Manfrotto 190Pro+141RC (Bogen 3001Pro+3030) combo

[Olegis]

Hi all.
After using my el-cheapo tripod, which is not very stable even on the my living room floor, I think that it's time to get some decent camera support. I have scanned the web for reviews and found out that the Manfrotto 190Pro+141RC (Bogen 3001Pro+3030) combo is highly recommended. Anything below this level will not be sufficient for my needs (10D + 70-200 f/2.8L + Grip) and anything above will be heavier and much more expensive.
I checked the Manfrotto 055 Pro (Bogen 3021) legs in a local store and found them very heavy (2.4kg) and expensive (about $190 where I live).

The tripod/head will be used mostly for shooting landscape/flowers/macro. What do you think ?

[Belmondo]

This is one of those areas in photography that you really seem to get what you pay for. Until you get to around $200, tripods seem to improve almost linearly. A $200 tripod will be twice as good as a $100 model. Over $200, I don't feel the differences are that great.

I have owned a succession of tripods, and finally have settled on two that I like very much, each for different reasons.

I have one of the big, heavy Bogen tripods with a pan/tilt head on it. I find this best suited for landscape work (as long as I don't have to carry it too far). It is rock solid and is without question my opimum setup for shooting in the high winds that are all too common here in the desert.

I also have a lighter carbon-fiber tripod that I use whenever the weight of the big metal unit might become an issue (like having to carry it more than 40 feet).

Based on my experiences with lower quality units, a bad tripod will have more negative impact on your field work than will marginal optics.

I use a Bogen ball head on the carbon fiber tripod...488-RC2, I think.

Also, use a cable release whenever possible.

[Olegis]

Thanks belmondo.
The two options you've mentioned are not the ones for me - I want a compact and light tripod to take for a couple of hours hikes sometimes, but from the other hand the carbon tripod is WAY out of my budget.
BTW, I use a timer and mirror lock for long exposures.

[MarkoPolo]

I have the Manfrotto 3001 with Giottos med ball head. It was my first tripod and has worked well.

However, I have since added the Gitzo 2220 Explorer with a Kirk BH-3 ball head. It is superior in every respect. Plus you can get in real unusual positions, much easier than with the Manfrotto. Not much difference in weight.

I might say I was perfectly happy with the Manfrotto until I got the Gitzo. Sort like when I got my first L lens. I didn't know what I didn't know!

Hope that helps. Mark B.

[cmM]

I have the 3001pro legs and the 3030 head, and... compared to my cheap tripod, it's like heaven vs. hell

It;s very steady, and the level on the 3001pro legs is very usefull for landscapes, especially if you want to stitch later.

I really have no basis for comparisson as this is the only "good" tripod I have ever owned, but I'm pretty happy with it.

As for the weight, do not expect the 3001 legs to be very light... they're pretty damned heavy (but that's okay, I'll still hike with it on my back. It's good to be young) :wink:

Hope this helps.

[Olegis]

Well, it's good to be young indeed, I'm 29 myself 8) But the backpack is getting really heavy really fast, so I have to watch the additional weight.
More opinions ?

[Olegis]

Anyone ?
How about the 3021Pro model ? It's bigger and heavier but I myself am tall (186cm), so I might need taller tripod ...

[Savagelogic]

I have the 3001pro legs and the 486RC ball head and I do hike with it. But since its taller than my dabpack, if I'm going any sizeable distance then I put it in my internal fram back pack. As alternative, if you can find a Razor scooter travel bag (got mine at .99 store) it should fit perfectly with this setup.

So far I haven't had any problems with this combo except the latches needing a little tighting which was a cinch. I did come to same conclusion that the 3021 would be too big for hiking, the 3001 are as big as I can handle and so far been very happy with the strength/stability with it.

[Olegis]

Thanks !
How tall are you ? I have seen quite a few posts in another forums, in which people complained about the height of the 3001.

[TomBrooklyn]

I haven't been able to find out much about the Manfrotto 141. Does anybody own one?

[themadman]

Wow... this is possibly the oldest zombie resurrection I have seen.

EDIT: Maybe look for a Manfrotto 804RC2? The 141 is prolly discontinued.

[xarqi]

Wow... this is possibly the oldest zombie resurrection I have seen.

EDIT: Maybe look for a Manfrotto 804RC2? The 141 is prolly discontinued.

Shall we dig up this one:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1
;)

[themadman]

lol

[woos]

/em casts summon zombie