Tripod/head help

I'm looking for a tripod, and am pretty clueless. I read the stickies at the top of the page.

I'm mostly a hobbyist landscape photographer. I'm looking for a good sturdy tripod. Weight is not that important to me. I'd like to keep cost below $600, but it's very flexible (cheaper is better, but I might be willing to go for more expensive)

I would like a taller/longer tripod (with center column down to about 5', and center column up to about 6')

I would like a quick release on the head.

My longest lens is 200mm, and I would like the tripod to be able to hold a 5D and a 70-200 2.8 IS. I think the total weight is about 3kg.


I found this and this online, but have no idea if it's overkill or not good enough or what?

What's the difference between center ball head and off-center?


Any advice appreciated.

EDIT: I have a Velbon Ultra-luxi tripod/head now. It's good if it's not windy outside and if I'm using a prime. It starts to creep when I put the 5D+zoom on it.

Look for a used Bogen 3021 (precursor to the current Manfrotto 055). There was one offered for sale recently. I'll see if I can find it again.

Found this...

https://photography-on-the.net …php?p=9515208&p​ostcount=1

https://photography-on-the.net …php?p=9331101&p​ostcount=1

https://photography-on-the.net …php?p=9284766&p​ostcount=1

...and get yourself a Markins M-10 or an RRS BH-40 ballhead with the rest of the money.

Thank you very much for the quick reply (and links), going to look up the details on those now.

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but from the pictures of the Markins M-10, it seems that I need to buy the thing that attaches to the camera seperately? (I don't know the technical term for it, plate?)

Quick Release Plate, yes you do. Adorama has compatible ones that are pretty reasonable - look for their Flashpoint F3 release plates. Later you can think about the RRS L plates that are about 10x that.

Yes, you buy the plate based upon the specific camera you have...the plate is customized to the camera model. The Bogen 3021 was pretty much the 'standard' for affordable aluminum tripods, back in the 90's, pretty much the way the Manfrotto 055 (non CF) is today.

Thank you both for the info and explanations!

I use a Giottos MT-8180

I use a Giottos MT-8180 Carbon Fiber Tripod and I absolutely love it. It is tall and can support up to 22 pounds (as per manufacturer's specs). I usually take manufacturer's specifications with a grain of salt but, this tripod is really sturdy and I would not doubt if it could really support at least close to that weight.

However, this tripod is no longer distributed and has apparently been replaced with the Giottos MT-8270 which seems to have about equivalent specs. The big difference is that the MT-8270 is about $100 more expensive than what I paid for the MT-8180. I don't know if I got a buy since Giottos was phasing out this model or if the new model is just a hell of a lot more expensive. It seems like all photo gear pricing is going up in quantum leaps.

Would I purchase the Giottos MT-8270 tripod over an equivalent Gitzo? I would have to look long and hard at both tripods and weigh the advantages of each against the disadvantages and also compute in whatever price differential there is. I have not looked recently at Gitzo tripods but, when I bought my Giottos MT-8180 for $330 several years ago, there was no Gitzo which could compare with it in advantages against price.

Thanks RPCrowe, the Giottos MT-8270 is $470 (new), then only leaves $100+ for a head for me and the ones recommended above (with release plate) are close to $400 as well.

The Bogen 3021 is significantly cheaper, only weighs 1lb more, and is taller... is there a big advantage (for my type of shooting) for the Giottos over the Bogen?