Tripods - What's the best?

naqs wrote in post #2305371
Thats why It was rephrase to what do YOU think is the best? or what do YOU use and does it work for YOUR application?

What I think is the best is obviously what I bought - I bought it because after a LOT of research I thought it was the best: i.e. gitzo G1257 with RRS BH-40 head. It is CF, twist locks, which I prefer, light enough to actually carry all day witout making it a chore to carry, and sturdy enough for most jobs, including in a bit of a breeze and any lens I currently have (200mm longest)

Cons, bit of a faff to get very low to the ground. geared would be better if you can take the extra wheight

For travel I might go for the traveller but more likely if I ws going to bother wita tripod I'd take the one I have

Rudi wrote in post #3530641
I have looked at the Gitzo stuff, but it's a bit too pricey for my taste, and the carbon fibre Manfrottos, while heavier than Gitzo, aren't THAT heavy!

Oh man! Famous last words... I've looked at Gitzo again, and just ordered the GT-2530. That'll teach me to keep my mouth shut!

Rudi wrote in post #3537213
Oh man! Famous last words... I've looked at Gitzo again, and just ordered the GT-2530. That'll teach me to keep my mouth shut!

An excellent choice. The thing will last you a lifetime and it is a terrific tripod - very light and excellent vibration damping characteristics.

J

Rudi wrote in post #3537213
Oh man! Famous last words... I've looked at Gitzo again, and just ordered the GT-2530. That'll teach me to keep my mouth shut!

JohnJ80 wrote in post #3537293
An excellent choice. The thing will last you a lifetime and it is a terrific tripod - very light and excellent vibration damping characteristics.

J

agree - good choice

Thanks! I've researched this to bits, and the Gitzo was the best-specced tripod for my current and future use, so I decided to spend the money. I know it will last forever, my Manfrotto tripods are all still with me.

I agree you chose a great set of legs. IMO, Gitzo is the "best" money can buy, but it's almost certainly not the best "value." Things that are the best of anything are almost never the best "value". After using my Gitzo for just one week, I'm really convinced they are the best you can buy if money isn't a huge constraint.

OP, What head are you going to use?

SunTsu wrote in post #3555330
OP, What head are you going to use?

check out the RRS heads BTW

StealthLude wrote in post #2274428
"Best" has a lot to do with Personal prefrence as well...

I use a...
Tripod: Bogen 3021BPro + 488RC2 Head,
Monopod: Bogen 679B + 486RC2 Head,

Hi,
Curious why you don't use the 488RC2 on the monopod.
Thanks.

travelbuds wrote in post #5780372
Hi, Curious why you don't use the 488RC2 on the monopod.Thanks.

There is no need for the panning feature of the 488RC2 when used on a monopod. The 486RC2 works well on a monopod and is also lighter than the 488RC2.

SunTsu wrote in post #3555330
I agree you chose a great set of legs. IMO, Gitzo is the "best" money can buy, but it's almost certainly not the best "value." Things that are the best of anything are almost never the best "value". After using my Gitzo for just one week, I'm really convinced they are the best you can buy if money isn't a huge constraint.

OP, What head are you going to use?

Well that all depends on what you define as value -

Buying a tripod that you will never need to replace? A tripod that has a higher content of CF (good damping) vs Epoxy?

J.

Hi,
I'm looking for a light weight tripod for hiking and travel, and I think I have narrowed it down to the Manfrotto
190XPROB
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …B_Tripod_Legs_B​lack_.html

and the Giottos GB2138
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …2138_Pro_Lava_T​ripod.html

Wanted something lightweight, and not too pricey. Looking at the Bogen 488RC2 head for both. From the specs, it looks like both would have enough load capacity for my SLR and 100-300 lens. Concerns I have are twist vs flip leg locks (most hikes in desert setting-sand?) and overall quality. Any suggestions greatly appreciated. Should I keep on looking?
Thanks,
Bruce

What's lightweight and what's pricey?

The problem is that if you are looking for hiking level lightweight you are going to spend some coin. The cost goes up dramatically with lower weight. You can get light, cheap and stable tripods - pick any two but you can't get all three.

Also, load capacity matters less (and is basically a worthless spec for comparison) than the max focal length (magnifies vibration).

Either type of locks work ok in sand but you will need to be somewhat careful (not a lot, just cognizant of the problem) either way. Also, all locks are not created equally - flips or twist on the cheaper models are not as good.

Some reading:
http://bythom.com/supp​ort.htm
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/t​ripods_&_heads.shtml
http://markins.com/cha​rlie/report4e6.pdf
http://www.prophotohom​e.com …php?userid=3425​2&entry=62
http://www.prophotohom​e.com …php?userid=3425​2&entry=55

J.

SunTsu wrote in post #3555330
I agree you chose a great set of legs. IMO, Gitzo is the "best" money can buy, but it's almost certainly not the best "value." Things that are the best of anything are almost never the best "value". After using my Gitzo for just one week...

And after using tripods for 5 years, you'll become convinced that gitzo has the best value for the price and not the chinese knockoffs.

Just like the value of leica isn't felt during the first week of use as compared to some ricoh rangefinder. It's the years of service that distinguish things of "value" from others.

JohnJ80 wrote in post #5793741
What's lightweight and what's pricey?

Some reading:
http://bythom.com/supp​ort.htm
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/t​ripods_&_heads.shtml
http://markins.com/cha​rlie/report4e6.pdf
http://www.prophotohom​e.com …php?userid=3425​2&entry=62
http://www.prophotohom​e.com …p?userid=34252&​entry=55J.

Hi,
Thanks for the note and sites. I am looking for legs 4 pounds or less and $200 or less.

travelbuds wrote in post #5799673
Hi,
Thanks for the note and sites. I am looking for legs 4 pounds or less and $200 or less.

You are going to have a very limited selection to choose from. light and cheap means probably not stable. $200 is pretty cheap for light legs.

Check out http://www.feisol.com. They might work for you, I'm not sure of pricing but I think they were close to that.

J.