Tripod update, please!

[Dana]

Life is as good as it can get when I have a fun purchase that I "have to" make. :-)

Tripod broke last night, so I'm off to shopping land...

Desires are:

- Around $100
- lightweight
- At least 60" when fully extended
- reliable and sturdy
- compact when retracted

Not sure about:

- Leg braces
- Ballhead or pan head

My initial thoughts are:

- Manfrotto 724B (replaced the 719B - bal head)

- Manfrotto 714B (ball head, smallest of this type Manfrotto)

- Velbon MAXi 347E (I think some have said this one is "too light")

- Velbon MAXi 347GB (I think this comes w/pan head)

Any comments from current owners or tripod gurus, on these, or other options? I did a search on tripod and the ones I'm looking at, especially the Manfrottos, seem to be pretty popular.

Thanks for any real world experiences and advice,

Dana

[hypokondriak]

dana wrote:
Life is as good as it can get when I have a fun purchase that I "have to" make. :-)

Tripod broke last night, so I'm off to shopping land...

Desires are:

- Around $100
- lightweight
- At least 60" when fully extended
- reliable and sturdy
- compact when retracted

Not sure about:

- Leg braces
- Ballhead or pan head

My initial thoughts are:

- Manfrotto 724B (replaced the 719B - bal head)

- Manfrotto 714B (ball head, smallest of this type Manfrotto)

- Velbon MAXi 347E (I think some have said this one is "too light")

- Velbon MAXi 347GB (I think this comes w/pan head)

Any comments from current owners or tripod gurus, on these, or other options? I did a search on tripod and the ones I'm looking at, especially the Manfrottos, seem to be pretty popular.

Thanks for any real world experiences and advice,

Dana


I have the 719b - I love it. Easy to take with you and so small that most won't even notice it.

[Dana]

C'mon, guys and gals! This is a big decision for me! :-)

Dana

[NILOLIGIST]

Dana,

You know all the trouble I had, I will sit out on this one. Although, I love my tripod, I am afraid if I say too much good things about it I will hate it.

I purchased a:

Velbron Chaser EL 3 (A) - legs only
Quick Release head
SLIK tripod bag

Actually, I love Bogen and wanted one very badly, however, this tripod is much more than I expected, I really like it. I still plan to get a Bogen for my car so I have one with me all the time.

Purchasing a tripod is such a personal purchase, try a few until you get one you like, don't settle.

LOL

[PFlor]

I have the Manfrotto 719B tripod and really like it so I would take a serious look at its successor - the 724B. The Velbon 347e looks pretty good as well but I had a bad experience with a Velbon 343E tripod that broke after a month so I can't say I would recommend any Velbon product over a Manfrotto. As for ball head or pan head, I prefer a ball head since it's a lot faster to work with and I don't do too many panoramas.

[dtrayers]

I recently posted a similar question. Thanks to a suggestion from Cedar Forrester, Ijust got a new Bogen 714B today from BHPhoto for $95. It's less than two pounds and about 20" folded.. I'll be going to Vancouver, BC in a few days for a software conference and will spend the weekend shooting as much possible. I'll post a report when I get home.

[DanyaL]

My tripod says "GIOTTOS VT- 806". It is very light weight but is quite sturdy and reliable too.
I don't know much about tripods.
Sorry I couldn't help.

[NILOLIGIST]

dtrayers,

That sounds nice, ballhead or quick release?

[Dana]

niloligist wrote:
dtrayers,

That sounds nice, ballhead or quick release?

I believe the 714B is a ballhead.

Thanks, all, for the feedback!

I'm going to go to a local camera store tomorrow and fondle, er, ah, take a look at some tripods... :-)

Dana