UK: Tripod/Ball Head Combination Recommendations?

Hi folks,

I'm just starting out with my new Canon 40D being ordered next week.
I've seen plenty of threads about ball heads and I can see the obvious benefits of having one over a normal tripod set up.

So, can anyone out there in the UK recommend me a very good Tripod/Ball Head combination that will fold away nicely and keep my set up solid and my camera safe.

I am on as strict a budget as is possible after my initial outlay so any thoughts would really be appreciated.

Kind regards

Ian

Have a look at this link http://www.bythom.com/​support.htm intersting read.
Also remember to only but what you are happy carrying.

Don't think you can go far wrong with an Manfrotto 055XPROB and 488RC2.

I know it is hard to think about spending a lot but I think many of us have found that they end up spending more because the first purchase turned out to be less than good. The old saying spend it now or spend it later is very true. Because spend $100 now you may well end up spending $200 in a year or two and maybe more again after that. Research a lot before you buy read multiple review forums before you spend. I started out with a cheap head supposed to hold 3 times what my outfit weighed.... nope it drifted leaving me with less than ideal shots. I started to look for something moderate priced but after reviewing a lot I finally bit the bullet and ordered a Markins Q3 I am very happy now.

Best to look toward something that takes an easily found quick release plate, too many heads will only accept one kind of plate and once you start adding lenses to your kit you suddenly find that you need different lens plates and a new head to accomidate them. Best to stay with something that accepts ARCA quick release plates, there are a lot in a wide price range.

I know what you are saying guys, i'm just really struggling with the concept of spending a fortune (well to me anyway) on camera gear and then having to spend the price of a lens on a tripod

Maybe I can away with my cheapo tripod for a few months until Christmas. Blimey, I need to look round the house for stuff to sell when the wife's back is turned

irispatch wrote in post #6238809
I know it is hard to think about spending a lot but I think many of us have found that they end up spending more because the first purchase turned out to be less than good. The old saying spend it now or spend it later is very true. Because spend $100 now you may well end up spending $200 in a year or two and maybe more again after that. Research a lot before you buy read multiple review forums before you spend. I started out with a cheap head supposed to hold 3 times what my outfit weighed.... nope it drifted leaving me with less than ideal shots. I started to look for something moderate priced but after reviewing a lot I finally bit the bullet and ordered a Markins Q3 I am very happy now.

Best to look toward something that takes an easily found quick release plate, too many heads will only accept one kind of plate and once you start adding lenses to your kit you suddenly find that you need different lens plates and a new head to accomidate them. Best to stay with something that accepts ARCA quick release plates, there are a lot in a wide price range.

This is very true! Has happened this way for me every step of the way! Now Im to the point where I either buy nice stuff in the first place or dont buy and wait until I can afford the nicer version. Otherwise Im just not satisfied always wishing I would have gotten then upgrade or the one with more features, or whatever.

tuttifrutti wrote in post #6239143
and then having to spend the price of a lens on a tripod

Think about it this way: The tripod will improve the IQ of all your shots
Also, the difference between a good and a crappy one will probably matter more then the difference between a kit lens and an L in some circumstances.

OK guys, i've been giving this a lot of thought and realise that it's the way forward. So, to bump back to the top if you don't mind i'm after a few more recommendations to give me a selection to look at.

I'm totally naive at this stage and only know that I'll be putting my camera on it and it really should be a ball head set up. I've also seen a few threads discussing either twist lock or snap lock. I think i'm swaying towards twist lock.

So, can anyone please recommend me some full set ups in the UK. At tops, my weight of camera and lens will probably be the Canon 40D & Canon 70-200mm F4L lens.

I'm assuming these tripods are also pretty heavy as just thinking about that little lot hanging to one side in portrait mode scares me

Thanks in advance

Ian

tuttifrutti wrote in post #6245004
just thinking about that little lot hanging to one side in portrait mode scares me

You could get a tripod ring for your 70-200

René Damkot wrote in post #6245055
You could get a tripod ring for your 70-200

Oh Rene, why did you go say that Now i'm even more confused

The tripod ring fits around and clamps your lens, it has a foot on the bottom with tripod connection that should be at the camera/lens centre of gravity.

Another benefit is the lens can be clamped in any rotational position so you can use the lens in portrait orientation, loosen the clamp spin the lens/camera to landscape, retighten and you are done without effecting the balance.

There appers to be alot of opinion about whether this is required on a 70-200 f4 but I suppose it depends on how strurdy your tripod and head is.

The tripod rings come in a few different sizes so make sure you get the right one. Also the Canon ones are pretty expensive, there are cheap versions on E-bay which some people use happily but have a good investigation before deciding not to go with Canon.

Ian, I have the manfrotto 190XPROB with 486RC2 ball head. I love it, and not had any problems with it. I chose the 190 over the 055 as it is smaller and I want / need to travel with mine so didn't want something that I may think twice about carrying.

www.manfrotto.com lists all the specs of each tripod and head, just remember that to work out the maximum load for the tripod you need to minus the weight of the head first.

If possible get down to your local shop and have a play with what they have there as you will soon find out what you like and what you don't. I found Jacobs and London Camera Exchange had a better range on show than Jessops, though other shops will also stock them.

gembobs wrote in post #6245770
Ian, I have the manfrotto 190XPROB with 486RC2 ball head. .

That's excellent news. I found an old thread where someone else in the UK had also got this combination and i've pm'd him for his thoughts a bit further down the line.

How do you find yours - I see you've got a few big lens... how does the 75-300mm sit on yours in portrait mode. Any slippage or does it all lock up tight. I just look at all of these and feel that if I change to portrait mode it will all just tip over. Obviously it doesnt but it would be nice to bombard you with questions before I spend out all that money....

Thanks again

Ian

You don't need to spend hundreds...

A used Manfrotto 3001 Pro or Bpro is a very viable tripod which will sell for well under $100 on eBay in the USA (often around $50 which is what I paid for my model). I am not sure what the shipping or import taxes (if any would be).

This is not the ultimate tripod but it is a very usable one. It is not a tall tripod (116.1 cm without center column raised). It is not the lightest tripod at 1.74 kg but, it is a pretty solid set of legs with a recommended max carrying weight of 5 kg.

The center column reverses and can be mounted under the apex of the tripod for low shots.

I have used this tripod for a couple of years and replaced it with the taller, sturdier and much more expensive Giottos MT-8180.

I would try to get a ball head which has an Arca Compatible quick release so you can use a really Right Stuff L-bracket to mount your camera/lens. Here are the advantages of the RRS L-bracket:

http://reallyrightstuf​f.com/QR/05.html

RPCrowe wrote in post #6247867
I would try to get a ball head which has an Arca Compatible quick release so you can use a really Right Stuff L-bracket to mount your camera/lens. Here are the advantages of the RRS L-bracket:

Now that is a nice bit of kit. Shame about the price - I may have to reign myself in a bit for the moment but that's going on my wish list... thanks for that

If I were to buy my ball head how would I know if it's Arca compatible. Would the shop know (I guess so) as I wouldn't want to have to buy it twice right now