Tripod Question

Right now I have a 3021 BPro Bogen legs and a 329RC4 head. The legs weigh 5.3 lbs and the head weighs 2.0. The legs are rated for 15.4 lbs and the head is for 19.7. I'm not sure why I got such a rock solid system, but its probably not neccessary for my 350D and (heaviest lens at the moment is 75-300, but its the cheap 75-300 and not that heavy). I could possibly have a 580EX flash on there at some point. Either way I don't think I need a tripod this solid.

I'd like to get a solid, lightweight, tripod for hiking (hiking - I am talking about using my 10-22 lens with it NOT my 75-300). I think I want a 3 way head because I'm using it to shoot 99% landscapes, and as far as I know 3 ways are just generally better for this. But I'd be open to ball heads.

I need something LIGHT most importantly, and second of all I need something that is somewhat reasonable in the price range. What would you suggest for me, considering it will be used with a 350D and a 10-22 EF-S lens exclusively?

I guess gitzos and a akrotech head are good, along with slik, RRS, etc. But I don't know which model to get, its all very confusing. Keep in mind I want to use it for HIKING only.

Gitzo traveller.

One thing that I feel is important is the quick-release system. All of my tripod heads use the same (RC2) system, except for one, and that means that I don't have to be removing the QR plates to put my equipment on different tripod/head combinations.

The RC4 quick release plate is huge and I find it very cumbersome on 35mm-sized equipment.

My suggestion is to first replace the quick-release system (if not the whole head) on your primary tripod and then find a smaller set of legs that could use a head with the same quick-release system. The Bogen/Manfrotto RC2 system is plenty strong enough for everything I can put on mine except for my 6" reflector telescope. For that I used a geared head with the RC4 system.

In my opinion, you can't do much better (for the price) than the 488RC2 ball head. It is very strong and has a separate release for panning horizontally without releasing the main ball. It also packs much better than a head with handles sticking out all over. It is easier to carry across the back for the same reason.

Pan/tilt heads were really designed for video camera use, not still cameras.

Traveller is pretty expensive. What are the advantages of that over this?

Have you looked at Amnova on Ebay?? They have some good prices and all diffrent types of tripods and monopods.

http://search.ebay.com​/_W0QQsassZamvona.comQ​QhtZ-1

I got the AT 3770 for travel and for the money it works out great for me.

Light wieght...3.9lbs
Max Hieght 65.4"
Max weight 8.82lbs
Collapses length 26"

The length collapsed is the only draw back for me...I would prefer a shorter one but it really hasn't been a problem so far. I just strap it to the bottom of my back pack.

Good Luck

Mmm.. thats a bit heavy and not as sturdy as I was looking for. What do people think about the gitzo mountaineers?

Gitzo mountaineer - 1.5 lbs, rated for about 11 lbs... collapse length 21"

Amnova - 3.9 lbs, rated for 8.8 lbs... collapse length 26"

That seems easy to me, though the mountaineer is $350 + head. I need someone to tell me if they have used this tripod with success. I will be using it for hiking.

I got the Slik 613CF for a small, light tripod - 22" collapsed, and use it with a Manfrotto 486RC2 head. Holds up to a 5D with 70-200 f/2.8 IS and extends to about 49" with head, which I can live with for the size and weight. It isn't a rock, but it's light enough that it'll be with me, which is also important.

SkipD wrote in post #2523215
One thing that I feel is important is the quick-release system. All of my tripod heads use the same (RC2) system, except for one, and that means that I don't have to be removing the QR plates to put my equipment on different tripod/head combinations.

The RC4 quick release plate is huge and I find it very cumbersome on 35mm-sized equipment.

My suggestion is to first replace the quick-release system (if not the whole head) on your primary tripod and then find a smaller set of legs that could use a head with the same quick-release system. The Bogen/Manfrotto RC2 system is plenty strong enough for everything I can put on mine except for my 6" reflector telescope. For that I used a geared head with the RC4 system.

In my opinion, you can't do much better (for the price) than the 488RC2 ball head. It is very strong and has a separate release for panning horizontally without releasing the main ball. It also packs much better than a head with handles sticking out all over. It is easier to carry across the back for the same reason.

Pan/tilt heads were really designed for video camera use, not still cameras.

I agree 100%

I got all the same RC2 plates on everything, monopod and tripod & my gear.

I also agree on the 488RC2 head, I use it on my Bogen 3021B Pro tripod and love it. The combo just seems to work.

I can agree with you that the 3021B Pro might be a bit too heavy for hiking, but I dont hike often, so Im not worried about light weight stuff.

I really like Gitzo gear, but the price is really up there too. If weight is your main thing, then I guess that really narrows down your search in terms of size and material (carbon fiber)

Weight is my main thing. I have a nice bogen right now, love the thing, but its 7.3 lbs. I want something very light - which is why I'm looking at gitzo. However I NEED it to be able to hold my gear and have a substantial build quality. Price is not that big of a concern, but I honestly cannot spend $500+ on legs only.

Gitzo mountaineer is fine, I mentioned traveller because it packs down a bit smaller...

Look at the light gitzos- there is nothing finer. The new tubes are even lighter and have increased load ratings. Check out the series 1 (of which the traveller above is one) or the Series two for a slightly heavier but more stable set of legs. These are light, and very, very tough.

For ballheads, acratech is light, but also look at the Markins Q ball which, I think, is a better ballhead. For the ultimate light weight ballhead, check out the Really Right Stuff BH25.

I disagree with those above on plates and clamps. If you are starting out and picking a system, don't go with the generic plate systems like Bogen/manfrotto. Go to the Arca Swiss system and get a plate that is custom fit to your camera model. Makes a world of difference and is better. The plate doesn't twist, there is not that bouncy cork in the middle and you get a much more solid and stable connection.

If you do choose a 488 or 486 or some other middle of the road manfrotto ballhead, make sure you can swap out the clamp (I believe you can on these) and then buy an A-S compatible clamp from Really Right Stuff, Kirk or Markins and replace it.

J.

John, thanks your advice was really helpful. Since I am going to be using this tripod for 100% landscapes, I was thinking a 3 way might be better, but I don't know. I'm using a 3 way now and it is solid and good for landscapes, but its just more time consuming to use. I don't know if I want a ball head or 3 way.

slappy sam wrote in post #2532758
John, thanks your advice was really helpful. Since I am going to be using this tripod for 100% landscapes, I was thinking a 3 way might be better, but I don't know. I'm using a 3 way now and it is solid and good for landscapes, but its just more time consuming to use. I don't know if I want a ball head or 3 way.

You will find a ball head far easier to pack and/or carry than a 3-way. The handles of the 3-way get very much in the way for me.

While the ball head recommendations by JohnJ80 are for very nice high-end equipment, many of us have found that the Bogen/Manfrotto 488RC2 is perfectly adequate (and then some) for all the work we do. You could buy two or three for the price of one of the high-end models.

Dynatran 94 and Manfrotto 488RC is about the best bang per buck: light and well built. I got the 994 kit which includes the magnesium ballhead and so sold my Manfrotto, but either is totally fit for purpose. The 488 is better because easier and cheaper to get QR plates if you need more than the one.

I'm about to buy product from dynatran and just a starting taking pics for fun.
What I need to know is the dynatran traveller or compacts good enough. I'm only using a G7(light weight). So I don't think I will be needing a really sturdy one.
Another thing I'm curious about is . . .Are all dynatran tripod legs will fit into all the tripod's head? Or should it has a ceratain specificated model? Thanks trully.