Buying Tripod: help please

[sahith_a]

Guys,

I am a newbie and figured out that tripod is a necessity than a luxury. I have a Canon XSi (450 D) and 55-250 mm lens. I want to buy a tripod. Here is what I am considering.

190XB Tripod Legs (Black) - Supports 11 lbs (5 kg), 496RC2 Compact Ball Head with RC2 QR Plate , B&H Price: $205

190XPROB Tripod Kit (Black) with 486RC2 Compact Ballhead & Padded Case ,B&H Price: $229

190XPROB 3-Section Tripod with 322RC2 Ball Head, B&H price: $264

190XPROB Tripod Legs (Black) with 804RC2 3-Way Pan/Tilt Head, B&H price: 215

055XPROB Tripod Legs (Black) w/ 804RC2 Head, B&H Price: $245


Please suggest which one is more useful and easy to use.

[junipa]

The OP could almost have been written by me. I know even less about tripods and their million variations than I do about dSLRs. I don't want the Rolls Royce of tripods but nor do I want to buy one which falls over the minute I get a bigger/heavier lens.

Sorry I've been no help at all to you, sahith_a but I'm definitely going to be subscribing to your thread.

[ImCBParker]

I have your second option (190XPROB and the 486RC2). It works great for me. I wish I went with the carbon fiber version, but this has been a great set for me. Picked up on eBay less than $200 new.

[SkedAddled]

I have the 055XPROB Tripod Legs, paired with the 488RC2 ballhead. The legset is extremely
sturdy and rugged, but it weighs in on the heavier side as compared to some others. I don't
have an issue with it, but it's something to consider if light weight is important to you.
I find the 055 legs extremely quick & easy to setup and adjust.

Other naysayers will be along soon enough, pooh-poohing the 488 head for its droop or sag,
though I have not had any issue with this when using my heavy lenses. This head has been
replaced with the 498. How its performance compares, I can not say. The 486 lacks a separate
pan lock, which is dedidedly inconvenient on a tripod. This means you must loosen the entire
ball assembly to pan, instead of just releasing a pan lock to turn. I'd advise against the 486
head for this reason, unless using it on a monopod.

[Jon]

Either of the XPROB tripods depending on your height and weight requirements. But get the 488RC2 or 498RC2 head with them. It's a bit heavier-duty than the 486/496 and has a separate pan control. I have the 322RC2 as well as the 488 and the 322's just not that friendly, no matter how it sounds. You won't want to use it like a pan-tilt unless you like working with grip strengtheners, and it gets your hand too far away from the shutter release to be convenient unless you drop another $100 on the electronic release accessory for it. Plus, it's really bulky.

[neilwood32]

I went with the 190cx3 (carbon fibre) with a 488 RC2 head.

This set up is SOLID. I have used it with my 50D, Sigma 170-500 and Sigma 500 st flash (just to see how solid it was). Not a hint of movement.

I had looked at the Alu 190 tripods but decided that the best tripod would be the one I would carry and use everywhere. The weight of the Alu versions put me off (I would end up leaving it at home).

The added benefit of the CF is that it (reportedly) is better for damping vibrations.

[sahith_a]

For the benefit of others..Here is what I got finally:

190XPROB from Buy.com for $145, 496rc2 from Amazon for $80.