Looking for a new tripod. Suggestions anyone?

[JordanLee]

So I'm looking to spoil myself for Christmas and planning on buying a new tripod. I know I should initially spend a good amount on one since I'll have it forever but I wanted to ask you guys whats good for within my budget. Im looking to spend between 250-350 on a good Manfrotto. I went on the site and was overwhelmed with options. I was looking at the kits since I need the tripod and head but have no idea what to look for. I'll be shooting video as well and wanted to ask you guys which route I should be taking. Thanks

[RevRav]

Good way to determine which head to get, is to calculate how heavy your camera / video equipment would total up to.

[J____]

check out my blog post for Benro Trab. It is AWESOME for the price for a full sized yet SUPER compact tripod for traveling. It's pretty much a gitzo knockoff for a fraction of the cost. It's amazing! Only of a small number of tripods that I can fold up and put inside my carry on for the airline while being able to support a full sized DSLR + pro lens AND be tall enough for full functionality and use.

http://jacksonzhao.com/blog/2009/12/update/

[JordanLee]

Originally Posted by ksceric

Good way to determine which head to get, is to calculate how heavy your camera / video equipment would total up to.

It's going to be a 7D with either a 24-70L or a Tokina 11-16 at its heaviest.

Thanks or the insight so far.

[m3thods]

i found that height (without the column raised) is somewhat important.. i found it tough to fuss around to get the perfect height on the 055xprob's because of my height (i'm 5'7), so i opted for the 190xprob's which were perfect with my ball head. and it can carry my 50Dgripped+70-200 2.8 with little issues.


jackson thanks for heads up on the benro. i'm definitely going to check that out since i want something to fit in my carry-on and not my checked luggage :P

[ilvtofu]

Where do they sell the benro.

Ahh Jackson your font colour is hard to read

[moky]

i believe bhphoto and adorama carry benro

[TOPEC]

I too am looking into a new tripod for my 5D2 and have been looking into the manfrottos. I seem to have narrowed it down to the 190 and 055. I seem to be leaning towards 055 because it is a bit taller without raising the center colum. Still havnt decided yet on the 190 or 055.

Ps: why r gitzo tripods costs quite a bit more than other brands?
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[moky]

just wanted to post this up in case no one saw it before (previous tripod thread)
http://www.revscene.net/forums/tripod-help-t603910.html

topec: what sort of lenses are you using on your 5d2? i recently bought the manfrotto 055xprob and 498rc4 for my 5d2 + 70-200 2.8 and it is very rock solid.

[ddr]

+1 to a head like the 498. horizontal adjustment is very useful

[TOPEC]

Originally Posted by moky

just wanted to post this up in case no one saw it before (previous tripod thread)
http://www.revscene.net/forums/tripod-help-t603910.html

topec: what sort of lenses are you using on your 5d2? i recently bought the manfrotto 055xprob and 498rc4 for my 5d2 + 70-200 2.8 and it is very rock solid.

so far only the 24-105 i use mostly, but down the road, i dont think i'll get much telephoto lenses, but more like wide angle lens. i think i looked into that exact combo last night. how much did that run u?

[moky]

i can't remember since i picked it up in portland. i know i saved maybe 150 total?
try heading to local stores here and see if u prefer the 055 or the 190, that, and see which one is better suited to your height

[TOPEC]

Yup, I was thinkin of checking it out at local stores first before making the final decision
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[JordanLee]

Big difference between the 496 and 498? I'll be using it for video so I heard I'll want the panning options the 498 offers. But is it worth the 50$? Most likely going with a 190 as well.

[J____]

Originally Posted by m3thods

jackson thanks for heads up on the benro. i'm definitely going to check that out since i want something to fit in my carry-on and not my checked luggage :P

there's this new Benro travel that's even more compact than mine. It's slightly longer than my Trab when retracted but it's alot flatter.
http://www.benrousa.com/products_TravelFlatTripods.html

Originally Posted by ilvtofu

Ahh Jackson your font colour is hard to read

fixed! thnx for the headsup




the cheapest place i found them were on amazon. It was $20 cheaper than B&H when i got mine.

[ddr]

Originally Posted by JordanLee

Big difference between the 496 and 498? I'll be using it for video so I heard I'll want the panning options the 498 offers. But is it worth the 50$? Most likely going with a 190 as well.

if u using it for video a lot u may want to look at a video head, or probably a shoulder rig later on

the 498 is useful for landscapes when you recompose since you can lock the vertical axis and pan left to right. i guess u could use it for panos as well. manfrotto actually has a new head with bubble levels on it and it pans, i forgot what the model number is. don't think it's out yet.

[Mashimaro]

Originally Posted by TOPEC

I too am looking into a new tripod for my 5D2 and have been looking into the manfrottos. I seem to have narrowed it down to the 190 and 055. I seem to be leaning towards 055 because it is a bit taller without raising the center colum. Still havnt decided yet on the 190 or 055.

Ps: why r gitzo tripods costs quite a bit more than other brands?
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I ended up going with a gitzo gt2541 carbon tripod and manfrotto 488rc2 head. I had the manfrotto 190 tripod for a few days but found it was too short for me without the column extended (I'm 5'10"). I was debating the 055 legset instead but it was heavy IMO. I felt that a tripod is a one time investment so I sprung for the gitzo in the end. I love my tripod and use it often enough hence buying a nice one that weighs only 3lbs

To the op, I'd rather go with the manfrotto for that price range especially if you have nice gear. Im not a fan if knock off products!
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[ilvtofu]

Anyone have opinion on this

Slik Pro 340DX
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Product...26702(ME).aspx

Max load of 8.8lbs should be more than enough for me

[Boostslut]

asian XL most of the time i don't understand your fails. If you don't think its a good tripod, then just write "I think that tripod sucks." No need to fail him for asking peoples opinions on a certain item.

The tripod you listed weighs 6.5 pounds it says at the bottum, you might want to look for something a bit lighter. Have being gone through a few tripods myself, i'd look back and say that a Tripod is an investment into your photography future. Spend a bit more coin on something that will last you a while. I'd much rather spend $500 on a tripod once, than spend 100 then 200 then 350 and then 500 for the right tripod. Might seem expensive now, but look into it as an investment!

[Hehe]

If you don't mind second hand, try looking in used market.

I recently purchased a Benro C-128 carbon fiber tripod for 120USD shipped to Blaine. It's sturdy and comparable to my old Manfro 190 that got stolen at much less weight.

[Mashimaro]

Originally Posted by Boostslut

asian XL most of the time i don't understand your fails. If you don't think its a good tripod, then just write "I think that tripod sucks." No need to fail him for asking peoples opinions on a certain item.

The tripod you listed weighs 6.5 pounds it says at the bottum, you might want to look for something a bit lighter. Have being gone through a few tripods myself, i'd look back and say that a Tripod is an investment into your photography future. Spend a bit more coin on something that will last you a while. I'd much rather spend $500 on a tripod once, than spend 100 then 200 then 350 and then 500 for the right tripod. Might seem expensive now, but look into it as an investment!

i agree with Boostslut!

you might not want to spend the $1000 on a Gitzo, but a nice Manfrotto will not cost that much and will last you a lifetime.

[ilvtofu]

Originally Posted by Boostslut

asian XL most of the time i don't understand your fails. If you don't think its a good tripod, then just write "I think that tripod sucks." No need to fail him for asking peoples opinions on a certain item.

The tripod you listed weighs 6.5 pounds it says at the bottum, you might want to look for something a bit lighter. Have being gone through a few tripods myself, i'd look back and say that a Tripod is an investment into your photography future. Spend a bit more coin on something that will last you a while. I'd much rather spend $500 on a tripod once, than spend 100 then 200 then 350 and then 500 for the right tripod. Might seem expensive now, but look into it as an investment!

Hmm good point, I guess I'll have to save up. And don't worry about asian XL he just decided to stalk all my posts yesterday and failed them cause he was sore I failed his one post...

Then again if it gets stolen I'd probably cry about a $500 tripod...

@hehe damn where'd you find one that cheap?

[N.V.M.]

i found that by buying a cable release, my so-so tripod will do me for now.

[ddr]

a good test is to use the tripod on a bridge. becomes very apparent which one is sturdy

[skyxx]

Sorta on topic. New head from Manfrotto, I want! Hopefully it's cheaper than the 504HD head....

Manfrotto Photo/Video tripod head on show on Vimeo