Advice for first tripod

[Ranz]

I would like some advice for my first real tripod purchase. I believe in doing something right the first time, so I am willing to spend more money if it means doing it right. :)
Gear: I use a 30D with BG and a 24-70 2.8L for my walk around lens, Canon 10-22 for wide angle, 100 2.8 for macro, and I plan to purchase in the future a 70-200 2.8L (either with or without IS.....that is another question).
I am still learning and an amature, but I shoot mainly macro, IR, and portraits.
I like to dabble with some action/sports and landscapes.
I have read this article http://www.bythom.com/support.htm , but would like some advice from some Canon owners.
Thank you very much for your help!
Ranz

[ScottE]

I agree with the article that you are way better off starting with a really good tripod and ball head instead of buying cheap and then going through a series of incremental upgrades before finally ending up with the tripod you should have bought in the first place. I learned that the hard way.

If you can, get a quality carbon fiber tripod, especially if you do any outdoor work in sub 0 C temperatures. If you can't stretch your budget that far, consider a good aluminum tripod like a Manfrotto 055 PRO (3021 PRO in USA). Also consider your type of photography. If you do much close to the ground macro work, something like a Gitzo Explorer that allows the centre post to rotate for low down shots is worth the money.

I like my Acratech ball head, but you should also look at those from companies like Really Right Stuff and Kirk.

[PAS Photography]

Depending on what you want to spend and how much you will be lugging (carry your gear) arround on a day to day basis. I have bought from Amvona.com but thru ebay. You can get almost the exact model that bogen / monfrotto tripods manufactures for over half the cost. I own two tripods of theirs (one aluminum pro version and one carbon fiber pro version) and compaired to the top name brands I dont see much of a difference if any. Solid, reliable and compairable in quality. Alof of members here have commmented on these as well if you do a search in past threads.

[Ranz]

Thank you for your in-put. Any others able to comment or give advice please?
oh...I do not plan to do any sub-zero temp shooting ;p

Ranz

[Ranz]

No one else to give any advice?
Just go for the Gitzo legs and a BH-1 ball head?
I am a bit nervous about this purchase only because I have no prior experience with buying a tripod :o

Thanks all!
Jimmy

[DavidW]

It's probably because we've had so many threads on tripods, and everyone's requirements are slightly different.

I'm using:

Gitzo G2220 Explorer legs (I wanted the extra flexibility of the Explorer design, but couldn't justify the cost of carbon fibre for the small weight saving and better damping)

Gitzo G1275M offset ball head (gives you the full flexibility of the Explorer legs, but tends to droop a bit after you tighten it - I may get a second more conventional ball head)

Manfrotto 323 RC2 adapter (Gitzo's QR is proprietary and IMHO pointless, I couldn't justify the leap to Arca Swiss at this point and RC2 is well known and highly regarded as an inexpensive QR system. If I do go Arca Swiss I haven't put that much money into RC2 and can probably offload the bits and pieces to others in the Marketplace forum)

Manfrotto 200PLARCH-14 QR plates (so much better than the standard RC2 plates - I was getting terrible twist problems with them)

Gitzo GE12P tripod bag (which I greatly prefer to the Manfrotto alternative)


Given the chance to do it over again, I'd by the same legs and tripod bag - unless budget wasn't a concern, in which case I'd buy the carbon fibre Explorer. The head I'm not so sure about - I wouldn't want to be without it, but, as I said, I'd rather have a more conventional head in my kit as well, such as a Manfrotto 488RC2 or 486MGRC2. I'd go for RC2 QR again (paying the extra for the anti-twist plates) unless budget wasn't a concern, in which case I'd go Arca Swiss with RRS products (including a BH-40 or BH-55 ball head).


I don't believe in buying bargain basement products, but I'll make reasonable compromises for my budget and usage. That's why I'm using a 20D instead of a 1Ds Mark II.



David

[JoeTwelvePack]

Feisol!

[wanderer488]

I would test out the legs with the heaviest combination that you would use in the near future. Check the stablity, column preference and fully extended height. Personally I used G1257 with RRS BH55 which was tested with a 5D, 70-200IS 2.8. There was a stability difference between the G1258 (4 section) vs 1257 (3 section).

Good luck !

[SkipD]

My standard recommendation for a high quality but reasonably priced general-purpose tripod rig is a Bogen/Manfrotto 3021BPro (known as the Manfrotto 055ProB outside the U.S.) topped off with a Bogen/Manfrotto 488RC2 ball head. This rig is extremely versatile, quite sturdy, but not too heavy to carry around with a shoulder strap.

[blue_max]

Seconded for Skips recommendation.

However, I sold my ball head and purchased a geared head instead. It would be no use whatsoever for sports or anything fast moving, but it's great for landscape, packaging, and I would imagine for your macro. It has incredible control. Ball heads have a little sag, which is OK for quickly framing something, but would be infuriating when doing macro work.

Good luck with your choice.

Graham