055xprob 488rc2 bulky?

[talz13]

I need to get a tripod of my own, and this combo seems to be the recommended one for not being overly pricey. I see that the combo should weigh about 6.5 lbs.

Anyway, yesterday I was shooting in the park with my family's old Slik 212 V video tripod. It's just a simple pan & tilt, long pan-handle, fairly sturdy construction but definite movement between shots if I touch the camera to change settings, etc.

Now, this tripod was pretty awkward to carry around, mainly due to the big pan-handle and bulkiness of the whole thing with the legs retracted fully. It does weigh less than the 055xprob w/ head, coming in at about 5.8 lbs on my bathroom scale. I will try to post a pic of this tripod after work since it's so (comparatively) old.

Granted, I'm just carrying the tripod around with me by hand, with my camera backpack on my back, but if I spend money on a new tripod I'd like to be sure that I'm going to bring it with me comfortably!

[krb]

You really should find one in a local shop. "Bulky" is subjective and what others think is okay might be terrible for you.

Just remember that comfy to carry isn't always the best option. I handled the 055 and the 190 in a local shop and I opted for the 190 because it is a little smaller and lighter. It's never been a problem to carry but there have been many times I wished I had opted for the taller and more sturdy 055.

[talz13]

Well, I guess I can do that! I'm used to computer parts shopping, and not being able to see much of anything in the stores around here. I found a local shop and they do seem to carry this one, so I will check it out for myself.

[talz13]

I just got back from the camera shop and it seems like a decent fit. Maybe with a tripod bag I'd be all set. Gotta order online though, the shop wanted $340 for just the legs! I was prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt, but that's almost $100 over the combo from amazon/adorama!

I must say, though, the manfrotto was a completely different experience compared to my 25 year old video tripod :oops: This thing was rock solid and very easy to get a sharp picture with. Oh well, there goes my tax refund:p

[krb]

I prefer a more basic sling rather than a full bag to carry the tripod. Less bulky and easier to deal with when setting up for a shot and again when moving to the next location.

[rang]

I use the 190XPROB and 488RC2 head. I know it is a shorter version of the O55 rig you have.
But my guess is your taller then me and so you need the ...taller 055 rig.

I just sling it across my back using a Skooba flexible camera strap.

Around the stem of the RC488 is one of those very thin flexible steel cable key rings (that open/close with a hard strong twist of the cable ends... with a carabiner attached to it.
One end of the Skooba strap is attached to that carabiner and stays on it.
The other end is left as an adjustable loop to go around one of the legs. If I need to I can just remove the strap quickly from the carabiner to a carabiner on a monopod and I'm good to go.

You mentioned you use a backpack. In good weather (living in San Diego...I'm lucky weather wise 98% of the time) I usually just sling two bodies on me with a Think Tank skin belt to carry water and flashes. So the tripod or monopod slung across the back is no big deal.

Doesn't your backpack have/straps/slot to carry legs? If not I know most of the popular brands have models that will accomodate that scenario.

I wouldn't do the John Muir trail like this but for a day shooting...it works. And it is quick. And it is cheap.

[talz13]

I use the 190XPROB and 488RC2 head. I know it is a shorter version of the O55 rig you have.
But my guess is your taller then me and so you need the ...taller 055 rig.
Yeah, I got to try it out with my camera on top in the store today and it seemed pretty well matched for my height.

You mentioned you use a backpack. In good weather (living in San Diego...I'm lucky weather wise 98% of the time) I usually just sling two bodies on me with a Think Tank skin belt to carry water and flashes. So the tripod or monopod slung across the back is no big deal.

Doesn't your backpack have/straps/slot to carry legs? If not I know most of the popular brands have models that will accomodate that scenario.

I wouldn't do the John Muir trail like this but for a day shooting...it works. And it is quick. And it is cheap.I just picked up a lowepro fastpack 250, which doesn't have any tripod straps or anything, but I might use that as more of my complete gear bag and get something smaller like some kind of messenger bag type for carrying around the body and a spare lens or two. Any suggestions there? It really seems like it would be awkward to have a tripod that's bigger than the backpack strapped to it, but I've never tried it.

Oh, and might I add, tripod is ordered! (Along with remote shutter from potn shop, extension cable from monoprice, $3 hotshoe level from dealxtreme) I really need someone to keep my credit card away from me right now...

[rang]

I've tried sling bags...never found one big enough to carry the combo's I usually shoot with. And since I'm not a big fan of the "loosen the straps; take the bag off, set it down, swap the glass, close the bag, re-compose, take the shot, see another spot to shoot from, zip up the big, put it on, adjust the straps, move, loosen the straps; take the bag off, set it down, open the bag, swap the glass, zip the bag up, move to the next shot, compose again, take the shot." cycle....

I just found it faster and easier to shoot two bodies with complementary body/glass combo slung across my chest on speed slings and wear a belt with accessories. The Tripod/Monopod is the only other thing slung across my back or in a lot of cases...If I need a just a bit more stability in addition to IS...I'll clip a dog leash to my belt.



In the case of the TT Glass Taxi the monopod and tripod fit into elastic pouches on the side of the bag and are secured with straps. It's not uncomfortable at all (not as bulky as say mountaineering skiers that strap their telemark ski's in slots on the sides of their packs).