Tripod legs

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grandpaw

Senior Member
I'm sure there is a thread somewhere on the site but I couldn't find it. I'm wanting to spend around $200 for a set of tripod legs and need some suggestions of what to look for and some makes and models to check out while I'm doing my research. I already have several good heads. Thanks, Grandpaw
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
grandpaw said:
I'm sure there is a thread somewhere on the site but I couldn't find it. I'm wanting to spend around $200 for a set of tripod legs and need some suggestions of what to look for and some makes and models to check out while I'm doing my research. I already have several good heads. Thanks, Grandpaw
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If you want something small, light and infinitely portable I'd suggest something like the MeFoto Backpacker or Road Trip (they both come with heads however). If you don't mind the extra size and weight the Manfrotto 055XPROB Pro is an excellent tripod (and it comes headless).

Whoops... Looks like the 055PROB has been replaced by the MT055XPRO3 055.

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G

grandpaw

Senior Member
Horoscope Fish said:
If you want something small, light and infinitely portable I'd suggest something like the MeFoto Backpacker or Road Trip (they both come with heads however). If you don't mind the extra size and weight the Manfrotto 055XPROB Pro is an excellent tripod (and it comes headless).

Whoops... Looks like the 055PROB has been replaced by the MT055XPRO3 055.

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Thanks Paul, the MT055XPRO3 055 happens to be the very tripod I have been looking at. I have trouble with both my knees and don't do a lot of walking so it won't be carried very far. Still looking for more ideas and input!!! Thanks again, Jeff
 
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Krs_2007

Senior Member
Jeff, I am down that one as well. Been looking at them for a few months. I do like the Mefoto's as well. Just haven't hit the purchase button yet. It's a tough decision, but that one is leading at the moment for me.


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Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Well I'll just tell you I've used the 055PROB for a long time and I have nothing but good things to say about it. It's on it's third head but that has nothing to do with the legs themselves, which are great. I think the PROB is my fourth tripod and the one I wish I'd gotten from the start. There are a lot of great tripods out there, but I really don't see how you could be disappointed with the PROB or, I have to assume, the newer, improved PRO3 version.

Happy hunting!
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G

gqtuazon

Gear Head
grandpaw said:
I'm sure there is a thread somewhere on the site but I couldn't find it. I'm wanting to spend around $200 for a set of tripod legs and need some suggestions of what to look for and some makes and models to check out while I'm doing my research. I already have several good heads. Thanks, Grandpaw
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Your height plus the ballhead and the heaviest rig should be factored in when choosing a tripod. If you are a 6 ft person, you need get something that can provide near eye level so that you can still view the controls on the top LCD of your camera.
 
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grandpaw

Senior Member
gqtuazon said:
Your height plus the ballhead and the heaviest rig should be factored in when choosing a tripod. If you are a 6 ft person, you need get something that can provide near eye level so that you can still view the controls on the top LCD of your camera.
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I am keeping the height in mind and the distance from the floor to the top of the tripod legs of the one I have is 55 inches and after adding my tripod head and the camera it is perfect. I never use the top LCD screen because the letters and numbers are too small for me to read.
 
M

mikew_RIP

Senior Member
grandpaw said:
I am keeping the height in mind and the distance from the floor to the top of the tripod legs of the one I have is 55 inches and after adding my tripod head and the camera it is perfect. I never use the top LCD screen because the letters and numbers are too small for me to read.
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I think that club has a lot of members :D
 
Vixen

Vixen

Senior Member
I have a manfrotto too and what I really like about it is I can strip it down and give it a clean and a bit of lanolin spray and put it back together and it's like new again :D I spend a lot of time on the coast/beach, so sand & salt water can make the legs & joints difficult to operate at times.
 
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RocketCowboy

Senior Member
Vixen said:
I have a manfrotto too and what I really like about it is I can strip it down and give it a clean and a bit of lanolin spray and put it back together and it's like new again :D I spend a lot of time on the coast/beach, so sand & salt water can make the legs & joints difficult to operate at times.
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Where would someone find details on stripping down the Manfrotto for cleaning? Sounds like something I should know how to do already...


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Vixen

Vixen

Senior Member
RocketCowboy said:
Where would someone find details on stripping down the Manfrotto for cleaning? Sounds like something I should know how to do already...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I just pulled mine apart. It's pretty easy really. The first time I did one leg at a time so I had the others to show me how to put it back together :D I've got one of those little socket sets that makes it even easier :D
 
R

rocketman122

Senior Member
Had it. For small adjustments but nothing u couldnt do if u have a level window. Just more cumbersome and not as useful as I thought itd be. I bought it thinking it be another tool to do the job. Ok but meh
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
I know for myself, my tripod is often nowhere close to being level but does that really matter? What matters to me is that my camera is level when taking the shot.

Maybe I'm missing something?

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G

grandpaw

Senior Member
Horoscope Fish said:
I know for myself, my tripod is often nowhere close to being level but does that really matter? What matters to me is that my camera is level when taking the shot.

Maybe I'm missing something?

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Yes you are missing something! If you are taking a single photo you can level your camera and you are good to go but if you are trying to do a pano or in my case pan while shooting a video, then the actual base where the tripod head sits needs to be level for your video to come out right. If you take a single picture, leveling just your camera will work just fine.

I have also decided after further research that the leveling ball that I am looking at doesn't seem to be a good choice.
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
grandpaw said:
Yes you are missing something! If you are taking a single photo you can level your camera and you are good to go but if you are trying to do a pano or in my case pan while shooting a video, then the actual base where the tripod head sits needs to be level for your video to come out right. If you take a single picture, leveling just your camera will work just fine.

I have also decided after further research that the leveling ball that I am looking at doesn't seem to be a good choice.
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Well that explains that... I don't shoot video. I'm curious, now, though...

If the camera is level, but the tripod is not, what issue(s) does that create?
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G

grandpaw

Senior Member
Horoscope Fish said:
Well that explains that... I don't shoot video. I'm curious, now, though...

If the camera is level, but the tripod is not, what issue(s) does that create?
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Just level your camera separately from the base and then turn your camera side to side and it will tilt the camera as it turns. If the camera is level and you don't move it you are fine but if the base is NOT level the camera will start tilting as it is rotated.
 
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