Oh no, not another "Which tripod" thread.....

[Jack W.]

Hi all. I've tried to wade through all the tripod threads, but I'm still having a bit of a tough time deciding.
I have a 20D. My biggest lens at the moment is the EF 100-300 4.5-5.6 USM.
I'm looking for a decent quality tripod that folds to no more than about 20 inches or so, and that will be sturdy/stable enough for what I have now, while keeping in mind the probability of a bigger lens in the future.
I'm a hobbiest, so I don't need something priced like a Porshe. :lol:
Any recommendations greatly appreciated.
Thanks! :)

[jackley]

I'm curious about the same.

I think I'm going to get the Manfrotto 718. I compared it yesterday with my 20D/70-200 f4L, and of the compacts, it seemed the best.

I actually bought a table top thinking the size would be worth the extra pain in the butt trying to view and set up. No way, I'll deal with a slightly larger rig.

http://db.manfrotto.com/product/itemlist.php3?manufid=1&sectionid=303

-----------
james

[dsze]

I've got the Amvona/Dynatran AT-6703. Just got it a couple of week ago to replace the AT-3770, which wasn't sturdy enough for my 10D/grip, 420EX, and 70-200.

The 6703 has really impressed me so far. I've used it on one paid-portrait shoot in the woods, and played with it at home and haven't been disappointed with it yet. Check it out:

http://www.amvona.com/v7/shop/?page=shop/flypage&product_id=1624

-daniel

[cmM]

20 inches is a little short, especially if you want it to be sturdy, AND cheap.
The cheaper tripods are generally short collapsed, but not sturdy.
Something like Manfrotto are sturdy and not too expensive, but they tend to be longer and heavier.
If you wanna go for a Gitzo those are small, light and sturdy, but they're not exactly cheap.

Remember, you get what you pay for!

[AzzKicker]

I just ordered the Giottos MT9170 with Bogen 486RC2 head. Seems to be a good combo

[DReb-MO]

Used.

You can do much better with good used equipment then with cheap new equipment. Look for a good, used Bogen or similar tripod. That's the route I went and have been very happy.

[Jack W.]

Thanks folks! :)

[robertwgross]

There are so many different kinds of tripods on the market since each photographer's needs are slightly different.

(1) Traveling photographers want something that will collapse small for travel, yet be sturdy enough when erected for a shoot. Studio photographers just want it sturdy. I may make an extreme case for travel, since I travel by foot in wilderness, so I have to go after something very light yet sturdy. My additional requirement is that I need something that I can erect rapidly.
(2) Some like a tripod that elevates up really high, so high that they have to stand on a step stool to look through the camera. Most of don't go to that extreme, so something that elevates to eye level is adequate. You generally don't want to have to bend over at the waist to get to the camera level.
(3) Besides the standard discussion about the head, pan-tilt or ball, there is the issue of a camera mount. My tripod came with an integral head with quick release. That really helps when you are trying to get into shooting mode in a hurry, but the studio photographer doesn't care. Also, having some built-in spirit levels will help for landscape photography.

---Bob Gross---

[Jack W.]

Thanks Bob.
Which one are you using?

[robertwgross]

Rather than getting into brands and models, I would say that I use two copies of one tripod. I have one that goes outside and gets muddy and scratched, and then I have another identical clean one that stays mostly inside for weddings.

This aluminum model weighs about four pounds including the head and case. The legs are three sections each, so that means two flip locks per leg to erect it. The quick release head top came with two quick release mounts to screw into the camera bodies or heavy lens collars. At the bottom of the center post, there is a perfect place to hang a ballast bag for those windy days when you don't want to see this topple over. Of course, for ballast I use a shoulder bag with camera gear in it, or else the tripod case with rocks in it. The feet can be screwed one way for points or the other way for rubber feet, so I normally leave my outdoor tripod set with points and the indoor tripod set with rubber feet.

When I am out in the wilderness and I spot wildlife, first, I freeze so it doesn't see me. Then carefully I erect my tripod without taking my eyes off the wildlife. Once it is set, the heavy lens goes on, and then the camera goes on the lens. All that has to happen quickly.

---Bob Gross---

[nosquare2003]

I think I'm going to get the Manfrotto 718. I compared it yesterday with my 20D/70-200 f4L, and of the compacts, it seemed the best.



Speaking of compact tripod, don't forget the Gitzo carbon fibre one. The smallest G0027 weighed only 0.4kg with the same load of Manfrotto 718 (weighed 1.4kg). But the Gitzo is much shorter and a cost a bit more than 718.

(In fact, Gitzo CF carbon tripods are very lightweighted.)