Suggest a Good Tripod for me?

Hi, just wondering as there are so many tripods out there if someone could suggest a good tripod

I was think in around the $300 range

I have a Canon 30D with a 300mm f/4 with 1.4x extender attached.

Like to hike so something not too heavy but stable

I was looking at the bogen manfrotto tripods

Any help would be much appreciated.

Regards,

CoolPix

Easy....... wellllll..... there will be conflicting advice....but.... Can't go wrong with the Manfrotto 055 PROB. Head wise I have the Manfrotto 141RC with QR. Love the dumpy little rubber handles. You may prefer a ball head but that's down to personal taste I think. Don't use em so couldn't recommend one.

Not heavy but stable?? Its not that heavy but it is very very stable. It also looks good.

If you don't fancy a tripod case with it for carrying then go for the Manfrotto shoulder strap.

The most important bit of advice I can give though ...is to go and have a look at them all at a local photo outlet. Pick em up. Try em out. That way you will get exactly what you want.

Reaperman

The 055 Pro B is the 3021B in the US; A good ball head to go with it is the 488RC2.

don't even consider aluminum when hiking.

Best budget hiking solution( Cheaper, quality Carbon Fiber setup for hiking): Slik 614 + bogen 488 rc2. Will run you about 300 bucks. It's light as a feather and extremely portable.

Nearly the best (read, top of the line quality & functionality): Feisol 3441 + Acratech Ultimate Ballhead. The legs are pretty close to Gitzo in quality and functionality--extremly well made and very durable. can support about 13lbs, folds up to 16.9 inches, is about 55 inches without center colum extended, head + tripod weigh about 3 lbs. Will run you about $650 bucks.

Absolute best: Gitzo Travelor or mountainer + Ultimate Ballhead. Sell your house, kids, and wife, cause it's going to cost you over 1000 bucks.

You might want to take a look at the Velbon EL Carmagne 540A. It's light, 2.7 pounds, and supports 8.8 lbs. I've found it to be easy to use, stable, and well made.

There are a few reviews of the 540A on the B&H site.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

I pack my bogen 3021BPRO with a 488 rc2 head out thru the timber with no problem. It cost 273 delivered from B&H. Remember, opinions are like rectums, everyone has a different one.

For hiking the Magfibre Bogen/Manfrotto 190MF3 that I used to own is a good choice and only weighs 1.6kg. The legs alone will cost $300 so budget another $70 for a lightweight ballhead that is well matched to the load limit of the tripod and won't add another kg to the overall weight. The 486RC2 seems like a good choice. The 190MF3 was such a competent all rounder that I do have regrets that I sold mine.

See CoolPix.... told you you'd get differing opinions.

Still suggest you go down to the shop, pick it up, have a look at it, play with it then make a decision based on what is right for you.

My Manfrotto has one draw back (which I believe nearly all pro tripods have) taking it on holiday by plane. It either goes in my suitcase or stays at home. (Limit on Virgin Atlantic is 23K. I have to leave some clothes behind to take mine

Good luck.

Reaperman

If you want to hike with your tripod, I would suggest staying away from the Manfrotto 3021 line of tripods as they are very heavy ( about 5.5 lbs without head ). I have one which I used to use for day hikes, but since moved to a carbon fiber based tripod ( about 3 lbs ) and the difference was very noticable. The other factor to look at is the folded size of the tripod. The 3021 folds down to about 25", which is too long to attach to a pack. Look for a tripod that folds down to less than 18" and weighs less than 3 lbs...will make you hikes much more enjoyable.

I also highly recommend the Bogen/Manfrotto 3021BPro (055ProB outside the U.S.) topped off with their 488RC2 ball head. Fitted with Manfrotto's "Long Strap", I find mine quite easy to haul around in the field.

The rig is very sturdy, extremely versatile, and easy to handle.

I also suggest adding the convertible feet (spike/rubber tip) that are available as an option.

thanks for all the replies, still looking

Don't be a girly man, pack around the 055xPROB. It is quiet nice and sturdy as hell. I have it mated with the 488RC0 ball head.

SkipD wrote in post #3705626
I also highly recommend the Bogen/Manfrotto 3021BPro (055ProB outside the U.S.) topped off with their 488RC2 ball head. Fitted with Manfrotto's "Long Strap", I find mine quite easy to haul around in the field.

The rig is very sturdy, extremely versatile, and easy to handle.

I also suggest adding the convertible feet (spike/rubber tip) that are available as an option.

I guess people have different views of hiking. If you need to do any climbing or scrambling, then you need both hands and the tripod needs to be secured to your pack. It's under these conditions that I found the 3021 to be too big and heavy being strapped to the outside of a Nature Trekker pack. If your hikes allow you to carry the tripod via a strap, then the 3021 would do OK, but still would be heavy after a 10k of walking.

Another vote for the Manfrotto 3021BPRO except I had the 486RC2 head. Solid as a rock and I didn't find it heavy.

Feisol Carbon Fiber tripod are excellent.