Tripod suggestions

[gregjp48]

Anyone have good tripod suggestions?
I would like to keep it below $200-$300, $300 being maximum. including legs and head

My lens set up will be a 17-40 a 70-200 f/4 (maybe 2.8 in the future) and eventually maybe a 300 f/4 or 100-400 (as far as weight is concerned) all mounted on a 20D

which is preferrable for landscape photography: a ball head or a 3 way tilt/pan. I wanted to do panormas, so was thinking of the tilt/pan, but the panoramas aren't that big of a deal, just a nice idea. would a ball head's speed be appreciated in the field in the early mornings, or would the precision of a tilt/pan be better suited to landscape and architectual (skyscrapers and city art) photography? I also do portrait photography too, but generally do that hand held with my 50.

I only want to make the purchase once if I can help it, so I'd rather buy what I need first than spend triple that working my way up. Weight is a large consideration since I'm not very strong and may need to walk and bike ride long ways to my photographic locations (don't want to lose my balance and break my arm again now would I ) yet I need something that will hold my camera steady. I'm mainly considering Carbon Fiber. Wouldl that be good, or too expensive?

So, what'cha got?

Thanks in advance.

[CyberDyneSystems]

I like ballheads, and I think a great deal on midrange tripods are the Bogen/Manfrotto model 3001 and 3021 series.

[gregjp48]

thanks i'll check that out, also which tripods do those crazy things like twisting out the center column to shoot at a low angle and stuff like that? I've seen them in advertisements, but don't remember the company and model. Do a lot of tripods do this?

Any nice features in tripods/heads I should look for?

[SkipD]

You can't go wrong with the Bogen/Manfrotto 3021BPro legs topped off with a Bogen/Manfrotto 488RC2 ball head for general-purpose work. Here is the combination at B&H: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search It's right in your price range, too.

[websurfer]

Originally Posted by SkipD

You can't go wrong with the Bogen/Manfrotto 3021BPro legs topped off with a Bogen/Manfrotto 488RC2 ball head for general-purpose work. Here is the combination at B&H: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search It's right in your price range, too.

I would miss friction control button on the MA 488RC2 ball head. But the Manfrotto 3021BPro is sturdy and good.

[gregjp48]

Originally Posted by SkipD

You can't go wrong with the Bogen/Manfrotto 3021BPro legs topped off with a Bogen/Manfrotto 488RC2 ball head for general-purpose work. Here is the combination at B&H: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search It's right in your price range, too.

Would the weight be too much for hikes etc.?

[gregjp48]

would the support of 13lbs be too much?
I mean, all I'll be using is the camera and like a 4 pound lens at most. Who would need those tripods with the 25lbs of support and etc.?

would it just be unwanted point/weight

[SkipD]

Originally Posted by gregjp48

Would the weight be too much for hikes etc.?

Greg, the 3021BPro and 488RC2 is easily carried in the field with a long strap. I use the Bogen/Manfrotto 3044 "Long Tripod Carrying Strap". There are several other models that they have as well. I merely sling it across my back for longer hikes. Since the 3021BPro comes with "leg warmers" (soft tubes that go around the main legs of the tripod), you don't even have to buy them now. They provide for a much more comfortable carry than without them.

Originally Posted by gregjp48

would the support of 13lbs be too much?
I mean, all I'll be using is the camera and like a 4 pound lens at most. Who would need those tripods with the 25lbs of support and etc.?

One should never buy a tripod that is just rated for the weight of the equipment you have. That only means that it will support the weight without sagging or, worse, dropping your equipment. Stability to prevent movement is the far more important factor in tripod use. Unfortunately, there is no standard specification value for this. Believe me, though, that if you got a tripod such as this one that I am recommending, you won't be feeling like you need to upgrade to a better tripod for a long time. If, on the other hand, you got a Wal-Mart cheapie you would soon be realizing that it isn't good enough. Many folks on this forum have been through quite a few tripods until getting a really decent one.

[gregjp48]

I already got past the wal*mart cheapie stage, with my kodak advanced p&s. That combination you suggested seems perfect. Now I'm looking into a camera bag to carry it all in (separate thread in accessories section).

[gregjp48]

just curious, would 6.8lbs of that tripod be heavy to lug around all day with my other equipment though? is the strap necessary? And what does the strap acutally do?

[wolf]

Originally Posted by gregjp48

thanks i'll check that out, also which tripods do those crazy things like twisting out the center column to shoot at a low angle and stuff like that? I've seen them in advertisements, but don't remember the company and model. Do a lot of tripods do this?

Any nice features in tripods/heads I should look for?

The center column can be mounted horizontally on the 3021 pro and the legs can also be adjusted horizontally so you can shot 2" off the ground if you want to.

[gregjp48]

that sounds awesome

[JMHPhotography]

I'm gonna throw you a curve ball here. Contrary to popular belief... you do NOT need to spend that much money on a tripod. I bought a Dynatran tripod from Amvona.com on Ebay. And I spent $86.00 +/- including shipping. The ball grip head is identical in EVERY way to the Bogen / Manfrotto 3265 Grip Action Ballhead. In fact it uses the SAME quick release plates. And the legs are pretty darn close too. They support 13.2 pounds and the legs and head together weigh the same as the Bogen setup. The Bogen head alone costs more than I paid for the entire tripod, and it included a carry case. I have since added a 3-way pan/tilt head (Amovona as well) for $20.00 and it's TOP quality. I would be willing to put my tripod up against any of the big names mentioned here.

I know they say, you have thousands of dollars in camera gear, why put it on a cheap support? Their absolutely 100% right. But cheap and inexpensive don't have to mean the same thing.

[gregjp48]

i'm not sure...
but for the more expensive ones: should I get a lower end carbon fiber manfrotto like here? And buy the head seperately. Weight is a huge concern with me, that's why. Would it be as good, and would it be able to use the center column as a lateral arm?

and then what head would I buy?
Is the weight difference a lot between 5 and 7 or 6 and 7 pounds (thats w/ the head)?

[syburn]

does anyone know the actual weight of the 3021Pro and its carbon fiber cousin ans well as the 3001Pro and its carbon fiber double.

want to compare them on wieght.