Picked up my new tripod today :)

03/20/2004 08:39:40 PM · #1

I finally decided on the:

Bogen/Manfrotto 3021BPro.
Bogen/Manfrotto 3265 Grip action ball head.

So far I'm happy with the way it sets up and etc.
A little hefty with the Canon EOS10D and the 80-400mm Lens.

Bogen/Manfrotto 3265 Grip Action Ball Head

Bogen/Manfrotto 3021BPro Tripod

Canon EOS 10D with Tokina 2x and 80-400mm

Mick

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

03/20/2004 09:34:20 PM · #2

Looks like a nice setup.
1) Do you squeeze the lever to let the camera tilt and swivel?
2) Does it feel solid with all that camera and glass?
3) How much did it cost?
I'm looking for a new tripod myself. I have the same camera, with the battery grip, and a 35-350mm lens. With the lens, camera, flash, and grip, the whole package weighs a little over 6.68 pounds.

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

03/20/2004 09:45:37 PM · #3

To Move the head you squeeze the handle and move the head/camera to the position desired and then just release it. It has a tension adjustment to allow for less resistance when moving or to add more resistance.
It also is designed with a notch to allow for tilting the camera vertical.

This setup is very solid, I have tried it a couple times so far and I love the feel of the movement solid and smooth.

Also I love the added height of this unit with the grip head. I'm 6'4 and if I have to use a stool that is good. Most of the time everything is to short :)

The best part is when you press the grip and move the camera to a new location it "stays put" and does not move around. Even with close to 6-7 lbs of camera and lens.

I got it at the local pro shop for about $220.

Another retail camera store in town wanted $175. just for the tripod!

Originally posted by micknewton:

Message edited by author 2004-03-20 21:50:34.

jab119

03/20/2004 10:42:19 PM · #4

cool, now you can get some seady moon shots when it comes back out.... I was playing with one of those grips at a camer store, I really like it, but the change jar will need to fill up.. thats my "play money" for stuff I would like to have but can live with out.

James

ChrisW123

Canon EOS-1000D Rebel XS

03/20/2004 10:54:15 PM · #5

I need a new tripod also. I bought the cheapest one they had at Ritz camera after I bought my camera. Cost $35 I think. :)

I really like the height of the one you bought. It's annoying to have to bend over to take a shot even when the tripod is at full height. And if the angle you are shooting is upward, you have to get on your knees basically. And i REALLY like the pistol grip thing to adjust the position.

03/20/2004 11:27:18 PM · #6

James

I can't wait to give it a try :)
The other tripod was very hard to align at such a delicate zoom (800mm).
I have not really had a chance to use it yet I did a few test shots with the Tokina lens and I need to go downlaod them and maybe post them.

Can't wail for April 24th !!
I hope we have enough room in all the open air vehicles :)

Originally posted by jab119:

03/20/2004 11:31:50 PM · #7

ChrisW123

If you are as tall as I'am you will love the height on this unit.
I cursed tripods for a long time because they were to short and I was always having to bend down. There is a small tool kit that comes with the 3021Pro so you do not need to buy the $10.00 kit.

Also as Flash told me the center column does mount horizontal for macro shots!

P.S. Ignore the big red stomach :) I have gained over 20lb when I decided to quit smoking this year :)

Originally posted by ChrisW123:

03/20/2004 11:35:08 PM · #8

ADD:
I paid an extra $20.00 for the tripod in black.
I wanted it to match :)

If you want the silver aluminum unit you should be able to get the kit for closer to $200.00, very reasonable for those on tight incomes :)

Now I need to go buy some cheap pipe insulation to make leg protectors/pads for when I'm carring it. Heck they wanted $39.00 for them in the store and that is all they are is pipe insulation!

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

03/21/2004 02:26:54 PM · #9

If anyone is interested I found a tripod made by "Promaster" at the local camera shop (Not the Pro shop) that is almost identical to the Bogen/Manfrotto 3021Pro with the exception that the center column does not mount horizontally.

It is just as sturdy and nice. It accepts various heads also. They make a pistol/grip head but the quick release plate they have is not universal to fit the Bogen/Manfrotto's heads. I do think it will take the Bogen/Manfrotto heads.

The big surpise was that the center column and head (you choose) comes out and acts as a monopod! Two for the price of one :)

It was $139.00 for the legs only at the retail shop, but I'm sure you can get it at a lower price elsewhere.

I did not get the model number but it should be easy to find. I found this site doing a Google search. I'm still sure it can be bought for much less with a little searching.

PROMASTER TRIPOD SYSTEM PRO 2 $129.00

Flash

Nikon D700

03/21/2004 02:51:45 PM · #10

Calvus,

Glad you like the tripod. Good choice.

Flash

03/21/2004 08:20:16 PM · #11

This is the Promaster (Slightly cheaper than Bogen/Manfrotto if you shop around):

Tough unit just like the Bogen/Manfrotto 3021Pro
The rubber feet come off and it has spikes for soft ground.

Wolf Camera

This is the Promaster Pistol/Grip Head:
Very expensive at wolfes check around, the retail shop had it for $75 and that is high! Remember this quick release plate is not universal go for the Bogan/Manfrotto head.

Head

Message edited by author 2004-03-21 22:22:52.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

03/21/2004 08:25:03 PM · #12

Flash

I can't find much wrong yet other than it is not going to be a light load (10-15lbs); but I'm tough I can handle that part of it.

I love the height of this unit! and the pistol/grip head!

Thanks for the lead dude :)

Originally posted by Flash:

Calvus,

Glad you like the tripod. Good choice.

Flash

Flash

Nikon D700

03/22/2004 09:11:10 AM · #13

Calvus,

After placement of the pipe insulation on 2 of the legs, I believe you will find that with 2 legs collapsed and one extened 2/3rds, the balance on the shoulder is very good. I carried mine for hours in Ireland this way. Camera/lense attached to the head (locked). 2 legs collapsed with padding resting on shoulder. 1 leg extended 2/3rds with hand on extended leg for balance and manuvering through crowds. Even with a camera bag over the shoulder and the tri-pod unit on the same shoulder, it is very handy to move from point to point, even on crowded side walks.

If we get a chance to do a Zoo shoot prior to Saturday the 24th, we can discuss particulars then. Enjoy.

Flash

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

03/22/2004 11:48:41 AM · #14

Flash

I will try that, thanks for the tip.

I have done 2 Zoo shots and 1 lake shot just over the past week and a half :) I'am so backlogged it will take me forever to catch up.

I was real sad when I heard about the Gorilla escaping at the Dalls Zoo and attacking visitors and then they had to shoot her. Truly a set back for the Dallas Zoo. The lawsuits will be quick in showing I'm sure.

Everytime I go I learn something new, or I'm reminded of a bad habit I need to rid myself of :)

I was driving along the lake when I saw this shot, I had to pull over and drag my gear out to get it. It was late afternoon close to the sunset, I was heading for another part of the lake in anticipation of the sunset shots I wanted. It was long distance via the Tokina 80-400mm.

The haze was very thick that day and I had to process them to try and cut through it. It shows mostly in the shots of the sailboats.

Here a just a few from the lake shoot

These are a few from the Fort Worth Zoo

I processed and uploaded these quickly for a friend that wanted to see them. But comments are welcome and encouraged :)

Originally posted by Flash:

Message edited by author 2004-03-22 11:52:41.

Flash

Nikon D700

03/22/2004 01:15:18 PM · #15

Robin,

Looked at your shots and I must say that; again they are wonderful. Have been assessing your work now for a few weeks and in case you are not aware.....your strength is in wildlife photography. Even in the "Lake" group, the Heron shot is so clear and positioned so wonderfully within the frame. Your Zoo pics of the Tiger, Horned animal and the salmon colored birds, just shows the talent of your eye. Very well done. I hope that in my short time in Texas, that you will take time to share your "set up" for these beautiful images.

Not sure if you enjoy wildlife photography the most, but you certainly have a knack for it.

Flash

03/22/2004 02:33:54 PM · #16

Flash

Thanks for all your great feedback.

Wildlife has always been my fav! I really got hooked when I worked as Head Animal Keeper for the small municipal Zoo in Upstate NY. I would travel to the other zoos in upstate NY looking for animal trades or simply exchanging information. And getting up close with Tiger Cubs, Mountain Lions and etc was truly a great experience. You really learn to understand the way animals communicate and just how smart they really are, after working with them every day. What I truly loved was walking through the deer areas during a great spring morning and coming across a fawn that had just been born, they are fantastic!

The animals really learn to trust you when you are there for them everyday. Especially when it is -40 deg below zero or a blizzard so bad they can hardly make it to the feed areas and you come in to clear the path for them. But that trust can easily be taken from you with just one bad move.

It unfortunately had its downside also. I use to get so mad when some visitors would come in and throw things like firecrackers, razor blades, knives and etc into the Primate (Monkey)cages and just stand there laughing.

One day some ignorant person threw a firecracker into the Red Stumped Tail Macaque's outdoor cage, he got so furious he just kept slamming into the gate on the front of the cage and finally broke the spot welds on the gate and got loose! If I had not been close by and heard all the noise the ignorant visitor would have been in serious trouble! By the time I got to the area the primate was out sitting on the fence and growling at the visitors. I had to be the one to run up to him and tell him to get back into his cage get him inside and close the trap door.
The Red Stumped Tail Macaque is as large as a Baboon and could seriously injured any of the visitors.

The Red Stumped Tail Macaque looks similar to this:

Sorry you got me rambling :)

Learning to produce quality shots while not being able to Safari through Africa or other great locations is a trick.

That Heron was back in the brushy area under some overhanging branches away from all of the others, trying to get some shut-eye :) I took my time to get into position and just filled the frame to what I thought looked the best.

It is kinda funny, I was working on getting one taking off or landing in the water. But every time they did I was looking someplace else! Go figure. It takes a lot of patience :) They are a fantastic sight taking off or landing, they are so graceful and large. But this just gives me one more reason to keep going back :)

The shots at the dock I really liked. I was after that "It's Miller Time" look and I think I got close. The weather was great, the sunset was great and all the sailors were coming in and packing up. I was quite a distance away and I could hear the soft voices and laughter in the air. It was just great to be there under the warm sunset and all the great sounds.

The Flamingos (Salmon colored birds) were a trick. They are in a very large open area that was considerably lower than the level of the walk. I needed the zoom lens to get to them. I had quite a few shots but that one was my best I think. It was hard picking a good shot out of the large flock, they stand so close to each other.

I just seemed to be in the groove that day. My wife and I were amused at how lucky I was getting with these animals. I have some of the large hippos in the water that are nice. When we arrived to the exhibit they were under water and would not come up. So I took my lens cap and "Gently" tapped on the steel rail in front and they immediately popped up out of the water. The vibrations traveled so well under ground :)

The shots I really wanted I could not get. The male Jaguar was not out. The female and her two new cubs had run of the area and they would not pose for me :) and the crowd was very large. They put the male out early in the morning and late afternoon and then the female and her cubs run the area alone. They have to control the cubs exposure at such a young age. We will be going back this week.

We have purchased yearly memberships at both Fort Worth and Dallas Zoos, this saves a lot of money during the year because we plan on making so many trips. We are also going to purchase a yearly membership to the Fossil Rim Wildlife Park.

Originally posted by Flash:

Message edited by author 2004-03-23 10:17:42.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

03/22/2004 02:36:41 PM · #17

The flamingo shot is great. With a bit more work to finish it off I think it'll look stunning.