Recommended tripod/head for my purposes?

I've spent a lot of time on the threads here lately reading about tripods and heads... I feel the more I read, the more difficult it is to make a decision, so I'm wondering if someone can guide me.

What I want is mobile stability, but also something that for the foreseeable future (~3 years) can serve as an all-purpose setup. I'd like something I can take on day-hikes, but dont require ultra-mobile since I don't do a lot of long, backpacking trips. Main shooting outdoors would be landscapes.

Hardware that would be on this setup would (at least for the near future) be at the most a 40D, 70-200mm 4L, and 580ex II, so I don't think I need any super heavyduty.

I'm 5'9".

Looking for a package that ideally is 4.5lbs or less, and < 22" folded.

In the next 5 years, I'll have the means to go for the whole Gitzo+Markins/RRS/etc stuff, but just can't justify it right now. I'd rather spend the money on travelling when I get the chance. I'm looking at sub $500 for the whole package: tripod, head, plate. EVERYTHING.

So, in my sights right now, I'm considering the Manfrotto 190cxpro4 that was just announced, with a 488rc2 ballhead. Or, maybe the Feisol 3442 without a center column with a 488rc2 or cb-50.

Thoughts, insight, suggestions? Anythign appreciated!

This would do it for you, but it may be just slightly over your $500 limit:

Velbon El Carmagne 540A CF legset ($275 at B&H)
Gitzo 1277M ballhead ($177 at B&H)
Really Right Stuff lever clamp ($120 at RRS.com)

That comes to about $570, but the overall weight will come in at +/- 4 pounds. The legset weighs 2.7#, and the ballhead is another 1.1#...the lever clamp is a matter of a few ounces. Overall length is good too....comes in at just over 21#.

You can also opt for a screw clamp in lieu of the lever clamp...this will knock about $50 off the total and bring it down to about $520, closer to your limit. This setup should last you quite a while without an immediate need to upgrade. I'm using the exact same setup, if it matters. Lotsa luck.

Thanks for the advice, but I'd really like to stay under the mentioned $500 for now.

The 190cxpro4 has the benefit of the $50 rebate when i buy it with a head. That'll make it
190cxpro4 Tripod $325
488rc2 ballhead $105
Rebate -$50 = ~$370

Will Manfrotto's 11lb rating be ok with the needs I have listed above?

Thanks!

skunn wrote in post #5067818
Thanks for the advice, but I'd really like to stay under the mentioned $500 for now.

The 190cxpro4 has the benefit of the $50 rebate when i buy it with a head. That'll make it
190cxpro4 Tripod $325
488rc2 ballhead $105
Rebate -$50 = ~$370

Will Manfrotto's 11lb rating be ok with the needs I have listed above?

Thanks!

Awesome combo there, but does that meet your under 22" requirement?

no, the 190cxpro4 + 488rc2 combo is almost 24".. but its the best bundle i've been able to put together so far for the balance of product and money...

skunn wrote in post #5067818
Thanks for the advice, but I'd really like to stay under the mentioned $500 for now.

The 190cxpro4 has the benefit of the $50 rebate when i buy it with a head. That'll make it
190cxpro4 Tripod $325
488rc2 ballhead $105
Rebate -$50 = ~$370

Will Manfrotto's 11lb rating be ok with the needs I have listed above?

Thanks!

The new Manfrotto CX series are not even out yet. Who is offering rebates?

Tim McTeague

skunn wrote in post #5067818
Thanks for the advice, but I'd really like to stay under the mentioned $500 for now.

The 190cxpro4 has the benefit of the $50 rebate when i buy it with a head. That'll make it
190cxpro4 Tripod $325
488rc2 ballhead $105
Rebate -$50 = ~$370

Will Manfrotto's 11lb rating be ok with the needs I have listed above?

Thanks!

If that's what you want. The tripod legs, without the head, are about 25" long when folded. Add the head and clamp, and you're probably looking at another 5" or so. Also, that's a four-section legset. The last set of legs are very thin and not very stable, at least in my experience with four-section tripods. The last leg section is only about 6mm diameter...pretty small (<1/4"). For a tripod of this size, its about the last way for the manufacturer to keep the overall weight as low as possible...basically, you're sacrificing stability for lighter weight.

The final choice is yours, but I'd still go with the Velbon that I recommended earlier, or something else along those lines. Its a good, middle-of-the-road tripod set that's within your budget, so it shouldn't break the bank. The key thing is stability...I've seen a lot of people (friends included) take a shortcut with a tripod, only to spend even more money 6 months later to get the proper setup. Why spend the money twice, and why risk damaging your expensive gear with a not-too-stable legset? JMHO.

mcteague wrote in post #5068841
The new Manfrotto CX series are not even out yet. Who is offering rebates?

Tim McTeague

Bogen I believe.

Bogen rebate: http://www.bogenimagin​g.us …bius/lang/en_US​/pid/16873
$50 off purchase of CF tripod + head, $25 off aluminum + head when purchased together.

Though not int he wild, B&H and Canoga already have the 190cx series listed, both as shipping within 2 weeks.

Thanks for the input so far guys.. Things to think about...

I would consider an Arca style QR instead of the RC2, especially since you want to move there in the future...

Much better & more stable.