Tripod wanted

[Todd Louis Green]

I need advice from the collective wisdom and experience of the POTN patrons. I need to buy a tripod (and head), and my requirements are fairly straightforward. I want the tripod to be:

1. Rated for my 1D2N and a 70-200/2.8 L IS USM, with enough leeway that I'll never have to worry.

2. Durable enough to last the rest of my life.

3. Lightweight and compact for hiking, travel, etc.

4. User-friendly (particularly the head) but with every feature I could ever possibly need, want, or imagine for any type of photography ever done in the past, present, or future.

5. I'd like it to be free or, if absolutely necessary, pretty darn cheap.

OK, obviously I'm being silly. But what are some good options for a lightweight tripod & head that can handle my camera (1D2N and soon a 70-200/2.8 L IS) without breaking the bank. I don't need twenty billion adjustments and special features, just a tripod I can bring with me almost anywhere for times when I need ... well, a tripod!

TIA for your advice ...

[condyk]

Look at the carbon fibre Feisol ... then take advice on a ballhead. I have the Manfrotto 488 CR2 set up but not sure if it could handly your gear weight wise in worst conditions.

[cfcRebel]

I'm a fan of Amvona's Dynatran, especially their carbon fiber series.

[SkipD]

I think you'd be very happy with the Bogen/Manfrotto 3021BPro and their 488RC2 ball head for general purpose work. You might choose other heads for specific purposes. I have three different heads for mine.

I also have a much heavier set of legs - the Bogen/Manfrotto 3151. That one you wouldn't want to carry into the woods.

[DocFrankenstein]

Good luck choosing heads. With legs it seems to be quite simple for what you want to do, but with heads... it's personal.

I've had 4 heads and don't particularly like any of them.

[Todd Louis Green]

I've had 4 heads and don't particularly like any of them.

The irony, coming from DocFrankenstein, just kills me. :lol: :lol: :lol:

[IanD]

Todd,
For a light, sturdy tripod it is hard to beat the 1325 Gitzo carbon model. It will work with everything up to and including a 500 prime. Several members have them and a good friend 9ssim) uses one too. Very sturdy. I use basically the same model but in alu, the 1340. It is heavier and not the best choice it you are going to be doing a lot of hiking. Both models do not have a center column but are very tall with the legs fully extended. Sheldon (ssim) is well over 6 feet tall and has of yet felt the need for more height, even shooting at an upward angle. I'm a measly 5'10" and have not had to extend the legs fully.
As for a quality ball head, I am currently using a Kirk BH-1. It locks up solid and does not move a hair, even with my MKII and Sheldons 500 prime on it.
Really Right Stuff and Markins also make excellent quality ballheads. None of them are cheap but quality never is. All the above companies use the Arca-Swiss mounting plate which is the strongest, safest, most stable plate system available.

[subtle_spectre]

The irony, coming from DocFrankenstein, just kills me. :lol: :lol: :lol:

Excellent. Pure and simple.

[Ricko of Fla]

My vote for Feisol , very light WT 17" long ,so I can put in my suit case and the price is good. WWWfeisol .com -Thresholdconcepts.com a distrub.

Ricko

[sunbeast]

If you are on a serious budget, I would agree that the Feisol tripods are a nice carbon fiber lightweight compromise. Gitzo and Bogen/Manfrotto are tough to beat, but come at a price.

[DavidEB]

The big choice in ballheads is ARCA or non-ARCA. ARCA systems are much more expensive but more secure, and allow better balancing. The ARCA systems are all high-load, capable systems. IanD mentioned reallyrightstuff and markins, those seem very good. I love my acratech (www.acratech.net) which is lighter and more versatile, but perhaps not as high-capacity as their bigger cousins. But for your equipment list (similar to mine) the acratech is excellent.