tripod selection help

I tried the search feature, but it seems to be perpetually down, so bear with me as I ask for advice on which tripod legs to buy.

After disappointing performance from my cheap tripod, I feel an upgrade is in order.

I have narrowed down the choices to:

Bogen / Manfrotto 190XPROB Tripod Legs (Black) - Supports 11 lbs (5 kg)
$144.95 (weighs 4lbs)

Bogen / Manfrotto 055MF3 Magfiber Pro Carbon Fiber 3-Section - Supports 15.5 lb (7 kg)
$315.95 (weighs 4.4lbs)

Gitzo G-1298 Reporter Basalt Tripod Legs - Supports 12.1 lb (5.5 kg)
$349.95 (weighs 3.4lbs)

Gitzo G-1157 Mountaineer Sport 6X Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs (Rapid Column) - Supports 9.9 lb (4.5 kg)
$369.95 (2.3lbs)

My budget is under $400.

The Bogen 055mf3, to me, seems the most capable (highest load capacity, highest max and very low min height), but it is also the heaviest at 4.4lbs sans head. Also, I do not see much value in paying 2x over the 190 besides getting 9 inches more height...although I sure could use the extra height.

My largest lens is the 70-200 f/2.8 IS, on a 350D. I do not foresee getting a larger lens, but might eventually upgrade the body to the 5d successor.

Basically, my questions are

Can these Gitzos easily handle the 70-200 f/2.8 IS with no stability issues?

I really want the reach of the 055mf3, but is there any other benefit over the others, especially considering the cost savings of the 190xprob?

I would much prefer to carry the Bogen's extra pounds if it meant better results. If these Gitzos can deliver the same/better results at a lower weight, however, I might carry my tripod more than if I bought the Bogens.

Thanks for your suggestions.

I was in the same position few months ago.

I went with a BENRO M-228n6. It is a chinese version of a GITZO 4 section tripod. It is very light (all carbon fiber) at under 3.7 lbs, very sturdy with a capacity of 18 lbs and high enough at 51.5" w/o column or 59.8" with.

It also comes with a very nice carrying bag. I matched it with a BENRO KS-1 ball head and I am very happy with this setup. It's light and small and I bring it with me everywhere travelling.

I bought mine on Ebay for about 250$US if I remember correctly. The seller was "bonnie.yl".

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Spocket
South Ontario

I just bought the Benro C-227n6, the 3 section version of the C-228, both Gitzo copies. Mine arrived from Hong Kong (off eBay) in about 3 days to the U.S. It's a beautiful carbon fiber tripod with many extras that you would have to buy separately with Bogen or Gitzo and comes in a heavy duty zipper bag, also of good quality. The only issue I have, and I'm working with the seller on this, a very responsive English-speaking guy, is that the diagram shows the head plate has 3 holes with 3 set screws and the head plate on mine does not have this. I'm not sure if it should or not. I'm not sure if the Gitzo G1227 that it is a copy of has those 3 set screws either. It probably doesn't matter, I suspect. Cathy H.

Cathy:

My 228N6 did come with the 3 set screws on the platform. Their purpose is to prevent your head to turn by putting pressure with the set screws. I know I have the latest version of Benro's. Only one leg have the padding. Older models have padding on all 3 legs I think. Perhaps you have one of the older ones?

My seller was located in Canada.

Kaiserero :

When I looked at the Manfrotto, I thought that the 155 was too small, the 055 too heavy and the MF not worth the price difference. It was almost twice as much to spare a few grams...

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Spocket
South Ontario

Thanks for your suggestions.

Sprocket, I think I agree with you about the Bogen weight and height.

I did search for Benroe, but issues mentioned in the below quote cause me to shy away. I still appreciate the suggestions and am glad their tripods have worked for you.

Seen posted on:

hXXp: photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=273471&page=3

"I'm not one to knock a competitor, so I'll just stick to the facts here. Benroe Carbon Fiber tripods are made from tubing that is significantly less dense than Gitzo Carbon Fiber. Tube density determines vibration absorption, which affects image quality. Tube density is determined by the ratio of Carbon Fiber threads to epoxy resin used to make the tube. Gitzo uses a ratio of 65% carbon fiber to 35% resin (CF industry standard is 60/40 for companies in aerospace, sporting goods, etc.). Benroe tubes (and the new marketing name in the U.S. - Induro) use a ratio of 55/45, which weakens tensile strength and tripod performance.

Also important is deflection, or tripod "flex." Gitzo tubes are twice the strength of the latest Chinese tubes in terms of flex. This is due to the strength of the tube combined with the stability of the locking mechanism.

While the initial investment in a Gitzo may be greater than others, the Gitzo tripod is backed by a limited lifetime warranty in the U.S. making it a longer term & better overall investment.

Good luck.

Regards,
David Fisher, Product Manager
Gitzo Brand
Bogen Imaging"
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Of course, if Gitzos cost twice as much as the competition, they had better offer more performance. The Benroes still seem like an excellent value, but I think they may not be for me.../

The cheapest Gitzo I could find with similar height and a sub-three pound weight was the Gitzo GT-1530. Oh well, I guess there goes my budget. As the saying goes, though, it only hurts once.

Sprocket: Thanks for letting me know how your 228 came. I don't know if mine is an older version. Like yours it only had the padding on one leg. Other than that, it seems like an outstanding set of legs. Cathy

http://cgi.ebay.com/PROFESSIONAL-CAMERA-TRIPOD-KIT-BALL-GRIP-HEAD-AT-858BL_W0QQitemZ200015573797QQcategoryZ30094QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem
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Dave Lewis