Tripod recommendations...

[kram]

Plan to add a 70-200 F4 lens to my collection in 2-3 months. I have tried going through the tripod discussions but am still clueless.

Can I have some recommendations on good tripod combinations for this equipment? Obviously lesser the cost the better, but I dont want one crashing down with my camera mounted!!

Thanx....

[Rigby470]

Well Kram,


Here's the progression I took. I started out on the "cheaper the better" route. I finally decided to go ahead and spend some money on something I would not have to upgrade any time soon. I would suggest the same for you, especially if you are considering an L lense purchase.

But that's just me. I would rather pay a little more for something good that I will keep for a while. As far as legs are concerned, consider gitzo or feisol. For heads, look at Really Right Stuff, Kirk, Arca Swiss or Acratech.

I'm sure there are others and everyone will have their own favorites.

[nosquare2003]

Hi Kram

Will you also plan to get a tripod collar for the 70-200/4? I guess that it would be a better balance.

You can go to the camera shops and test the tripods yourself. I've done many times and no one bother me -- provided that you won't do it shortly before the shops close!

[kram]

Walking into the shop and checking stuff out - may not be an option living in Hong Kong. Most of the shops are cramped and crowded (yes, people here are after L lenses like they are stopping production tomm!!)

I was hoping for a reasonable number of models that I can ask the shopkeeper to let me try - knowing all of them are close enough to my budget.

[nosquare2003]

What's your budget? Will you take macro photography? How heavy the tripod are you willing to take? In other words, will you use it for hiking, studio...? Are you going to get some longer heavier lenses? How tall are you?

Without knowing the above, I would suggest Manfrotto 190 as a bare minimum.

Well Kram, I should have been in Hong Kong longer than you do. The best way to choose a tripod is to test it one-self, IMHO.

[kram]

Not much of macro. Lots of travel and hiking. I'm 5'7".

After some search, I was looking at Bogen 3011 or 3001 with a 3030 head. Any inputs on its suitability to my purpose.

Any recommended shops here that one could try the tripods out?

[nosquare2003]

Bogen 3001 (i.e. Manfrotto 190 in HK) may be a little bit short without using the central column. But it saves one pound from Bogen 3011 (i.e. Manfrotto 055 in HK) while this may be important if you do lots of travel and hiking. Kram, I will write you a private message shortly.

[kram]

What is the weight to plan for? I see tripods capacity typically at 6.6, 11, 13.4 and then 15+ lbs. For my Drebel + 70-200F4, would a 11 lb be comfortably adequate?

[Belmondo]

What is the weight to plan for? I see tripods capacity typically at 6.6, 11, 13.4 and then 15+ lbs. For my Drebel + 70-200F4, would a 11 lb be comfortably adequate?

Yes.

Still, stiffer is better, and in my opinion, there is at least some correlation between capacity and stiffness. The greater the capacity, the stiffer it is likely to be.

[SkipD]

Kram, I would highly recommend the Bogen 3021PRO (or 3021BPRO for black) legs. The legs stand a bit higher than the 3001, and the center column can do some neat tricks like mount horizontally to allow you to work over a wall, over a table, etc.

You will have to determine what head type you want, but for general purpose with similar camera and lens as you have, I use the 486RC2 ball head with my 3021BPRO legs.

[Leorooster]

I have the 3021BPRO and 488RC2 and am very happy with them. Skip D is right that at times the horizontal central column can come in handy. BTW, I'm about your height and found that the height of the 3021BPRO is more than enough, but you also want to be prepared to have a taller tripod in certain situations.

[kram]

Any inputs on the two types of heads that have been recommended - the 3030 types (pan tilt heads?) and the 486RC2/488RC2 types (ballheads?)

[Belmondo]

I like the 488RC2. The RC2 Quick Release system is solid, and the 488 ball head does have the ability to pan. The 486 does not.

I'm not a fan of pan/tilt heads.

[nosquare2003]

The head options are rather personal...

Pan and tilt heads are slower to set up. But you may have better control (especially slight movement). And pan and tilt heads "usually" fixes the lens/body better than ball heads.

Ball heads are faster to set up and usually lighter than pan and tilt heads. If you choose from 488RC2 and 486RC2, I would recommend 488RC2 as it has a side to side control (as Belmondo's post) and better loading.

[Leorooster]

FYI, the 3030 (pan & tilt) and 486RC2 (ballhead) cost about the same, while the 488RC costs $50 more, at least in the U.S. They all can carry about the same weight. My combination costs me about USD250 in NY.

[markubig]

i second the 3021BPRO (black legs) . . . I've heard people complain about light reflecting off of chrome legs and shining unwanted light on subjects (don't know often that happens). Bought mine with the 322RC ballhead, which was fine for my purposes as I don't require a lot of panning and tilting. The setup cost me about $200, but it was well worth it. Think about the $2,000 of equipment (camera/lens/flash) that's standing on its own and you will want to make sure you have something VERY sturdy to hold it up.

[kram]

Thanx everyone for your inputs.

Got the 3001 with the 486RC2. And realized that prices in HK for some items are really good. The 3001 was 500 HK$ (64USD) and the ballhead was 460 HK$ (59USD) for a total of 123 USD!! Lowest I could find was 170 USD in B&H.

Now for some HK skyline pan shots :)