Heavy Tripod Help

[blighty]

Hello, I'll keep it short.

I started out with a Velbon CX540, which I chose because its very tall and I can look through the viewfinder without bending over much.

Its very light and easy to carry around, and has been fine for indoor work, but I find that in almost any situation outdoors, it gently vibrates in the lightest breeze, and thrums in any kind of real wind.

I need something heavier as I am getting into ND filters and long exposures. I want something really solid and weighty.

I gather that Manfrotto and Gitzo are pretty good, but they seem to have an awful lot of different options which becomes confusing. I don't need tension control or fast-panning ability or a ball head, but if it comes with a ball head thats OK.

Can anyone recommend a few heavy tripods?

[SuzyView]

I have the Bogen / Manfrotto 190XB Legs & 488RC Head for travel, but I can put my 5DII with extender and 100-400 on it and it won't even budge. It's light but very sturdy. I took it to Zions and Bryce last summer and used that set up at night as a telescope. It was great. But if you want even stronger legs, I have the BO3021PB804K Tripod Legs and that is heavy, but very sturdy. I don't travel with it, though.

[blighty]

Thanks! I will have a look at those. I've just been to Jacob's and picked up a Manfrotto catalogue too...

[vincent_su]

If your tripod comes with a weight hook or loop, you can hang some weight to stablize the tripod.
If you have to extend the center column to get the height you want, I have done using my own body to shield the wind but it's not very effective.
I have Manfrotto 190 CXPRO3 for most of my outdoor shoots. I found my 488RC2 head is not stable. Look for a better head if you have the budget.

[Wilt]

If you're over 6', the Manfrotto 055 is superior to the 190 for its extended length. Not as light weight as the 190, which is what I would suggest 'for hikers'. The carbon fiber Manfrottos do not save as much weight as one would assume for CF.

"I give you a tripod that is light, that is sturdy, that is not too expensive. Pick TWO"

A 055 aluminum with a good ballhead easily tips the scales at 6-7 lbs.

[Lowner]

I'd suggest the carbon 055 as well. I use an older alloy version and it's a reasonable compromise between weight, price, size and stiffness. We would all like a tripod to weigh nothing, cost next to nothing, take up little space and still be totally stable, but until that mythical perfect tripod appears, we are stuck with having to decide our priorities.

[Mark II]

Might want to look at the legs on this one .... http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/168060-REG/Slik_615_900_700DX_Pro_Tripod_Leg.html

Waiting on mine to walk up to the door next week.:lol:


Still undecided on Ball mount.

[jhom]

If weight is not a concern, then I would recommend a wood tripod. You might concern a Berlebach. They are excellent tripods that will get rid of your vibration problems without breaking the bank.

[ralff]

Don't know what you want to spend but I bought a Feisol 3371 and with no center column it is plenty tall for me and I am 6'2". Very sturdy Carbon Fibre, three section legs. Was 319.00 (American dollars) with a nice bag.

[blighty]

Thanks everyone!

In the end I bought a Manfrotto 055XBPro and a Manfrotto 410 Junior Geared Head.

This week I have also bought a filter system and an iMac - the bank keep phoning me up to check I haven't been cloned. :-)