The right tripod?

Hey, mabye im in the wrong section but i hope to find some help..

Im searching for a good tripod, as i find my current tripod not so sturdy and cheap. Nice would be a ballhead with it as i think it will be more practical. The biggest lens i'd use on it will be like a 16-35 or 24 tilt shift ii so i think it doesnt have to be a top notch manfrotto for 2000$

However, i want something with good quality because i love quality things

Budget 600$ max

Thanks in advance

Here's a tip. Don't buy a Manfrotto head.

Simon_Gardner wrote in post #16723887
Here's a tip. Don't buy a Manfrotto head.

^^^ This.

I started out with the Manfrotto RC2 quick release system. It was annoying: the sag/droop/drop or whatever you prefer to call it. You would set up your shot, let go and have to readjust because the camera would drop. You learn to set it up high to allow for the sag. Again, it's very annoying.

I would start out with a tripod head that uses the Arca Swiss compatible quick release system.

Brands to consider? Feisol, Induro, Benro, Markins (for tripod heads) and a few others. There are quite a few active threads in this section, i.e., the Accessories and Storage threads, where your question is covered by people with far more experience than I have. The wealth of real life usage experience among POTN-ers is extensive.

There's an old saying "a tripod has 3 major attributes: sturdy, light, cheap - pick any two!".

You don't mention how tall you are, what kind of photography (guessing landscape by lenses), distances/duration to be carried.

Things I'd consider:
TRIPODS

1. Absolutely get a tripod that when its legs but NOT its center column are fully extended will bring your camera comfortably to your eye level. Use of a raised center column defeats the principle purpose (stability) of using a tripod and should be used rarely and only when necessary. Too many folks buy too short of a tripod. You can always use them with legs less than fully extended for even better stability.
   
2. Mostly its either aluminum (relatively cheaper but heavier and not as quick dampening vibrations) or carbon fiber. There are wood, basalt, and probably other materials but relatively much fewer.
   
3. Tripods come in 3-5 leg section versions typically with 3 or 4 section being the most prevalent. Not only is carbon fiber lighter, important if you're carrying it for miles/hours, but it is much quicker at dampening vibrations (wind, footsteps, etc).
   
4. Fewer the number of sections, the more stable....but also the longer when "folded"/collapsed, if that's important. The best tripods (with best "joints" between leg sections) are virtually equally stable regardless of 3 or 4 sections.
   
5. There's lots of brands, many of them new. Some are good, some great, and lots of junk. Manfrotto (aka Bogen) and Gitzo are owned by the same parent company but otherwise seem to function independently. They are 2 of the more universally available and used over a period of time. I have models of both.
   
6. Here's a website showing a sample (but not totally comprehensive) table of some brands and models. I'd consider the source (Naturescapes) as only handling quality tested products.
   
7. I see that B&H currently has Manfrotto 190 (shorter, lighter) and 055 (taller, sturdier) series tripods in aluminum for $110-150 and carbon fiber for $242-300. My guess is that one of those models would be your safest, best bet without knowing more about your intended use. I deem Gitzo models better, especially their leg clamps, but they're also much more expensive.
   

1. Again, without knowing your intended use, I'd suggest that most probably you'll definitely want a ballhead.....but don't waste your money on junk!
   
2. Absolutely get a head that has a quick release system, ie the camera can be readily attached/detached from the head with a quick release (QR) lever or screw knob. A "plate" attached to the camera or lens fits into the ballhead's QR clamp. There is the fairly universal "Arca Swiss" compatible types (made by a number of brands) and proprietary types (Manfrotto, Gitzo, etc). I've replace my Manfrotto clamps/plates with Arca Swiss compatible ones years ago....definite improvement.
   
3. Really Right Stuff (RRS) and Markins, along with others like Arca Swiss, Kirk, Acratech, etc make the best ballheads, but they're expensive. There are other brands that I'm unfamiliar with that are also allegedly Arca Swiss compatible.
   
4. Of the proprietary types, there are Gitzo and Manfrotto as well as any number of others that I'm not familiar with. I've never been impressed by Gitzo's pricey head models. Manfrotto makes some decent ballheads, but get one that is sturdy enough (ie not the weak link in your system) and has independent clamping, tensioning, and panning control knobs/levers.
   

Subscribing to this thread. I'm in a slightly different position, since I already own a Manfrotto 190CX3 + Kirk BH-3 and recently got a Markins Q10. My photog buddy wants to buy over the 190CX3 + BH3, a set up that I had absolutely no problems with (and for purposes stated by David, will most probably work very well and within budget). But since my buddy wants to get the set, I might be looking at upgrading on my end. Checking Gitzo and Oben set ups now. Still lost!

Manfrotto 190CX3
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Carbon_Fiber_T​ripod.html

Kirk BH-3 ballhead
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Ballhead_with_​Quick.html

I have been using tripods for over 45 years and have never felt I was missing out by not having a ballhead. I'm sure there are those that feel they are indepensible but my 3 way has done everything I require of it for photography. I did buy a gimbal mount mainly for bird photos since 3 ways take a bit more time than the birds will allow.

I have a number of tripods but my most often used one, I bought over 35 years ago. Now heads are another matter.

Simon_Gardner wrote in post #16723887
Here's a tip. Don't buy a Manfrotto head.

Or a Gitzo one. Great tripods - the heads do not impress me.

I say stay away from center column..... I have a manfrotto 055xprob and really want to get rid of that damn center column! Other than that, very stable.

600 sounds nice, but not that much, considering you'll need 150 for an L bracket, which cuts your budget to 450. CF legs + head for 450 is doable, but not high end stuff. Currently my biggest grip is the center column, and considering converting one of my older tripods to do this (bogen 3021).

Get the best tripod you can afford, it is better to get a top quality used tripod than an inferior new one! There are some very good second hand bargains out there if you are prepared to look and be patient. For example, I was patient, but I picked up a used Gitzo 1329Mk2 for about $160 in your money. This is a large, not too heavy, tripod that would accommodate your present needs and (if you win the lottery) you won't need to replace it if you buy an 800mm lens. As I said I was lucky but there are some serious bargains out there.
As a first head I would suggest a Ball Head - simply because they are the most versatile. the Sirui K30X would be a good choice ( I have the larger K40X and it is simply overkill!).
I notice you have a 24mm TSE lens (jealous!) for this you may want to consider a geared head. I have the Manfrotto 410 which allows really accurate framing and fine adjustment which might be handy with this lens, though it is slow to use.
No one head is perfect for everyone so I would suggest you pop down to the nearest (good) camera shop and have a play with the various types before you decide.

for that price, I would guess, that the feisol c3442 rapid, with a photoclam pc36ns. is going to be the best reviewed pod at that price. that is if you want something portable.

I have the Manfrotto 055xprob and the 410 junior head.

The head is very nice. The camera plate is a little large, but it fees secure when you have the camera on the head. its not as fast as a ballhead with the free range of motion after releasing the tension. You can either fine tune the pan/tilt/pitch movement by turning the dials, or there is a second dial that releases that plane movement. I tried the 498rc2 ballhead, but sometimes the release can be hit by accident sending your camera on a freefall until it hits the stop range of the ballhead. even thought the camera/lens are secure on the mount, that fast/hard force seems like it could cause damage internally.

The tripod itself is ok. but with the level on the LCD of the 5diii, and after lining up the shot with the 410 head. I can see a little vibration on the cameras level after leaving it alone. I've considered sending it back and getting a better one.

Simon_Gardner wrote in post #16723887
Here's a tip. Don't buy a Manfrotto head.

Can't agree. My Manfrotto works quite well with my camera, as I'm well within the weight for which it was designed. When I go to a heavier lens/camera, I will need to change. I think it is critical you stay within or below the specifications recommended by the manufacturer.

Buy the head/tripod that is rated to handle your equipment; just make sure the tripod is tall enough to suit you.

Russ61 wrote in post #16724176

Absolutely get a tripod that when its legs but NOT its center column are fully extended will bring your camera comfortably to your eye level.

The height of the legs + height of the head + plus the distance from the bottom of the camera to the viewfinder should be at eye level. I had sticky notes marking the heights of different products all over my door frame the last time I was tripod shopping.

mine1 wrote in post #16724881
for that price, I would guess, that the feisol c3442 rapid, with a photoclam pc36ns. is going to be the best reviewed pod at that price. that is if you want something portable.

Seconded. The feisol is very good.