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10/30/2005 10:07:52 AM · #1 |
I was hoping that someone could give me some suggestions or point me to a prior forum where these features were discussed.
I'm currently looking for a tripod that can support my DSLR (Maxxum 7D)for under $300. I currently have a Velbon CX470, which is pretty lightweight. However when I try to take pictures in the portrait direction my camera will rotate downward when I use my telephoto lens. So I want a tripod that this would not happen. Also I was looking for a tripod where I can take out the center column and invert it so that I can take pictures close to the ground and have the support of my tripod. Also I don't want the tripod to be too heavy that it is a pain to travel with it.
Thanks in advance for anyone that can help me out here.
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10/30/2005 10:55:38 AM · #2 |
I don't know what "too heavy" is, but the consensus choice here in DPC seems to be Manfrotto 3021 Pro, with your choice of heads. The 3021 allows reversed center column and it also allows cantilevering the column horizontally, very useful.
Your "portrait droop" is a function of the tripod head, incidentally, not the tripod itself. High-end tripods are sold separately from their heads, and there are different heads for different tasks. I use the 3030 3-way head, others swear by the ball heads. They come in various prices. The 30-30 is sturdy and relativel inexpensive. Tripod + 3030 head is about $250.00...
Robt.
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10/30/2005 11:03:46 AM · #3 |
I sue the Giottos MT-8180 Carbon Fiber tripod. Like Robert said, the "drooping" is caused by your tripod head. The Giottos comes with a built in head but I opted for the Bogen ballhead with the RC2 quick connect on mine. The reverse column is great as the 3021. Either way, I picked up this tripod for about $289 + about $40 for the ballhead.
Fun and great equipment to have :D
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10/30/2005 12:39:00 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by alternarule:
.... Also I don't want the tripod to be too heavy that it is a pain to travel with it.
Thanks in advance for anyone that can help me out here. |
I have the 3021BPro which has the invertable column and the column can also be used horizontally and the legs can be spread all the way to horizontal. I like it a lot. It is not light, however so if that is a criterion you may have to look elsewhere. I use a Slik 800 ball and have no problem with droop with my 100-400 lens. Of course it has a tripod collar so I can rotate the camera for portrait without rotating the head.
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10/30/2005 01:43:21 PM · #5 |
Another 3021 Pro user here. Great tripod, reasonable price.
With regard to a head, I've gone to the Bogen 488RC4 ball heads. I like the RC4 style better than the RC2, it locks down much more tightly, there is NO possibility of residual motion. I like the way the release lever is designed as well. Downside of the RC4 is the larger size of the camera plate, and the fact that a coin or tool is needed to mount/unmount the camera plate. I'd prefer the RC2-type mounting screw with its integrated, flip-up bail.
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10/31/2005 02:38:56 PM · #6 |
Thanks for the help so far. I like the features on the 3021 Pro, like the ability the look straight down and take the column out and put it back in using the 4 diffent directions. Plus the ability to put the legs at varying locking angles.
However, I was wondering what are the benefits to the ball head over the three way tilt? or vice versa. I'm used to using a 3-way tilt myself and don't know how to gauge if it is worth switching to a ball head or not.
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10/31/2005 03:07:35 PM · #7 |
I have the 3021 Pro, I also have a 3001Pro, which is basically a smaller version of the 3021 Pro. It's lighter, smaller and better for long trips. Unless you have your own porter.
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10/31/2005 03:25:21 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by alternarule:
However, I was wondering what are the benefits to the ball head over the three way tilt? or vice versa. I'm used to using a 3-way tilt myself and don't know how to gauge if it is worth switching to a ball head or not. |
The main advantage of a ball head, aside from speed of setup, is that you can use it "loose" to track action, just by releasing a single damper/screw/grip/whatever. The disadvantage is that you can't lock in any single adjustment. With a 3-way head, you can level-and-lock independently in 3 axes. So, for example, a 3-way head makes more sense for panoramics (althouhg some expensive ball heads have a separate, additional "collar" to allow panning without releasing the ball-lock).
I'm used to 3-way heads, so I prefer them; but I'm almost exclusively a landscape/still ife shooter, where speed-of-adjustment is rarely an issue.
Robt.
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10/31/2005 10:59:27 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
I have the 3021 Pro, I also have a 3001Pro, which is basically a smaller version of the 3021 Pro. It's lighter, smaller and better for long trips. Unless you have your own porter. |
Is there really any big difference between the 3001 Pro and 3021 Pro except for the $25 difference (b&h), and the small size and weight differences? (3001 doesn't get as high or low and weighs less)
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10/31/2005 11:37:23 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by alternarule:
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
I have the 3021 Pro, I also have a 3001Pro, which is basically a smaller version of the 3021 Pro. It's lighter, smaller and better for long trips. Unless you have your own porter. |
Is there really any big difference between the 3001 Pro and 3021 Pro except for the $25 difference (b&h), and the small size and weight differences? (3001 doesn't get as high or low and weighs less) |
Not really, just easier to carry about if you are doing a lot of that. |
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10/31/2005 11:46:21 PM · #11 |
| Do they both fit in a carry-on suitcase ? |
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