Tripod help!
 

So right now I'm looking around at tripods, but I have no idea what to look for (other than what material the frame is made out of and how tall it folds and extends out to). I made a look around @ future shop and best buy but found all their tripods to be WAYY too short. I did a search and found an extensive thread about some high end pods, but thought I would start a new one and learn from the ground up. What are you guys suggestions?

budget?

they can range from 20bux to 2g's man

try manfrotto, gitzo, feisol (online)

aside from the legs, decide if you want a ball or pan head. something like the manfrotto 488 (498 now) is a ball head with panoramic swivel for landscapes.

I sprung for the Gitzo GT2541 myself. i have a Manfrotto 488RC2 ball head on it now.

It's a LOT of money for a tripod, but i feel that it's a lifetime investment whereas cameras and lenses will be upgraded/replaced.

i love my tripod:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...9/IMG_9311.jpg

i bought a benro TRAB as i was looking for a full sized tripod that was compact and easy to back when shortened. Lots of debate on the quality of the tripod but mostly people said it was a rippoff of Gitzo and Arca Swiss head and refused to suppose rippoffs. I have no problems with that so i bought one as it provided the same functionality and so far, same quality. Im sure it wont last forever like the gitzo but it is also 1/4 of the price ($250 usd shipped from amazon for the metal) I have a short review half way down the blog. check it out and see if i thelps in ur decision.

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

i think the first thing you should do is figure out what type of photography you would be using the tripod for. landscape, portrait, nature, video, etc. What type of lenses and weights would be placed on the tripod.

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A popular setup from what i've been reading is the Manfrotto 055XPROB + 488RC2.
I want the 055XPROB, but i'm split on 2 ball heads.. the Manfrotto 488RC2 or Giottos MH 1301-656. Similar ball head design, except the Giottos has friction control. I believe the Giottos is also able to handle more weight.

I'd go for the manfrotto, since its a tried and proven choice for generations. The Giottos isn't well known for their heads, but their rocket blower.

Giottos uses a weaker metal alloy than either Manfrotto & Gitzo. I've had two clients who have had (admittedly heavy) lenses crash to the ground after the screws failed whilst carrying their lenses over their shoulders. Giottos products are blatant knkock-offs of both Manfrotto & Gitzo - the name is a combination of both names. The founder of Giottos has even admitted it herself.

Thanks for the clarification! I trust your guys' response.

First of all, thanks for all the responses. I had quiet a lower budget, but after reading the responses I might have to up it a bit as it seems like this is a bigger investment since it lasts? And people even pointed out that it'll last longer than lens and body? I just don't know if I can shell that much out right now just for the pod (but I always feel pissed when I can't get good shots in low light conditions). Plus, if I invest 100-500 into this, than I'm missing out on a potential lens :(. Man, photography is an EXPENSIVE hobby that I have picked up :cry:. But back on topic, what is the difference between a ball and pan head? I'm assuming(and as you pointed out) it allows you to swivel more. What kind of angles does panning allow you to have?

How much did that run you? And whats the height once its extended? What is a GOOD height? The ones I have checked out so far are SO short! I want one where I just have to bend over and be able to look at.

Thanks for this. I'm one for good quality knockoffs when the prices are pushing over 500. How's the weight? And the height?

Edit: I just read your review, and seems like you really liked it. This seems like somewhat of an option for me!



I just started, so right now just have a D5000 with a 18-55 lens, really light stuff. I'm looking to get into some telephoto stuff, but that's probably farther down the line since I simply cannot afford the lens right now. I would probably use it for both landscape and portrait (or just as an everyday pod... I'm thinking I'll just keep it handy in my trunk, but it should still be something I can carry around when I need it to).


I'm gonna go out on a limb and say ... 100-300 ? Wow... I was gonna start out with like... 100....

So this is like two device setup? What are the advantages of this? How much would the setup cost?

Thanks :). At least i know what direction to look in.

usually, people select and/or buy the tripod legs and the tripod head seperately. as you might know, the stronger, more durable, and lighter the legs are, the better, and probably more expensive. as for the head, a ball head when loose is free to rotate in all directions, where as a pan head typically lets you rotate in... x,y,z axis. i suggested the 488 because it lets you do both.

the cheapest decent combo imo would be a manfrotto 190 (tripod legs) + 486rc2 (ball head) for about $250. check all the local places to compare the prices.

Here's a useful website to help you pick:
http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/pid/4482

also think about how many times you're going to use this. I'm glad I only spent 300 bux since I haven't used it much

This is the setup I am going for, when the cash frees up. It's a head + leg combo as they aren't sold together.
Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod legs - $199.99 http://www.bccamera.com/index.php?ma...d2krs5kvi0fbd1
Manfrotto 488RC2 tripod head - $149.99 http://www.bccamera.com/index.php?ma...o65c7ovin4rf82

The legs ran me approximately $800.

I'm 5'10" and combined with the 488RC2 ballhead, it's maybe 1" shorter than my eye level for the viewfinder when my camera is mounted.

this is with the center column down and only the legs extended.

my gf originally bought me a manfrotto 190 pro but it was too short when extended as i don't like to stoop over to see the viewfinder.

the 055 manfrotto is approximately the same height as my Gitzo.

i would recommend the Manfrotto 055 legs and 488 ball head if you want a really good setup that isn't too expensive.

just keep in mind, would you trust your nice body and lens on a cheap tripod?

a good tripod will last you a long long time and its worth investing in. I recently replaced a old tripod that was given to me by my brother. It did the job but it was so cumbersome to use. I bought a manfrotto 190xprob with a 486rc2 ball head and I love it. I can setup my shots a lot quicker with the ball head and the tripod lets me get down really low.

If you are interested i have a Manfrotto 190CX3 with a Manfrotto 488RC2 ball head that i would let go of if your interested. Selling because i have a heavy setup thats not suited for this lens. I'm going to buy a stronger tripod and gimbal head combo for my support. Lemme know if your interested :) Google the combo! It's awesome and pretty light! Supported my 5D MKII and 70-200 F2.8 super stable! Bought in Dec 09, used maybe 4 times.

you could still use it in combo with a new tripod. just use the manfrotto to support your 500mm!!!

Naw, i'm planning on a 3 series Gitzo and a Jobu gimbal head :)

^ markins m20 :)

^^ LoL..that's overkill! :)

^^^ yeah!

I have the Manfrotto 055CXPRO3 carbon fibre legs and the 468RC2 hydrostatic ballhead. Total cost was just over $800.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...I/DSC02421.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...I/DSC02423.jpg

This is what I run as well. It's a very good setup for general camera work, and quite versatile.

I got mine super cheap in Singapore... picked it up second hand less than $150CAD. :D

The heaviest combination I run on it is 5D2 + 70-200 f2.8IS + 580EX2 and it's been stable if you mount using the lens mount instead of body mount.

that hydrostatic ballhead that you were showing us the other day. I looked it up on manfrotto's site, and it's made of magnesium.

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