REVscene Automotive Forum - Ernie's tripod help!

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Ernie's tripod help!

Alright so i need a little bit of tripod help myself. I didn't want to hijack the other one so i thought that i'd make one myself. I'm going to be getting a Jobu Black Widow Heavy Duty mk II gimbal head, now its onto the tripod that i might need. I've thought of a Gitzo 3 series, or a Manfrotto 055pro or something to that extent. Obviously i'd like to save some money here and there, but doesn't mind spending a little bit. Idea's?

The heaviest setup with be a 7D (plus grip and another battery at some point) 500mm F4L IS and the gimbal head.

Thanks Ernie

Manfrotto 055CXPRO3 or Gitzo 3 Series for sure. Have you looked at the Manfrotto 393 Heavy Lens Support? Manfrotto says it's for a monopod, but it can also be used on a tripod.

http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/cache/offonce/pid/2430

Yeah i've seen those before, and I'm sure they are good but i would like something that has less friction, and ease of use really. Hopefully the Jobu will be a good investment, and its made in Canada too. I always like to support Canadian product! :)

Do you shoot a lot of nature or subjects that require a tripod? If so, and you plan to use it a lot and not move around too much, I'd suggest the 055 legs. I have the same ones and they're great and sturdy but the thing is so heavy I never bring it around. I think I've used it less than 10 times over the 5 years I've had it...yep...If I shot a lot of night photography or things requiring the tripod, it would get used more.

I was browsing around online, looking at a future setup for a tripod i am dreaming of. I found this link here that you might find helpful if you ever do plan on buying a 3xxx Gitzo.

Quote:

Originally Posted by http://www.naturescapes.net/docs/index.php/articles/365

Now the majority of wildlife photographers I come across and read about use Gitzo Systematic tripods as do I, and I have never had a problem with the plate coming loose in the field. When my tripod first arrived, the plate was loose, but I simply tightened the bolt up and never looked back. I also have two friends using the older version of my tripod (I use the GT5541LS) and they have never had any trouble either, so although there ARE photographers out there who have had problems, it certainly shouldn't be seen as a major design flaw of the systematic range of tripods. If you use a Wimberley MKII or anything with the very popular Arca Swiss clamp, you are also trusting the weight of your gear on a finger tightened clamp - in theory this is potentially just as risky! A simple routine check of all the bolts on the tripod should always be carried out once in a while and doing so will hopefully prevent any disasters - after all, you wouldn't drive your car for a year without checking the oil.

http://www.naturescapes.net/docs/index.php/articles/365

Series 3 Gitzo!

Seems like all the guys on POTN love that tripod as it supports quite a bit of heavy lenses (depending on your ball head of course).

Spend once like i did, and be happy with it for a LONG time :)