New Tripod Help

Rhizo

Rhizo

Member
Long story short, I was able to snag some sweet sweet(yet heavy) lenses for cheap. Want a nice sturdy tripod. Not interested in how much it weights. I just need it to hold up 100% of the time no matter what lens I stack on.

Like these yet open to ideas :)

Silk 700DX

Silk 780DX

SV
 
Re: New Tripod Help

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14702124#post14702124 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rhizo
Long story short, I was able to snag some sweet sweet(yet heavy) lenses for cheap. Want a nice sturdy tripod. Not interested in how much it weights. I just need it to hold up 100% of the time no matter what lens I stack on.

Like these yet open to ideas :)

Silk 700DX

Silk 780DX

SV
Click to expand...

I wouldn't recommend any of those. If you want to stay around that price point, check out the Manfrotto 190 series.

Also: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1501841


--

Be careful with the Induro. It's a Chinese knock-off and I've heard a few horror stories about catastrophic failures.
 
I have not heard good things about Slik, FWIW.


I own a Feisol CT-3441s, that I'm happy very with. They run about $299 without ball head, which is very reasonable for the quality. You're going to need a good quality ball head to put on top, this is just as important as the legs.

Really Right Stuff and Markins offer some nice ball heads. I have a RRS on top of mine. You really do need to define what 'any lens' means though. If you're shooting with some monsters you'll need beefier legs and an equally beefy ball head.


(Gitzo is the gold standard of course, but not in your price range)
 
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Re: Re: New Tripod Help

Re: Re: New Tripod Help

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14702930#post14702930 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by beerguy

Be careful with the Induro. It's a Chinese knock-off and I've heard a few horror stories about catastrophic failures.
Click to expand...
Wouldn't that be something? Lose $1500 worth of camera and lens because you skimped out on a tripod? Eeeeeish.

I was at the refuge yesterday and some ladies tripod failed with here 40D and 100-400. The camera didn't fall on the gravel road because he hadn't taken the neck strap off. The camera just slapped her belly and shocked her a bit. Lucky lucky.

I don't know what kind of tripod it was, asked but since forgot...I had never heard of the brand before.
 
kilroy217 - Thanks I'll read up on it.

Doug - I have no clue on how to evaluate a tripod. Was only looking at how much weight they can handle. Want to stay under $400 if possible. I did not pay over $100 for any of the lenses, but sure am not buying them again brand new.

Jacob - Yea Gitzo is way out of range.

Titus - :lol: Yea it is what I'm scared of.
 
Unless you're taller that 6'3" the Manfrotto 190 is a nice tripod. You can get it for just over $100. Add a 486 RC2 head, or a 468RC2 if you can swing it and you're dancin'
 
Doug - Cool but should I consider a series higher that the 190? Again just scared a lens would fall on me. I should save the extra $$ and go Gitzo.

This is one of the lens I snagged in the bundle. Link
 
Yea Gitzo is way out of range.

I should save the extra $$ and go Gitzo.

I think I'm just going to pull the plastic and get a Gitzo.
Click to expand...

Sounds like the natural evolution of thought process :) Yeah for a lens like that you need a serious tripod and head. $$$$

or get a monopod... but that won't work for pics of the moon.
 
I would strongly recommend the Gitzo. Big lenses need big sturdy tripods. A gimbal head will let you balance your lens perfectly. They are absolutely amazing...as if you aren't even using a tripod. The lens practically just floats in mid air.
 
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Jacob - I could not help but laugh at myself after you pointed that out.

Titus - Dude ever consider opening your own shop? You make this sound like a necessity. I'm drooling :)

Thanks guys all of you :thumbsup:
 
Camera shop? Probably not...I don't see any money in it with Amazon and B&H around. LFS? I am studying marine biology so that just may happen some day.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14705652#post14705652 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TitusvileSurfer
Ummm....you are going to want a wimberley head for that thing...
Click to expand...

Yup. Some sort of gimbal head is almost a requirement for something that size.

Get a decent ballhead with an Arca-Swiss plate and then one of these for the big lens:

http://www.tripodhead.com/products/sidekick-main.cfm

The 190 legs are plenty sturdy enough but I'd upgrade the ballhead considerably. It might be out of your price range but the Really Right Stuff BH-40 would be a nice fit.
 
did I miss it? What lens....? I recently upgraded my Ballheads and Tripods to Gitzo and RRS (really right stuff). I am more than pleased with the upgrades, wish I had done it sooner. If it's a long lens that the Sidekick is being recommended I'd think you'd want the BH-55 ballhead though the BH-40 may do.

The main benefit from the legs was really just in the weight issue (and a little less vibration). The heads made the biggest difference really. If you had to spend in one area I would personally go for the larger more stable head. Legs don't matter if the ballhead is drooping your lens downward all the time :).
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14721149#post14721149 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by IPT
did I miss it? What lens....? I recently upgraded my Ballheads and Tripods to Gitzo and RRS (really right stuff). I am more than pleased with the upgrades, wish I had done it sooner. If it's a long lens that the Sidekick is being recommended I'd think you'd want the BH-55 ballhead though the BH-40 may do.

The main benefit from the legs was really just in the weight issue (and a little less vibration). The heads made the biggest difference really. If you had to spend in one area I would personally go for the larger more stable head. Legs don't matter if the ballhead is drooping your lens downward all the time :).
Click to expand...
It is a 500mm f/4.5, which I don't think I would trust with any ball head. Throw a that sucker on a Wimberly II!
 
I see, that is a pretty large lens. A Wimberly would probably be ideal but I'll bet the BH-50 could still handle it if finances dictated having only one choice for support.
 
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