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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> recommend me a tripod
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 05/31/2009 11:58:54 PM · #1
hey people i am about to buy a new tripod, want something with a ball head and packs up as short as possible as i usually carry it strapped across my bag. needs to support upto a 5d mark II with battery grip and 70-200 2.8 IS. any suggestions? something light would be nice but super important.
 06/01/2009 12:03:31 AM · #2
Whay a ball head?

I need a new tripod too and can't decide between a ball head or a pan/tilt 3 way. What are the advantages of a ball head?
 06/01/2009 12:24:00 AM · #3
I love my Manfrotto. :)

edit for spelling correction. My computer's running slow tonight...can't provide you a link, but the model is 3021BN and the ball is 486RC2. Distributed by Bogen.

Message edited by author 2009-06-01 00:27:11.
 06/01/2009 12:33:26 AM · #4
Do NOT buy a Manfrotto 785B. It is nice and light, packs down small, but the plastic ballhead will not support an SLR. I did some mods to mine and put a better head on it. I'm happy with it now, but I would only recommend this model for use with compacts or camcorders.


Message edited by author 2009-06-01 00:33:39.
 06/01/2009 12:48:40 AM · #5
Questions:

How much do you plan to spend?
How tall are you?
06/01/2009 12:51:07 AM · #6
i dont wanna spend a fortune, hopeing to get one around $500 australian. though i am willing to spend more if needed.

i am 191cm tall but i am not fussed how high it goes at all really, anything about 140cm is fine.

also thanks for the responses, very helpful, keed them coming!!! :)
 06/01/2009 12:54:52 AM · #7
Originally posted by power47:
i dont wanna spend a fortune, hopeing to get one around $500 australian. though i am willing to spend more if needed.

i am 191cm tall but i am not fussed how high it goes at all really, anything about 140cm is fine.

also thanks for the responses, very helpful, keed them coming!!! :)


6 feet 3 inches
$400 US dollar
 06/01/2009 01:33:30 AM · #8
Originally posted by power47:
i am 191cm (6'3") tall but i am not fussed how high it goes at all really, anything about 140cm is fine.


That's NOT a good attitude, unfortunately; you NEED a tripod that puts the camera at eye level without extending the center column. Otherwise you're going to either be bending over constantly and killing your back, or you'll have a less than optimally-stable setup with extended column, which means a lot of vibration to deal with. Since the whole POINT of a tripod is stability, this should be your first concern, and your gear is HEAVY, you need something robust to cope with it.

R.
 06/01/2009 02:49:26 AM · #9
Originally posted by rob_smith:
Whay a ball head?

I need a new tripod too and can't decide between a ball head or a pan/tilt 3 way. What are the advantages of a ball head?


i find them alot easier when on brocken terrain and so on, much less adjustment required, just put the tripod down and level it.

Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Originally posted by power47:
i am 191cm (6'3") tall but i am not fussed how high it goes at all really, anything about 140cm is fine.


That's NOT a good attitude, unfortunately; you NEED a tripod that puts the camera at eye level without extending the center column. Otherwise you're going to either be bending over constantly and killing your back, or you'll have a less than optimally-stable setup with extended column, which means a lot of vibration to deal with. Since the whole POINT of a tripod is stability, this should be your first concern, and your gear is HEAVY, you need something robust to cope with it.

R.


thanks for the input mate but i know what i want, bending down is far less of an issue than having a tripod thats too bulky and heavy to carry for hours on end. as far as stability goes i have been using a rubbish tripod with this gear for a while now (borrowed thats why i need one), in high wind conditions aswell and i have no issues keeping it steady. each to their own.

Message edited by author 2009-06-01 03:21:18.
 06/01/2009 03:07:26 AM · #10
Kind of narrow minded and pointless to ask for recommendations and then slam those who answer you.

If you say "I know what I want" then why even ask for input?

But either way, your comment to Bear was out of line....
 06/01/2009 03:24:33 AM · #11
fair enough, im sorry for being harsh. what i meant was that i know what i want the tripod to do, obviously i dont exactly which one i want as there seems to be so many out there.

and i just thought that being told what the tripod should do rather than some models to look at was not that helpful.

anyway sorry again, more just looking for some suggestions of models that hold a reasonable amount of weight but are as light and compact as possible.
 06/01/2009 05:16:51 AM · #12
Manfroto all the way, any model will do but the pro grade aluminums are VERY nice to use, not to heavy and very versatile.
 06/01/2009 04:16:26 PM · #13
The gear you're asking to support is a good deal of photo stuff. I'm not too sure how many realistic options there are going to be given your budget. I know that anything will be an improvement over the terrible loaner, but you might want to save a little bit more and just get a tripod/ballhead the one time.
A huge thing is going to be sag and inability to lock out with your 70-200 setup. The "holding weights" of heads are all based on the assumption that the weight of your setup is perfectly distributed (it won't be in real life), so fudge a bit on what they say it will hold.
Secondly... do you really want to assume a budget head is going to hold your $5K setup?
I know using the term "budget" in this case sounds ridiculous... it isn't as though you're buying a $50 complete, but I really mean that. Seeing your gear flop over because your ballhead can't hold the weight, and then tipping the tripod, is about the last thing any photog wants to experience.
06/01/2009 04:25:23 PM · #14
I recommend the MANFROTTO 055XPROB TRIPOD with the MANFROTTO 222 JOYSTICK BALL HEAD
 06/01/2009 04:35:45 PM · #15
I'll second the 3021B recommendation... I believe the 055 is pretty much the same tripod. It may have been updated. As far as ball heads, the 488 is a good, solid head. I would put in a *strong* recommendation for the RC4 version over the RC2. Much better plates, less undesired movement. I've used both the RC2 adn RC4; I switched to RC4 and never looked back.
 06/01/2009 06:09:14 PM · #16
Originally posted by kirbic:
I'll second the 3021B recommendation... I believe the 055 is pretty much the same tripod. It may have been updated. As far as ball heads, the 488 is a good, solid head. I would put in a *strong* recommendation for the RC4 version over the RC2. Much better plates, less undesired movement. I've used both the RC2 adn RC4; I switched to RC4 and never looked back.


3021 is my tripod as well. And likewise, I switched heads from an RC2 plate to RC4 plate and have been delighted. I don't, however, use a ballhead, preferring the separate planar adjustments of a 3-way head.

R.
 06/01/2009 06:50:03 PM · #17
Check out giottos. I like them so much I bought 2 and 2 different heads.
 06/01/2009 07:06:17 PM · #18
I use an Induro with an SA01 ball head, it works very well for me.

Mac,
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