best sturdy tripod

[mknabster]

Ok, I have a Powershot G6. The tripod I have is just a plain aluminum one from Wal-mart. The problem is I took it to the beach to get a family portrait, and I let it along for about a minute. And a gust of wind came and blew it over. Even though it did have coats hanging on that my mom put on, which i think added as a sail. But I still want to get a new one which will be able to support the G6 and any of its accessory lenses or flashes. So I was wondering, what's better, aluminum or magnesium/carbon fiber? I was looking for a fiber one, since I heard they're heavier. And what is a good brand that I can look for? I need to know soon because I'm going back to the beach to get that family portrait and I don't want that to happen again. Can anyone help me?

[pvonk]

I'm new to digital phototgraphy, but in reading a number of books, the Gitzo brand tripods seem to be the most often mentioned as among the best, but prices are generally in the $300-500 ball park with some going over $700.

[mknabster]

What do you guys think about the Dynatran AT-818?

[pvonk]

Went to Dynatran's web site and found it is under construction!!

[AjP]

I have 3221WN (http://ww1.onecall.com/PID_13249.htm) tripod and 322RC2 (http://ww1.onecall.com/PID_23218.htm) Grip Action Ball Head. and I love it!!!!

[mknabster]

Actually, I saw the Dynatran on ebay, rather than its website. I am going to go through ebay most likely to get one though. Because of the pricing and all.

[mknabster]

What's better to have for stability issues: magnesium/carbon fiber or aluminum?

[Rigby470]

Here is what I know about tripods. A carbon fibre is lighter than aluminum. Carbon fibre is light, but sturdy. I have a Feisol tripod, which is similar to Gitzo. The Feisol, like many others, has a metal hook at the base of the column from which can be hung a bag or something to add weight and stability. This works fine as long as the wind does not make the bag start swinging like a pendulum.

If you are looking for something heavy, Carbon fibre is not the way to go. If you are looking for something to carry around, it is.

[tim]

I use manfrotto, the 321BPRO (or something like that) legs, and the 322RC2 grip action ballhead, and I like it. Very sturdy, good weight (not light and not too heavy), and works well.

[SkipD]

mknabster - I would suggest that you visit a good camera shop and look at the tripods they carry. Handle them and the various heads that could be used.

You don't need to spend a fortune on a tripod. I would recommend that you stay away from the exotics (magnesium, carbon fiber, etc) and spend the money you will save for things that will do you more good. You don't have a heavy camera or super long focal length lens that you need any really fancy tripod/head combination for. You do, however need more than Wally World junk.

The Bogen 3021BPRO legs (tripod) and the Bogen 488RC2 head work extremely well for me under most circumstances. The whole combination can be had for $250 or less. If you have a windy situation like you described, you can spread the footprint of the legs out wide and provide a solid platform for your camera. The 3021BPRO is heavy enough to be stable while not too heavy to carry with a good strap.

I would also suggest that you consider purchasing the tripod/head (and any other significant photographic equipment) at a local store or at least from a highly reputable mail-order dealer like Adorama or B&H. Based on my observations, it is my firm opinion that folks selling on E-Bay and other similar venues often tend to over-hype the junk that they are selling.

[TheObiJuan]

I have the dynatran at-12t and it is super solid. It is way over built, but a bit on the heavy side as a result.
I paid 75 bucks for mine. I use the 488RC4 with mine btw.

[mknabster]

I'm looking at the Dynatran AT-818. Does that look like a good one to you guys?

[cc3chan]

I'm looking at the Dynatran AT-818. Does that look like a good one to you guys?

I have the 858 and put a Manfrotto 486RC head on it and it works like a charm.

[Miyamoto Musashi]

I have the GITZO G2220 with the Manfrotto 488RC2 ball head and I LOVE it! The GITZO is so high quality and it's one of the cheaper ones. The legs fold out to any angle and the boom arm make anything possible. The thumb screws have BALL BEARING washers! I couldn't believe this, but They are amazing. It's so much more Quality than I expected, and I expect a lot. I will never buy another tripod as long as I have this set up. The telescoping portion of the legs is so smooth lilke the Ultimate Microphone stands, Barely turn and it's just smooth sailing and then barely turn again and it's locked tight. GITZO. I am impressed.
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/3500/gitzog2220manfrotto488rc23hd.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)
Taken from their site:

Incorporates individually locking legs that can be fixed at any angle from 0° to 90°. Fitted with a column that can tilt from the vertical, beyond the horizontal and lock safely at any angle.
Incorporates individually locking legs that can be fixed at any angle from 0° to 90°.

[kooldezign]

Is it $75 dollar? This kid has only $75 dollar and looking for a brandname sturdy tripod such as Gitzo, Manfrotto, or Slik... Gotta be kidding ....

[condyk]

I've been looking for a while and finally decided the best compromise of weight, stability, usability, build and value was the Feisol Carbon Fibre CT-3401 tripod ($175 plus import duty/VAT and delivery) and the Manfrotto 488RC2 ballhead at £60 inclusive.

Should be here soon and I will probably post a first impressions review when it arrives. I know how dull and confusing it can be finding the right combo. Hopefully, mine will prove to be a spot on choice ;)

[pvonk]

I'm checking out the Manfrotto 488RC2 head at B&H on the web. Along with their listing, they include the 3157N (RC2) Quick Release Mounting Plate as an accessory. Do I need this? Or does the 488RC2 come with everything I need to attach the camera to??

[Carzee]

My legs are up in the air at the moment. LOL.


Brought at FMiranda Bogen?Man 475B to suit a MG460 (i think) head. The legs haven't even arrived yet and now I've gone and brought a RRS L Plate so I'm in the Market for a head to suit it (in August).

[condyk]

I'm checking out the Manfrotto 488RC2 head at B&H on the web. Along with their listing, they include the 3157N (RC2) Quick Release Mounting Plate as an accessory. Do I need this? Or does the 488RC2 come with everything I need to attach the camera to??

You can buy it without the RC2 QR Plate or with it. I guess you need to buy it with it unless you hav eone already. If it is called the 488RC2 then it already includes the RC2 QR and you will see it clearly in the picture when compared with the 488 only.

See here:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=272779&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

If you want an extra plate or two, ie one for each lens, or the camera body and lens, whatever, then order the required number at the bottom of the page. You get one with it so you only need order an extra on if you need more than one.

If you have lightish lenses then just have one QR plate on the body and mount this to the tripod. If you have larger heavy zooms then have one on each tripod mount on each lens and then one for the body if you need it.

Now you need to get some tripod legs I guess :lol:

[arpi]

I have the Gitzo 2227 tripod and Manfrotto 322RC2 head. The tripod is tight and versatile because it has an extra arm that allows me to move the camera away from the tripod and this can be good if setting the tripod for example between tables and avoid obstacles. The manfrotto head is great and I love it. It has a motorcycle-handle type of free ball head that makes positioning the camera very fast, then you release the handle and it freezes the position, very quick. I also love the leveling bubble on the Manfrotto head for fast perfect positioning.

Cheers

[Miyamoto Musashi]

I'm checking out the Manfrotto 488RC2 head at B&H on the web. Along with their listing, they include the 3157N (RC2) Quick Release Mounting Plate as an accessory. Do I need this? Or does the 488RC2 come with everything I need to attach the camera to??

Mine came with one Quick plate, I think the accessory on the B&H site is for extras. I did not get mine there, though, I got mine from the local ma and pop shop here in OHIO. I would check and see and Since it's unusable without it, It MUST come with one.

Yeah It DOES come with ONE. Looky HERE (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=272779&is=REG&addedTroughType=search) (and click on the "Item Includes" TAB. Shows plain as day what it includes and that'll be all you'd need, sir. I love this head and I love the G2220 Gitzo, so, go, and git it.

You just need more plates if you want one on every camera or Big lens you own, that's all...

[pvonk]

Yeah It DOES come with ONE. Looky HERE (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=272779&is=REG&addedTroughType=search) (and click on the "Item Includes" TAB. Shows plain as day what it includes and that'll be all you'd need, sir. I love this head and I love the G2220 Gitzo, so, go, and git it.


Thanks - I didn't catch the "item includes" tab.

Now I'm looking at the 2220 vs 2227 vs 2228

So many choices!!

- Pierre

[Miyamoto Musashi]

Hey, Pvonk, I just noticed we had the same number of posts on this here forum, Not now, that I went and ruined everything by posting this comment you're reading right now. That just goes to show great minds have the same amount of posts so you should get the same combo tripod. Gitzo G2220 and the 488rc2. It's the best as far as value is concerned.

[Asmodeus]

I've been looking for a while and finally decided the best compromise of weight, stability, usability, build and value was the Feisol Carbon Fibre CT-3401 tripod ($175 plus import duty/VAT and delivery) and the Manfrotto 488RC2 ballhead at £60 inclusive.

Should be here soon and I will probably post a first impressions review when it arrives. I know how dull and confusing it can be finding the right combo. Hopefully, mine will prove to be a spot on choice ;)

I'm also waiting on the CT-3401 to show up ($197 delivered with a Paypal coupon from eBay); it's going to get the Manfrotto 484RC2 ball head I have sitting here., though it may end up with the Manfrotto 3437 Magnesium head for a two week trip to the UK next month. The weight was what really appealed to me (less than half that of my 3021BPRO) for use when I'm traveling. If it's as good as people have said the Feisol's have been, the BPRO may just end up sitting in the home studio full time ;)