Tripod advice

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fotojack

Senior Member
Fish beat me to it! :) That's the one I was going to suggest also. Great tripod, from what I've read about them.

Me, I have 2 very good tripods that I would never sell....one Manfrotto 055 Pro (the OLD model,,,same as the Bogen 3021 v.III),with a 496RC2 ball head. The other is an old Hi_Ace 400 made by Daiwoo. (Now owned by Slik). They don't make these anymore. :), topped by a Pergear TH3 ball head.

I actually have a third tripod, the Slik Sprint Pro GM, which I use when I'm on a short walk around town
 
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adox66

Senior Member
Horoscope Fish said:
Plenty of excellent tripods and heads to choose from; I'm only going to suggest you stay away from the Manfrotto quick-detach system. Get an Arca Swiss head. Seriously.

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Can you elaborate on "stay away from the Manfrotto quick-detach system"
are you talking about quick release plates?
 
R

RocketCowboy

Senior Member
adox66 said:
Can you elaborate on "stay away from the Manfrotto quick-detach system"
are you talking about quick release plates?
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Right. There are two types of plates out there. Manfrotto has their design, their quick release plates, while most everyone else seems to support the Arca Swiss style. Manfrotto does have a few heads that support the Arca Swiss style as well.
 
hark

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
My Bogen Manfrotto tripod has a Bogen Manfrotto head which uses a hexagonal quick release plate. The original plate had cork on it which dried out, but the replacements have rubber. I haven't had one bit of trouble with the replacements. Other than when the original cork dried out causing my camera to slip, it's been fine.
 
J

J-see

Senior Member
adox66 said:
Can you elaborate on "stay away from the Manfrotto quick-detach system"
are you talking about quick release plates?
Click to expand...

I have a quick release on my Manfrotto and the main problem is that while it is very handy to attach/detach the cam, it simply does not hold the cam tight. There's some wiggle room in this system which defeats the whole purpose of a tripod.

It works well inside but outside wind can still move the cam that little, especially when you have long lenses attached. When shooting the cam sideways on the pod, that issue magnifies.

It's a great indoor system when you always shoot the cam horizontally but for anything besides that, the system is just poor.
 
G

gqtuazon

Gear Head
rocketman122 said:
@gqtuazon

the OP stated $170 was his max budget. I suggested what I would buy (with 100% confidence for travel CF one, and 110% for the benro/beike head) no one gave any links here for anything. you just suggest a $400 head without even legs because anything less is just crap. so all pros go shooting with $400 heads? the majority of people dont buy $400 and do quite well. not everyone has or even wants to spend that much for a tripod/head. everyone has their own needs and saying to someone that he cant get a decent tripod/head for his budget is being a little close minded.

its either the most expensive or nothing at all? maybe suggest something thats a little over his budget at $250, but $400 for just the head and maybe another $400 for legs? sugegst something that will cost $300 for both, reasonable.

reminds me of a guy who asked a friend of mine for specs to a pc to buy because his is dead from age. he has $400. my friend says anything less than $1000 and youre wasting your time. well my friend is a brand snob and has a few multi thousand pc's so nothing less than the best is his mindset. well guess what, the guy has no pc so $400 is all he has and $400 will get him a pc thats better than what he has now. so suggest something to fit his pocket. I think the benro/beike will do more than what he needs. and even the manfrotto he linked himself will do what he needs. he puts the camera on, locks it down, uses a remote release or timer and boom it doesnt move, takes the picture and great, done.

I will always suggest what the OP asks for. if he says he can go to $300, I will offer links for a tripod/head that costs $300. if he said $100, I would say go up a bit because anything less and it wont be any different than his current gear.

how about we post links and suggest gear for OP's budget?

is $170 the max budget?

btw, just want to add. I have my manfrotto 3221 and 3038 after 12 years of heavy use. ive been around the world with this duo as my ex wife was a travel agent. ive taken it to every wedding in the film days. its been out in blistering heat freezing ice, and a few times it snowed when I was in canada in christmas time (out of all the places we visited, quebec canada is the most magical place on earth in our opinions).

the 3038 head I bought used from an ebayer years back and the balls coating has worn out, which means it will adjust perfectly with precision but after its locked, I have to press lightly down on the head to release downwards to be free. it doesnt stop me from using it anytime I need. and its still very steady.

since being with digital I dont have much need to use a tripod but yet I dont shoot long shutter durations so dont need one. bottom line is even a cheap set like mine ($150 for the legs and $130 for the used head) still works very well after years of use. I dont see what what the OP wants to buy wont hold for many years and im certain he wont use his anywhere even half the amount my head and legs have seen around the world. and bottom line, the vast majority of the world spend $200 or so and are very happy with what they use.
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All great point and you are correct about suggesting an item that is within the budget including a link.
 
J

J-see

Senior Member
SkvLTD said:
Actually made me curious to test my Dolcia's ball head, and results are towards the end of the post

Dolica GX650B204 Proline GX Series 65 inch Tripod - Skvora Limited Photography
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How did the 600mm when attached with the lens behave on your tripod?

I was doing some shots inside with the 600m@600 and noticed that when I use view, especially when fully zoomed in, my pods picks up tremors and they get magnified by the long lens. The image in live never stands still.

I'm curious if it is my pod or the attachment plate of the lens.
 
SkvLTD

SkvLTD

Senior Member
J-see said:
How did the 600mm when attached with the lens behave on your tripod?

I was doing some shots inside with the 600m@600 and noticed that when I use view, especially when fully zoomed in, my pods picks up tremors and they get magnified by the long lens. The image in live never stands still.

I'm curious if it is my pod or the attachment plate of the lens.
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70-200 first of all, and when I shot using it I shot it attached to the lens foot where it behaved just fine. Camera mounted shots are just for head's strength reference, not actual use that way.
 
J

J-see

Senior Member
SkvLTD said:
70-200 first of all, and when I shot using it I shot it attached to the lens foot where it behaved just fine. Camera mounted shots are just for head's strength reference, not actual use that way.
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I misread D600 for 600mm it seems. But they're not too different in weight so if yours did fine, I have to check the pod or lens collar and see what makes mine dance.
 
SkvLTD

SkvLTD

Senior Member
Really can't go wrong for $50, at least here. If it also had easily detachable leg for a mono, would be THE perfect rig. Almost goes without saying, but it can unfold really low, flip the center post to get the camera really low to the ground, etc.
 
S

SteveL54

Senior Member
Horoscope Fish said:
Here's a suggestion that's just a tad over budget at $200, the Mefoto Road Trip. Comes with an Arca Swiss compatible ball head and a tote-bag. :D
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Well, this is the one that I picked. There are just way too many choices!!!!
I was a bit over budget, but I only wanted to buy once and be done with it. Expecting delivery tomorrow.

My main subjects are are landscape, abandoned buildings, and night shots. (no portraits) Next Tuesday, I've been invited to photograph the inside of a old opera house here in town built in 1880.
Everything from the seating, stage, backstage, and an original 1897 organ. We have full run of the place. The lighting is rather poor, so the tripod will be essential. I could use a flash, but I just don't think it will be natural enough. I have 2 hours to shoot.

Thanks to all that replied for the great suggestions.
 
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