What type of Tripod is everbody using?

[ReefnAv]

I am in the market for a tripod. The one I have is pretty cheap and worthless.

What do you guys recconmend and how much money am I looking at?

I'd rather spend the money on glass but understand the importance of a good tripod and mount.

Please try to include models and brands so that I can do the research and read reviews>

TIA!

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

I use Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod legs with the 488RC2 ball head. This combination supports my 40D with 70-200 f/2.8 IS easily. The head has a nice quick disconnect feature to boot.

 

[maroun.c]

I currently have:
190 Pro B tripod
685 B monopod
Maro Rail
486 RC2 Ballhead with Quick release
222 "Joystick" head
All made by Manfroto.

A quick review of them:
the 190 Pro B tripod:
Not carbon fiber so a bit heavy (rarely carry it around for long distances so it's not a problem for me) I really like it's design for shooting macros at very low level the center column design is very nice. allows you to shoot with the camera pointing down...

685 Monopod:
Really like the joystick grip release to bring it up or down very convenient and fast when tracking birds especially when used with the 222 joystick head.
I would have preferred it to be a bit shorter as its a bit on the tall side when fully closed even. hangs on good on my Lowepro bags but swings from side to side sometimes because it's too tall.

The macro rail is very convenient when using reversing rings or TC or the combination, focusing without it is a struggle.


486 RC2 Ballhead seems to be fine with the weights (camera and lenses) I normally use however the 488 might be a sturdier option I would go for that one.

222 Joystick head
Very fun to use especially with monopods. also makes positioning of a macro setup much easier because of the grip release instead of turning knobs to secure and release a ball head. usefull when tracking birds or fish... they come in two types vertical and horizontal I went with teh vertical as the horizontal one Isaw had the release at the right side which would be the same side for your shutter finger so having your hand on the release and on the shutter is not possible. with teh vertical one you can release the grip with your left hand and press the shutter with your right if needed. it's all a matter of preferrence.
HTH keep us posted on what you chose.

 

[BlueCorn]

Tripods have 3 characteristics that you can include when shopping:

cost
weight
stability

The catch, is that you can only choose two. cheap and stable = heavy, stable and heavy = cheap, stable and light = expensive

You'll want to find one that can get pretty close to your eye level without extending the center column. If you have to raise the column all the way up to use it, you're loosing stability. Velbon, Slik, Feisol, Manfrotto are all good options for reasonably priced legs. The Manfrotto 468 or 488 are good entry level ballheads.


I use a Gitzo GT2540 with a RRS BH-40 LR II and L-bracket. It's my bread and butter.

 

[swjim]

I use a Bogen/Manfrotto 3021Pro with a 488RC2 Ballhead. This is the same setup that Titusville Surfer has, the 055XPROB is just the newer name, and I fully agree with him that it is rock solid for anything up to a 30D + 70-200 f/2.8 IS. I don't have any heavier lenses so can't comment about anything beyond that.

 

[ReefnAv]

Thanks for all the help Guys! Let the research begin!

 

[africangrey]

so no one here uses ball head from really right stuff, kirk or arca swiss? How about a Gitzo CF tripod?

 

[IPT]

Ahh, I do. I rectently upgraded from a Manfrotto/Bogen 3021 with a pan and tilt head to a Gitzo 3540XLS CF tripod. All I can say is "wow". Both about the price, and the Tripod itself. I held off a long time but wish I ahd done it sooner. Not only is it more stable and taller (I am 6'3) the legs and Ball head (RRS BH-50) are lighter than the 3021 without a head (or at least it feels that way).The new Gitzo also have twist locks which are breeze to use.

I also was skeptical to buy a Ballhead. I liked my 3 way. I was afraid of the thing flopping all over the place. The RRS (and I imagine the other top end heads like Arca Swiss) have an adjustment dial so you can set the drag for when the ball head is lose. You can actuall set the ballhead drag tight enough your camera wont move at all. I went overkilll with the RRS BH-50 because I was getting a 1 Series camera and was tired of photos that lacked crisp sharpness. Though pushing it, I have used it on the RRS BH-40 without issue. I just thought that small head would look silly on those monster legs.

Mind you none of this is cheep. I don't plan on buying another Tripod setup for 10 years though. I attached a spreadsheet I made when trying to decide. You'll see I was already pretty sure it would be a Gitzo though.

Look up "Moose Paterson", or search around on "photo.net". Both places have tons of info on tripods and ballheads.

 

[IPT]

Sorry about all the typos. Always forget to proof read. Keep in mind too that I use a 300mm lens (F4 so not a monster) and often with a 1.4 teleconverter so I was looking for stability, not so much mobility. I used the Gitzo 1540 with the RRS BH-40 this weekend (while hiking) for some wild flowers and was pleased with it's performance and mobility.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/148976purple.jpg

 

[IPT]

opps - forget to insert the flower....

 

[BlueCorn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12863329#post12863329 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by africangrey
so no one here uses ball head from really right stuff, kirk or arca swiss? How about a Gitzo CF tripod?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12856711#post12856711 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by beerguy

I use a Gitzo GT2540 with a RRS BH-40 LR II and L-bracket. It's my bread and butter.

 

[africangrey]

Oh I am so jeoleous of you guys who own Gitzo and RRS BH combination, I was researching for a good combination for sometime, and I couldn't justify at time to spend $500 on a BH-40 and the L bracket, so I went with kirk's BH-3 and the it's L-bracket for $150 cheaper, but the trade off like Beerguy said was weight vs. expense. The owner of Kirt photo was very responsive and answered all my questions are another reasons I went with Kirk because I know customer service would be a top notch if I ever encounter any problem.
As for the tripod, I chose Velbon 630, the main reason I like velbon is the traditional snap lock mechnism vs. twist lock of Gitzo or Manfroto, which I couldn't get use to at all.

 

[BlueCorn]

The old Gitzo twists were a PITB. I've got an "emergency tripod" in my trunk that's an old Gitzo. The new ones with the g-lock rock. It's so much faster than the flip lever. I've also got a Velbon 630 and a Manfrotto 3001pro that I chopped down for macro use. It's a sickness.

 

[SDFISHMAN]

I use a Manfrotto 3251 with a Manfrotto 804RC2 Head

 

[IPT]

I also used to really like the flip levers verse the twist ones. As Beerguy said, the new Gitzo ones are a breeze to use. I had no experience with the older ones though.

 

[africangrey]

Perhaps I should go back to a camera store close by to try the new Gitzo, I could not even get a leg to extend the first time I tried it 3 months ago.
But with the snap type, I can flip 2 levers at same time and get all three legs extended and set up the whole thing within 10 sec. kirk's QR plate helps a lot too, I think the RRS BH's QR clamp is probably even quicker than the screw-knob style to mount and unmount the camera. You guys are really killing me here, I just bought the ball head 3 months ago, now I am thinking about switching to RRS BH-40, this hobby is even more addicting than reefing and drain your wallet quicker too. Saving up for a $4500 Nikkor 300mm VR isn't helping either.

 

[BlueCorn]

There's nothing wrong with Kirk gear. They make good stuff.

 

[africangrey]

yeah I know, but RRS looks more sleek. It's like people here want to switch Bubble King after trying out ATB for couple of months.

 

[BlueCorn]

Don't get hung up in looks. It's good stuff. You can also put a RRS QR clamp on the Kirk BH.

 

[IPT]

The setup on the new Gitzos is real quick. Just a quick 3/4 quarter twist on each clamp, pull on the bottom and all legs telescope out. A quick 3/4 quarter turn to lock 'em and your rolling.

I used to like the levers too because they seemed quick and easy. Now these are just as easy, if not more so. Plus no risk of pinching finger tips! A real plus since I frequently shoot in sub-zero weather.