Tripod Talk

Somewhat tangentially related, but the new K10D has highlighted a flaw with the current system - an old tripod with legs that slip under pressure (a cheapie that's not worth repairing).

Would you recommend your tripod setup? I'd prefer to keep the tab under 200 US$, but if it's worth the investment, I can endure some pain. I'm looking for:

• Ease of use (leg extension and camera adjustment)
• Sturdiness
• Reasonably portable - for around town and light nature shooting
• Open to ball or 3-way head
• Quick-release camera mount is a plus

Thanks for your advice!

-Ray

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/xinapray/

SeattleRay said:

Somewhat tangentially related, but the new K10D has highlighted a
flaw with the current system - an old tripod with legs that slip
under pressure (a cheapie that's not worth repairing).

Would you recommend your tripod setup? I'd prefer to keep the tab
under 200 US$, but if it's worth the investment, I can endure some
pain. I'm looking for:

• Ease of use (leg extension and camera adjustment)
• Sturdiness
• Reasonably portable - for around town and light nature shooting
• Open to ball or 3-way head
• Quick-release camera mount is a plus

Click to expand...

A good, sturdy, well made tripod is worth the investment.

Something like this:

Bogen / Manfrotto 3021BPRO Tripod Legs (Black) with 486RC2 Compact Ballhead (RC2 Quick Release) - Supports 13.2 lb (6 kg)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/353320-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto__3021BPRO_Tripod_Black_with.html

is reasonably priced, very sturdy, has enough elevation to be useful, isn't too heavy, and will last you for 20 years without question. The heads are interchangeable ... you can upgrade to a better head at a later date if the 486RC2 does not prove satisfactory. The lighter 190 series model legs lack adequate elevation in my opinion, but if that's not a concern they would be my second pick.

(My own tripod I consider to be one of the MOST important pieces of photo equipment I own. Far more important than yet another expensive lens. I recently upgraded to a set of Feisol CT3442 legs with Acratech Ultimate Ball Head, Really Right Stuff clamp and adapter plates, etc. Not cheap ... but featherweight, very sturdy, lots of elevation, adaptable, and capable of handling everything I might throw on it.)

Godfrey
"My sharpest lens is a sturdy tripod."

I recently purchased a Benro C227 n6 tripod and Benro KS-2 Ball head. This provides a light yet very sturdy and stable tripod with a smooth and creep free ball head at reasonable cost - less than half the cost of a Gitzo and Achratech and complete with a very good bag and set of tools which tend to be extras with the more expensive brands. After a couple of months use I am still very happy.
Archie

Haven't owned a manfrotto or other of the "big boys" of tripods, but based on recommendations I picked up an Amvona aluminum (they have carbon fiber too) tripod and ball head from the Amvona ebay store for $60, including shipping. Together they weigh 5.5 lbs, so no good for longer hiking, but very sturdy. Definitely happy with it, I'm not worried a bit with my K10 on top. I think I'll be upgrading to carbon fiber version soon. This setup will still be closer to $100 than $200.

Todd

it all depends on what you need it for. Does it have to be light ? Will you be hiking a lot with it ?

i just got myself an old Slik 700DX for about $100. It is quite heavy for sure but stable as hell. It can hold 15 lbs of weight and while doing research online i could not find one review that would not recommend it.

When i opened the box i had received from B&H i was blown away by the quality of that product ... it is probably the best bang for the buck at the moment minus the wight you have to deal with.

it also has some cool features. No ball head although i feel that the panhead it comes with offers range of motion very close to one. i absolutely am in love with rotating quick release mounting platform with safty locks... lets you really explore everything around while keeping everything leveled.

And you dont need to buy additional center column for macro work as the one that comes with this tripod is made of 2 seperate pieces you take it apart and you can get as low as 15" of the ground... well it is not 8.5" you get with Bogen / Manfrotto 3021BPRO but you pay half the price. if i had spare money i would probably go for the setup recommended by Godfrey ... although i cant imagine mine is a lot worse... it all depends on your needs ... below is the link if you want to check it out.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/131427-REG/Slik_615_315_700DX_Pro_Tripod.html
--
Grzegorz

The camera is for life and for people, the swift and intense moments of life. - Ansel Adams
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7167702@N03/

... the best equipment investment I have made.

My current field setup is a set of Velbon CF 740 legs with a Graf studioball head on top.

Elevates higher than me without raising the center column, can stand off a blizzard and is rather heavy (4.5 kg)

Now I have no issues bringing it with me everywhere, byt I can understand if others would have that.

My ultralight setup is an acratech ultimate ball head on a pair of cheapish Induro A114 legs with short center column.

Sturdy enough and very portable.

I use a kirk L-bracket which is fitted with an arca swiss tye QR fitting that works on both heads.

I have considered upgrading my lightwieght legs to a pair of the gitzo 1550 or the benro equivalent (travel angel IIRC), but none of this is within reach of the 200USD mark, but a tripod is a place where a solid investment is well spend it will outlast most of your other equipment.

If the 200 USD is a max I believe amvona is pretty popular and comes pretty cheap too, with a reasonable build quality.
--
Thomas

Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool
http://www.duplophotography.com/
http://www.my.opera.com/duplo
My pictures categorised by lens used:
http://main.duplophotography.com/f311992052/

SeattleRay said:

I'd prefer to keep the tab under 200 US$, but if it's worth the investment, I can endure some pain.

Click to expand...

Get out the Aspirin, even if you buy Chinese. I second the Benro recommendation, but I got a Giottos head (see my profile). To be safe, I would double or triple any manufacturers weight recommendation. I got the Benro instead of the Amova because they had stock at a local retailer so I could compare it directly to the more 'established' brand names. Even so, I ended up spending close to $500. If I was a shareholder in Manfrotto, I would be extremely worried because I would have ended up spending close to $800 with them. If you don't care about the weight, then you can probably get away with less.

I can immediately tell from across the room when displaying pictures on my monitor if they were taken with a tripod or not. Even at $500 or even $800, I couldn't imagine a better value for the dollar. $200? Probably a waste. Life sucks.
(I'm assuming you also need a head.)

I have a Manfrotto 055PROB and a 488RC4 ball head. Great combination, not that heavy--weighs 3.2 KGs total--and very versatile. The 190 series tripods with either a 486RC2 head or a 488RC2 head are just not as sturdy in my view. The combo is worth about $400 CDN from Lens & Shutter--I'm sure you'd do better online. And for the record, I would strongly recommend a ballhead--just so much more versatile than a three-way.
--
Too many subjects, not enough time...

Thanks for the great advice everyone! I guess I'll be spending part of the weekend digging around in the back of the couch.

-Ray

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/xinapray/

I third the Benro Tripods...carbon fiber and their ball heads are great too. Whatever you buy, get the best you can afford and it will serve you well for life or close to it!

Best of luck digging in the back of the couch! LOL! I really used to do that when I was a kid many, many years ago!!!
Cheers

Mitch
--
K10D and Canon G7...simply the very best!
mitch

If you don't mind ebay, search for amvona tripod and there are many choices. I bought the now discontinued (?) AT-6703 and other than the two step quick release (easily resolved by getting a different head) I am very happy with it. The store is reputable.

Feisol has come out with the 3441S lately, which is the travel tripod with 10kg weight limit. 300 US$.

There are also about to come out with a new version of their CB-30 ballhead, the CB-30c, which will have a stronger clamp and friction control knob I think. (You can see it on their new ad about the photo cart...)

--
Steph

deleted

pcarfan said:

If you don't mind ebay, search for amvona tripod and there are many
choices. I bought the now discontinued (?) AT-6703 and other than the
two step quick release (easily resolved by getting a different head)
I am very happy with it. The store is reputable.

Click to expand...

I have to agree. I'm not sure what model numbers I own, but I bought both a Amvona carbon fiber tripod and a ball head in separate auctions. I think I may have $150-$175 shipping included. I have since bought an Induro CX214 with a Actratech GV2 ballhead, a very versatile, strong, and lightweight combo, but at many $100's more. To be honest, I've already had a broken part on the Induro (being replaced, customer service very responsive so far.) The quality of the Amvona looks on par with the Induro (which has more fancy features.)

I am definitely keeping my Amvona tripod/ballhead setup for a spare, in fact, anyone wishing to acquire a spare at a reasonable price probably can't beat the Amvona stuff.

No matter what tripod you end up with, it makes sense to go ahead and invest in a good head from the beginning, you won't regret it.

Until I got a good tripod/ballhead, I never realized how much difference it could make in my photography.

Ed

I second the SLIK pods - I got the 330DX, not as heavy as the 700, and only holds 8 pounds instead of 15, but its very solid and easy to carry around. Comes with a nice 3 way pan/tilt head (including quick release plate). Has worked great for my DL...

--
---
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chriscallanan/

Broda said:

i just got myself an old Slik 700DX for about $100. It is quite heavy
for sure but stable as hell. It can hold 15 lbs of weight and while
doing research online i could not find one review that would not
recommend it.

Click to expand...

I'll second that. I've had a 700DX for a few years now and love it, except for the weight. It's solid enough that I can even use it with my 4x5 view camera. My previous Slik U212(?) would practically go spread-eagle with the 4x5 and wasn't even enough for my Sigma SD9 DSLR with the extra batter pack and large-ish 24-70mm f/2.8.

Regards,
Terry Wyse

Godfrey said:

A good, sturdy, well made tripod is worth the investment.

Click to expand...

Absolutely! And $200 is decent enough budget to get something good.

Godfrey said:

Bogen / Manfrotto 3021BPRO Tripod Legs (Black) with 486RC2 Compact
Ballhead (RC2 Quick Release) - Supports 13.2 lb (6 kg)
... The lighter 190
series model legs lack adequate elevation in my opinion, but if
that's not a concern they would be my second pick.

Click to expand...

I got the 190XPROB legs - not as sturdy as I hoped they would be, but certainly workable with the cameras and lenses I use. The max height is not that great but so far it hasn't stopped me from getting a shot. The 486RC2 head I've no complaints about - small and very easy to use, I'm really glad I got it over a 3-way pan head.

Godfrey said:

(My own tripod I consider to be one of the MOST important pieces of
photo equipment I own. Far more important than yet another expensive
lens. I recently upgraded to a set of Feisol CT3442 legs with
Acratech Ultimate Ball Head, Really Right Stuff clamp and adapter
plates, etc.

Click to expand...

Did you also get the L-bracket by any chance? If I get the DA* 50-135 I might end up buying the RRS L-bracket to support the camera in the vertical orientation.

--
Pavel
http://flickr.com/photos/pavel/

BiscuitMonster said:

I got the 190XPROB legs - not as sturdy as I hoped they would be, but
certainly workable with the cameras and lenses I use. The max height
is not that great but so far it hasn't stopped me from getting a
shot. The 486RC2 head I've no complaints about - small and very easy
to use, I'm really glad I got it over a 3-way pan head.

Click to expand...

Good stuff. The 190s seemed a little light and not quite enough elevation for my desires, but I'm tall and do more high-angle work with the tripod than many others, from what I've seen. I generally feel I need 51-54 inches elevation prior to lifting the column to be happy.

BiscuitMonster said:

Did you also get the L-bracket by any chance? If I get the DA* 50-135
I might end up buying the RRS L-bracket to support the camera in the
vertical orientation.

Click to expand...

I haven't bought it yet, but it's on my list. I haven't used the 50-135 on the tripod that much yet, it will come in handy. For the 190 legs, I'd definitely want it as they are smallish and light, the K10D and 50-135 are a hefty offset-load on that small a tripod particularly if you elevate the column. The L bracket will keep the mass centered and improve stability. On the Feisol, I can usually use it without extending the column, so the offset loading is less of an issue. But I still want one eventually.

Godfrey

Godfrey, thanks so much for recommending the Bogen/Manfrotto tripod and ballhead in your B&H link. I bought it a few weeks ago and have been delighted with it. I needed a tripod for studio work that will go very high, very low and allowed for unobstructed straight down shooting. This is perfect.

cyrene

Godfrey said:

A good, sturdy, well made tripod is worth the investment.

Something like this:

Bogen / Manfrotto 3021BPRO Tripod Legs (Black) with 486RC2 Compact
Ballhead (RC2 Quick Release) - Supports 13.2 lb (6 kg)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/353320-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto__3021BPRO_Tripod_Black_with.html

is reasonably priced, very sturdy, has enough elevation to be useful,
isn't too heavy, and will last you for 20 years without question. The
heads are interchangeable ... you can upgrade to a better head at a
later date if the 486RC2 does not prove satisfactory. The lighter 190
series model legs lack adequate elevation in my opinion, but if
that's not a concern they would be my second pick.

(My own tripod I consider to be one of the MOST important pieces of
photo equipment I own. Far more important than yet another expensive
lens. I recently upgraded to a set of Feisol CT3442 legs with
Acratech Ultimate Ball Head, Really Right Stuff clamp and adapter
plates, etc. Not cheap ... but featherweight, very sturdy, lots of
elevation, adaptable, and capable of handling everything I might
throw on it.)

Godfrey
"My sharpest lens is a sturdy tripod."

Click to expand...

I also have the SLIK PRO 700DX and have been thrilled with the quality and ease of use, both for standard and macro work. I got the pan tilt head and legs for about $129 from B+H. It will hold the k10d and a monster lens with no problem. Probably one of the best tripod values out there.