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02/20/2005 05:36:16 AM · #1 |
My cheapie tripod has died, so now I have a good reason to buy a new one :)
I'm selling a Fuji S3000 to fund it and am looking at the following options:
Velbon 347E
This is the cheapest option that would seem to cover my needs.
Velbon ULTRA MAXi
This is attractive due to the fact that it will fit inside my camera bag.
Manfrotto 718B
This was my fist choice, but now I'm not so sure.
Manfrotto 724B
A bit more heavy duty than the 718, looks to be the best option.
I would like the tilt ability that the Velbons and the ball head on the 724 would provide. All tripods except the portable Velbon would have to be attached to the side of my bag, I would certainly prefer that they could be inside but not at too high a price of quality/stability. Additionally I already own an Hakuba 8 section compact tripod that I could buy a generic ball head for.
Any advice/suggestions would be welcome :)
Darren
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02/20/2005 05:44:22 AM · #2 |
I am looking at the Velbon Ultra Luxi SF, meets my requirements.
Compact, low level operation just 17.8cm, max height 121cm and 34.2cm when folded. UK price £99.99 at Jessops.
edit: or Sherpa 750
Steve
Message edited by author 2005-02-20 05:45:36. |
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02/20/2005 09:25:33 AM · #3 |
I need to get a new tripod as well. There are so many to choose from. I hear Bogen's 3021BN's are pretty popular(?) and I'm considering one. They have this one with a 3D head too. They also go low to the ground.
Maximum Height 70.1" (178.0 cm)
Maximum Height w/o Column Extended 53.2" (135.1 cm)
Minimum Height 3." (8.1 cm)
Jen
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02/21/2005 02:17:56 AM · #4 |
Originally posted by ButterflySis:
I need to get a new tripod as well. There are so many to choose from. I hear Bogen's 3021BN's are pretty popular(?) and I'm considering one. They have this one with a 3D head too. They also go low to the ground.
Maximum Height 70.1" (178.0 cm)
Maximum Height w/o Column Extended 53.2" (135.1 cm)
Minimum Height 3." (8.1 cm)
Jen |
It's certainly a nice tripod but the folded height is a little too big, to strap to the side of my backpack.
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02/21/2005 05:32:02 PM · #5 |
The 347E will likely meet your minimum needs. The 718B is 10 dollars more. These are very light weight tripods, but if that is what you need, then I would opt for the 718B. The ball head on the 724 is threaded and even though ball heads are nice, the lack of a QR option will be a pain over time. The Ultra Max has a QR option but is more money than the 347E or 718B.
From what you have narrowed your choices too, I'd say take a hard look at the 718B.
A few years back I had a SLIK backpacking tripod that was extremely lightweight and easy to carry. It just did not hold up. My support now comes from either a 3021 pro or a very nice 4 section mono.
As you mentioned, the Hakuba is an option. A mini ball head with QR plates will likely run you 35-50 dollars.
Message edited by author 2005-02-21 17:34:33.
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02/21/2005 05:33:29 PM · #6 |
I just got back from the Camera shop. I bought the Manfrotto 190ProB with the 486RC2 Compact Ball Head.
I took the 190 over the 055, as it is a little lighter, and packs up a bit shorter, so is easier to transport. I was going to go for a cheapie Cullmann ball head with quick release, which would match my small portable tripod, but that cost 35 Euro, and was small, spindly, & plastic. So I splashed out the extra 25 Euro for the Manfrotto head which is about 10 x more solid, better made & easier to use. I have a couple of El Cheapo tripods that I use for my lights, and next to the manfrotto they look cheap & nasty. On the other hand I could buy 12 of them for the price of this setup. |
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02/21/2005 05:45:02 PM · #7 |
| Get a heavy one. The more stable the better the photos. And hang your camera bag around the tripod to give it even more weight. If you want the sharpest, lock up your mirror and sand bag the camera also. |
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02/21/2005 05:50:23 PM · #8 |
| here is a great place to check, good prices |
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02/21/2005 05:50:47 PM · #9 |
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02/21/2005 05:51:22 PM · #10 |
The Manfrotto 718/724B are too light for a DSLR. The heads are not big and strong enough. If you mount a super telephoto on your D70, these tripod heads will sag after you lock them, requiring re-adjustment. You cannot substitute other heads, since they're not interchangeable.
Instead, have a look at aKiwi's recommendations, which, IMO, is the minimum you should go with. Personally, I use a Manfrotto 055CL with a 488RC0 head. This tripod is quite a bit taller (and heavier), which is what you need when you're tall and/or when you want to shoot large birds flying overhead, for example.
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02/23/2005 03:22:57 AM · #11 |
Thanks for all the advice,
The S3000 is now sold so I have the funds to make the purchase, I'd basically settled on the 724 but I've just seen this offer (in French - no I don't speak French either), now I had decided that I did not want to go about 50cm folded height but I'm reconsidering. I will buy a basic ball head for my Hakuba and keep that in my bag, so this opens up the options of what tripod to get, the 055 looks better for me as I'm a little over 2m tall (6'7"), I don't mind bending to the tripod too much but if I can get something more comfortable then why not.
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02/23/2005 06:08:34 AM · #12 |
In that offer, it is not the PRO version. The PRO version offers you the ability to mount the camera extension horrizontaly. I used it last night to take some photos of photos looking directly down on a table. This option costs 20 euro more. You have to decide if this is worth it for you.
I also opted for the Ball joint as I am used to them. Has the disadvantage that you can't easily take panoramas.
My suggestion = .... Flip a coin. |
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