Help - about a tripod

[sjg_studios]

I know this may seem like a newbie question...well, I guess it is. I'm totally confused about tripods. Let me expain.

I obviously want a solid tripod with all the cool things like swivel head/pan/tilt...and everything else. I guess I'm not that smart about it, but what kind of head will allow me to orient the camera into a "portrait" position? I can't seem to find a clear expanation. I see most tripods come without a head. Some come with it. I'm completely lost.

Can anybody help me. [/b]

[Belmondo]

Most ball heads will allow you to roll the camera over into portrait mode. The one feature that is not always offered on ball heads is the ability to pan. Some, like the Bogen 488 have the ability to swivel in the horizontal axis.

If you're going to be doing strictly studio work and possibly some landscape work, then a pan/tilt will be okay, but compared to a ball head they are cumbersome and time-consuming when setting up your shots. A ball head can be much faster as a rule, but are not as precise.

[Scottes]

A ball head can be much faster as a rule, but are not as precise.

And that pretty much sums it up. In landscapes and studio you will want/need fairly precise alignment. It's time consuming, but it often takes longer with a ballhead because a ballhead moves so easily. So sometimes it droops or moves once you let it go - especially with a heavy lens.

[FlipsidE]

To hijack this thread, does anyone know of a good tripod/head combo that would be good for landscape, macro, and studio work (allowing the camera to roll to portrait mode)?

Seeing that I don't plan to be moving it much once I get it set up, I don't mind that it's heavy. And, I don't mind if landscape shots or Macros take a while to set up. Studio work might be a bit more of an issue, but I think I could deal with it.

Thanks

FlipsidE

[Scottes]

Tough combo. A pan/tilt could do landscape & studio, but I like much more flexibility for macro, since I have a Bogen 3021 Pro and the arm makes for interesting macro possibilities. And it kinda demands a ballhead when you're at funky angles. (Someone please correct me if I'm wrong here!)

For the tripod, I like the 3021 Pro, but I'd get a Gitzo G-2220 next time. They a little extra for landscape & portrait, but the arms on these tripods make macro more fun.

[FlipsidE]

So, let's say I went with the Gitzo G-2220. Which head would be best for portrait and landscape? I could probably get by with it for Macro for the time being.

Thanks

FlipsidE

[jgbeam]

To hijack this thread, does anyone know of a good tripod/head combo that would be good for landscape, macro, and studio work (allowing the camera to roll to portrait mode)?

Seeing that I don't plan to be moving it much once I get it set up, I don't mind that it's heavy. And, I don't mind if landscape shots or Macros take a while to set up. Studio work might be a bit more of an issue, but I think I could deal with it.

Thanks

FlipsidE

Here's a combo I just bought that will fit your needs. Built like a tank, simple and smooth to set up and adjust.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=284779&is=REG

Jim

[Jesper]

Jim's link points to the Bogen / Manfrotto 3021 PRO B tripod with 3047 pan/tilt head.

The 3021 PRO B is a very nice tripod. I had a 055 DB (which is the non-US part number for the 3021 DB), but I sold it, because it lacks some features that the PRO B has - the DB had screw locks instead of clip locks on the legs, and on the DB it isn't possible to take out the center column and put it vertically, which can be very handy if you want to get the camera close to the ground.

I had the 141 RC (USA: 3030) head with it instead of the 3047. The 3030 has a smaller, rectangular quick release plate instead of the hexagonal plate from the 3047.

I'm now waiting for the shop to deliver my new 055 PRO B (3021 PRO B) with 486 RC2 (3413 QR) ball head.

Two weeks ago I was out shooting with some fellow photographers and one of them had the 190 PRO B (3001 PRO B) and the 486 RC2 (3413 QR). The 190 (3001) is one step smaller and lighter than the 055 (3021), but still good for a DSLR and a fairly large lens - but I've still decided to go for the 055, because I might someday try a medium format camera...

I liked his 486 RC2 (3413 QR) ball head a lot - it's much quicker to change position than my old 141 RC (3030) head.

I think almost all tripod heads that are made for photography allow you to set it up in portait position. Don't buy a tripod or head for VIDEO; these often do not allow you to set it in portait position (you never need portait when shooting video!).

Manfrotto website: http://www.manfrotto.com

[JZaun]

I have the Manfrotto 3001 pro, it is light but very sturdy IMO. It also had the ability to put the extention arm horizonta., I like that feature, as Scottes said it gives you a bunch of positions. The extension arm seperates so the tripod can be let down to the ground. ( I needed that feature for HP rifle matches, I use a a spotting scope on it also) I love the 486 quick rel ball head assy. The head and extension head will pan but with no arm to move it its a bit funny.

Can't go wrong with this guy,

JZ