tripod and head advice please - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

12/22/2005 10:01:59 AM · #1

Yes I know there are a number of threads about tripods and that made it more confusing :)
I saw good reviews on the forums about Manfrotto 3021 and if I look up B&H there are so many; 3021, 3021Pro, 3021BPRO
also any advice about which head to pick ?

I want the tripod to support the Canon 70-200 F2.8L IS lens with my camera which gets quiet heavy. Need lateral movement on the column if possible for macro work and ofcourse a good ball head.

thanks for your help
Gaurawa

rich

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

12/22/2005 10:04:11 AM · #2

I have an Acratech head and like it a lot, but I know there are a lot of people who swear by the RC322 grip-style head as well. And of course there are others, but those are two I know are pretty decent.

Falc

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

12/22/2005 10:09:32 AM · #3

Originally posted by rich:

I have the grip and its fantastic, better than any other head i have used. For macro work I add a focussing rail on the head so I have the best of both easy manouverability and very fine forward/back focussing adjustment.

All I need now is a MP-E 65mm 1-5x macro lens ;-)

theSaj

Canon EOS-20D

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

12/22/2005 10:16:16 AM · #4

Hey Gaurawa,

I just went thru this so I can help...!!!

:)

3021, 3021Pro, 3021BPRO

3021 vs 3021 Pro (the pro added the ability to mount the center pole horizontally. This is useful say if you want to take macro shots of the ground, etc.)

The "B" simply means the unit is all black instead of the silver and black combo.

As for the heads. I picked up two.

I have the 488RC2, this is a fair sized ball mount. (the RC2 from what I gather basically refers to Manfrotto's standard rectangular release mount). The difference between the 488 & 486 is that the 488 includes a seperate rotational axis for horizontal (left/right) movement with it's own locking lever. This is a pretty nice addition in that I looked at the 486 and it has a single "screw tightener" that affects both the ball head and the ability to pan left/right. This is a disadvantage IMHO and definitely worth the extra $$$ for the 488. This allow you to mount elevation and angle and pan the camer from left to right without losing the other adjustments.

I decided I was going to get the 486 for my monopod where such was less necessary. However, after a night of shooting macro shots I decided that it might be good to have a standard 3-way pan head. So I went with the 3030,a 3-way pan head with the same RC2 release clamp so that I can easily switch between my tripod and monopod.

I also played around with the Manfrotto grip ball head. The action on it was sweet. It reminded me of what I've always imagined the thruster controls on a zero-G maneuvering space fighter would feel like. But at a $125+/- it was a bit too expensive. It also does not allow you to completely mount the camera in a vertical angle. There may in fact be a way to mount it such that I am unaware of. I am less familiar with this unit. Falc probably has more detail. But it is a bit pricey.

So, I'd probably suggest the standard 3030 3-way pan head or the 488RC2. If you are doing more portrait, macro, or sky photography where you need to have a bit more detail in the alignment. The panhead is the way to go.

If you want a more space saving mount and one that offers better flexibility for sports, fast action, air shows, by allowing movement on all three axis simultaneously but a bit more challenging to get locked in as a specific "point". Go with the 488RC2

- Saj

Hope that helped?

Message edited by author 2005-12-22 10:18:08.

Flash

Nikon D700

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

12/22/2005 10:24:19 AM · #5

Originally posted by gaurawa:

The difference between the 3021pro and ProB, is simply the color. The ProB is black while the 3021pro is unpainted aluminum. Some photographers prefer the less conspicuousness of the black as well as the reduce reflection.

Heads on the other hand are very individual. I have settled on the 488RC2 or the 486Rc2, which ever one is the Midi (the mini's and micro's are too small). I prefer the QR (quick release) plates (aka RC for rapid change) due to the ease of changing and mounting various bodies/lenses. I have QR plates affixed to each body and lense with a tripod collar. The rectangular plate has been all I needed for security, although some prefer the pentagonal plates. Again, heads are very individual, and you should try each to determine which ones are the right ones for you. My current is my 4th in a series of evolution. Use, learn, get another. I like what I have now.

Message edited by author 2005-12-22 10:26:24.

theSaj

Canon EOS-20D

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

12/22/2005 10:28:17 AM · #6

The 484RC2 is the mini-ball. And not really practical for a 70-200mm. It's just within spec I believe but for $20 more you're better off with the 486 RC2 or 3030 3-way pan.

12/22/2005 10:28:31 AM · #7

Originally posted by Falc:

For macro work I add a focussing rail on the head so I have the best of both easy manouverability and very fine forward/back focussing adjustment.

This is something I would like to know more about... how does this work ? is there a standard hardware or you have to add manually ?

12/22/2005 10:29:25 AM · #8

Originally posted by theSaj:

Hope that helped?

Yes, it did. thanks for the detailed post, very helpful.