$800 for tripod, ballhead, plates-advice please

have Bogen/Manfrotto 3021BPRO Tripod with 488RC2 Midi Ballhead. It is way too heavy for me.

Ready for something lighter for canoeing/hiking/travel​.

I am overwhelmed with options and not capable of making decision.

Camera 30 d, soon Mark III
heaviest lens -70-200 mm f/2.8 IS

hopefully Gitzo legs, RRS or Markins/Arca Swiss/Acratech ballhead + plates.

Any ideas will be greatly appreciated.

m

Not sure of your height requirements, but the Mountaineer Series 2 2530 may fit the bill. light at 3.1 lbs and very compact. I'm using the Acratech V2 head with Wimberley plate for about another pound. But you're interested in a RRS head. Good luck in your search.

Certainly I would second the Gotzo 25XX series, but do check out the 4 segment 2540 when looking at height requirements. You add a bit of weight with extra set of leg locking hardware, but gain significant inches in folded length (shorter).

If you're happy with your Manfrotto ball mount, I would certainly try it with this tripod prior to buying another. If you want to move to something significantly better, then I would purchase the Markins Emile Q3. Probably the nicest mount made by Markins at this time IMHO.

Stew

So, two days later and I feel I am not any closer.

1. Option 1. Just very light set-up. I was set on Gitzo 1540 + Markins Q3 Emelle, but reading a lot posts suggesting that Markins clamp is not very good and shoudl be raplaced with RRS clamp. So, it becomes a lot more expensive option:

Markins Q-Ball Q3 Emille - $269.99 + RRS B2LR2 clamp - $130 + RRS camera plate $55 + zoom lens plate $55 = $509.90 for ballhead + plates.

Gitzo 1540 - $534

Total = $1,043 + shipping from 3 places. Weight: ~3.0 lbs

2. Option 2 - More every day set up. Maybe easier to justify high price.

Gitzo 2540($ 589) + RR BH40LR($375) + plates(2 X $55) = $1074 Weight ~ 4.2 lbs

Any thoughts on these two options?

Any ideas how to lower the cost to ~800 dol and still get good set up?

Thanks,

m

marysia wrote in post #3815559
So, two days later and I feel I am not any closer.

1. Option 1. Just very light set-up. I was set on Gitzo 1540 + Markins Q3 Emelle, but reading a lot posts suggesting that Markins clamp is not very good and shoudl be raplaced with RRS clamp. So, it becomes a lot more expensive option:

Markins Q-Ball Q3 Emille - $269.99 + RRS B2LR2 clamp - $130 + RRS camera plate $55 + zoom lens plate $55 = $509.90 for ballhead + plates.

Gitzo 1540 - $534

m

The 1540 is probably only a make-do tripod for 200mm and possibly your upcoming MkIII. The 2540 shouldn't be all that much more and be a significant improvement over the one series. That the Markins clamp is not very good is rubbish in my opinion. It is every bit as high end quality as anything RSS makes. Definitely can save $130 there and put a part toward the tripod. Arca Swiss plates vary in cost depending on size and maker. Those to consider are Kirk, Markins, RSS and Arca Swiss. All will work with the Markins Q3.

Stew

squiress wrote in post #3815803
The 1540 is probably only a make-do tripod for 200mm and possibly your upcoming MkIII. The 2540 shouldn't be all that much more and be a significant improvement over the one series. That the Markins clamp is not very good is rubbish in my opinion. It is every bit as high end quality as anything RSS makes. Definitely can save $130 there and put a part toward the tripod. Arca Swiss plates vary in cost depending on size and maker. Those to consider are Kirk, Markins, RSS and Arca Swiss. All will work with the Markins Q3.

Stew

Hey! For once Stew and I agree! Somebody write that down.

This is great gear and if you want to later, you can upgrade to the lever clamp (recommended). Markins clamps work adequately and much better than the proprietary generic plates from the companies like Manfrotto. The QR lever is just that much better/more convenient but you would be fine with the Markins clamp. I'd rather have the L plate and not have the lever clamp than to have the lever clamp and no L plate.

If you are going to get two tripods then get a 1540 and a 3540. If you are only going to have one tripod, then get the 2540 especially if you are going to put that 200mm lens on it. That pushes the 1540 to the max per Gitzo's specs.

J