Another tripod question!

Ok, here's my situation: I've a got a D200, Tokina 12-24, a Tamrac 5374 backpack bag (about 14 inches high). The weight of my camera, battery and lens is 3.25 pound...I'm looking for a small, compact tripod for taking on hikes--I currently have a Bogen 3221S with a 3025 head and although folded it's about 21 inches long, it's a ton, especially attached to my bag. Also used to carry a Lowepro Nature trekker AW bag which was too big for my purposes now...

Any suggestions are appreciated!

get a carbon tripod. Not cheap but good ones are sturdy and light. You want to safe on weight, not on quality or stability...Gitzo makes really good tripods...

Try a Benro. There have been some good comments on them. Do a search on the forums for it. Gitzo knockoff for a fraction of the price.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=search&Q=&b=2241&a=0&a=808_7582&mnp=0.0&mxp=0.0&cmpsrch=&cltp=&clsgr=&shs=&ci=2636&ac=&Submit.x=14&Submit.y=7&Submit=Go

I'll check those out...

gf419 said:

Ok, here's my situation: I've a got a D200, Tokina 12-24, a Tamrac
5374 backpack bag (about 14 inches high). The weight of my camera,
battery and lens is 3.25 pound...I'm looking for a small, compact
tripod for taking on hikes--I currently have a Bogen 3221S with a
3025 head and although folded it's about 21 inches long, it's a
ton, especially attached to my bag. Also used to carry a Lowepro
Nature trekker AW bag which was too big for my purposes now...

Any suggestions are appreciated!

Click to expand...

As others have suggested, go with a good quality carbon fiber tripod.

I'd also recommend one of the Novoflex "MagicBall" ball heads; they're small, lightweight, reliable, and trouble-free. They also allow a greater range of positioning than other ball heads [to a degree where you won't even need an "L" bracket for portrait-orientation]. Although not necessary, I'd also recommend the Novoflex Panorama Plate to use with the ball head; it only adds about a half-inch to the height and includes a spirit level in case the tripod doesn't have one.
There are three versions of the Novoflex MagicBall head...
Novoflex MagicBall [MB] supports 22 lbs & weighs 2.02 lb
Novoflex MagicBall50 [MB50] supports 15 lbs & weighs 1.34 lb
Novoflex Mini MagicBall [MBMINI] supports 11 lbs & weighs 0.72 lb
The "optional" Panorama Plate supports 22 lbs & weighs 0.38 lb

For my own "light weight" use, I have a Bogen 441CF tripod with the MagicBall head and the Panorama Plate.Total weight is about 5 lb.
I hope this will help.

Gary J Jensen said:

I'd also recommend one of the Novoflex "MagicBall" ball heads;
they're small, lightweight, reliable, and trouble-free.

Click to expand...

...

Gary J Jensen said:

Novoflex MagicBall [MB] supports 22 lbs & weighs 2.02 lb

Click to expand...

For less money, the Markins M20 supports 99 lbs. and weighs 1.28 lbs.
--
Robin Casady
http://www.robincasady.com/Photo/index.html

You could get a Gitzo 1228 class 4 section Feisol (www.feisol.com) or Benro (at B&H) for $200 or so, and a Markins Q3 for $240. Nice light package and reasonably priced for about $500, figuring in a plate.

I like the Feisol but for that configuration, the Benro may be the better legs and B&H's price can;t be beat for that class leg.

--
Regards,
Neil

Try the Gitzo 1258 (replaces 1228), take out the center column (don't need it or the weight) replace with Markins or Kirk base, then the RRS BH-40, Kirk BH-3 or Markins M-10 ball heads. You'll love the weight and stability. Hope this helps.

Will look into all those...I'm selling my old Bogen 3020 and 3221S on Ebay 'cause they are just too heavy and I don't used them anymore--they were built like a tank!

happy with my Benro c-258n6 + M10 ballhead combination

Where to purchase a Benro?

I'm now leaning towards a Gitzo G-1058--any ball head suggestions? How about the G-1077M head? If so, what is the recommended quick release plate?