What Tripod should I get?!?!

[RbrtPtikLeoSeny]

Hey everyone, right now I have what you see in my signature for gear. I plan on getting a 100-400L and a 24-70L in the near future.

I'd like to get a Tripod soon that would work well with all this gear, but I have no clue what tripod to get. I don't want to spend too much on a tripod either. 100 dollars or less would be nice, unless someone can convince me to spend more on a tripod that does more or something like that.

Thanks for any help!

[DocFrankenstein]

you're way under budget then

You NEED a sturdy tripod for 100-400

[RbrtPtikLeoSeny]

Alright then, what am I looking at cost wise? 200? 250? 300? Any tripod suggestions? I can spend more, I just would prefur not too.

So, what's out there? :-)

[weemannie]

Try looking at Manfrotto or Gitzo. They are two very popular makes.

Look at the specs they should indicate what sort of weight gear they will bear.

You do realise, of course, that the next question will be 'what head do I need?:lol: :lol:

[RbrtPtikLeoSeny]

Aw, head? Crap. I know absolutely nothing about tripods.

[DocFrankenstein]

This infidel has it right:
http://www.bythom.com/support.htm

I have gitzo 2220 and don't regret it, even though I paid dearly. It's the best "all around" for me. With a ballhead I cheapened out and got the bogen 3047
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/items/5293.jpg

It's heavy and cumbersome, too many levels to fiddle with.

I'd say you need 250-300 for legs and 250-350 for ballhead... and it'll give you a lifetime of satisfaction and convenience and will be able to support the 100-400 properly.

[condyk]

Can you carry it on foot all day in African heat? That's what I need :lol: :lol: does such a sturdy, easy to operate and lightweight contraption exist? Can I get one without dipping into credit card hell?

[DocFrankenstein]

Can you carry it on foot all day in African heat? That's what I need :lol: :lol: does such a sturdy, easy to operate and lightweight contraption exist? Can I get one without dipping into credit card hell?
yes
yes
no :lol::lol::lol:

[psk4363]

You don't say what you will be taking images of in order to answer your question(s) adequately. Will you need one to operate at ground level? Will you be carrying over a good distance? Action shots? Still-life? Landscapes?

Barry

[condyk]

Walking safari in Northern Namiba and I will be shooting all the things you mention and carrying potentially over a long distance ... wildlife is my prime interest (and zoom!) Will also be using a vehicle, but will use a Pod for that.

Super light, super easy to set up and take down, super sturdy, super cheap :lol: :lol: but that's a dream, so top value. Value is defined as 90% of the best performance at 60-70% of the price.

First link is useful Doc ... and I still want one for £150 :lol: but alternatives at higher prices are welcome!

[psk4363]

Sorry condyk but my reply was aimed at the originator RPLS. Your needs were clearly stated.

Barry

[Digital Prophet]

I hear very very good things about Gitzo. But if you ask me it really is all about what you plan to do. Hiking and treking into the great unknow REQUIRES carbon fiber tripods. Anything else will leave you sun stroked and with a wretched back. But that is going to roughly double your price.

If you are like me and do not do that sort of schtick then go aluminum alloy. Fairly light. Fairly durable. Do you want to shoot ground level? Then you need a removable center column. But another (and cheaper) option is to supplement a reasonably priced tripod that has a non-removable column with a cheap-o tabletop pod or a bean bag. Are you tall? Will you be doing alot of high-down shooting? You need a tripod with a good leg length and a center column that raises a good amount. But that means bigger, heavier and pricier tripods. Try getting some sturdy eggcrate type containers and keep plywood bottoms in them. Need hieght? Flip them and stand the tripod on it. Cheap.

Now it sounds like I am saying "Get the cheapest tripod you can". But I'm not. I thinking that good all purpose tripod legs cost around $125-ish. That is a typical Bogen aluminum three segment removable center column tripod. Why Bogen? Because the are servicable. My very first tripod was a Sunpak. It worked great until one of the leg brackets cracked. That was it. Had to get a new one. Virtually every part of a Bogen is replaceable and widely available. The same may be true for Gitzo. I don't have one, so I don't know.

And as far as ballheads go I have a Bogen 322RC. Great ballhead. Full adjustable, magnesium alloy, pistol grip ballhead with included quick release plate.

The entire schabangabanh set me back $325 with tax when I got it. Now you can go a bit cheaper if you shop.

Of course all of that is just if you ask me. Which no one did.

- Digital Prophet -

[jdyarb]

I just got a tripod from Ritz Camera

Model QSX-Digi Pro 8500

cost 59.99 and it is all metal very Sturdy
I am very pleased with it so far.

[Digital Prophet]

Mine was a ... 9600? I forget. But it really wasn't a "bad" tripod. It was heavy (which I prefer). It was tall. It was fairly cheaply priced.

But I was at a horse show, setting up for a shoot, and the gear that elevated the center column broke. The handle popped right off. I was infuriated. Luckily I was able to scrounge up som bricks so that it wasn't a total loss.

I still have it in the corner because I keep saying that even though it doesn't elevate that it has to be good for something. I just haven't figured out what yet.

- Digital Prophet -

[ed2day]

I would say to get a tripod/ballhead/quick release plates for the 100-400L you're looking at $400 for one that's marginally adequate and that one's going to be heavy-- 7-8 lbs. If you want light weight (carbon) make that $600-700 and 5-6 lbs. Add another $200-300for top-notch Gitzo and quality ballhead.

[Wildewinds]

Just got my Feisol 3301 to replace my Bogen 3221. It's half the weight at 3 lbs., very solid, and is a perfect height for me (I'm 6'1"). Do some research on them and you'll find out that everyone that owns one is happy with it. They sell direct and on ebay. Mine arrived within three business days (using ebay). Best of all, it was $180 + shipping.

[sixshot]

Anyone have a spare credit card?!

[condyk]

Just got my Feisol 3301 to replace my Bogen 3221. It's half the weight at 3 lbs., very solid, and is a perfect height for me (I'm 6'1"). Do some research on them and you'll find out that everyone that owns one is happy with it. They sell direct and on ebay. Mine arrived within three business days (using ebay). Best of all, it was $180 + shipping.

Thanks ... checked this out and looks a nice option, for me at least :D

[Rigby470]

Just got my Feisol 3301 to replace my Bogen 3221. It's half the weight at 3 lbs., very solid, and is a perfect height for me (I'm 6'1"). Do some research on them and you'll find out that everyone that owns one is happy with it. They sell direct and on ebay. Mine arrived within three business days (using ebay). Best of all, it was $180 + shipping.

After reading this I checked out Feisol, and I too ordered a 3301. I like that it packs small enough to fit in a carry on and is only 3 lbs. I ordered a Arca Swiss B1 head for it. We'll see how this combo works out.

[DocFrankenstein]

That feisol seems short but nice. 3lbs... and acratech at 1lbs... would surely make it light.

Bogen and Gitzo are definitely overpriced. Technically it's a monopoly because both of them are owned by the same company.

Nice to see some competition for them, now if we can get henrys and bh to stock the feisol...

[RbrtPtikLeoSeny]

Sorry everyone for not making it clear what I intend to use the tripod for. In the future I intend to use it for macro photography. So, a tripod that can get pretty darn low to the ground would be very helpful. Such a feature I would like to use for sports photography as well to get interesting angles. Panning will be a big use of the tripod since I'll be doing a lot of sports. Might use it for nature photog.... although I'm not sure. I really prefur shooting that by hand. Also, landscape and architecture I'd like to shoot with a tripod. Indoor photog will be a big use as well. Any low light situation.

I really don't care what weight it is. I'm a strong guy, and I like the feel of heavy equiptment anyway. So, if heavy stuff can save me money over lighter stuff, then YIPPY! Heavy it is. Otherwise, light is good as well.

Ummmm, I think that about covers everything.....:-)

[EricKonieczny]

The Feisol looks nice but it has no Horizontal column. I think for allot of user who do Macro, an adjustable horizontal column is nice.

Is there another model that does this?

[soupdragon]

I've got a Manfrotto, I wouldn't say it was head and shoulders above the other popular makes but it does look good thrown over your shoulder.

[Sprout Crumble]

For all round use, especially macro, what would be preferable out of the Manfrotto 456 Neotec, or the 055mf3 magfiber? I know the latter is lighter but its still based on a lesser model. Price difference here is about 10% less expensive for the 055.Thanks

P.S. Weight not too big an issue. I'm 6'3 and 260lb so another couple of pound won't hurt...:D

[DocFrankenstein]

Sorry everyone for not making it clear what I intend to use the tripod for. In the future I intend to use it for macro photography. So, a tripod that can get pretty darn low to the ground would be very helpful. Such a feature I would like to use for sports photography as well to get interesting angles. Panning will be a big use of the tripod since I'll be doing a lot of sports. Might use it for nature photog.... although I'm not sure. I really prefur shooting that by hand. Also, landscape and architecture I'd like to shoot with a tripod. Indoor photog will be a big use as well. Any low light situation.

I really don't care what weight it is. I'm a strong guy, and I like the feel of heavy equiptment anyway. So, if heavy stuff can save me money over lighter stuff, then YIPPY! Heavy it is. Otherwise, light is good as well.

Ummmm, I think that about covers everything.....:-)
That's a LOT of uses, pretty much the same as I had.

I have the G2220 aluminum (alloy?) legs with the rapid column and "independently continious variable leg spread from 0 to 90" which means you can lock it at any position. 4.5 lbs for the legs is not that heavy for me. Still young and sporty.

The rapid column I haven't had time to test thoroughly yet. It's rock solid when the column is not raised. I find it solid when raised about halfway up.

Once you actually use the rapid column as it was intended, it starts to get wobbly:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/items/206491.jpg

Let me rephrase that... the head starts to nod, as if listening to rap. Adding a counterweight helps, but I am not sure how much it helps.

I've put a 3047 manfrotto head on it, hoping to do macrowork. It does not work, too many levers and very rough adjustments.

To do macro regularly, and not fight your tripod you need a macro focusing rail with a geared head.

For non macro general uses, I think acratech would couple well with this tripod. It's light. You can also tilt the center column at a 45 degree angle and you'll have an equivalent of a "flat" acratech head.

[lordjim]

The Manfrotto 055 Bpro (3021 Bpro in the US) and 190 Bpro (3001 Bpro in the US) both have the horizontal column option. I have the 190Bpro and love it.

With respect to the head, I chose the 488RC2 ball head and find it great. Works very well with the Canon 100-400 L which is heavy. However, not tested with heavier lenses yet. The 488RC2 should work well with either tripod.

[msad1217]

How about this? What do you guys think of this one? Will this be adequate for a 20d with grip and the 100-400?

-Manny

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=362120&is=REG

[DocFrankenstein]

How about this? What do you guys think of this one? Will this be adequate for a 20d with grip and the 100-400?

-Manny

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=362120&is=REG
Legs !look! fine (never tried them), the head sucks. It's gonna be very top heavy. I have the same head only with a hexagonal plate.

[MDJAK]

I was in B&H on Sunday, once again fingering a Gitzo Carbon Fiber and their new Basalt tripods which are about a hundred or so cheaper, almost as sturdy, and almost as light. In fact, they have antirotation legs which make opening, closing and locking the legs much less hassle.


Yet, I still wanted the Carbon Fiber, either the Reporter II or the Mountaineer. However, with the ReallyRightStuff ballhead that I want, it's close to a grand, if not more, for both pieces. While I could have gotten it, I just don't feel it's a wise expenditure when I want a 17" Apple Power Book instead, a 135 F2 Canon Lens, a 300 F2.8 Canon lens, etc, etc.

I know that my pictures will improve drastically by eliminating camera shake and that it is a wise purchase, but for some reason I just can't pull the trigger. My daughter who gallantly treks down to B&H with me every time I go (which is once and sometimes twice per month, almost always on Sunday when it is packed) laughs at me after I braindrain the salesman regarding the Gitzo, but then walk out empty handed.

One of these days.

[DocFrankenstein]

feisol seems to be a good alternative to the gitzo small tripods... but they don't have anything "serious" as in big

[lostdoggy]

Anybody ever dealt with this company it carries the Feisol Brand POD
http://www.thresholdconcepts.com/photo-ct3301.htm

[Matatazela]

Light
Sturdy
Cheap


Choose two.