Tripod Recommendation - DPChallenge Forums

03/02/2004 09:14:27 PM · #1

I'm looking for a new tripod.

I would like to find one like the old one I have (No longer manufactured).

The center column will pivot towards the ground for shooting ground level macros. Instead of the newer reversible columns.

Anyone know what makes and models I can look at?

Message edited by author 2004-03-04 00:30:50.

03/02/2004 09:31:53 PM · #2

Calvus,

Not exactly sure how your current one works, but the Bogen Manfrotto 3021Pro (aka 055Pro [silver] and 055ProB [black]) has an option where the center column goes horizontal as well as vertical and reverse vertical. You will see it in April. With it horizontal and the legs spread wide, you can get within mm of your subject. (approx. $130 US)

Regards,

Flash

Message edited by author 2004-03-03 12:56:24.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

03/03/2004 07:43:00 PM · #3

Well I went an bought the following today:

Giottos MT9160 with pivoting column and balance bubble
Manfrotto 3030 Pan Head with quick release
Tokina AF 80-400mm F4.5-5.6 lens
(The pro recommended this lens over the Canon 70-300mm F4-5.6 USM IS
He said it would work better with the 2x converter besides that I had 400mm straight out without the converter.)
(If I do not like it I can take it back and exchange it)
Kenko AF 2x Teleplus MC7 conversion lens
Canon Timer Remote controller
Canon off shoe cord kit
Spyder calibration unit
ND filters (2) 58mm
UV filter 72mm Circlular
Polarizer 72mm

I love this tripod!
A little on the heavy side but I have a lighter one I can use also.

Message edited by author 2004-03-03 19:49:06.

EddyG

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

03/03/2004 08:21:35 PM · #4

Just out of curiosity, are you only planning on using the 2X converter in manual-focus mode?

The 10D will only auto-focus with lenses that have a maximum aperture of f/5.6 and larger (smaller f-number). Adding a 2XTC to that Tokina lens will mean your effective largest aperture is somewhere between f/9 and f/11! You'll need to be shooting at some pretty high ISOs, using some longish exposure times or shooting in bright sunlight... and even then, your viewfinder is going to be quite dim.

FYI: Lens Performance Survey for Canon-compatible xx-400mm lenses and Canon-compatible xx-300mm lenses

The Tokina 100-300/f4 AT-X II is a much higher rated lens than the 80-400, and with a 1.4X teleconverter, would still be able to autofocus on a 10D...

Message edited by author 2004-03-03 20:22:08.

03/03/2004 09:20:22 PM · #5

I did some test shots this evening around sunset with the Tokina lens and the 2x adapter. Cloudy and raining here.

The photos were mostly shooting at 1/60th of a second which is what I whould expect for this lens. There was no problem that I could see with auto focusing at the time.

I have no plans of shooting this lens that late in the day. If I do it will be tripod mounted and timed exposures. It will be used mostly for wildlife during the day. I will test it somemore. But I think it will work fine. The large 72mm lens I think helps with light gathering as it did with the Canon 100-400mm Series L USM IS lens I rented.

EddyG

This is not directed to you alone but I have been wanting to mention this:

I was watching a TV show with an interview of a master Photographer.

The question:

What do you get asked most when you are out in the public?

Photgrapher:

I really hate to say it because it just bugs me so!
Everyone keeps asking what equipment you are shooting!
Equipment means nothing today, photographers are putting to much attention on the equipment and not enough on the photographer.

I say I have to agree 100%.

I will learn to make do with what I can afford and not worry about what everyone else is carring in their bag of tricks.

Message edited by author 2004-03-03 21:31:33.

03/03/2004 10:20:25 PM · #6

Calvus,

Can't find the MT9160 on the Giottos web site, however I've heard great things about the product. A couple of the books I have speak highly of this brand.

Ironic that you mention picking up an 80-400. Just today I was looking at an 80-400 Nikkor for the trip to Fossil Rim.

Again congrats on your Fire pics.

Flash

Message edited by author 2004-03-03 22:20:48.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

03/03/2004 10:40:09 PM · #7

Thanks Flash

I will have to test it out and see how I like it.

The little I did use it it was quiet and quick to focus.
It did have somewhat of a hard time when I pointed to a dark brushy area but with the little bit of light there was that is to be expected.

The Canon 100-400mm USM IS Series L lens did the same thing when I rented it.

I don't think I would have been much better off with the Canon 70-300mmm USM IS lens. Other than the little IS help.

Time will tell. As soon as the weather clears up I will get out and test it.

Originally posted by Flash:

EddyG

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

03/03/2004 10:47:50 PM · #8

Sorry if I "offended" you by providing those lens performance links. The combination may indeed work satisfactorily on the 10D because of the 1.6X crop factor, which avoids the edges of the full imaging circle, which are always the most troubling part of any lens.

Regardless, when you finally have a chance to use the combo, I would be very interested in seeing the full EXIF data from a shot taken at full-zoom (400mm) with the 2X TC in-place. I'd also like to see some 100% crops from the center of the shot and another from the corner if it wouldn't be too much trouble.

03/03/2004 10:51:38 PM · #9

Flash

Here are the B&H links:

Giottos MT 9160

Manfrotto 3030 head

Tokina 80-400mm

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

03/03/2004 10:58:51 PM · #10

EddyG

I do not get offended here :) At least not anymore.

That is just somehthing I have wanted to share and I have not been around much lately, I have been busy trying to shoot and improve in my poor man's garage studio :)

Did you catch my studio shots using my son's american muscle cars?
Came out real nice. If I get the time I plan on redoing them again.

I made a light tent and it works great!

I just blew my budget for studio lights with the equipment I just bought :)

My Studio Shots

Edit:

P.S.

I do not put much faith in the test results they post on camera equipment. I worked in Engineering for over 17 yrs and I know numbers can be made to say what they want to say. I prefer to test them myself :)

I read a report on over 200 different lenses and they say it boiled down to buy with the warranty if it is as good as the $1200 lens then buy it. You do not need to buy the high dollar equipment. It is not the equipment that does the spotting and shooting. It is the person holding it. :)

Originally posted by EddyG:

Message edited by author 2004-03-03 23:04:32.

EddyG

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

03/03/2004 11:19:10 PM · #11

Originally posted by Calvus:

Did you catch my studio shots using my son's american muscle cars?

Very nice indeed!

What material are you using on the "floor" to get the mild reflection? Whatever it is, it works great.

One question: what aperture did you use? Perhaps it is the resize down to web-size or perhaps it is simply because it is a model, but the emblem on the front of "Red Viper I" (for example) doesn't seem as clear as say, the black exhaust pipes. Just wondering if it is a DOF issue?

P.S. In terms of the test results I posted links to, those are all based on a simple user survey. The number of survey participants is listed in the last column. So I consider the data to be a bunch of users who did "test it themselves". =]

03/04/2004 09:08:46 AM · #12

Calvus,

Always interested in "Why" people make the choices they do. 2 questions for you are, why did you select the twist lock legs over snap locks and why select a 3 knobbed head over a "ball" style.

The Giottis looks very solid and the included leg pads sure look better than my taped on pipe insulation. The QR (quick release) plate on the 3030 in a strong unit. I have the same plate system on both my mono and tri. The toggle lock is a good security feature.

Enjoy.....eagerly awaiting Fossil Rim.

Flash

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

03/04/2004 09:16:09 AM · #13

Originally posted by Calvus:

I do not put much faith in the test results they post on camera equipment. I worked in Engineering for over 17 yrs and I know numbers can be made to say what they want to say. I prefer to test them myself :)

I read a report on over 200 different lenses and they say it boiled down to buy with the warranty if it is as good as the $1200 lens then buy it. You do not need to buy the high dollar equipment. It is not the equipment that does the spotting and shooting. It is the person holding it. :)

I agree in principle that you are better off testing the kit yourself and finding out what works for you. I think though that the idea that there is no reason to have some of the more robust or better optical equipment is also a decision that has to be left to each individual application.

I've found over time that the quality of the mid range lens that I've been using just aren't good enough for the things I want to do with my pictures - the image quality lets down the overall image, so I'm quite comfortable with my decision in some cases to purchase higher quality equipment.

Back on theme, I got the 3444 Manfrotto Carbon One tripod - which I think is the CF version of the 055 tripod you mentioned. I really like this tripod - real solid and still quite light. I use the snap lock legs over the twist locks and although I got the 3 knobbed tilt head, I think I'm going to change for a decent arca swiss ball head fairly soon. The 3 way adjustable head is a real pain to use for small adjustments though is probably more stable than a ball head.

One thing I didn't like about the 3444 with the normal long center column is that if you spread the legs as wide as they'll go the center column hits the ground - limiting how low you can go without having to remove the center column, or mount it horizontally. I swapped this out for the short center post and it is much better now.

03/04/2004 11:17:35 AM · #14

Gordon,

You spark a point that I've been contemplating (as I await arrival of my D70) on "mid-range" lenses. Although a bit off topic here, I'm still in need of these answers.......Historically I've compensated for f4/5.6 zooms by shooting 400 speed film. As I rarely enlarge past 8x10 it was of no consequence. Soon, however, my D70 will most likely be used at 200 ISO and consequently f5.6's may have a performance impact. Also I see where a couple of lenses that I'm considering acquiring have options of either f2.8-4 or f3.5-4.5. Although I understand the greater light gathering ability of the 2.8 over the 3.5, is it really worth the money difference. If this was strictly a film issue, then I know that I would not even hesitate as my 400 speed would solve it for me. But with digital, is the 2.8 glass MORE of a benifit? I understand that I can select 400 ISO on the digital as well and maybe that is my solution, but from the standpoint of a user who actually has digital SLR experience with "mid-range" lenses, what specifically are you needing that your current stable of lenses prohibits you from getting?

Thanks for the replys.

Flash

03/04/2004 03:37:40 PM · #15

I used the thin poster paper.
It has two sides one glossy and one matte.
I used the side with the matte finish.

The "Red Viper I" was one of the vry first shots. I shot these in manual mode and I noticed that I had the spot metering set to the center only. I have changed it back to all 7 positions now. I have been trying to eliminate one thing after another in these shots :)

I used various settings. The one above was using 28-90mm, 75mm, F8, iso 100. I think I may be getting to close for the lens in addition to the spot metering being set for a previous shot. I have tried the 105mm on some of the shots and I like those also.

The test results are fine. But you have to admit there is going to be a lot of high dollar equipment that leads. Users feel they have to have the very best and they don't. I have to buy what I can afford and what I feel does the job without getting to technically involved. You get to technially involved and the fun is no longer there. Anyone can still take award winning photos with most any equipment if given the right time and place. Heck if I have to get out the slide rule everytime I want to do a shoot you can have it! Look in the magazines there are photos in those that would make some DPC'ers skin crawl. We need to enjoy it and quit getting to technical. Photography is suppose to come from the heart not the wallet.

Like that master photographer said, photographers today are placing to much concern on equipment and not enough on what they are shooting.

I love your comments and suggestions :) Thanks for taking the time. I look forward to more helpful suggestions.

Please do not let my ranting scare you off :)

Originally posted by EddyG:

Originally posted by Calvus:
Did you catch my studio shots using my son's american muscle cars?

Very nice indeed!

What material are you using on the "floor" to get the mild reflection? Whatever it is, it works great.

One question: what aperture did you use? Perhaps it is the resize down to web-size or perhaps it is simply because it is a model, but the emblem on the front of "Red Viper I" (for example) doesn't seem as clear as say, the black exhaust pipes. Just wondering if it is a DOF issue?

P.S. In terms of the test results I posted links to, those are all based on a simple user survey. The number of survey participants is listed in the last column. So I consider the data to be a bunch of users who did "test it themselves". =]

Message edited by author 2004-03-04 20:22:29.

03/04/2004 04:12:15 PM · #16

Flash

My decision was based on the price he offered me.

I was not planning on buying the tripod this time around but when he said he would sell it all to me for $149 I said sold :) Hell I just gave the guy $1000 and he matched the internet prices :)

I wanted it more for my studio. At 6lbs I'm not crazy about lugging it around much :) But it is built like a tank.

I really like the way it works. With the bubble level it is quick to set up. You do not have to turn the adjustments much at all to lower the legs. The three knobbed head is just as nice as the ball I think. I can work two at the same time and be set up in just seconds.

Can not wait for our safari!!

Crabappl3 (Danny) is making up the nice name tags for us :)

Thanks Danny!

Originally posted by Flash:

03/04/2004 05:44:51 PM · #17

Flash

Again it was the cost and what the tripod did that sold me:

I thought I was not going to like the turn type leg locks but they are quick! 1/4 turn and that is all.

With the column pivoted towards the ground it goes so low the camera would not fit. I did not use the last setting for maximum leg spread either as you see in the photo below.

I can use both hands and have this set up in just seconds.

But if you can't chew gum and walk at the same time this may not be for you :) LOL

Message edited by author 2004-03-04 17:46:46.

03/04/2004 05:51:34 PM · #18

Calvus,

Truly....I can't walk and chew gum at the same time:)

Wait til April and you can see for yourself. I've got my eye on a 1000mm Nikkor so I can ride on top of the jeep and not interfere with you serious shooters:):):)

Seriously, the price you got the tri unit for is fabulous. As mentioned it is a solid stout unit. Good going.

Regards

Flash

03/04/2004 05:54:05 PM · #19

Heck Flash we could always just run ahead and club the darn criiters and then take the photos and run like heck :)

My wife and I live alone now want to adopt us !!

ROFLMAO

Originally posted by Flash:

Message edited by author 2004-03-04 18:57:25.

03/04/2004 06:12:02 PM · #20

Due to the green skies and severe weather here in Dallas trials of my new lens were posponed :)

LOL