Help me upgrade tripod/head

Let me start by saying I do not have a huge budget (hopefully far under $500), and I do not use a tripod so often that I need the best. I have not used my tripod in a few months and I know that a new setup will give me the kick in the pants I need to get back out there

I have a 055proB with 498rc2 head. The heaviest I will be shooting with is a gripped 5DIII and a 70-200 II with a 2x extender. I should mention that a lot of my shooting with a tripod will be near the ocean or a lake and the legs will get wet with seawater. My current legs have been covered in sand many times.

I mainly want to get into an Arca Swiss style head. I am wanting to upgrade the head to a Surui k40x. I know the 30 is often suggested but I am not afraid of some extra weight and I prefer overkill for only a few bucks more.

After reading around, I am somewhat set on the head but am also looking at new legs at the same time (only because my son uses the tripod also and it would be nice to have 2 setups - I feel the 055prob is decent enough for my needs.) Is there a combo that I should take a look at? Would you get the Surui head and put it on the Manfrotto legs?

If I do get the Surui K40, I would feel comfortable spending maybe 300 on legs. That would keep me under $500. I wouldnt want to spend the whole $500 on a head and put it on the manfrotto tripod. That'd be like building a mansion in the ghetto.

Any suggestions are appreciated. Thank you for reading.

Benro C2982TB1 or Sirui N-2204X with K-30 or other ballhead.

They're both: carbon, arca-swiss, can be used as monopod, can use a central column in monopod, folds legs over head. If I'd buy new one, I'd take one of those.

Keep in mind the base of the K40 will hang over the edge of your current legs (54mm diameter is larger). The K30 fits perfect.

Hey, Frank! I actually just finished writing a post on my blog about choosing the right tripod. It may be worth a read if you're unsure of anything! I too went from the Manfrotto 055XPROB + 498 RC2 head and upgraded to a Feisol CT-3372 and Sirui K-40x head. I haven't looked back!

Anyway, here's the link: http://www.itsworthash​ot.com …1/11/choose-right-tripod/

Frank H wrote in post #17266287
Would you get the Surui head and put it on the Manfrotto legs?

Yes, why not?

If you also want a tripod that's similar to your 055 but a bit of a step up then I'd suggest the Benro C2970F and mate it with the Sirui K-40X. Unfortunately the total cost is $20 more than your budget limit but the Benro tripod is carbon fiber and that accounts for most of the expense.

I have the 190xProB/K30 combo and like it. I'll upgrade to CF legs someday I suppose.

you could get a k30x-k40x, and a benro ct 2682 (or 2680 if you don't need the monopod or the little bit of extra height), the 2680 comes can be bought without the head for 338 and the 2682 comes with a b1 head that you can sell for 75 bucks easly (I did with the benro b0 which is one size smaller) either way you would be under your budget restrictions and have a great setup that will still fit in your carryon is you feel the need.

http://www.ebay.com …ipods&hash=item​484705b0f1

http://www.ebay.com …ipods&hash=item​20c9e130da

many here have used this seller and have been happy with the service (myself included) and for 100 bucks less than US prices it is well worth it.

I appreciate all the responses so far!

What do you feel about the Feisol 3342? There is a used one for sale right now for $280.

It is only 55.9 inches tall. I am 70 inches tall. I dont know how tall a Sirui ball head is. Would this tripod be tall enough after the ballhead and camera are installed?

Peter, The only reason I want a new tripod is because the kid always has my manfrotto set up in his room. He records himself playing video games (WTH?) and other stuff like Kendama and edits videos for youtube. Since Im getting a new ballhead, I have been looking into getting legs too. That way he can keep the old setup up in his room and I dont have to keep 'borrowing' it from him.

imonkey, I appreciate the blog! Your writing is easy to follow and the pictures are great! Thanks for that.

You're welcome, Frank! Glad you like it. PS. The Sirui K-40x is 12.5cm tall. So... maybe 5 inches?

I just got a new set up myself to upgrade from a 190PROB/498rc2 , much for the same reasons I wanted a new head to go to A/S, plus I wanted a bit more height and less weight for trekking around in the back country with. I Just got all this deliverd in the last couple of days so all below is initial impressions playing around with it in the house, as its been nearly 0 here the last few days I have not felt like venturing out and giving it all a whirl in this 1st huge cold snap

SO I went with all Sirui stuff Legs are M3204 and a K30X head. I read more reviews and specs and watched more videos in german that I care to admit too, (and I used to be heavy into the older BMW crowd ). All in with a new Kirk Plate for my 6D I am at 558 bucks, Pod and head came from amazon and plate from b&H. I must say for a made in china products I am quite impressed with the quality and fit and finish is not bad either, nothing really to complain about. Weight is less than my Manffroto but not by much, but is much more sturdy, easier/faster to set up and will hold up anything I want, friction adjustments are much better and things are just a little more harmonious well ok a a lot more. I know its a little more than you wanted to spend all in but it seems like to me at least that this set should last me a very a long time and should not need to worry about tripod stuff again for a long time

As far as height these legs at full extension with the K30 puts the view finder just below my eyes and I am 6' 1" with the column fully extended the camera is well above my head I can place my other pod with the column down and the ballhead under the spider of the M3204 with a few inches to spare. I think the K30X is plenty of over kill for me as its rated at 66lbs, and this is about the heaviest set up I will have in the near future, as even a 70-200 2.8 is nearly a pound lighter and it holds this up fine so far....

Holding up my 6D/tamzoka combo (also just got that in last week as well) (not my prints on the wall wife bought those form a local guy a couple of years ago before I got back into this eyeball deep again)

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/pKJG​o6

Good info. Thanks Stink Tooth. Also, looking good!

Frank H wrote in post #17268157
I appreciate all the responses so far!

What do you feel about the Feisol 3342? There is a used one for sale right now for $280.

It is only 55.9 inches tall. I am 70 inches tall. I dont know how tall a Sirui ball head is. Would this tripod be tall enough after the ballhead and camera are installed?

Don't get too hung up on the height of the Feisol 3342, whilst it isn't tall, it is quite adequate for me - 1 inch shorter than you. Remember that you will have to add on the height of your head and camera , also Feisol offer pretty good center columns at reasonable prices.
I have 2 friends with Feisol tripods (3342 and 3442) and I rate them quite highly compared to my Gitzos. No they are not as good as Gitzo but they are very good at a fraction of the price! For reference I find the 3342 quite adequate supporting my Canon 300 F2.8 and 1DX with or without extenders on a Wimberley 2 head. One point to note though is that the Feisols have a smaller footprint than my Gitzos. In other words the feet are less far apart, for a given height, which can affect stability in windy conditions - not a deal breaker but something to be aware of.
As to ball heads - I question your choice of the K40X. I am not knocking it (I love mine!) but it is quite a large and heavy head. I think you may be better served by a K30X.
Happy hunting!

Feisol makes great products and has outstanding customer service. I have no experience with the 3342, but if it is anything like the 3442 and 3441T, it will not disappoint.