Looking for a new tripod...

[Josh101]

im looking into buying a new tripod. done some reasearch and am thinking that i should go for a bogen manfrotto. just wondering which model or other suggestions people may have for which one i should buy

[foxbat]

Before the usual stock responses appear here it might be best if you can tell us which camera+lens you intend to mount on it and if you need the tripod itself to be light weight.

[Cathpah]

Before the usual stock responses appear here it might be best if you can tell us which camera+lens you intend to mount on it and if you need the tripod itself to be light weight.


yup. read the stickies too, maybe even before posting your answer. you'll need to decide what you'll be supporting (strength/weight), how much you'll be carrying it around(how small you'll want/how many legs you need), and what the main purpose is for it. Also have to think about what kind of head you want on it. Lastly is how much you can spend on it.

deciding on bogen/manfrotto is only a small part of the picture. go to a camera store and play with a few. see whether you want lever or screw type leg adjustment (i thought i'd prefer lever type manfrotto stuff, but now much prefer the gitzo screw type adjustment). Also look at benro and dynatran (both on ebay) as good alternatives for a cheaper price....aside from those two, DON'T skimp on your tripod as you'll just need to buy a better one down the road once you realize your pod isn't steady enough.

a common first good tripod is the 3021B legs and the 488rc2 ballhead.

read the stickies and the major companies websites and you should be able to figure out what you need without too much help from our end.

[SkipD]

I did a tremendous amount of research and hands-on comparison when I finally chose my Bogen/Manfrotto 3021BPro (known as the 055ProB outside the U.S.) topped off with their 488RC2 ball head. I have been extremely satisfied with the combination for several years, especially since I replaced the old-style center column with the two-piece column that is sold with the tripod today (Manfrotto has improved the 3021B over time).

I have recommended this combination over and over here and many folks are equally satisfied that they got the same rig.

[Cathpah]

I did a tremendous amount of research and hands-on comparison when I finally chose my Bogen/Manfrotto 3021BPro (known as the 055ProB outside the U.S.) topped off with their 488RC2 ball head. I have been extremely satisfied with the combination for several years, especially since I replaced the old-style center column with the two-piece column that is sold with the tripod today (Manfrotto has improved the 3021B over time).

I have recommended this combination over and over here and many folks are equally satisfied that they got the same rig.


HA! I knew skip would be in here soon recommending his famous 3021B/488RC2 combo! :p

[JohnJ80]

I know, he ought to just put it in his sig.

The only problem with this recommendation is that is one solution and the requirements are not so singular for most people. This does, however, given the saw that you can get cheap, light and stable; pick 2 but you can't have all three - satisfies "cheap" and "stable."

J.

[Josh101]

for price wise im looking for somthing around or under $400 i would prefer a lever head vs a screw. and about the weight, around 15 pounds would be more than okay. i will be mounting a 1ds Mk2 and a 70-200 F/2.8

[SkipD]

for price wise im looking for somthing around or under $400 i would prefer a lever head vs a screw. and about the weight, around 15 pounds would be more than okay. i will be mounting a 1ds Mk2 and a 70-200 F/2.8This rig (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/353322-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto__3021BPRO_Tripod_Black_with.html) is what has been recommended. It weighs far less than 15 pounds and would work quite well with the equipment you mentioned.

[mrmarklin]

im looking into buying a new tripod. done some reasearch and am thinking that i should go for a bogen manfrotto. just wondering which model or other suggestions people may have for which one i should buy

I use a Manfrotto Neotec, and for people that don't want any hassles at all with equipment, I rate it top notch.

I could never figure out how to turn the twisty ones, and was always having to lean over for the lever ones. On the Neotec you can level the tripod from on top every time.:) It's a wonderful product, unless you need something really heavy duty.

[mrmarklin]

for price wise im looking for somthing around or under $400 i would prefer a lever head vs a screw. and about the weight, around 15 pounds would be more than okay. i will be mounting a 1ds Mk2 and a 70-200 F/2.8


The Neotec would work just fine for you. Forget those levers and screws!!!!!!!!:cool:

[tomd]

a common first good tripod is the 3021B legs and the 488rc2 ballhead.



I also recommend this one ^^^

Tom

[JohnJ80]

One thing I would suggest is to look at the weight of the Neotec and decide if you want to carry that much around. Personally, I wouldn't - but that's me.

J

[Cathpah]

One thing I would suggest is to look at the weight of the Neotec and decide if you want to carry that much around. Personally, I wouldn't - but that's me.

J


yup--i used the neotec-ish version of manfrottos monopod because I wasn't as concerned with weight as much (using my monopod only for events...never for hiking), but I would never want that additional weight multiplied by 3 (number of legs with the extra weighty technology). Get a good gitzo/manfrotto and learn to use the levers/screw setup and enjoy the lack of extra weight you're carrying.