would actually use. I figure if it's too heavy I won't carry it and if I don't carry it I won't use it, so for me I wanted something sturdy but not too bulky or heavy. This fits the bill. Despite it's size and light weight it is very sturdy, and flexible. I'm 6'3" and without the extension tubes up I can look through the viewfinder comfortably. This tripod can also get down to 7" above ground.