Looking for a Tripod...

[sando]

....and have some specific questions. :)

Can anyone help?

Needs to have/be:


170/180cm high with legs extended (but not central column)
4 section legs
ability to take a decent range of heads
Needs to be able to adjust the legs to really far outwards (to get low perspective)I think that's about it.

I also need a ball-head, but with a spirit level?

Any gurus who can offer a model name and number?

[Grentz]

That max height without central column is going to be tough to get in a compact 4 section tripod.

None of the manfrottos even come close.

EDIT: Cant find any Gitzos that are that tall either...most max around 150cm with the column down...

EDIT2: There are some Gitzos way taller in the over the head series, they are 198cm + though

[René Damkot]

Gitzo 3540XLS (IIRC.)

[Grentz]

Gitzo 3540XLS (IIRC.)

Ya, thats the 198cm one, its pricey though (~$750!)

[sando]

£750...! :(

Ah well... guess it's back to the drawing board!

I had a look at a Manfrotto 190PROB (I think) and that is 146cm extended without the centre tube and that would be still too short.

[Grentz]

Too short for your eye level or what are you going for?

[sando]

Too short for your eye level or what are you going for?Too short. :) I currently have a Velbon that is waaaay too short.

I want to ideally use the tripod without having to use the centre column, and then use the tripod at weddings as an impromptu light-stand with the centre column extended. :)

[Jon]

£750...! :(

Ah well... guess it's back to the drawing board!

I had a look at a Manfrotto 190PROB (I think) and that is 146cm extended without the centre tube and that would be still too short.USD$750, given the rate of exchange, even with VAT should be less than £750.

[SkipD]

Too short. :) I currently have a Velbon that is waaaay too short.

I want to ideally use the tripod without having to use the centre column, and then use the tripod at weddings as an impromptu light-stand with the centre column extended. :)Do you really need the tripod itself to be that tall? You may be forgetting two things.

One thing is that a head adds height to a tripod. Add the height of the head to the height of the tripod.

The other thing is that I don't know of any camera that has the viewfinder at its bottom edge. You can add another few inches (more if you use a "grip" on the camera) to the whole rig for that.

The Manfrotto 055XProB is usually just fine for folks up to 6'2" or so.

There are other Manfrotto tripods that go quite a bit higher if you are really tall. Those are not something I would want to carry around in the woods, though.

[canon_fire]

................................
The Manfrotto 055XProB is usually just fine for folks up to 6'2" or so.

.................

Great pod, definitly has good height.

[Grentz]

Also note you can put the center column up a bit without problems on most good tripods.

Usually putting it up 1/4 - 1/3 of the way is not HORRIBLE to do for most setups.

[sando]

Think I've found the one...

About 77" but with a grip-type-head too... so very tall even without the centre column. Aluminium too, but very weighty too. Got it from Amvona. With shipping too, it came to a very reasonable price.

Will post a review and pics when I actually get my hands on it!