Frying my brain trying to figure out what tripod to buy!

[ZappaSG]

Well, this will be my first tripod and I am just so fried at reading reviews, forums, articles, everything.

My first choice is the Slik 700 DX, based on reviews, but I hesitate since it weighs 7lbs and I have no idea if thats going to prove too heavy.

My other choice I suppose would be the Bogen/Manfrotto 3001 or 3021 but I've read about leg locks pinching your fingers.

Any help for a newbie? I CANT afford right now to be buying a $500 Gitzo, and I'd like to have my tripod for August when I head up to Maine for two weeks.

Help!

Thank you!

[jopfin]

Have you looked into a Velbon tripod? I have three of them in various sizes, very sturdy, lightweight(depending on model of course) and somewhat cheaper than a Gitzo. ..........Joe

[ZappaSG]

I've seen them but didnt really look into them too much. Thanks though, I'll check a few out!

I need something tall since I am 6'.

[DocFrankenstein]

How do you use it?
Your heaviest lens?

[Todd Jacobsen]

I fell in love with Velbon quick releases and have two Velbon tripods. One aluminum, one graphite. Pretty happy, although I have never owned any other brand.

[ZappaSG]

Well I use an Elan 7 and a N80 with a 50mm and a 24-85mm lens. I mostly shoot outdoor scenes, landscapes, nature, etc.

[Wildewinds]

Feisol. Look it up.

[ZappaSG]

So is 7lbs really THAT heavy?

How much does a 3021 w/head weigh?

[cfcRebel]

Check out the Pro series at www.amvona.com.
I just ordered one. I will write up how good/bad they are when i receive mine. :)

[kram]

Not sure what the pinching leg problem of a 3001 is about - have had it for a month plus and havent had any issues. Actually, not even sure you can get your fingers pinched with the 3001....any others?

[Asmodeus]

I've been using my 3021BPRO for about two months, and while I like it, it seems pretty heavy when I'm lugging it around. I ordered a Feisol CT-3402 Carbon Fiber tripod today; it weighs less than half what the BPRO weighs and, based on the feedback I've seen on their tripods here and on other photography sites, should be a great tripod when I'm hiking around the UK for two weeks in August. And it sounds like it makes a good accompanyment for the Manfrotto 694 Magfiber monopod I've been using.

[blue_max]

I got my Manfrotto 055 Pro and 488RC2 midi ball head today and they are excellent.
They are called different things in the states, but are the medium weight range. They are very good quality and not too heavy. What is the point of light if it isn't sturdy. I have a mickey mouse one that is virtually disposable for out of the house stuff.

I have never used a ball head before (used a three way head), but it feels very natural.

This is my second Manfrotto and I have always found them good value and robust.

You won't go far wrong.

Graham

[tim]

At 7 pounds you'll feel it, but it's not too heavy. Weight is good for stability too. I use this combo (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=353324&is=REG&addedTroughType=search) and it works well.

[longshot]

Check out the Pro series at www.amvona.com (http://www.amvona.com).
I just ordered one. I will write up how good/bad they are when i receive mine. :)

I just got a tripod from Amvona. Definately a Bogen copycat, but it feels sturdy, comes with a bag, and a vertical pistol type grip. As for the weight, yes it is a bit heavy about 7 lbs, but for the price, $70 including shipping, it is a good value in my opinion.

[cfcRebel]

I just got a tripod from Amvona. Definately a Bogen copycat, but it feels sturdy, comes with a bag, and a vertical pistol type grip. As for the weight, yes it is a bit heavy about 7 lbs, but for the price, $70 including shipping, it is a good value in my opinion.Cool! At least I see a feedback (positive one too) from a fellow POTN member. It was a big gamble for me. I ordered three actually, all Pro but different series though. One put in the house, one in my car, and another for my friend. Now i just need to get the UPS/FedEx guy to drive faster. :D Thanks longshot!

[lostdoggy]

Feisol. Look it up.

I thought about buying the manfrotto 3021Pro but was turned off by the weight so I read on this site about the Feisol Carbon Fiber. I found a local vendor here on the State side and took the Plunge and can't be happier. Here is the site if you are interested:

http://www.thresholdconcepts.com/specials.htm

I order it Monday night and got it Thursday. Free shipping to boot.

The other method would be to order it thru eBay and have it shipped from Taiwan.

As for heads, I use Manfrotto Action grip and 390 RC2 Pan & Tilt. They both are pretty heavy at little over a pound but since the Tripo is only 3lb its not that bad.

[cfcRebel]

Ok, i just received my Amvona Dynatran AT-663S. Man, 1st impression - this tripod is STURDY. I'll take it out to a birding trip with me in an hour. I'll write up what i think this afternoon.

[Slaggie]

Just orderd a Velbon CF-530 Sherpa Pro at 294 CDN. Sort of middle of the road carbon fiber tripod. If anyone is interested I will report my thoughts about it after I get my hands on it. George :)

[jake_westmorley]

How is that Velbon CF 530 treating you? Been looking at one of those myself. Any comments?

[SkipD]

My other choice I suppose would be the Bogen/Manfrotto 3001 or 3021 but I've read about leg locks pinching your fingers.I'd suggest you find a local vendor who sells the Bogen/Manfrotto 3021BPRO so that you can handle it. I've had one as my general-purpose tripod for a few years, and find it to be just what I need for everyday use. I now have a Bogen/Manfrotto 488RC2 ballhead on it, and that does 99% of what I need it to do.

By the way, I have never even come close to getting my fingers pinched.

[COKE CAN]

Cool! At least I see a feedback (positive one too) from a fellow POTN member. It was a big gamble for me. I ordered three actually, all Pro but different series though. One put in the house, one in my car, and another for my friend. Now i just need to get the UPS/FedEx guy to drive faster. :D Thanks longshot!

After speaking with you via PM on the one you were selling, I found that the AT877W was what I was looking for. I can flip the center section and get really low for car shots, plus the legs spread flat. It's easy to use and sturdy as a building. I highly recomend www.amovona.com. I paid US$159 to my door, and it was delivered in 8 days, on a Saturday I might add.

[Jon, The Elder]

Hey ZAPPA - fifty thousand million people use the "Bogen 3021" and pinched fingers can't be too big a problem -

I have had mine for 15 years and it still does a good job. Even used it to fend off a German Shepard during a shoot.

Light = no
Strong = yes
Easy part replacement = yes

Overall cost so far = Less than $1.00/month

[CyberDyneSystems]

Onething I like the most about the manfrottos (3001 etc..) is that snap lock legs.

I have a Gitzo that is 4 times the cost of the manfrotto,. but I HATE.. and I mean HATE the twist lock legs. You need three hands and a prehensile tale to manipulate those damn twist locks.

[i2iSTUDIOS]

I have the Slik 700 DX and it's a great Tripod. Really sturdy! Not good for backpacking. LOL although it is sitting in my car right now since I don't have a portible one.

[Slaggie]

Ive used the Velbon CF-530 sherpa pro with an Acratech ballhead for a couple of months now. Its a fairly light carbon fiber tripod with twist locks on the legs. the twist lock on the top connection is keyed somehow so that when you twist the lower lock it does not turn the upper part. This much decreases the fustration factor that I had about twist locks as I prefered the lever locks up to now. I bought the three part legs instead of the four part because I was worried about stability. That said, the drawbacks for me are, its not a tall tripod and if you extend the top post it tends to wave around. The further up, the worse it gets. I have a 20D with a 17-40 and a 70-200 F4. If there is a breeze blowing, with the post fully extended you can watch the camera waving in the wind. With the post down the tripod is rock stable.

Weight IS a factor, add a ballhead and the weight climbs fast. The longer you carry it, the heaver it gets. George :)