Tripod Help

Hi guys,

After a long time of unreliable, flimsy, low quality tripods that only discouraged me from learning skills that required them, I'm going to invest in a quality tripod, or at least one that's useable enough for a decent long exposure. The two most important factors are it must be light and portable, and it must be sturdy. I'd like to keep it under $200.

Thanks!

When it comes to tripods, there are three things that are desired - Lightweight, Sturdy, Inexpensive. Unfortunately, you can only have two of the three together in a single tripod.

SkipD wrote in post #16354056
When it comes to tripods, there are three things that are desired - Lightweight, Sturdy, Inexpensive. Unfortunately, you can only have two of the three together in a single tripod.

I agree and if you want all three you will have to pay more than 1000 $$

your best options IMHO:
manfrotto 190XPRO & benro A2680TB1
i didn't had any long experience with manfrotto, but the quality is good, sturdy and can go very low to the ground. ( Good for macro shooters )
I went with benro A2680TB1 tripod the quality is good, sturdy and user to clean than manfrotto since it's a g-lock

Hope this is helped

Regards
Hassan

SkipD wrote in post #16354056
When it comes to tripods, there are three things that are desired - Lightweight, Sturdy, Inexpensive. Unfortunately, you can only have two of the three together in a single tripod.

Fortunately, I bought what was then a cheapo Velbon all extruded-aluminum tripod about 35 years ago. It's made like a tank! I used to mount a t-bar on it and mount a pair of all metal Canon 35mm EF bodies with various long lenses on them and it never wiggled, waggled, or anything else. The only change I've made to it is the addition of an Arca-Swiss screw clamp to the pan head so I can mount my L-bracketed camera! I managed to find cheap and strong together, but it is a bit on the heavy side. I still use it today!

http://www.manfrotto.u​s/befree

I just happened to see the new Manfrotto "BeFree" yesterday and it is quite impressive. Having said that it is a unit designed for travel and thus collapses down quite small (about 16 inches) That means fully open you sacrifice some height. If you are 6 foot or more this could be an issue on long shoots. Everything is a trade off however so only you can judge.

The BeFree is $200 at B&H. Gets good reviews, 4.5 out of 5 overall.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …compact_travel_​photo.html

Here is a review of the Horus Bennu tripod and head:

https://photography-on-the.net …e=31&highlight=​horusbennu

I have no personal experience with it.

Bearmann wrote in post #16355117
Here is a review of the Horus Bennu tripod and head:

https://photography-on-the.net …e=31&highlight=​horusbennu

I have no personal experience with it.

I too was going to suggest http://yebz.com/p.php?​c=horusbennu&ca=30090

Being a newbie to photography and only have had hands experience with manfrotto and induro brand tripods.

The manfrotto 3021 which is not being produced any more works great on table top photograghy sorry these are the only pics I have.

IMAGE LINK: http://s1110.photobuck​et.com …0716_zpscd7fc58​f.jpg.html

farmer1957 wrote in post #16355880
I too was going to suggest http://yebz.com/p.php?​c=horusbennu&ca=30090

Being a newbie to photography and only have had hands experience with manfrotto and induro brand tripods.

The manfrotto 3021 which is not being produced any more works great on table top photograghy sorry these are the only pics I have.

My Manfrotto rc2 quick connection system doesn't feel right, (it works) but I am worried my camera will fall off onto one of my pool cues while mounting and dis mounting the camera.

I plan on ordering a Horus Bennu ball head that will fit on my Manfrotto tripod.

Best of luck finding what you want. I would suggest that you only seek acra swiss quick mounting systems...............


Farmer

3021 or 3221 (silver or black) are the old Bogan model numbers and were also used in the transitional period when both the Bogan and the Manfrotto names were on the tripod.

The current Manfrotto model is the 055 series, the most common being the 055ProB. It is essentially the same tripod that has been produced for about 40 years because it is as good as it gets until you spend A LOT more. You can buy the metal legs for about $150. CF is more but is lighter and damps vibrations better. The Manfrotto 190 (suggested in another response) is about the same tripod but smaller, shorter, lighter, and less stable (considerably). I would not get it.

Don't buy a Manfrotto head. They sag, droop, shift or however you want to say it. They are hard to lock down and construction has too much plastic.

My suggestion: buy the 055 legs (about $150) and spend about $150 more on a good ball head with an Arca-Swiss type quick release. It's a little more than you want to spend but you won't be replacing them quickly because you bought the wrong thing.

There was a recent thread on the Shutterstock forum about tripods. Almost everyone that responded used Manfrotto 055s. No one used a Manfrotto head.

Hope that helps.

I was in about the same boat as you, I decided on the Mefoto Globetrotter which is 209. It comes in tomorrow and I can take some pics and let you know how it feels if you want.

I just picked this up for the same exact reason as you , and this works well so far , no complaints http://www.amazon.com …ords=manfrotto+​tripod+kit

When I wanted a cheap ball head for general work I went for the Triopo RS3 because it was light and CHEAP! What a surprise when it arrived - it is the smoothest ball head I have ever tried (including Arca etc), it is very light and easily supports any currently available Canon or Nikon lens, yes I have tried it with the 600F4 and my 800 F5.6. Add an Arca type QR clamp and you have a top notch ball head for about 45 GBP ($68 in your money - both were brand new). Nothing in life is perfect, and neither is this head. Everything is controlled with 1 lever, no separate pan lock or friction adjustment. Personally I like this but some don't so bear this in mind.
As to tripods - do not skimp - you will regret it. Get the very best you can afford, or better still buy a second hand one.I picked up a Gitzo 1329 Mk2, overkill but future proof, for about $155 in you money and is roughly the same weight as a Manfrotto 55. However unlike the Manfrotto 55 (I used to have one) it is very rigid and will support anything, well almost, it will support me at 250lbs, so it will not need replacing if you progress to longer lenses! I won't bore you with the Feisol and Gitzo bargains my friend got - I hate him!
The total weight is 2.6 Kilo, including head and QR clamp, so it is not light - but is not heavy either and neither head nor tripod will need to be replaced as you progress.

If you are patient and search about you can get top notch gear for reasonable prices (especially used ones) so it is worth looking about.

rgs wrote in post #16356628
3021 or 3221 (silver or black) are the old Bogan model numbers and were also used in the transitional period when both the Bogan and the Manfrotto names were on the tripod.

The current Manfrotto model is the 055 series, the most common being the 055ProB. It is essentially the same tripod that has been produced for about 40 years because it is as good as it gets until you spend A LOT more. You can buy the metal legs for about $150. CF is more but is lighter and damps vibrations better. The Manfrotto 190 (suggested in another response) is about the same tripod but smaller, shorter, lighter, and less stable (considerably). I would not get it.

Don't buy a Manfrotto head. They sag, droop, shift or however you want to say it. They are hard to lock down and construction has too much plastic.

My suggestion: buy the 055 legs (about $150) and spend about $150 more on a good ball head with an Arca-Swiss type quick release. It's a little more than you want to spend but you won't be replacing them quickly because you bought the wrong thing.

There was a recent thread on the Shutterstock forum about tripods. Almost everyone that responded used Manfrotto 055s. No one used a Manfrotto head.

Hope that helps.

Manfrotto ball head. My 5d2 gripped with a tse 17mm lens is to much for the ball head I have. I don't trust the rc2 quick connecting system.

I have a acra swiss mount on my Induro gimble head and its a more user friendly. Right now I am forced into using the manfrotto tripod because it lets get my camera over my cues in a photo tent. The tripod over all is a little on the light side .

If I am careful the manfrotto tripod and ball head, it will work.... I guess that is the bottom line.

Are there other tripods designed like a mantrotto that will reach in a photo tent?

I am using a 17mm tse lens and have to have the camera at that position.


farmer
I am into photography because I hate my money...............

What would you say?
Mefoto globe trotter vs vanguard alta pro 263 with sbh250 ball. The mefoto seems to be solid. I can't find a bad review on it. Which would you pick?

Frodge wrote in post #16360170
What would you say?
Mefoto globe trotter vs vanguard alta pro 263 with sbh250 ball. The mefoto seems to be solid. I can't find a bad review on it. Which would you pick?

As I said in another thread where you're chasing the same information - you'd be WAY ahead if you'd go to a store or stores that sell good tripods and actually test the ones you're interested in. You've been taking a few folks' reviews of Manfrotto equipment as being no good, and many of us have had excellent results with ours for years. Judging product via a few informal reviews found on the web isn't the best way to choose something like this.