WHAT TRIPOD PLEASE HELP

I have a 20d and my heaviest lens is a 100 400 Is I want a light weight graphite tripod that will get tall and short. Also a good head for the pod Thank You in advance for your imput. QUALITY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN PRICE Thank You Tim

Just what I've been looking into - this is where I got to...
definitely will get a Gitzo tripod, carbon fibre, when I can afford it and probably a
Kirk ball head ( http://www.kirkphoto.c​om/ ). BH-3 possibly , Although they are probably a little bit too big for my lenses

I have also had the following manfrotto heads recommnded to me to look at ( slightly smaller
484 RC2
482 (RC2?)
486 RC2

If you want QUALITY wit a capital 'Q' that'sthe way to go

what Simon Says.

sorry, I've been waiting to write that....

One exception: get ARCA release system, not the Bogen RC2 stuff. ARCA plates mount securely to the body or lens, the camera will not twist and the QR system can't spring open to surprise you. ARCA stuff is expensive, but you said you want quality.

ARCA ballhead -- probably any of the major makers are good, including Kirk as above. I got an Acratech and love it for its versatility. If money was no issue I'd look at ReallyRightStuff .

Get one plate for your camera body and one for each lens that has its own mounting ring.

Get a spare clamp for your monopod. The RRS clamps have a unique lever release (all other ARCAs are screw clamps) that looks like it would be nice for a monopod. They also suggest making this clever combination; I did something similar and it's a good idea.

If you use a flash bracket, you'll have to do something to fix that up for ARCA because the plates never leave your camera.

I have the metal Gitzo explorer - it's great.

DavidEB wrote:
what Simon Says.

sorry, I've been waiting to write that....

One exception: get ARCA release system, not the Bogen RC2 stuff. ARCA plates mount securely to the body or lens, the camera will not twist and the QR system can't spring open to surprise you. ARCA stuff is expensive, but you said you want quality.

ARCA ballhead -- probably any of the major makers are good, including Kirk as above. I got an Acratech and love it for its versatility. If money was no issue I'd look at ReallyRightStuff .

Get one plate for your camera body and one for each lens that has its own mounting ring.

Get a spare clamp for your monopod. The RRS clamps have a unique lever release (all other ARCAs are screw clamps) that looks like it would be nice for a monopod. They also suggest making this clever combination; I did something similar and it's a good idea.

If you use a flash bracket, you'll have to do something to fix that up for ARCA because the plates never leave your camera.

I have the metal Gitzo explorer - it's great.

Thanks for this feedback from me too1
Are you saying the manfrotto's I memntioned aren't ARCA?

Thanks for the feedback Iam definatly thinking Gitzo and all the mount hardware is what im trying to figure out Tim

Simon -- Bogen is not same as ARCA. ARCA is a style, made by multiple manufacturers including kirk, reallyrightstuff, acratech, markens, and arca-swiss. Bogen makes a different kind of mounting plate. Links below should demonstrate differences.


Bogen RC2 system -- note the camera plate is a flate surface, no anti-twist mechanism; and note the spring-loaded quick release cam lever rather than a screw-tightened pressure clamp as in ARCA. note that the QR plate fits into the base in only one position.


ARCA-style clamps (looks about the same from other makers) -- note the open channel in the clamp that allows lens to move forward and backward to balance, note the pressure screw (ARCA) rather than cam-lock (bogen, etc...)

ARCA-style plates for canon -- zoom on the 20D plate for a good image of the anti-twist lip that is custom-fitted to your camera model or lens mount.

Also note prices... Bogen clamp + 1 plate = $27, each additional plate = $12, ARCA clamp = $50-100 depending on maker, without plate, each ARCA plate = 40-100 and up.


The advantages of ARCA are: anti-twist, better ability to balance, more secure mount, not tied to single manufacturer. There's some really creative stuff that you can get to extend the ARCA system, like this Sidekick gimbal mount and this flash bracket.

Disadvantages of ARCA: cost, cost, cost, .... and maybe the screw-lock takes a little longer to tighten than the cam.

Good and well researched comments David, though I must add that although the Bogen/Manfrotto system has no anti-twist mechanism on the plate it's virtually impossible to get it to twist once it's secured on. In fact with it in front of me now I'm scared that I'd rip the bottom of the camera off before it would budge. Maybe it loosens with age or is less secure on a lens mount?

thanks for that very comprehensive info!