Picking up a tripod soon, how's this?

My tripod broke last summer and I've been meaning to get one since then. I finally have the money now and I'll be getting it soon. After reading through here, this is what I chose:

Manfrotto 055XPROB with a Manfrotto 496RC2 ball head. I just need it to be able to support my 1D2 and 70-200. I don't think I'll be able to afford anything larger than that for quite some time, so this should be fine. Any other recommendations for around the same price, or is this good?

That's a very good choice, lots of folks here have the same one.

You might want to get the 498RC2 instead of the 496RC2. It is slightly larger and should be less prone to "sag" with a heavy lens. Another really good reason to get the 498RC2 is the panning feature. The 496RC2 doesn't have the panning feature and it makes it pretty near impossible to pan and keep it level.

^ +1 Agree, Manfrotto 055XPROB & 498RC2 combo = FTW !

but ditch the RC2 ASAP. replace it with RRS multimount QR clamp and put an L bracket on the camera body.

MCAsan wrote in post #12139510
but ditch the RC2 ASAP. replace it with RRS multimount QR clamp and put an L bracket on the camera body.

Is there much advantage to doing that? I don't really plan on shooting portrait with the tripod much, if at all. And looking at the prices for that stuff, it's a bit much. I can't really spend much more than $250 for the tripod and head.

I just got the 055PROB legs for a birthday gift and will be getting the 498RC2 head in the next day or two.

that's close to my setup, my mount is from gitzo but still similar to the one you showed.
very stable legs, easy to use
i'm happy =)

I have the 055xprob/496 combo and I like it but for a few more bucks the 498 is a better option. I'm actually contemplating replacing my 496 with a Horrusbenu LX3....my concern is the only color it comes in is red.

If you search and are patient you can pick a used set of legs...got mine for $120 with a Tamrac bag.

unless you are doing studio work where you can controll the presentaiton of the target, you will never know if you want/need to shoot vertical until you see the target. Many pros will tell you to shoot both orientations...just in case.

Shooting panos...vertical orientation will your more a better chance of a good final crop and mimize noticable distortion as each shot is a fewer set of horizontal degrees.


I fully understand not having the budget to get the clamp and L bracket day one. But you can make a wish list for birthdays and holidays.

498RC2 and those tripodlegs are what I use. It fully supports my gripped 7d with my 70-200 2.8IS (if you already know how heavy that lens is) so I think your 1d would be fine with it.

Definitely spring for the 498 head over the 496, if you can afford it.
It's simply a better head in overall build quality and features, and the separate
pan control is well worth it.

As for the rush to replace the RC2 system with something far more expensive,
you'll have to decide that for yourself. I'm quite happy with my RC2 system.
I have several lenses and a couple of cameras on RC2 plates, and they all do
very well on my 055XPROB legs with a 488RC2(predecessor to 498) head on top.
But if you'd be frequently going from portrait to landscape orientation, the L-bracket
setups are worthy of consideration.

Be sure to check out the HorusBennu thread before you make a decision. They're getting some good reviews.

Think carefully about buying any tripod with a center column. If you have to use it regularlly...the tripod is too short for your body height. And if you don't need it....why did you pay for it and carry the weight?

The best value in any tripod is one you will use with pleasure for years and not regret/replace in X months.

I had that setup and ended up replacing the 496 with an RRS BH-40. If you are sticking with a Manfrotto head, I recommend the 498. I didn't mind the RC2 plates, but the RRS plate is miles better.