Need Tripod Advice

Hi everyone -

I currently have a Manfrotto 055xPROB and 804 RC2 head. For the most part, it has served me well - especially considering the price I paid for it. I am primarily a landscape shooter and my tripod sees very little use outside of this purpose.

But lately, I have become increasingly frustrated with this tripod and need to search for some new options, my biggest problem with it being the center column. Getting low to the ground is difficult at best and impossible at other times because of the center column. Sure, you can pull it through and place it horizontally but sometimes it's not possible to get level and frame your shot how you want due to rough, slippery or steep terrain. Not to mention, even when you can get it right it's just a giant PITA to deal with when it's 0 degrees F outside and I have to mess with my center column and tripod head with no gloves un-necessarily.

My other problem with it is the relative difficulty for switching from landscape to portrait orientation. The only way to do this is by un-cranking the tripod head and hoping you have enough play to get level in portrait orientation based on the terrain.

So, here is what I'm looking for:

Weight: No heavier than my 055xPROB/804 RC2 combination but significantly lighter is not a requirement. Although it would be nice if any options meet my other requirements within my budget.

Height I'm 6'3" and I wanted to be able to get to eye level when I first bought my 055xPROB but I realize now that I NEVER shoot this high. I'm OK with something around chest height if that gets me what else I want.

Features No center column and easy to get low to the ground. Easily change from landscape to portrait. No preference for CF or aluminum. Prefer no twist lock legs but I can deal with them if need be. Collapsed size is probably very low on my list, even lower than weight. When I hike, it will be strapped to the outside of my pack so I don't need 4 sections to deal with every time I want to set up.

Budget Give me a few options - total cost (tripod, head, brackets) around $200, $500 and $1000.

I had that same tripod, I found it pretty good value given what it cost. I moved from it to one of the Gitzo, and moved to the RRS to save some weight when they announced it. I'm happy with my RRS 34L and BH-55 head, I've got L brackets on my bodies so it's easy to go from landscape to portrait. It might be at the high end of your budget. Here's a couple of links that might help you

http://www.luminous-landscape.com …_worlds_best_tr​ipod.shtml

http://bythom.com/supp​ort.htm

Here is a thread here discussing RRS tripods

https://photography-on-the.net …018499&highligh​t=rrs+pano

My inclination would be to go for a Gitzo Systematic. I use bot the the 3320Bs (very short) and the 3530Ls for landscape work, normally with a Manfrotto 410 geared head or a Sirui K40X ball head.
If I need to travel light I use a Gitzo 2531 (removable center column) and a Triopo RS 3 head with an Arca type QR clamp added - total weight less than 1.8 Kilo.
Good Luck choosing!

Hmmm...it appears I'll be spending big bucks to get what I want, doesnt it? Too bad - I'd rather put the $$$ into another lens but I'm pretty frustrated with the 055x right now.

Any other ideas?

Thanks for the responses so far.

MNUplander wrote in post #15475113
Hmmm...it appears I'll be spending big bucks to get what I want, doesnt it? Too bad - I'd rather put the $$$ into another lens but I'm pretty frustrated with the 055x right now.

Any other ideas?

Thanks for the responses so far.

Couple of ideas...I know what you mean about that center column. I thought it was a PIA.

You can replace it with a short one
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …CSB&N=0&Initial​Search=yes

or you can saw it off.

Then you can buy your lens.

rick_reno wrote in post #15475242
Couple of ideas...I know what you mean about that center column. I thought it was a PIA.

You can replace it with a short one
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …CSB&N=0&Initial​Search=yes

or you can saw it off.

Then you can buy your lens.

I didn't know it could come all the way out - it feels "stuck" at the end.

It'll probably kill the resale value but maybe I will just saw it off and replace the head with something from RRS and an "L" bracket. The sale of my 804 RC2 head should cover most of the cost of the "L" bracket so my only out of pocket expense will be the new head.

Maybe that's the route I take...

MNUplander wrote in post #15475288
I didn't know it could come all the way out - it feels "stuck" at the end.

It'll probably kill the resale value but maybe I will just saw it off and replace the head with something from RRS and an "L" bracket. The sale of my 804 RC2 head should cover most of the cost of the "L" bracket so my only out of pocket expense will be the new head.

Maybe that's the route I take...

This might fit: http://www.manfrotto.c​o.uk …-column-accessory-for-055
If i remember my Manfrotto 55 XB PRO then the bottom of the center column is removable.
If you put the center column in the horizontal position you can get very low as well.

Feisol 3442 legs for $414, sturdy, no centre column, light, great customer service, easy to use with gloves.

As for the head, you'll want something that will take an L bracket. So either something from RRS directly, or a head from one mfg e.g. Acratech, and replace the QR clamp with one that takes L plates from the mfg of your choice e.g. Kirk.

That should cost you about $1K.

+1 on the Feisol tripods a friend of mine has the 3 leg section version and it compares quite well to my Gitzos.

Getting an L-Bracket will solve your problem of switching between orientations. Don't bother with trying to find a ball head that makes switching easier; nothing is easier than having an L-Bracket.

I second the recommendation for getting a tripod by RRS. Just hold your nose and pay for the one tripod you'll never need to replace. Buy once, cry once, as the saying goes...

While I'm a huge fan of Gitzo and Markins combo you can get a replacement short center column like the one here http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Short_Center_C​olumn.html
I had a 055CX3 with this that was VERY stable.

If you go the Gitzo route the GT2542L with a Marking TB-21 to eliminate the center column is a great choice or a Gitzo Systematic like a 3530LS might be a better choice.

I don’t know what your budget is but I have a Gitzo 6x Systematic 3542XLS + Really Right Stuff BH-55 ballhead.
With the L-Plate and 70-200 foot plate, it cost me $1,560 total.
This setup works very very well for me. Never had any issues with anything.

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Thanks for the advice folks. I've decided to order the short center column for my existing tripod and replace the head with an RRS BH-55/"L" bracket. I'll look into a Gitzo or RRS tripod at a later date, these things should solve my existing problems without denting my lens budget TOO much.

Thanks again!

How low to the ground do you need to get?

I'm in a wheelchair and needed a very short tripod that was height adjustable(legs & head), stable, bubble level, portrait/landscape, no twist lock legs.

The only very short tripod I could find was one made by Fotomate. It's from a company in China and I found it on ebay. Not the most inspiring start to my search to say the least. For $40 I rolled the dice, and I was glad I did.

It stands 12" tall at it's lowest and 23" at it's tallest. The legs extend 8" via 2 collapsible sections per leg that latch tight. The head raises 3" using a crank gear that is lockable.

You did say you wanted to get low to the ground...

There aren't any left on eBay, but I found another site that sells them called Cameraoutletsale.com.
Here's the link to the tripod.

Specification:

Product number: M-026
MAX Height: 54cm
Min Height: 28cm
Section: 3
Net weight: 935g
Suitable for: All standard 1/4 screw hole
Max. Load: 2.5 kg *Holds my dSLR & long lens w/ no problem.

They have a bunch of other tripods from different manufacturers that are short but not quite as short as this one. Currently they have a 40% off any one item with free shipping over $50.

Let me know what you think.