Which tripod for 5D2?

Alright, tried doing some searching around on this board about tripods (including a read through the FAQ sticky threads), but the abundance of ball-heads and tripod confuses me...

My question is: What should I get for my 5D2 I just purchased 3 days ago? I have a cheap tripod that came with my XSI two years ago when I bought that, but it's something I wouldn't trust with my 5D2...

Ide be putting my 5D2 and 17-40L / 100L and sometimes my flash on it. Nothing long and heavy, can't afford any of the nice long white glass for a long time I'll be using it to get into waterdrop pictures in my house, and trying for long exposures of the city at night for the first time.

Weight is of little issue for me, I'm used to lugging huge bags of books (4 - 5 textbooks along with my notebooks) on my back at school.
Price range is around the $100 - 200 mark

Spend a bit more and get yourself a more tried and true solid foundation. The Manfrotto 055XPROB legs with the Manfrotto 498RC2 at around $270 is really as low as anyone should go IMO.

I'd agree with Ben, the 055XPROB is a very good value. I had one and liked it.

Hmm... just looked and turns out there is a mail-in rebate. Brings it down to $238. Not bad at all. Do any of you know if the mail-in rebates apply to Canadians as well? (I'm looking at B&H right now) Read the mail-in rebate brochure/page, but doesn't state anything about being outside the US.

Also, how is the 804RC2 compared to the 498RC2? The 804 RC2 would cost me less if I purchased it locally.

Hmmm, I don't think they do apply to residents outside of the US. Sorry.

This thing is really solidly built. I've been using it for over a year with no problems whatsoever:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ro_780DX_Tripod​_with.html

Good value too.

If you have a little more cash to spare, I can highly recommend the carbon fiber version of the 055XPROB. Much lighter, more rigid, and more stable.

for a cheaper option I'd just look at a Slik 500dx, low cost doesn't necessarily mean poor quality

https://photography-on-the.net …hp?p=10742062&p​ostcount=2

Get the best you can afford. A tripod is a forever purchase.
Try several out with your camera. Closets and garage sales are littered with puny, skinny, wobbly, cheap and broken tripods. Don't think cheap. Think quality.
John

I use the 055CXPRO3 with up to 560mm (100-400 L lens plus 1.4x converter) and its perfect.

My 5D2 is new to me, as I've only just switched from a 30D, but I see no reason why the tripod will not serve me just as well in future.

Don't cut corners on a tripod/head. Ask around on how many of here have done that, and learned from it.

Here's a link to a good article on tripods/ballheads...it​'s worth a read.

http://bythom.com/supp​ort.htm

Buy the best Once : Really Right Stuff TV-33

jbustillo wrote in post #13601920
Buy the best Once : Really Right Stuff TV-33

Ha ha, yea I think that level of a support setup is a bit out of the OPs budget.

ben_r_ wrote in post #13597876
Spend a bit more and get yourself a more tried and true solid foundation. The Manfrotto 055XPROB legs with the Manfrotto 498RC2 at around $270 is really as low as anyone should go IMO.

That's what I got today. Am happy!

Laouik wrote in post #13602980
That's what I got today. Am happy!

Nice!