Tripod recommendation: nature

[HappySnapper90]

I want to get a good tripod. My current one cost $60, is cumbersome (tightening lever gets in the way of the camera mount), and is being held together by a screw and wire because a screw fell out holding one of the legs on.

I'm looking for a good, sturdy, versatile tripod for longer morning exposures, macro capabilities for SLRs without live view (5D, EOS-3, and maybe a 1v soon), and some use with my Bigma. There will be some hiking, but I am not afraid of a little weight since I have the Bigma and carbon fiber can add $100s to the cost. A good balance between low minimum height and taller maximum height as well, though I know one tripod can't do it all! I want to get something good that fits my needs. Budget is $300-500.

The choices are a bit overwhelming and there is only one place near me that carries good tripods, so there are many options that I cannot see in person. I know there are fully useable tripods and then those that require you to add a ball head as an extra.

And suggestions?

[roonsmits]

You might want to have a look at the Manfrotto MagFibre3 (Bogen in the US I believe) and a Manfrotto 488RC2, Midi Ball Head w/ Quick Release - RC2. This combo serves me well outdoors and in the studio, where I swap the ball head for the 410 geared head from Manfrotto.

cheers
Ronald

[SkipD]

The most-often recommended (here on the forum) tripod/head combination for a very good and cost-effective general-purpose rig is the Manfrotto 055XProB legs topped off with the Manfrotto 488RC2 ball head (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/505863-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto__055XPROB_Tripod_Legs_Black_.html) . Make sure you get extra quick-release plates so that you can have one permanently attached to each body and lens you'd be connecting to the tripod.

There is a carbon-fiber equivalent, but to lose only one pound or so the price skyrockets.

[HappySnapper90]

Thanks for the input.

I don't see any level bubbles on those though, do they have any?
And I like the feature that some Giottos tripods have where the rubber foot comes off and there is a metal pike under it for rocks and slippery surfaces/soil and olso their "multi-positional center column" which aids in macro photography.

Any thoughts on Giottos or another brand/model that has those similar features?

[SkipD]

Thanks for the input.

I don't see any level bubbles on those though, do they have any?
And I like the feature that some Giottos tripods have where the rubber foot comes off and there is a metal pike under it for rocks and slippery surfaces/soil and olso their "multi-positional center column" which aids in macro photography.

Any thoughts on Giottos or another brand/model that has those similar features?The 055 tripods have bubble levels to get the tripod itself vertical. This is useful if you intend to do a series of images horizontally (for stitching into a panoramic image, for example).

I have never in 40+ years found a need for a bubble level on a tripod's head. There are very simple ways of getting the camera lined up to the horizontal. You can get a two-axis level that fits into the hot shoe if you really feel the need, though.

Manfrotto sells accessories for their tripods including convertible feet that can present either a spike or a rubber half-ball to the ground under them. I use a set on my old 3021BPro.

Don't overlook quality for "features".

[HappySnapper90]

\Don't overlook quality for "features".

A hotshoe flash won't help for vertical orientation photos and I have a habit of having my camera not horizontal by a couple of degrees even though I try hard to orient it properly. Plus it can be difficult to level the camera when there isn't much light and only the sky is bright early in the morning. A mini flashlight could be used to see a level bubble.

What are you trying to say about Giottos?

[Jon]

Hotshoe-mount bubble levels can be mounted in any orientation you wish, so you have a bubble available even when your camera's vertical. See, for instance, this (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/194974-REG/Hakuba_HCS14_Opaque_1_Axis_Flash.html).

[HappySnapper90]

Hotshoe-mount bubble levels can be mounted in any orientation you wish, so you have a bubble available even when your camera's vertical. See, for instance, this (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/194974-REG/Hakuba_HCS14_Opaque_1_Axis_Flash.html).

Interesting. On an aside, I am a land surveyor so I know all about level bubbles. And I guarantee you that if you had a level bubble on a tripod/ball head and you put one of those hotshoe bubbles on you camera that the 2 bubbles would not agree with each other! You would need adjustable level bubbles (found on surveying equipment) and using a high accuracy level bubble as a baseline to adjust your bubbles to.

[Lowner]

HappySnapper90,

With your gear, I'd suggest that while the 055/488 is a perfectly reasonable choice, it does represent the lower limit of the range you should be looking at.

I use an 055ProB myself, and for the money its very good value, but there are better options if you are prepared to pay the premium prices. I may upgrade myself in a year or so. I'd also suggest you look at the Markins ballheads.

[Jon]

Interesting. On an aside, I am a land surveyor so I know all about level bubbles. And I guarantee you that if you had a level bubble on a tripod/ball head and you put one of those hotshoe bubbles on you camera that the 2 bubbles would not agree with each other! You would need adjustable level bubbles (found on surveying equipment) and using a high accuracy level bubble as a baseline to adjust your bubbles to.Fortunately, photographic needs aren't as critical as surveying needs. Also, it's possible to traverse the camera a full 360 deg. while watching the bubble to see how close to on it is.

[ralff]

he also mentioned wanting to do macro work (using a camera without live view) with the tripod, none of those mentioned lets you get very low. What kind of macro do you want to do? I have a Benbo Trekker that lets you move the column around and get down low for shots of wild flowers etc. while in the field. There are quite a few tripods that give you a lot of flexibility on camera location.

[Jon]

Actually, you can get quite low with the Manfrotto 055, like around 4" plus head.

[SkipD]

Actually, you can get quite low with the Manfrotto 055, like around 4" plus head.If you're a bit tricky, you can get even lower than that - especially if you can work with an upside-down camera. The tripod is super-versatile.

[SteveNC]

Don't see anyone mention the Induro CX113 or CX213 - any thoughts on those?

[HappySnapper90]

he also mentioned wanting to do macro work (using a camera without live view) with the tripod, none of those mentioned lets you get very low. What kind of macro do you want to do? I have a Benbo Trekker that lets you move the column around and get down low for shots of wild flowers etc. while in the field. There are quite a few tripods that give you a lot of flexibility on camera location.

Macro work outdoors, not in a studio, of nature: plants, flowers, water, not bugs. And I would prefer a tripod that has a moveable column as I think you are mentioning that allows the camera/lens to be pointed straight down at the ground

[currentlyoffline]

I went with this.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/340428-REG/Manfrotto_by_Bogen_Imaging__458B_NeoTec_Pro_Photo. html
The legs collapse in the opposite direction to most conventional type tripods, keeping out water, dust mud etc.
Also very fast to set up and move when you are on the move outdoors.
Bit expensive though.....