TriPod for 20D + 100mm macro

[Yan]

yes.. another dilemma about tripod... please help out..

Equipment need to Support:
20D (without grip) + 100mm Macro 2.8
+ (maybe Ring Flash but no money for it for now)
I do not have plan of getting any telephoto etc for now.. (I might get 17-40 L later)


Things I take:
Still Nature.

I already have Manfrotto 484 RC2 ball head.

Thinking of buying:
Manfrotto
3437 3D Magnesium Head with Quick Release - Supports 6.60 lb (2.99 kg)

Velbon
Ultra LUXiF 5-Section Trunnion Shaft Tripod with PH-145Q 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head (Quick Release) - Supports 6 lb (2.7 kg)

Manfrotto
3021BPRO Tripod Legs (Black) (called 190Pro in outside of US??)



Because of what I take, I walk around with tripod.. so compact and light weight is must.. So I am thinking of using Manfrotto as much as the situation let me, and else I will carry around the Velbon.

What do you guys think?? Do you think the Velbon is waste of money (ie. not useful? at all?)
How much should I rely on these weight capacity?? putting up the equipments close to the weight capacity means "not stable" ???

any nature photographer here has some recomendations?? (cannot afford carbon tripod for now..)

[Mac]

I own the Manfrotto 3021PRO legs. I love the tripod set, as I have the 488RC2 head, and it is my only tripod, so it goes with me out in the dirt and forests when I shoot. I ended up buying a handle to carry it with. To be honest, it can get heavy, as I think my set is up over 6 pounds. But it sets up quickly enough and is more then sturdy...so I have no problem carrying it along.

[Scottes]

3021Pro is very nice, but if you can handle the extra cost check out the Gitzo G2220. I wish I had gotten that one instead oft he 3021Pro.

[Marvinspu36]

I also have the 3021BPro with 488RC2 ball head. It is a great tripod, and very versatile. But it is a bit on the heavy side. For hiking around, you might want to shell out the extra dough for a lighter tripod.

One nice thing about the 3021 is the column can be removed and mounted horizontally for macro shots. The tripod will go as low as 8" off the ground.

For the price, it is great. Just a bit heavy.

[SkipD]

I, too, have the 3021BPro. With the Manfrotto strap, I carry it like a classic Indian quiver - across my back with the strap across my chest. I find it quite comfortable for up to all-day hikes.

[DocFrankenstein]

3021Pro is very nice, but if you can handle the extra cost check out the Gitzo G2220. I wish I had gotten that one instead oft he 3021Pro.
What about heads?

I keep thinking that I should get a gitzo head too. Then I'd be set "for sure"?

[Scottes]

Darn near any decent head should suffice. You'll want to avoid a ballhead that creeps, so make sure you get a good one if you like ballheads. Any pan/tilt should do perfectly, and a gear head would be heaven for macro work...

[DocFrankenstein]

One more question about 2220

What would that column be useful for? I am guessing making the head vertical for panoramas would be much less hassle, right?

What else?

Cause I was set on finally getting 3021Pro tomorrow, then saw your post. Please comment

[Moses]

I bought the 3021 and found it to be too big (when folded) and way too heavy to carry when traveling. The pan/tilt head I got with it is cumbersome and won't even fit in the case I bought for the tripod. The quality is great, but if you plan on taking it with you, it soon becomes a disapointment. I could have saved about $227.00 if only I had bought this one instead in the first place:

Bogen / Manfrotto 468RC4 Pro Ball Head with Rapid Connect 4 System (Quick Release) - Supports 35.2 lb (16 kg)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=272776&is=REG

and

Bogen / Manfrotto 055MF4 Magfiber Pro Carbon Fiber 4-Section Tripod Legs - Supports 15.5 lb (7 kg)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=WishList.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=353680&is=REG

[Yan]

Thanks guys for the inputs..
well.. I think I can afford extra cost for 2220 but still 2.2kg..
so I guess no one really have any idea about the Velbon???

Maybe cheaper to buy one carbonfiber tripod instead of one Manfrotto + Velbon... but even this Bogen / Manfrotto 055MF4 weigh 2kg...

[Scottes]

What would that column be useful for? I am guessing making the head vertical for panoramas would be much less hassle, right?
I think the most important use is to be able to position the camera darn near anywhere, which is a huge benefit when doing macros. It is less beneficial for other types of photos I'd think, since you have more leeway for camera placement. Since macro work can be very exacting given the ultra-short DoF the camera position is a lot more important.


I agree with Moses that the 3021 is not light - not at all! And almost any pan-head is more cumbersome than a ballhead. The pain we deal with to get good photos...

[I Simonius]

The gitzo range used to have light tripods as I remember from 20 yrs ago and can be done up and undone with gloves on

[gary_hendricks]

I own the Manfrotto 3021PRO legs. I love the tripod set, as I have the 488RC2 head, and it is my only tripod, so it goes with me out in the dirt and forests when I shoot. I ended up buying a handle to carry it with. To be honest, it can get heavy, as I think my set is up over 6 pounds. But it sets up quickly enough and is more then sturdy...so I have no problem carrying it along.

I owned the Manfrotto 3021PRO once - nice piece of equipment, that.

[MarkoPolo]

I have the Gitzo 2220 and I use it with the Kirk BH-3 ballhead. I did have the Manfrotto (I think 3001 legs and ball head). The Gitzo is much better built and is very easy to get in unusual positions-like taking flower shots with the 100mm Macro. There are carbon fibre 3 and 4 leg section models too, but they don't weigh that much less and cost a lot more. The one advantage to the 4 section one might be it is taller, I guess that depends upon your height. A decent ball head for not much money is the Giottos medium head for about $90. I have that as well as the Kirk, both fitted for Arca style plates as I have Kirk L brackets on all my SLR's. I must say that going from manfotto to Gitzo was the same quality jump as going from my G-3 to my 10D. I wish I had done it sooner. Sooper steady tripod! Mark

[Yan]

now looking at

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=216506&is=REG
Gitzo G1126 weight 1.3KG folded length 41cm..

and
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=WishList.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=20799&is=REG

Gitzo G530 Slide Arm

even though the minimum height is not very low.. and maximum height isn't that high... the weight and compactness is as good as Velbon and expect it to be more steady than velbon...

how do you think of this combo??

[Moses]

42 inches really is not very high. I would get a backache pretty quickly trying to use it. The weight and folded size is awesome though.

The Gitzo 2220 that MarkoPolo mentioned looks very good, and has plenty of height (64 inches), minimum height down to 5 inches, and the center post tilits from vertical to horizontal and locks in any position. I might just consider the Gitzo 2220 instead of the Manfrotto 055MF4 Magfiber Pro I was looking at.

[Yan]

Ya I wish if it had 10cm more... (yes I am short.. about 165cm.. so do not need that tall tripod..) I usually use it around 130cm max.. if higher I cannot reach..