Best Legs for Under $200 (Pick a 'Pod Poll)

[slejhamer]

I have narrowed down my search for a new tripod to these three. Please help me decide. I would especially appreciate responses stating WHY you like one over the others.

All three are aluminum or alloy (no carbon fiber in this price class.) All three have the ability to position the center column horizontally, a feature I would enjoy. Based on reported functionality, there are many similarities among them which makes the decision difficult.

This is what I think the differences are:

Gitzo G2220:
Pro: Lifetime warranty! Column can be positioned horizontally without removing it (one-step process.) Brand reputation. At 4.9lbs it's the lightest of the three. Consistently positive reviews from users.
Con: Most expensive. No padded leg grip/protector. Shortest of the three. No extras.

Bogen/Manfrotto 3021BPro:
Pro: Flip locks (I find these more convenient than twist locks.) Least expensive.
Con: 1 year warranty. At almost 6lbs it's heavy to lug around. No padded leg grip/protector. No extras.

Giottos MT-9170:
Pro: Load capacity of 26lbs. Extras galore - toolkit, strap, carrying case. Padded leg grip/protector.
Con: 1 year warranty. Heaviest of the three at 6.6lbs. Not much user information available / no reviews to be found. Quality uncertain.

Right now I'm leaning toward the Gitzo because of the lifetime warranty (and I've heard they have great customer support) and the weight, but I'm concerned about stability with the off-center column. I consider the Bogen to be a very reputable lower-priced alternative. The Giottos is the wild card - not much is known about it, but it sure seems to offer a lot of bang for the buck - too bad it's so heavy.

I will be using the tripod with 10D and 70-200 f/4 lens. Might add a teleconverter at some point. Might get a heavier lens down the road too. I want the tripod to last and work well with potential future upgrades. Current heads are a Bogen 486RC2 and a Promaster imitation of the Bogen 3030 pan/tilt.

TIA,

[Scottes]

G-2220! I have the 3021B Pro. Below is an old post concerning my thoughts on the two:

The 3021B PRO I'm not so enamored with. The center column only goes 90-degrees, ie; parallel to the ground. When at 90 it's connection to the rest of the tripod is kind of hokey - hard to explain. After seeing the Gitzo G-2220 I started kicking myself. I now wish that I had spent the extra $50 - if only. I really don't find the center column on the 3021B PRO that useful - it's more of a pain.

The 3021 is also very tall. With my head on it it's just about the perfect height for me at 6' - if I'm shooting straight ahead. But I'd love if it was 3 inches shorter, so then the center column could come up a few inches when I needed it. The Gitzo is several inches shorter - I'd probably find something in the middle to be ideal, but I'd take too short over too tall.

Lastly I don't like the way the legs angle out. You get the "normal" stance then the next stop is way too far out. In the normal stance the top of my quick-release plate is 61" from the ground, and the legs are 45" apart. Angling the legs to the next notch makes it 48" tall with the legs 78" apart. Too much in my opinion. I definitely would have liked something in between.

If I did it again I'd keep the 490RC4 but I'd get the Gitzo G-2220. As a note, I never have the center column installed on the 3021B any more. It stays in the trunk in case I might need it, but I'd rather keep it removed.

I must say that I do like the lever-locks compared to twist. I hadn't thought about that. But if I did it again it would definitely be the G-2220.

[slejhamer]

Scottes - thanks for that great info!

Y'know, I read through a bunch of old posts when digging for info and of course I missed that one ... thanks for refreshing it for me.

One thing I've heard about the Gitzo's twist locks is that they only take a quarter-turn to tighten up. While I would still prefer the flip locks, these don't sound terribly inconvenient.

One other possible negative on the Gitzo: I've read that there are no detents when angling the legs out, so it might be difficult to get the balance right. On the other hand, on uneven terrain, it would be nice to have fully variable angles so the Gitzo has an edge in this regard. Always a trade-off!

[Scottes]

You know, this is actually the third time I posted that paragraph. You must not have searched too hard! :) :)

The 1/4-turn locks on the Gitzo make me feel better. But the lack of detents... Ugh. Seems like that might be a pain in the butt to place in a hurry. Versatility in placement, just not speed, I'd think.

I also wonder about the Gitzo with Big Glass. The 3021B is perfect for even a monster 600 f/4 L. (drool) The lighter, shorter Gitzo might not be so good.

[slejhamer]

You know, this is actually the third time I posted that paragraph. You must not have searched too hard! :) :)



Heh heh ... searching for "Bogen 3021Pro" doesn't give that post! If I had just done 3021 or 3021B I woulda seen it. My search criteria were too limiting. :oops:

***
Where's that Ian Watkins? Doesn't he use the Giottos? Posted something about the 8170 (carbon fiber version) winning a contest in the UK ... would like some more info if it's available. I read that this tripod is only about 46" tall without the center column extended - that's pretty short and would be a definite strike against it ... if it's true, then I'm no longer surprised that the company doesn't provide the height spec without center column.


***
If you vote "none of the above" please list an alternative! Just saying "none" isn't too helpful now is it? Thanks,

[nucki]

I have narrowed down my search for a new tripod to these three. Please help me decide. I would especially appreciate responses stating WHY you like one over the others.

All three are aluminum or alloy (no carbon fiber in this price class.) All three have the ability to position the center column horizontally, a feature I would enjoy. Based on reported functionality, there are many similarities among them which makes the decision difficult.

This is what I think the differences are:

Gitzo G2220:
Pro: Lifetime warranty! Column can be positioned horizontally without removing it (one-step process.) Brand reputation. At 4.9lbs it's the lightest of the three. Consistently positive reviews from users.
Con: Most expensive. No padded leg grip/protector. Shortest of the three. No extras.

Bogen/Manfrotto 3021BPro:
Pro: Flip locks (I find these more convenient than twist locks.) Least expensive.
Con: 1 year warranty. At almost 6lbs it's heavy to lug around. No padded leg grip/protector. No extras.

Giottos MT-9170:
Pro: Load capacity of 26lbs. Extras galore - toolkit, strap, carrying case. Padded leg grip/protector.
Con: 1 year warranty. Heaviest of the three at 6.6lbs. Not much user information available / no reviews to be found. Quality uncertain.

Right now I'm leaning toward the Gitzo because of the lifetime warranty (and I've heard they have great customer support) and the weight, but I'm concerned about stability with the off-center column. I consider the Bogen to be a very reputable lower-priced alternative. The Giottos is the wild card - not much is known about it, but it sure seems to offer a lot of bang for the buck - too bad it's so heavy.

I will be using the tripod with 10D and 70-200 f/4 lens. Might add a teleconverter at some point. Might get a heavier lens down the road too. I want the tripod to last and work well with potential future upgrades. Current heads are a Bogen 486RC2 and a Promaster imitation of the Bogen 3030 pan/tilt.

TIA,

Hi!

I was in the same situation as you. I wanted a tripod wich is versatile, with 3D center column and an overall good quality.
When I visited B&H in NYC I took a closer look at the Gitzo 8170 and the Giottos G2220.
It seems that they are both very good tripods. But to me the Gitzo looks a little bit flimsy. And its complicated to operate, because you have to do several things before you i.e. can move the center column and so on. And the legs seems to be not as stable as the Gitzos. (Maybe this was just the example in the store)
So finaly I went for the Gitzo G2220 and I'm extremly happy with it. The only exception is the lack of leg warmes. It seems the gitzo discontinued there legwarmers because they where not of good quality.

best regards
Peter

[nucki]

here is a link where are answers about the Giottos from Ian.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=33965&highlight=

best regards
Peter

[Andy_T]

Hi Slejhammer,

I'm not decisive about that.

I own the Manfrotto 3001 ... and I'm not totally happy with the stability of it.

Granted, it should be stable enough, but I have the feeling that it
yields a little bit when I extend pressure on the top of it. Aluminum legs bending just a bit, joints giving way just a bit and that.

So I'd be voting for the Gitzo, were it not for

... the twist legs :shock:

My Manfrotto does have twist legs, and I have the feeling that this is the weak point of the whole setup. I've had it for about a year now, and I have the feeling that the twist legs start to wear out ... that you have to twist them further to make them tight ... which, of course, wears them out even more. Plastic and aluminum as the materials of the leg segments don't make for the most durable combination. So I'd give those twist lock on the Gitzo a very close look.

Hope this didn't add to the overall confusion here :roll:

Best regards,
Andy

[slejhamer]

Thanks Peter! Good to hear a hands-on comparison between the Gitzo and Giottos. Including your comments I've heard a few people say that the Giottos was flimsy compared to the Gitzo ...

I'll have to drive out to one of the better camera shops (Ace) and compare the G2220 with the 3021Pro side by side - they've got both in stock. 8)

[slejhamer]

Plastic and aluminum as the materials of the leg segments don't make for the most durable combination.

Interesting comment. Apparently the Gitzo uses a plastic shim in the legs (not sure what for) but it is reported to be somewhat less-than-durable. :x

[TimNYC]

I have narrowed down my search for a new tripod to these three. Please help me decide. I would especially appreciate responses stating WHY you like one over the others.

Bogen/Manfrotto 3021BPro:
Pro: Flip locks (I find these more convenient than twist locks.) Least expensive.
Con: 1 year warranty. At almost 6lbs it's heavy to lug around. No padded leg grip/protector. No extras. TIA,

Slej, I own and voted for the 3021BPro. You can purchase "leg warmers," for the tripod or more easily just purchase some pipe wrap. I needed a replacement part recently. I emailed them (in NJ) my description of the part, and after their email response I had the part in my hands. No charge for the part or shipping/handling. That's service!
Don't know the particulars regarding the others, but the removeable center column is extremely useful.
Good luck!

[iwatkins]

Hi Mitch,

Got your PM so thought I had better drop in. :D

I still stand by my decision to go with the Giottos 8170. Still no problems with it and it gets used every day (almost).

The 9170 is basically the same, but at over 6lb I would think hard about that if you expect to carry it in to anywhere over a long distance. If not, then yes, I would say deffo go for it.

Cheers

Ian

[slejhamer]

Tim / Ian : thanks for sharing your thoughts too. I've really got it narrowed down now! :wink:

I think I'd be happy with any of these three, so it's really a matter of weighing the trade-offs. Too bad I don't have a nearby store that stocks all three models ... though I might be able to put the Bogen and Gitzo side by side at one shop. Will have to trek down there this weekend.

[J___]

i can get u a tripod here that performs and looks just like any of those u listed up there for under $20 USD here in shanghai :P

[CyberDyneSystems]

I was in the same situation as you. I wanted a tripod wich is versatile, with 3D center column and an overall good quality.
When I visited B&H in NYC I took a closer look at the Gitzo 8170 and the Giottos G2220.
It seems that they are both very good tripods. But to me the Gitzo looks a little bit flimsy. And its complicated to operate, because you have to do several things before you i.e. can move the center column and so on. And the legs seems to be not as stable as the Gitzos. (Maybe this was just the example in the store)
So finaly I went for the Gitzo G2220 and I'm extremly happy with it. The only exception is the lack of leg warmes. It seems the gitzo discontinued there legwarmers because they where not of good quality.

best regards
Peter

Peter,

In your post you seem to flip flop back and forth as to what tripod you are referring to,.. calling the Gitzo a giotto,. and vice versa.. leaving it rather difficult to discern which if the two you actually prefer? :)

Could you clarify?

[slejhamer]

i can get u a tripod here that performs and looks just like any of those u listed up there for under $20 USD here in shanghai :P

Ah, but can you get one to me for under $20? :wink:

[Conk]

i can get u a tripod here that performs and looks just like any of those u listed up there for under $20 USD here in shanghai :P

Ah, but can you get one to me for under $20? :wink:

How about a knockoff? :lol:
Sorry Mitch, I can't offer too much on this as I do not own either tri-pods. I'm in the market myself and looking at the choices and reading the past threads, I would really like to see the Giottos MT-9170. Even though not much has been said on this one. The reviews have me leaning at the Gitzo G2220 but the big pro is warranty. The Giottos MT-9170 comes with lots of extras and even though it is heavy, it has a carrying bag. I might be inclined to go for the Giottos MT-9170, but of course, must see it first.

[CyberDyneSystems]

I am totally NOT up to date on what Gitzo models do what.. but a few months back when Scottes and I were in Maine.. there was a bloak with a used Gitzo that had a "leveling center column"...

This was a SWEET option... especially for nut jobs like me that tote around a gimble mount for a monster prime...

Rather than tweeking leg locks for ages on end untill the center column was level.. he simply loosened one handle and tweeked the center column in place using a bubble for reference..

It took him about 10 seconds!

This feature WILL be on my next tripod.

On the Gitzo.. this feature was in place on a large socket that still allowed the center column to pass through it... on the Manfrotto "levelling heads" the center column can no longer be used, as the levelling head does NOT allow the center column to pass through it.

[MarkoPolo]

I have the Gitzo and really like it. I use the Kirk BH-3 ball head.

I got some bicycle camo handlebar tape and that makes nice padding. Also used a small piece of the soft adhesive velcro on the legs where the adjustment levers "clack" down when closing. This allows silent closing when you need it.

The only possible negative is that I do need to extend the column a few inches to get it eye level(I'm 5'11").

Otherwise it a great tripod.
Mark B.

[Scottes]

...there was a bloak with a used Gitzo that had a "leveling center column"...

This was a SWEET option... especially for nut jobs like me that tote around a gimble mount for a monster prime...

It's also quite sweet for panoramics. No more mucking with legs to get the head level so you can pan on a level plane. VERY nice feature...

[DocFrankenstein]

http://www.drmagic.org/Kathimerines/2003/October/Sexy_Legs/1.jpg
:lol: :lol: :twisted: :twisted:

[slejhamer]

Doc - is that Mrs. Manfrotto? 8)

Thanks to everyone for their input. I just got back from Ace Camera (great little shop in Sterling VA - wish I had heard of it sooner!) and was able to put the Bogen 3021Pro, Gitzo G2220 and Giottos MT8160 (slightly smaller but more expensive carbon fiber cousin of the 9170) side-by-side. These are three VERY DIFFERENT tripods, but as I said above I'm sure any one of them could do the job adequately.

First off, the salesman did not recommend the Giottos - not even the more expensive CF version which would have given him a bigger ticket at the register. He said they're neither as stable nor as durable as the other two. Factor in the heavy weight of the 9170 and I think I'll scratch it off the list. Down to two.

The Bogen is very popular and I probably don't need to describe it much. I like the extra height and the flip locks on the legs, but as Scottes described above the horizontal column position doesn't seem to offer as much macro shooting flexibility as the Gitzo's variable position column, a factor of moderate importance to me.

Of course, the Bogen is pretty inexpensive for such good quality, and I could fit it with a strap and Op/Tech leg warmers for less than the price of the Gitzo legs alone.

On the other hand, the Gitzo is a really unique animal! I would argue that it is the ideal pod for shooting macros in the field, but of course it can be used in more traditional settings too. It's a bit smaller - but I'm only 5'8" so that's not a problem - and it also weighs a pound less.

While there are no detents for angling the legs, there are some (not readily apparent) marks for three standard angles - easy enough to use unless you are in the dark. Also there is a built-in spirit level to help with the process, but this is NOT self-leveling (and not priced like it either: http://www.adorama.com/GZ1227LVL.html)

The twist locks on the legs were quick and easy to use: just a 1/4-turn to tighten. And I really liked the gray speckled finish.

What I did not like on the Gitzo were the plastic leg angle locks - they felt cheap and less-than-durable. (MarkoPolo's idea of padding underneath these seems to be a very smart idea.) I mentioned the apparent fragility of the locks to the salesman, and he reminded me of the lifetime warranty. "Gitzo is great. If a part fails, they'll replace it. If they can't replace it, they'll replace the tripod. (:shock:) For $50 more this will last you a lifetime." How can you argue against that?

Now I just need to convince my wife that this should be my post-knee-surgery "get well soon" gift! (Surgery is next week! Yikes!)

Cheers!

[Scottes]

Nice reviews Mitch. Thanks.

If you're 5'8" then I think you may find the Bogen a bit of a pain because it will be too tall for you when the legs are extended. Of course you don't have to always extend the legs fully, but you'll have to remember to back them off every time you extend them. For me, at 6', the legs extend all the way and it's automatically at a perfect height with my ballhead.

Small nit, I know.

Per the Gitzo lifetime guarantee - will they replace a screw when you're in the middle of a shoot 4 miles from your car? Carry some spares - I have heard people gripe about Gitzos losing a screw in the field. Not a happy experience.


I will, again, mention the Bogen's vertical/horizontal-only center column. It is almost useless to me. It hasn't been on my tripod since 3 weeks after getting it. Granted I have not gone out in pursuit of macro flowers shots, though. If I had the Gitzo the movable column would always be on.

In other words, I'm pushing you towards the Gitzo. The detractions you state (leg padding, etc) are minor and can be fixed inexpensivley over time.

[slejhamer]

In other words, I'm pushing you towards the Gitzo.

Thanks for the extra insight and push. I'm pretty much there!

By the way, for anyone considering an online purchase, the Gitzo is $190 at J&R +$8 shipping. Best price I've seen for a new one.

Also, a used Giottos 8107 went for $155 shipped at FM: http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/118930 That is darned cheap for carbon fiber! Pays to shop around and be patient.

[slejhamer]

Tally after two days:
21 votes for 3021Pro
7 for G2220
1 lonely nod for the Giottos
3 for None of the above (well then WHICH ONE INSTEAD? Jeez, I'm not psychic! :roll: )