Need help picking out a new tripod!

[Rockfreak300]

Hello everyone,

I have been searching on here and didn't find all too many tripod threads so I figured I would start my own! I bought a Quantaray Pro tripod a few days ago from a Ritz store here locally which ended up being the worst tripod I have ever used and Ritz ended up being very unreliable and upsetting. It didn't take very long to realize that the tripod they gave me had already been used and scratched up and most likely a floor model and gave me no discount on the item. Inevitably this upset me and even more so when they did not seem to care in the least and only wanted to exchange it for a higher more expensive tripod at my expense of course. Needless to say I got my refund and left with a sour taste in my mouth.

So here I am now hoping you guys can help me! :) I have been browsing this forum for a while and have learned a lot and realize if I was going to get good advice anywhere it would be here! So hopefully you can all help me with some suggestions or anything.

I really don't want to spend a ridiculous amount of money but I do suppose you get what you pay for (as I learned quickly). I have been tinkering between these 2 tripods on BH and wanted to know if anyone has any experience with them:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=428998&is=REG

and

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=261792&is=REG

Really don't want to go above that price point. If you guys have any suggestion pleaseeeee chime in. Anything is appreciated as I have a very small amount of knowledge about tripods. Thanks in advance everyone!

- Chris

[SkipD]

What's important to know is the equipment you would put on a tripod and how/where you would use the tripod. If you have a little lightweight camera rig, then you can get away with less tripod than if you expect to use longer and heavier lenses, for example. Shooting outside can suggest different equipment than if you stay indoors. Get the idea? Fill in the blanks for us, and we can suggest the best solution for you.

Generically, I suggest a Bogen/Manfrotto 3021BPro topped with their 488RC2 ball head (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/353322-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto__3021BPRO_Tripod_Black_with.html) for a multipurpose rig that will work well for most people under most conditions. This costs more money than you are currently looking at spending, but you wouldn't be needing to look for another tripod for a long time to come with this rig.

[Woolburr]

Without knowing what you plan to place on the tripod and what your intended uses are, it is very hard to recommend one. A tripod that might stand up to occasional use with a P&S is probably not going to hold up well with a much heavier DSLR attached. This is about the minimum I would use with a DSLR. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/496266-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto__190XDB_Tripod_Legs_Black_.html

[crn3371]

What gear are you going to put on it? XT with kit lens, then either one would suffice, with the Slik getting the nod because of extra weight capacity. 30D with grip, and big L zoom, then neither one, I'd then go with Skip's recommendation. Like Skip said, more then you want to spend, but you get what you pay for, and in all likelyhood you'll soon outgrow the budget tripods.

[Rockfreak300]

Sorry about my lack of information! I was in a rush when I posted my thread.

Here is my current setup: 30D, 28-135mm kit lens, 50mm 1.8 and what I am looking to buy soon is the 70-200mm 2.8 IS so I need a sturdy tripod. I will eventually be getting the 100-400 also so I will definitely be needing something up for the challenge!

Hopefully you guys can help me :) Thanks for all of the recommendations thus far! I might just have to save up a little longer. I am assuming it is better to buy a tripod with a separate head than buying one with both included? Seems like Manfrotto is the leader in tripods but also has the highest prices. I suppose they go hand in hand!

[crn3371]

Well, I wouldn't put that gear on one of the 2 you listed. I'd definately recommend the 3021. If budget is a concern you could go with the next step down on the Manfrotto line, the 190 series, but that would be the minimum I'd go.

[Rockfreak300]

Well, I wouldn't put that gear on one of the 2 you listed. I'd definately recommend the 3021. If budget is a concern you could go with the next step down on the Manfrotto line, the 190 series, but that would be the minimum I'd go.

Thanks for the quick response. :) Tripods are not something I've really studied all too much but I think I will most definitely be saving up my pennies to buy the one you recommended! Does that tripod come with everything included or do I need to buy anything else? I believe (I could be wrong of course) that some tripods only come with the tripod body itself but not the head and that is to be bought separately? I'm going to check out the one you recommended out on BH and see all of the specs!

[troypiggo]

I recently went through the tripod/head purchasing exercise and have similar gear to you. I ended up getting the 3021BPRO tripod (or 055PROB here in Aus) and 488RC2 ball head as SkipD has recommended. It seemed to be one of the most popular combos that kept coming up in my research. It is a very sturdy, quality build from what I've tried so far and I'm very happy with it. It cost a little more than I intended, but I figure it will last a long, long time.

I don't know if you've seen the Manfrotto website, but somewhere there they have a couple of tables to help you choose your tripod/head. The tables list the weights that each tripod can support, and has some indicative weights of camera/lens combos. Might pay for you to have a look there to get a feel for it all.

[gryphonslair99]

I really don't want to spend a ridiculous amount of money

Then stop right now, sell the gear you have and take up knitting. Otherwise, be prepared to accept the fact that you are probably spend a rediculous amount of money over time. The only rediculous money spent in photography is for things you just don't need/use cause they looked "cool" or the rediculous money you spend fixing a piece of gear because you went with a cheap tripod that failed on you and it put your gear on the ground. Is $300 really a rediculous amount of money for $3000 worth of gear?

Couple of good choices here for the gear you have and are looking to buy.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/353324-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto__3021BPRO_Tripod_Black_with.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/353322-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto__3021BPRO_Tripod_Black_with.html

[Rockfreak300]

Then stop right now, sell the gear you have and take up knitting. Otherwise, be prepared to accept the fact that you are probably spend a rediculous amount of money over time. The only rediculous money spent in photography is for things you just don't need/use cause they looked "cool" or the rediculous money you spend fixing a piece of gear because you went with a cheap tripod that failed on you and it put your gear on the ground. Is $300 really a rediculous amount of money for $3000 worth of gear?

Couple of good choices here for the gear you have and are looking to buy.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/353324-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto__3021BPRO_Tripod_Black_with.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/353322-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto__3021BPRO_Tripod_Black_with.html

Thanks for the reply. I suppose I was trying to be optimistic about the tripod prices :lol: Definitely not going to happen. I checked out your two links and do you happen to have any experience with either of those tripods by any chance? I'm not quite sure what the differences are between the two.

Anyway, assuming I buy one of the given options you presented me with I shouldn't have anything left to buy tripod wise correct? It should come with everything I need to start going out using it? I'm just not familiar because like I've stated earlier in the thread I know you can also buy tripod / tripod heads separately and am just hoping this one comes with everything I need! :) Thanks for your help!

- Chris

[troypiggo]

Thanks for the reply. I suppose I was trying to be optimistic about the tripod prices :lol: Definitely not going to happen. I checked out your two links and do you happen to have any experience with either of those tripods by any chance? I'm not quite sure what the differences are between the two.

Anyway, assuming I buy one of the given options you presented me with I shouldn't have anything left to buy tripod wise correct? It should come with everything I need to start going out using it? I'm just not familiar because like I've stated earlier in the thread I know you can also buy tripod / tripod heads separately and am just hoping this one comes with everything I need! :) Thanks for your help!


The second one is the tripod/head combo that about 4 of us in this thread have recommended for you. It will give you the tripod legs, the ball head and all the bits to connect your camera to it.

Come to think of it - you do want a ball head, don't you? Have you looked into the different types of heads and their pros and cons? Have you read this thread linked from the forum's stickys?

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=53864

[gryphonslair99]

Thanks for the reply. I suppose I was trying to be optimistic about the tripod prices :lol: Definitely not going to happen. I checked out your two links and do you happen to have any experience with either of those tripods by any chance? I'm not quite sure what the differences are between the two.

Anyway, assuming I buy one of the given options you presented me with I shouldn't have anything left to buy tripod wise correct? It should come with everything I need to start going out using it? I'm just not familiar because like I've stated earlier in the thread I know you can also buy tripod / tripod heads separately and am just hoping this one comes with everything I need! :) Thanks for your help!

- Chris

I actually use them both. One set of legs and both heads. For portrait shoots I really like the 322RC2 grip head. Great for that kind of work. Quick and stable. I use the ball head more for landscape type stuff and in the fiield. Once I get a studio set up here at the house I am going to put the 322 on a set of Manfrotto 3046 legs.

[Ultimate CC]

check out the www.feisol.com...some really nice stuff on there...

[Rockfreak300]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. Seems stupid of me not to go out and purchase the 3021BPro.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/353322-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto__3021BPRO_Tripod_Black_with.html

Although I am a bit confused as to what exactly the "BH Kit" consists of. I thought it possibly came with a carrying bag but that doesn't seem to be the case. I am assuming it means the tripod/head combo?

Although a bit heavier and definitely more expensive than I had wished it seems to be the right one for me.

[Rockfreak300]

I had one more question:

I searched on BH for the tripod and ballhead separately and came up with these prices:



For $167 - Tripod supports 13.3lbs

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/272779-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_488RC2_488RC2_Midi_Ball_Head.html

For $106 - ballhead supports 17.6lbs

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/272779-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_488RC2_488RC2_Midi_Ball_Head.html

So the prices come out about identical but what I don't understand is that the ballhead separately says it can support 17.6lbs while the same ballhead (If I am right?) with the kit only supports 11.8lbs? Can someone clarify this for me? Doesn't make sense to me, seems like the kit supports less. I am confused! lol

[SkipD]

I had one more question:

I searched on BH for the tripod and ballhead separately and came up with these prices:



For $167 - Tripod supports 13.3lbs

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/272779-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_488RC2_488RC2_Midi_Ball_Head.html

For $106 - ballhead supports 17.6lbs

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/272779-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_488RC2_488RC2_Midi_Ball_Head.html

So the prices come out about identical but what I don't understand is that the ballhead separately says it can support 17.6lbs while the same ballhead (If I am right?) with the kit only supports 11.8lbs? Can someone clarify this for me? Doesn't make sense to me, seems like the kit supports less. I am confused! lolI suspect this is just errors by someone creating the on-line catalog. The Bogen/Manfrotto web site lists the tripod alone rated at 15.4 pounds and the 488RC2 alone head rated at 17.6 pounds.

Here are the pages for the 3021BPro tripod (http://www.bogenimaging.us/Jahia/site/bius/pid/6780?detailPid=8045&actualPathCategoryKey=1CAT:AAA1:2CAT:BB59&kindOfProductCollectionRequest=productDetail&marketList=MARKET:MKT1|) and the 488RC2 Ball Head (http://www.bogenimaging.us/Jahia/site/bius/pid/6780?detailPid=8420&actualPathCategoryKey=1CAT:AAA1:2CAT:BB24&kindOfProductCollectionRequest=productDetail&marketList=MARKET:MKT1|).

[Jon]

Both your links point to the same page at B&H, for the 488RC2 head. A tripod/head combo is going to be no better than its weakest component. The tripod alone's rated at 13.3 lb per B&H. The head weighs 1.5 lb., so when you mount the 1.5 lb. head on the tripod, what's left before you max out the legs is 13.3-1.5, or 11.8 lb.

[Tapeman]

Quality tripods are way too expensive. I am on my fourth. I wasted my money on the first three. If you want to support a one series camera and a 500 4L you likely will spend over a grand.

[Rockfreak300]

Updated!!

Just went to my local Ritz camera store :gasp: and thought I would take a look at their selection. I talked to the salesman and really need a solid tripod for a shoot I will be doing soon. What is everyone's opinion on this setup?

3021BN (Not professional version) with 486RC2 ballhead.

Together on BH it's about $227 or so + shipping. I can pick it up right now at Ritz near my house for $235 firm. I wanted to get everyone's opinion on here first before I go out and buy it.

It's obviously not the same setup as many of you have recommended but I am a bit in an urgency and do not want to wait much longer. Should I suck it up and wait and pay the extra $40 bucks and get the 3021P + 488RC2 setup for $273? Any input is heavily appreciated!

The heaviest setup I will be using anytime soon will be my 30D + 70-200mm 2.8 IS and possibly the 100-400 farrr down the road.

[SkipD]

The 486RC2 is a bit on the weak side for the heavier lenses. It is likely to creep a bit with that weight. The 488RC2, on the other hand is a bit larger and can handle the heavier lenses easily. The 488RC2 also has the separate pan release/lock which can be very useful at times. I own and use both heads, so I know of what I speak.

I would strongly suggest the 3021BPro and 488RC2. You can get it from B&H and probably a few other places in fairly short order. DON'T go for any of the scam shops, though.

[Rockfreak300]

The 486RC2 is a bit on the weak side for the heavier lenses. It is likely to creep a bit with that weight. The 488RC2, on the other hand is a bit larger and can handle the heavier lenses easily. The 488RC2 also has the separate pan release/lock which can be very useful at times. I own and use both heads, so I know of what I speak.

I would strongly suggest the 3021BPro and 488RC2. You can get it from B&H and probably a few other places in fairly short order. DON'T go for any of the scam shops, though.

I trust your word :) Thanks a bunch my friend. I think I'll just suck it up and buy the one that has been recommended repeatedly. There is no bubble leveler with the 488RC2 head though correct?

[SkipD]

There is no bubble leveler with the 488RC2 head though correct?That is quite correct, but I have never in over 40 years found a need for a level except on the tripod itself. The 3021BPro does have a level built in.

You could get a level that goes into the hot shoe if you really felt the need.

Don't even look at the 488RC4 (which does have a built-in level), because the quick release (QR) plate is HUGE. You wouldn't want that plate mounted to your camera or lenses. The RC4 QR system is designed for much larger cameras - typically medium-format cameras like a Hasselblad or larger.

[Rockfreak300]

That is quite correct, but I have never in over 40 years found a need for a level except on the tripod itself. The 3021BPro does have a level built in.

You could get a level that goes into the hot shoe if you really felt the need.

Don't even look at the 488RC4 (which does have a built-in level), because the quick release (QR) plate is HUGE. You wouldn't want that plate mounted to your camera or lenses. The RC4 QR system is designed for much larger cameras - typically medium-format cameras like a Hasselblad or larger.

Oh, no way, I just have my little 30D! :D Thanks a whole bunch. I have a feeling the salesman at Ritz is not all too happy with me. It cracks me up because I have gone in there twice now and have put a couple items on hold but ended up coming here and asking about the items only to quickly realize it was stupid of me and there are always better alternatives. :lol: Thanks again, seems like your recommended combo will be the winner. As I read in an article on here there is no use having $3,000 worth of equipment on a dinky tripod only to have it fall over and crash to the ground!

[Rockfreak300]

Ordering it right now :) Thanks a lot everyone! I'll post up my thoughts when I get it from BH!