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10/08/2005 11:48:48 PM · #1 |
I've recently purchased a Nikon D100 and, obviously, this thing is considerably heavier than the P&S cameras which my little plastic tripod was designed for (the creaking noises are troubling). Though I don't have the money to go shopping right now, high on my christmas list (the joy of being young with many relatives) will be a decent tripod and I want to know what I'm looking for.
I've heard the Manfroto brand tossed around quite often, as well as various types of heads... On what criteria does one make this decision?
I know I'd like to be able to capture horizontal panaromas which, from what I gather, require a locking ball head (if I've read correctly) but would also like the freedom to tilt this beast 90 degrees for portraits.
Your thoughts? |
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10/09/2005 02:50:18 AM · #2 |
Manfrotto's a fine tripod, which is why people keep coming back to it on these lists. The 3021 Pro would work nicely for that camera. Ball heads are not really the best choice for panoramics. 3-way heads work well for landscape and architectural type work. They cost less, and are easier to "square up" than ball heads, except maybe the really expensive ballheads, which I've never used one of. What ball heads are particularly good for is the ability to "search" with the camera rapidly, then lock it on target with a single control. With a 3-way head you have to adjust and lock, separately, the fore-and-aft tilt (up-down), the side-to-side tilt (leveling the horizon, putting the camera in vertical orientation), and the pan (rotation around the center column).
In any case, if you DO get a ballhead you need to get one that rotates around the center column on a separate adjustment from its "ball" adjustment, so when you do have it squared up you can rotate without changing anythign else. Preferably one with degrees of rotation marked off for reference on the collar...
One nice thing about the 3021 Pro, btw, is that you can reverse the column (so you can get REAL low) OR mount it sideways, cantilevered out, show you can shoot straight down (nice for macro and copy work especially).
Robt.
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10/09/2005 07:10:52 PM · #3 |
Thanks for the help.
The cantilevered setup sounds interesting but I can't get past the idea of my camera heading lens-first in to the ground due to the weight being off-center. How would the 3021 deal with that? |
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10/09/2005 07:31:06 PM · #4 |
The legs can be adjusted to the appropriate angles to keep the camera in the center of gravity--it won't fall over.
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10/09/2005 08:46:55 PM · #5 |
The head is a personal decision, go into your local camera shop and check out the heads (and tripods). When you compare the system to a cheaper tripod, you'll know why Manfrotto keeps on coming up.
A couple of quick items about Manfrotto:
1. Some Manfrotto heads have a hexagonal quick release plate, some (at least one of the cheaper ones) have a rectangular one, and some heads don't have a quick release plate. I prefer the hexagonal, but try them and decide which is best for you.
2. If the head doesn't have a level (or doesn't have a level that works in portrait mode) you should put a hot shoe level on your wish list(they run about $45). |
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10/09/2005 09:57:00 PM · #6 |
| What are your opinions on the brand 'Slik'? |
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10/09/2005 09:59:46 PM · #7 |
I just bought the manfrotto 3021 legs, ball head and dove-tail quick release plate and couldn't be happier! Used it for the first time yesterday in studio and was very very pleased with its flexibility.
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10/09/2005 10:02:41 PM · #8 |
why not just spread your legs wide, learn Tai Chi, and hold your right hand up high???? Isn't that basically a tripod? No, a tripod is great investment that really lasts.
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10/09/2005 10:50:44 PM · #9 |
I agree with Robert's assessment; I have the 3021B Pro (the "B" is just the black version) and it is a great tripod, stable and well-built. As far as ball heads, and again referencing what Robert posted, the Manfrotto 488RC2 is a wonderful piece of work, will tilt over 90 degrees either left or right, and has a separate swivel on the base for panning, with a collar marked in degrees. It's about $95, really not too expensive for a quality head.
A 3-way pan/tilt head (like the Manfrotto 3030) will be somewhat less expensive (about $60), and somewhat bulkier. What you prefer in a head is in many respects a matter of personal opinion. I'd suggest a trip to your local "pro" camera store to check them out.
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10/10/2005 12:33:09 PM · #10 |
| I own the Manfrotto 488RC2 ballhead and a Bogen 3001 tripod. I bought the ballhead because I found the panhead (Manfrotto 3030) that I originally bought to be quite cumbersome and bulky. There are three handles, corresponding to the three dimensions of rotation, that stick out several inches from the tripod. When you carry the tripod with a shoulder strap these handles get in the way. The ballhead is much sleaker and easier to carry as well as to use. I recommend the ballhead although it is more expensive. |
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10/10/2005 12:43:38 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by samchad:
What are your opinions on the brand 'Slik'? |
Slik makes some decent tripods. They are very good for the money. The tripod I used with my 5700 Nikon was a Slik, but it wasn't beefy enough for my 20D plus 70-200 L glass. The biggest problem was the height; I had to extend the center column for eye-level viewing, and this wasn't very stable in any kind of breeze especially. So I had to upgrade anyow, and I wanted the versatility of the cantilevered-mount option. Manfrotto was the obvious choice, as my local shop had it in stock, and they let me pay for it in 2 installments.
R.
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10/10/2005 03:59:36 PM · #12 |
I use the the Bogen/Manfrotto 3021pro w/ a 488RC2 ball head. This is my second tripod and 4th head. This is the set up I have kept the longest and will keep untill I get a more expensive head. These legs are great for the price.
The 3021pro has a built in bubble and attachment points for added weight (as in camera bag) to increase stability. The legs spread flat and the horizontal center column option has some unique qualities for those "odd" shots. I prefer snap locks for the legs and this one has them. Just be carefull of pinch points.
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