Need Tripod /Head Input

[papagei]

Not wanting to hijack a previous thread on this subject, I need advice on Bogen Tripods / Heads.

Important to note is the usage.

I have a crappy tripod and one of the legs is not holding and even my 486RC2 head annoys me (LOL), so I have been looking at replacements.

Mostly to be used with my 40D and 100-400L - usually fully extended! On a monopod and a tripod, but mostly a mono when I am out at the zoo or such.

For heads, I like the 3265 grip action ballhead but wonder if the center of gravity of my combo would be better served with the 322 model head? I am not sure how the camera/lens combo will balance on the 3265 even if it does look easier to control.

Does anyone have experience with the 3265 and 100-400L lens on a monopod?

For tripods, it is between the 055XPROB (replacement for 3021PROB) and the 190XPROB (I want the center column feature for macro). There is a one pound weight difference so I would rather have the lighter one - the 190XPROB.

Yes, it is shorter, but if the 3265 works, then I can gain a few inches using that head.

Need feedback and experience! Thanks!!

[scot079]

Here's a vote for the 055 Pro, so much more burly than the 190. But they are the same design yes, love that horizontal center column feature.

[SkipD]

I would suggest going for the 055 leg set. For a head, though, I don't like either of the grip-action heads - particularly the 3265. My choice for a general-purpose head is the 488RC2 ball head. It packs and carries a LOT easier than the 322 and, in my opinion, is just plain easier to use in more situations.

[JohnJ80]

Originally Posted by papagei

Not wanting to hijack a previous thread on this subject, I need advice on Bogen Tripods / Heads.

Important to note is the usage.

I have a crappy tripod and one of the legs is not holding and even my 486RC2 head annoys me (LOL), so I have been looking at replacements.

Mostly to be used with my 40D and 100-400L - usually fully extended! On a monopod and a tripod, but mostly a mono when I am out at the zoo or such.

For heads, I like the 3265 grip action ballhead but wonder if the center of gravity of my combo would be better served with the 322 model head? I am not sure how the camera/lens combo will balance on the 3265 even if it does look easier to control.

Does anyone have experience with the 3265 and 100-400L lens on a monopod?

For tripods, it is between the 055XPROB (replacement for 3021PROB) and the 190XPROB (I want the center column feature for macro). There is a one pound weight difference so I would rather have the lighter one - the 190XPROB.

Yes, it is shorter, but if the 3265 works, then I can gain a few inches using that head.

Need feedback and experience! Thanks!!

For the FL of lenses you are using you need something that has stability equivalent to a Gitzo 3540LS or so. I'd also recommend you consider a ballhead on the scale of the Markins stuff (depending on the size of your tripod).

You are heading down this path:
http://bythom.com/support.htm

Personally, I'd recommend you think about what you want it to do because you are either going to spend a lot of money a little bit at a time or whack the wallet once and solve your problem (ultimately spending less money).

IMO, the 055 is inadequate for a 400mm lens.

J.

[papagei]

Ok, I was just looking at the 488RC4, but then was sidetracked by JohnJ80's post. Yes, I am heading down an expensive path

The head I really like (oh, I want) is the WH-200 Wimberley Head Version II! Only $600 - and way out of my price range.

I had decided to go with the 055XPROB and it seems fine for my purposes as I rarely use a tripod, but I do really, really like the Wimberley Sidekick but there are issues with Bogen heads.

Switching gears again and looking at these. Anyone using the Sidekick?

[papagei]

Ok, back again. I am 95% sold on the Acratech Ultimate Ballhead. Anyone have this one?
It comes with a Quick Release Clamp - so does one also need a quick release plate for the camera?

[SkipD]

Originally Posted by papagei

Ok, back again. I am 95% sold on the Acratech Ultimate Ballhead. Anyone have this one?
It comes with a Quick Release Clamp - so does one also need a quick release plate for the camera?

For any quick-release system, you QR plates for each and every camera and lens that could use one. That way you aren't moving QR plates around to whatever you are mounting on the tripod. That kind of defeats the concept of Quick Release.

[papagei]

Ah - I was confused by their QR Clamp which looks like a QR plate, but I see they sell the QR plates for each type/model of camera. Not sure how that system works.

[JohnJ80]

There is no point in having a QR clamp if you don't have a plate for everything that needs one - otherwise you might as well just screw it onto the tripod each time.

J

[squiress]

I think really any Wimberley including the Sidekick is a bit much mount for your 100-400. I think one of the good ball mounts, and the Acratech is a good ball mount, would do you just fine.

The QR plate system would allow you to have a plate on the foot of your 100-400 and also one on your camera. Easy to switch from the one on the lens (for better balance) to the one on the camera with a less beefy lens.

For the focal length you're using, you need a 3 series equivalent in carbon fiber if you choose to go that route. That means 32mm diameter of the upper leg segment. You can take a name brand like Gitzo and pay a whole bunch, or a name brand like Manfrotto, or others that provide good local camera store or in country service, that also offer carbon fiber options for a lessor amount. You can also go the Asian Gitzo copy route with Benro, Feisol or Dynatran. All make three series carbon fiber tripods that have done well for most users here with your camera lens combinations. You pay less for the latter, and possibly would have higher risk for durability, and definitely would have warranty risk in case something went wrong (Feisol has great service, but it has to go back to Taiwan if it needs serious repair).

Because Manfrotto and the Arca Swiss group have different QR plate specs you need to decide what group you want to stick with. The Arca Swiss group is much more prevelent and is what your Arcatech head would have.

Stew

[canonloader]

I have the 322 head. It holds 11 pounds very securely and it is well made. I will never use anything else, until I hit the Lotto. I've had it a year now and it is limber enough to shoot birds in flight. I didn't use it with the 100-400 cause I got it after I sold mine, but did use it with the 400L Prime, Bigma and even my Orion digiscope. Set it up for left hand use and after about 1 hour of using it, you will probably never go back.

[papagei]

Thank you Stew - you have given me great information! I did find info on my tripod (Photo Tech CT313) and a simple allen wrench fixed the leg problem (who knew?). It is a carbon fiber, though I cannot find specs on it (I have had it for 3 years) so I do not know the upper leg circumference.

The head I will change, leaving my 486RC2 on my Manfrotto monopod. I am leaning more toward the Acratech GV2 ballhead since I like doing panos and have been doing them handheld all this time! Anyway, it is between the GV2 and the Ultimate

I also found a great VIDEO on the Acratech heads.

[SkipD]

Originally Posted by papagei

The head I will change, leaving my 486RC2 on my Manfrotto monopod. I am leaning more toward the Acratech GV2 ballhead since I like doing panos and have been doing them handheld all this time! Anyway, it is between the GV2 and the Ultimate

That idea leaves a LOT to be desired, as you will have to change the quick-release plates when switching from one head style to the other (Manfrotto RC2 to Acratech).

A good ball head to put on the tripod would be the Manfrotto 488RC2. It is beefier than the 486RC2 and has a separate pan release to allow you to rotate the camera horizontally without releasing the ball.

The only other sensible option (if you're really set on the Acratech, that is) would be to get rid of the 486RC2 and use something that is compatible with the QR system used by your new tripod head.

[squiress]

You're welcome. The 32mm is the leg diameter not circumference. That is 1.25 inches or pretty close. You can take a piece of string and wrap it around the leg and the length of that should be right at about 4 inches if it is 32mm.

Nice if you don't have to pick up a tripod. The 313 in your tripod name is similar to the Induro convention for a 3 series, 3 segment, so maybe you'll get lucky. Carbon fiber is well integrated into the tripod world at this point. Testing I've done shows very expensive carbon fiber tripods don't dampen much better than very inexpensive or middle of the road tripods. (Those were very limited tests, but my shooting has validated that, and I have a lot of different carbon fiber tripods.)

Stew

[squiress]

Originally Posted by SkipD

That idea leaves a LOT to be desired, as you will have to change the quick-release plates when switching from one head style to the other (Manfrotto RC2 to Acratech).

A good ball head to put on the tripod would be the Manfrotto 488RC2. It is beefier than the 486RC2 and has a separate pan release to allow you to rotate the camera horizontally without releasing the ball.

The only other sensible option (if you're really set on the Acratech, that is) would be to get rid of the 486RC2 and use something that is compatible with the QR system used by your new tripod head.

I agree here and would suggest that you move up to the Arcatech and dump the Manfrotto as well. I have Manfrotto RC0, RC2 and RC4 plated heads and really think the AS system is superior (my opinion only).

Stew