Tripod suggestions from the vets

UPDATE: See post 14 in this thread.

I know what you thinking. Another Tripod thread! I have read many post here and have read the sitcky and have come to the following options (other suggestions are welcome). Please let me know what you think would be the best combo, If you have had or own any of these and if there are any major issues you know of pertaining to the selections.

To start Gitzo isnt in my budget. Trying to stay in the $500 - $600 range

I currently have a Canon XSi and the heaviest lens i have (Or will have) is a Canon EF 16-35 2.8L at around 2 pounds. I am 6'-0" tall. Over time i will probably upgrade to a Canon EOS 5D.

I am not a pro just an amateur who like to take photos. This will be used mostly in the house, yard to take pictures of my baby girl but we do vacation and i wouldnt mind throwing this in my backpack to to some landscape photos. This is the reason i am looking at the carbon fiber.

The head i would like a ball head that has tension control and pan lock.

Tripod:
Fiesol 3441T ( not sure if I should get the ARL feature)
Is there a comparable Giottos or Slick?

Ball Head:
Kirk BH-3
Photo Clam - Not sure which size i need but probably the PC-36NS
Giottos MH-1300 Pro Series II
Giottos MH-3000

One thing that i am stumped on is that all the above heads appear to have 3 knobs except the Photo Clam. What is the extra knob for?

Thanks in advance for the advice.

The extra knob is to adjust tension. It allows you to set the friction on the ball so it will be the same at all points of rotation. That means that you can fine tune the shot composition, then take your hands off the camera and it will not move, even though you can move it again to recompose. You can point it down at an angle, and when you remove your hands, it will not droop further.

The 3441T was my choice too. There's a review of it on the sticky.

The Photoclam ballheads have smaller ball diameters than those of the Markins, for example. The larger the ball, the less the droop at steep downward pointing angles.

The Markins are worth the money for the tension control and the ball size, which is the largest I've found for a compact travel ballhead.

Does anyone else have any info to provide?

I would go with Jay's advice.

No personal experience with Photoclam, but they do get good reviews.
Seems to fit better on "Traveler" tripods. (Scroll down here: http://luminous-landscape.com …cessories/magic​-box.shtml )
The Markins (and Photoclam) have the tension control incorporated in the main knob.

That being said: I really like my Markins M10.

On the legs: Yes, you should get one with ALR.

i use Markins, both Emille and M10. from what you said, the Emille should work well. i use it with a M IV with a 70-200 f2.8L IS and also a Hasselblad H4D. no problems.

Thanks for the links and the info.

René Damkot wrote in post #13488753
No personal experience with Photoclam, but they do get good reviews.
Seems to fit better on "Traveler" tripods. (Scroll down here: http://luminous-landscape.com …cessories/magic​-box.shtml )
The Markins (and Photoclam) have the tension control incorporated in the main knob.

That being said: I really like my Markins M10.

On the legs: Yes, you should get one with ALR.

Thanks i do see that the Markin's have slightly larger ball diameters. It looks like the Photoclam and the Markins have very similar knob setups for the Tension and Pan features.

tvphotog wrote in post #13486257
The extra knob is to adjust tension. It allows you to set the friction on the ball so it will be the same at all points of rotation. That means that you can fine tune the shot composition, then take your hands off the camera and it will not move, even though you can move it again to recompose. You can point it down at an angle, and when you remove your hands, it will not droop further.

The 3441T was my choice too. There's a review of it on the sticky.

The Photoclam ballheads have smaller ball diameters than those of the Markins, for example. The larger the ball, the less the droop at steep downward pointing angles.

The Markins are worth the money for the tension control and the ball size, which is the largest I've found for a compact travel ballhead.

You might want to add the Feisol 3442 rapid to your list. It can be operated without a center column for added stability. The height is fine for a six-footer and the weight is the same as the Traveler. I have to mention the Photo Clam PC-40N which can be left mounted to the 3442 when folded in the inverted travel position. You might get away with the PC-36 but if you ever go to a longer lens you may regret it. I have had the PC for about 5 months, so I can't vouch for its reliability. So far, so good.

Mudhog79 wrote in post #13486027
I know what you thinking. Another Tripod thread! I have read many post here and have read the sitcky and have come to the following options (other suggestions are welcome). Please let me know what you think would be the best combo, If you have had or own any of these and if there are any major issues you know of pertaining to the selections.

To start Gitzo isnt in my budget. Trying to stay in the $500 - $600 range

I currently have a Canon XSi and the heaviest lens i have (Or will have) is a Canon EF 16-35 2.8L at around 2 pounds. I am 6'-0" tall. Over time i will probably upgrade to a Canon EOS 5D.

I am not a pro just an amateur who like to take photos. This will be used mostly in the house, yard to take pictures of my baby girl but we do vacation and i wouldnt mind throwing this in my backpack to to some landscape photos. This is the reason i am looking at the carbon fiber.

The head i would like a ball head that has tension control and pan lock.

Tripod:
Fiesol 3441T ( not sure if I should get the ARL feature)
Is there a comparable Giottos or Slick?

Ball Head:
Kirk BH-3
Photo Clam - Not sure which size i need but probably the PC-36NS
Giottos MH-1300 Pro Series II
Giottos MH-3000

One thing that i am stumped on is that all the above heads appear to have 3 knobs except the Photo Clam. What is the extra knob for?

Thanks in advance for the advice.

From what i can tell the 3442 is going to be way to short (54.3" or 4'-6") for a person 6'-0" tall without the optional center poll which would then basically make it the 3441T. I am just missing something.

http://reallybigcamera​s.com/Feisol/Tournamen​t_Class.htm

nma wrote in post #13491565
You might want to add the Feisol 3442 rapid to your list. It can be operated without a center column for added stability. The height is fine for a six-footer and the weight is the same as the Traveler. I have to mention the Photo Clam PC-40N which can be left mounted to the 3442 when folded in the inverted travel position. You might get away with the PC-36 but if you ever go to a longer lens you may regret it. I have had the PC for about 5 months, so I can't vouch for its reliability. So far, so good.

Mudhog79 wrote in post #13493554
From what i can tell the 3442 is going to be way to short (54.3" or 4'-6") for a person 6'-0" tall without the optional center poll which would then basically make it the 3441T. I am just missing something.

http://reallybigcamera​s.com/Feisol/Tournamen​t_Class.htm

I'm 6' as well, and chose the 3441t.

Mudhog79 wrote in post #13493554
From what i can tell the 3442 is going to be way to short (54.3" or 4'-6") for a person 6'-0" tall without the optional center poll which would then basically make it the 3441T. I am just missing something.

http://reallybigcamera​s.com/Feisol/Tournamen​t_Class.htm

I have the 3442 and am 5'11" tall. Fully extended with a ballhead (M10) on top + the camera, it's not too short, imo.

If you can afford to add the anti-rotating legs, it's worth it. TBH, I think it's stupid that they still give you the option. Most of the other manufacturers just replaced the normal legs with ARL with an update.

Thanks to all for the help. I just order the 3441T Rapid with the Photo Clam PC-40NS ball head. I cant wait until it comes in. Now i have to find a plate for my camera. Might be a little difficult as i have an XSi with an Opteka battery grip.

Mudhog79 wrote in post #13495720
Thanks to all for the help. I just order the 3441T Rapid with the Photo Clam PC-40NS ball head. I cant wait until it comes in. Now i have to find a plate for my camera. Might be a little difficult as i have an XSi with an Opteka battery grip.

Great. Use it in the best of health.