Tripod advice needed.

Frodge wrote in post #16341088
Can anyone point to links?

Frodge wrote in post #16341393
What is an arca-Swiss "system", I surely don't have enough money for that brand. I basically want something that can hold my equipment steady for landscape and shooting stars.

You might want to take a look at the tripod FAQ page.

I actually read that page last night. Thanks for the help. It seems that it's impossible to get a tripod that works unless you spend $600-700. This is kind of disappointing as I do not have that type of money right now.

Frodge wrote in post #16342794
I actually read that page last night. Thanks for the help. It seems that it's impossible to get a tripod that works unless you spend $600-700. This is kind of disappointing as I do not have that type of money right now.

Ok, my last shot

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Pro_Aluminum_T​ripod.html

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …RK20_K_20x_Ball​_Head.html

Thanks for the recommendation! So that head will not droop? Do I need anything else with this like plates etc? Thanks a lot.

Frodge wrote in post #16342818
Thanks for the recommendation! So that head will not droop? Do I need anything else with this like plates etc? Thanks a lot.

You have to wait till next week as I'll have my 'really cheapo' Sirui K-30x Ball Head in hand; then I'll compare it with my new 'Royalty" Arca-Swiss Monoball Z1 as previous post; so I can tell you

Sounds like a plan. Thanks a lot.

For ballheads, I have been really happy with my PhotoClam 36NS. It is light weight, yet I never experience any camera droop. Since you will be putting less weight on your setup, you may be able to get by with the 34NS, which you can find here.

Note that if you purchase a Arca Swiss style ballhead, you will need to purchase a mounting plate for your camera, too. I am currently still using some plates from Giottos from when I was using their ballhead. They are pretty affordable and work well. I have three plates -- one for each of my two bodies, and a 3rd that I leave on the tripod ring of my 100-400L. I also have a Kirk head with an Arca Swiss release on my monopod so I can easily use it with my plates.

Frodge,

I am sorry for the confusion my post caused you. I was only trying to spare you the hassle of the RC2 Manfrotto quick release system. I lived with it for a while but the annoyance factor was just too much for me.

X_Tan's suggestion on the ballhead to go with the Manfrotto 055 XPROB legs is a good one, though we'll have to wait for the actual review from him. Several others have given their experiences as well. Tripod advice is difficult to give and even more difficult to follow.

I started out with a limited budget too and made a few mistakes along the way. In my own view, getting a Manfrotto tripod head was among the worst for me. I ended up spending quite a bit to get my Manfrotto 468MGRC2 converted along with all the other things I had collected at the time, i.e., macro focus rails, rotating flash bracket, etc etc.

Again, I apologize for any confusion I've caused. Hopefully, you'll be happy with your first tripod.

No need for an apology, I welcome the insight. I will stay away from the manfrotto clamping system. The dilemma is I wanted something soon to no miss the foliage in nys.

Phoenixkh wrote in post #16340440
There is a lot of play between both the camera and 200PL quick release plate. Not only that but there is also play between the 200PL plate and the RC2 clamp as well.

I've used the Manfrotto RC2 system for years and have not experienced the "play" described above.

Skip,

It's possible I'm not smart enough to set up my ballheads so the tension settings are correct but I had problems with sag/droop, etc even with the fine Manfrotto 468MGRC2 head. I switched out the quick release clamp with a Kirk screw clamp (Arca Swiss compatible) and magically, the droop/sag was a thing of the past.

I haven't had a problem with my RRS BH-55 either.

I am only noting my experiences. I'm sure others have had a more positive experience with the Manfrotto RC2 system. I'm sure the various, inexpensive Manfrotto heads routinely recommended on POTN must have fans or they wouldn't be routinely recommended.

Frodge wrote in post #16342794
I actually read that page last night. Thanks for the help. It seems that it's impossible to get a tripod that works unless you spend $600-700. This is kind of disappointing as I do not have that type of money right now.

Not necessarily. Many of us bought low to begin with but then moved up to more stable support when our technique improved and/or our camera equipment became more demanding. The Manfrotto 190XPROB is good but you also may want to take a look at the Manfrotto 055XPROB as well. Also take a look at the recent Manfrotto 055XPROB vs 190XPROB thread in this forum.

I would also wait for the Sirui ballhead review, and also take a look at the Photo Clam ballheads, they are very good value for money. I'm in Boston, the leaves are just beginning to turn here now...

Phoenixkh wrote in post #16342997
Frodge,

I am sorry for the confusion my post caused you. I was only trying to spare you the hassle of the RC2 Manfrotto quick release system. I lived with it for a while but the annoyance factor was just too much for me.

X_Tan's suggestion on the ballhead to go with the Manfrotto 055 XPROB legs is a good one, though we'll have to wait for the actual review from him. Several others have given their experiences as well. Tripod advice is difficult to give and even more difficult to follow.

I started out with a limited budget too and made a few mistakes along the way. In my own view, getting a Manfrotto tripod head was among the worst for me. I ended up spending quite a bit to get my Manfrotto 468MGRC2 converted along with all the other things I had collected at the time, i.e., macro focus rails, rotating flash bracket, etc etc.

Again, I apologize for any confusion I've caused. Hopefully, you'll be happy with your first tripod.

I am not thrilled with my rc2 quick release system. I would not buy another one.
Farmer

There are some remarkably good tripods available that are also quite expensive. For 30 years I have used two Bogan 3021s. This is the predecessor of the Manfrotto 055 series. I was just reading a similar thread on the ShutterStock forum. Almost everyone there was using one the Manfrotto 055 variants with a variety of heads. No one was using a Manfrotto head. Buy the legs (buy CF if you can, it's more stable and lighter), but DO NOT buy a Manfrotto ball head. They a drop, sag, wobble, however you want to describe it, and don't hold your camera steady.Many of them also have plastic parts that look to me like they will wear quickly.

For years I have used a (no longer made) Bogan ball head that is very basic and rock solid. It uses Manfrotto's RC0 quick release which is a hexagonal plate that is rather hard to find today. If I were replacing the head today, I would look for one with an Arca-Swiss type QR.

Ball heads are very popular today but many of the ShutterStock photographers are using pan-tilt heads. If you get a chance to look at one, you may prefer it. Pan-tilt heads have separate controls for horizontal and vertical alignment so they take a little longer to set up but they are easier to level. They've kind of fallen out of fashion but they are an option that shouldn't be ignored.

Hope this helps. Good luck with the search.

peter_n wrote in post #16345362
I'm in Boston, the leaves are just beginning to turn here now...

Really? I would have thought you would be in glorious full New England color by now. I'm in Oklahoma and the Sumac is already bright red and other color is just beginning. We had a mild, wet summer. I expect a colorful autumn.