i have to ask (tripod ?)

[rockos]

sorry guys i have to ask. Which tripod to get? I know I know it has been asked so many times. but here is what i have or am going to be ordering over the next month.

1DS MarkII (replacing 20D)
70-200 2.8L iS
100-400 4.5
2g scan disk CF
Fisheye EF 15mm 2.8

i do mostly outdoors photos. I want to beable to take it hiking etc. I have a Lowepro nature treker awII with the day pack. so i carry my gear in that. Right now i do not have a tripod. I am looking at spending no more than $800 on the full setup. what total package head, legs, etc. can you all recommed for me. thanks guys.

[Deckyon]

I would start with either the 3021PRO or the Carbon (both Manfrotto) and get a nice hefty head. I have the 1D Mark II and usually have the 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS lens and one of the extenders. My main head is the 322RC2 Tripod Head with a 3047 Tripod Head back at the house, which will soon find a home with my View camera.

It really depends on what you want to do with the tripod setup. With the IS on the 70-200 I have, I will often just have my monopod (680 Compact Monopod w/ 482 Micro Ball Head.) If you want landscape, I would go with the 3047 head, wildlife, get a ball head.

$800 is quite a bit to spend on the tripod. While I am a firm believer in having a good tripod, the 3021 Pro and 322RC2 Tripod Head and a few extra quick release plates, a monopod and microball head will serve you well. Save the left-over money for more glass...

A note on the Carbon tripods, while nice and light, in semi-high winds they can and will blow over without some extra weight holding them down. Also, for hiking, a monopod may serve you better, especially when using any IS lenses...

[rockos]

thanks. i will look into those. i just want to make sure i am getting something that will beable to support the camera and lense etc. it is a lot of money to have sitting on something that might not be safe if you know what i mean. yes i do a lot of landscapes etc.

[Deckyon]

that setup easily holds my 1D Mark II, 70-200 f/2.8 L IS with 1.4x Extender II - or 2x Extender II. The 1Ds is not any heavier than the 1D Mark II, and the 100-400 I have had on that setup as well - a friend's lens. As long as you use the tripod collar on the lenses it will work great.

The 3047 head is more sturdy, has calibration degree marks and will lock down tighter than the ball heads. it is a 3 axis head, but it is heavy.

[Moses]

While the 3021Pro tripod and 3047 pan and scan head are nice, I can't imagine lugging it around when traveling. This is the combination I bought and now I definitely want a setup that is lighter. The weight is 13.75 pounds. It doesn't fold up very small either. The 3047 head will not even fit in the case I bought for it without unscrewing at least 2 of the turn knobs.


If I had an $800 budget, I would start with this head:

http://www.markinsamerica.com/MA3/M10-L.php

And then attach it to a nice light-weight Gitzo tripod. You could probably get such a setup for under $600 and have something that weighs in at only about 6 pounds and folds up into something less than 2 feet.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Also take a look at our sticky thread in the "Talk about Photography" forum;

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=53864

There's a lot of excellent inf there as well.

I started with a Manfrotto 3001pro,. (the 3021's little brother) and I will keep it forever as my "do all" tripod,.. currently I am investing in a tripod more suitable for large lenses and a gimble mount.

[darkdrakon]

you can buy a fisol carbon fiber tripod for a 185.00 I use one of there monopods and ther is a whole disscusion going on over at fred mrianda, from what I have read it's a great tripod and very light wieght.

[DSMITH131]

3021BPRO and 410 head

[dhbailey]

I'll second (third?) the suggestion for the Manfrotto/Bogen 3021 tripod -- it is rugged! It is heavy, though, so you should weigh (no pun intended) very carefully your most likely uses for the tripod before purchasing. If you want to to most of your picture taking around your local area or at places you can get to easily by car, the 3021 is terific. If you plan on trekking through the woods or into parks far from your parked car, you might do well to spend more money and get one of the carbon-fiber light yet rugged tripods.

Also to consider, would a monopod do just as well for you?

[DocFrankenstein]

Also look into Gitzo 2220 explorer. It's lighter than the 3021Pro. There is also a carbon fiber version of it, to part you with your money. I did not find carbon fiber version much lighter, because the base is still metal.

The reason I went with Gitzo are the lockable legs. Manfrotto allows you to adjust the leg angle in 4-5 steps, while gitzo locks will hold the leg in any position.

Another advantage of manfrotto is that the legs won't "creep in" towards the base. While with manfrotto it's a possibility. Also the vertical column is MUCH more flexible and suited for macro work.

For the head I chose 3047. Nice and heavy, good for macro work, studio and landscapes. If I shoot wildlife, it's usually handheld.

Cheers

[johneo]

I recently bought a Bogen 3221WN with 3047 3 way head. Great tripod, very well built and very strong but I don't think you'd want to carry this thing on a hike, it's pretty heavy.

Good article in the April issue of Outdoor Photographer magazine on tripods. The article is called "The light brigade". The one that looks good to me is the Manfrotto MagFiber 190MF4. It weighs 3-1/2 pounds. It also costs $450.

Anyway ... the article gives a list of some lighter weight tripods. There's also an article (online) from June 2004 that lists a number of tripods reccomended for hiking/travel.

[JMA]

I am currently using Manfrotto CarbonOne 440 + ArcaSwiss monoball head. This setup does not break my backbone, yet strong enough to support my 300 2.8 + 20D.

[daveh6700]

Something else to consider - a monopod. I find it VERY handy on hikes. Canon makes a really inexpensive one. http://www.adorama.com/CAM100.html $30
You want to make sure whatevery you get has no more than 24" in collapsed length. That will allow you to put it in your carry on bag. -- Dave

[Steve Parr]

I spent forty bucks on my tripod. Seems to hold the camera pretty steady, and it has three legs just like every other tripod I've seen.

I'm sure there are reasons to spend $800 on a tripod, but I hope I never find out what they are...

Steve

[Moses]

I spent forty bucks on my tripod. Seems to hold the camera pretty steady, and it has three legs just like every other tripod I've seen.

I'm sure there are reasons to spend $800 on a tripod, but I hope I never find out what they are...

SteveExample? I bought a Bogen 3001 tripod back in the eighties with a model 168 ball head. I believe I spent less than a hundred dollars back then. Today, the legs do not lock in like positions anymore, the twist knobs to lock the extensions don't hold anymore, the head now has play in it, and essentially, the tripod is no longer useable. In today's dollars, I'm sure this tripod would cost a fair amount more, but I would never again buy a tripod of this quality (or lack of).

I estimate approximately 500 dollars will buy a good quality tripod that will stand up to field use today.

[johneo]

I spent forty bucks on my tripod. Seems to hold the camera pretty steady, and it has three legs just like every other tripod I've seen.

I'm sure there are reasons to spend $800 on a tripod, but I hope I never find out what they are...

Steve

I bought a tripod about 8 years ago for about $40. Worked fine for a number of years. When I put my 10D and 100-400 L on it last fall something told me not to trust it so I kept the strap around my neck.

Doing some photos at Christmas time I used the tripod to hold a flash and umbrella. No fun watching that cheap flash smash to the floor (so glad I didn't put my Canon flash on it) as one of the legs fell apart on the tripod.

I feel that $40 was a waste of money and my new tripod and 3 way head are well worth the $250 I spent (who needs to spend $800?) ... even if it's no more than piece of mind (this sucker is strong and sturdy!)

[HJMinard]

You can get a very high quality tripod in the $150-200 range. I have the Gitzo G2220 and I'm extremely pleased. That $40 dollar model might seem okay - but handle one of the nicer Manfrotto's or Gitzo's and you'll see and feel the difference immediately.

When spending near $800 you're paying for quality, light weight and advanced materials (namely ... carbon fiber). Important when weight is the foremost consideration. Fabulous tripods if you can afford them!

[rockos]

thanks guys i have a lot of looking and reading still to do

[MarkoPolo]

My "economy" light weight tripod is the Velbon EFS-4 (approx.$80) with Giottos Med.1001 ball head (approx. $90). Used with Arca type plates from Kirk Enterprises. Very Stable, much better than the Velbon 343 series and all and all not bad. Not as flexible for placement as my Gitzo 2220 with Kirk BH-3 ball head and not quite as steady, but very good value for the money. My dream lightweight combo would be the Gitzo 1228CF with leveling stem and Acratech ball head, but that would be about $900. Hope this helps

[rssfhs]

My "economy" light weight tripod is the Velbon EFS-4 (approx.$80) with Giottos Med.1001 ball head (approx. $90). Used with Arca type plates from Kirk Enterprises. Very Stable, much better than the Velbon 343 series and all and all not bad. Not as flexible for placement as my Gitzo 2220 with Kirk BH-3 ball head and not quite as steady, but very good value for the money. My dream lightweight combo would be the Gitzo 1228CF with leveling stem and Acratech ball head, but that would be about $900. Hope this helps

My Acratech ballhead just arrived from the factory yesterday and it's an incredible piece of machinery! It's so solid (yet light weight) I could probably stand on it and it wouldn't budge. And so smooth to use! Yes, it's a bit expensive, but you definitely get what you pay for.