Going to Iceland, need tripod and head reco

I have a benro carbon tripod and it is Ok. I used it in many places and recently in tuscany. Nothing to complain. I just do nit feel comfortable with the ballhead. I sometimes use 70-200II and need to be 100% certain it will be stable. I would also need to have a solution for panoramas. Ay suggestion?

you'll have better luck posting this in the Accessories & Storage.

as for suggestions, we need to know how much you want to spend. otherwise people will recommend a $1500 setup because its the best

What Benro legs do you have?

When I was in Iceland I used my Cullmann MB6.5 head on my Feisol 3441T. Very stable setup, had no issues in strong wind or in water. I've now changed the head to an RRS BH-40 and RRS L bracket which is even more stable (mostly due to the lack of squishy rubber padding on the camera plate, I think).

So the L bracket.....why would people need one for Landscape? Just trying to undersyand

light_pilgrim wrote in post #15982035
So the L bracket.....why would people need one for Landscape? Just trying to undersyand

you only need it if you use portrait orientation frequently, which some do for landscape shots. i hardly ever shoot portrait, so i just have a regular RRS bracket (1/3 the price of the L)

And why you need bracket? You need legs and a head...that is it, correct?

light_pilgrim wrote in post #15982035
So the L bracket.....why would people need one for Landscape? Just trying to undersyand

It is useful for panoramas (at least when you don't have a pano head, which I don't). The camera in vertical position means you have more room for error for any vertical drift (so you take a single row, with more shots rather than 2 or 3 rows with fewer shots per row which I'll try explain using this pathetic diagram where each line represents a photo: ||||||| vs =====). As you can see, more room for vertical cropping/error in the first example.

I also like the centre of the image to stay in the same position when I rotate the camera to portrait rather than have to reframe the whole shot.

And I do take portrait orientation landscapes fairly often, so...

light_pilgrim wrote in post #15982096
And why you need bracket? You need legs and a head...that is it, correct?

By bracket he means the quick release plate. You aren't going to get very much use out of your tripod head if you don't have a plate to fit into the clamp. An L bracket is a quick release plate that goes up the left side of your camera, forming an L shape in case you were confused about that too.

Just curious which Benro head do you have? I have a MeFoto tripod/head(Benro's fashionable line) my head is the same as the Benros B1(I think the call Q2 and Q1 is like B0) head and I find quite stable for my 5dIII with 70-200.

Was in Iceland a few weeks ago, I have a Benro set up , I use the B2 head http://www.amazon.co.u​k …o02_s01_i01?ie=​UTF8&psc=1

Gitzo + Really Right Stuff = Never Buy Again

Very informative, thank you. I will try to figure out the best set up. I do not like having too much gear...so always think twice before I buy something. I do not have my Benro tripod with me now, so cannot check what tripod this is exactly. I know is it carbon as I wanted to travel light. Been to many-many places with it so far and it is OK. I have MKIII, so I have the electronic level. I will be doing panoramas and long exposure in Iceland for sure...so a sturdy set up is absolutely essential. It is the ball head that I am not so super convinced, but when I check RRS or Arca Swiss....I am not sure. To pay 300-500 USD for a ball head? Interesting

Sirrith wrote in post #15982348
It is useful for panoramas (at least when you don't have a pano head, which I don't). The camera in vertical position means you have more room for error for any vertical drift (so you take a single row, with more shots rather than 2 or 3 rows with fewer shots per row which I'll try explain using this pathetic diagram where each line represents a photo: ||||||| vs =====). As you can see, more room for vertical cropping/error in the first example.

I also like the centre of the image to stay in the same position when I rotate the camera to portrait rather than have to reframe the whole shot.

And I do take portrait orientation landscapes fairly often, so...


By bracket he means the quick release plate. You aren't going to get very much use out of your tripod head if you don't have a plate to fit into the clamp. An L bracket is a quick release plate that goes up the left side of your camera, forming an L shape in case you were confused about that too.

light_pilgrim wrote in post #15985070
Very informative, thank you. I will try to figure out the best set up. I do not like having too much gear...so always think twice before I buy something. I do not have my Benro tripod with me now, so cannot check what tripod this is exactly. I know is it carbon as I wanted to travel light. Been to many-many places with it so far and it is OK. I have MKIII, so I have the electronic level. I will be doing panoramas and long exposure in Iceland for sure...so a sturdy set up is absolutely essential. It is the ball head that I am not so super convinced, but when I check RRS or Arca Swiss....I am not sure. To pay 300-500 USD for a ball head? Interesting

The Benro B2 head I mentioned has 360 panoramic movement and scale , it holds up to 20KG/44lb , I've had my gripped 5DIII and 70-200 II attached with no worries, its a 3rd of the cost of some mentioned.

*Jayrou wrote in post #15985089
The Benro B2 head I mentioned has 360 panoramic movement and scale , it holds up to 12KG/26lb , I've had my gripped 5DIII and 70-200 II attached with no worries, its a 3rd of the cost of some mentioned.

I will check wich one I have. So probably the only thing I might need is the L bracket for Panoramas? Would I need to get an additional/different head if I will want to use the L bracket?

light_pilgrim wrote in post #15985070
To pay 300-500 USD for a ball head? Interesting

Yes, it seems like a lot to me too (even though I've already done it!). But on the other hand, if you think about it, a good ballhead will outlast your other gear, and likely costs a lot less too. And it is vital for good long exposure shots (a bad ballhead will have far worse effect on your long exposures than a bad lens).

I hear good things about the Induro BHL2. That one is a bit under $300.

I don't like Benro heads myself, have tried several, and found that the movement was not as smooth as I'd like, and the knobs not very nice to handle.

Sirrith wrote in post #15985094
I don't like Benro heads myself, have tried several, and found that the movement was not as smooth as I'd like, and the knobs not very nice to handle.

I agree with you, but then...when money is something you still think about...then I try filter CRITICAL from NICE TO HAVE So yes, Benro might not be best in class...I agree...but the only thing that interests me is whether I can get the job done with it.