OK. I've made my decision, kind of. Still need your help though.

With all your assistance, I think I've about made my decision regarding the bonus I recently received.(https://photography-on-the.net …hread.php?t=245​532&page=2) I believe I'm going to use $1000USD for a tripod\head combo and give the rest to the better half to use at her descretion.

Now comes the part where I could use your help again. Which combo do you think is best for around 1K? I've read all the stickies on tripods and I have an idea on what I think is best, but before I squeeze the trigger, I want your expert opinions. I'm thinking about this combo (http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ghType=category​Navigation), but if there are better ones out there for the money (I know this one's not a ballhead\plate combo) then please let me know.

Of course, I'm still open to suggestions on not even getting a tripod at all and going another way...at least until I pull the trigger on it. That's why this post is listed here and not in the accessory area.

Thanks in advance.

Well, if you're spending that much on a tripod, I'd say skip the geared head unless you have a real reason for needing a geared head. The NeoTec tripods are quite good though.

I'd go for any of the Gitzo or Manfrotto carbon fiber tripods (model will depend on your height and the amount of weight you want to carry). Get a tripod tall enough so that you can use it standing comfortably without using a centerpost. (remember the head will add about 4 inches, your camera another 3-5, and your eyes are 3-4 inches below your height).

For the head: I think it's a no brainer on that budget:
Really Right Stuff BH-55 or BH-40. I wouldn't go any other way. I would DEFINITELY recommend getting something with an Arca Swiss clamp, and buy the appropriate L-brackets and lens plates for collared lenses. Kirk Enterprises also makes excellent Arca-Swiss plates and brackets, plus some very nice ballheads as well.

The Arca-Swiss system is extremly stable. Switching from the Manfrotto RC2 system to a Kirk A/S clamp, plates and L-brackets made my humble Manfrotto 3021/488 combo twice as stable as before. HUGE difference.

Jman13 wrote in post #2343057
Well, if you're spending that much on a tripod, I'd say skip the geared head unless you have a real reason for needing a geared head. The NeoTec tripods are quite good though.

I'd go for any of the Gitzo or Manfrotto carbon fiber tripods (model will depend on your height and the amount of weight you want to carry). Get a tripod tall enough so that you can use it standing comfortably without using a centerpost. (remember the head will add about 4 inches, your camera another 3-5, and your eyes are 3-4 inches below your height).

For the head: I think it's a no brainer on that budget:
Really Right Stuff BH-55 or BH-40. I wouldn't go any other way. I would DEFINITELY recommend getting something with an Arca Swiss clamp, and buy the appropriate L-brackets and lens plates for collared lenses. Kirk Enterprisesalso makes excellent Arca-Swiss plates and brackets, plus some very nice ballheads as well.

The Arca-Swiss system is extremly stable. Switching from the Manfrotto RC2 system to a Kirk A/S clamp, plates and L-brackets made my humble Manfrotto 3021/488 combo twice as stable as before. HUGE difference.

I don't have any special need for a geared head. I'm 5'9". I don't mind carrying weight either. With that info, what do you recommend?

Benandbobbi wrote in post #2343070
I don't have any special need for a geared head.

What will you be shooting? I use a gear head and love it. They are great for very precise adjustments, but they are slow. I do mainly landscape. Architecture is another application where a gear head would excel. For wildlife and sports they are not the best. For portraits it depends.

-Ryan

My tripod recommendation for general purpose use is the Bogen/Manfrotto 3021BPro (known as the 055ProB outside the U.S.) topped off with the Bogen/Manfrotto 488RC2 ball head.

This is a very sturdy combination with enough height for most folks.

It is an extremely versatile tripod/head combination, with many ways to support a camera. You can put a camera over a short wall, directly above a table pointing down, inches above the ground, etc.

The 488RC2 ball head has a feature that should not be ignored. That is the separate release for "panning". You can loosen the lever and rotate the camera horizontally without releasing the ball. This is great for scenic panoramic shots.

Here’s the combination at B&H: 3021BPro/488RC2

There's no reason to spend anywhere NEAR $1000 for a tripod for everyday use. There's a lot of that $1000 that you could use for a new lens or something like that as well.

SkipD wrote in post #2343211
My tripod recommendation for general purpose use is the Bogen/Manfrotto 3021BPro (known as the 055ProB outside the U.S.) topped off with the Bogen/Manfrotto 488RC2 ball head.

This is a very sturdy combination with enough height for most folks.

It is an extremely versatile tripod/head combination, with many ways to support a camera. You can put a camera over a short wall, directly above a table pointing down, inches above the ground, etc.

The 488RC2 ball head has a feature that should not be ignored. That is the separate release for "panning". You can loosen the lever and rotate the camera horizontally without releasing the ball. This is great for scenic panoramic shots.

Here’s the combination at B&H: 3021BPro/488RC2

There's no reason to spend anywhere NEAR $1000 for a tripod for everyday use. There's a lot of that $1000 that you could use for a new lens or something like that as well.

Hmmmm. I like this combo. SInce I am not a pro, maybe this will suit me fine. The tripod would be used for lansscapes and portraits.

any spare dosh =no macro lens on your gear list - Canon 100mm f2.8 good as any other.

Gitzo Carbon Fiber Tripod with the Manfrotto 3265 joystick ballhead works pretty good and is light too. This combo works great for what I need, but rarely am I using anything heavier than a 5D w/ grip and a 70-200 2.8 IS.

For a tripod you don't have to carry around, you can get a sturdy/ridgid one fairly cheap.
For a tripod to carry or travel with, lightweight AND sturdy is expensive.

Buy the right one and never replace/upgrade unless you run it over with your car.

If you go with the 3021/488 combo (which is what I have), replace the RC2 clamp with an arca-swiss clamp, and buy plates and l-brackets for your bodies. Seriously...tremendous at preventing lens creep...makes this combo VERY solid. It's not cheap to go Arca-Swiss, but it's definitely worth it.

I very much like my Bogen 405 geared head. It's half the weight of the 410 and I used it with my Mamiya RB67 outfit and now with my 20D outfit. I think most who don't care for geared heads have not used one.

jr_senator wrote in post #2344092
I very much like my Bogen 405 geared head. It's half the weight of the 410 and I used it with my Mamiya RB67 outfit and now with my 20D outfit. I think most who don't care for geared heads have not used one.

I agree with that - I love my 410. But I wouldn't use it for action! Beautiful head though. And with the quick releases in each direction, you can get fairly quick changes once you get used to it.

-Ryan