Do I really need such a good tripod/ballhead?

Hmmm... That one doesn't work for me. I'd rather have the Explorer!

TED

Denis of Whidbey Island said:

Denis of Whidbey Island said:

Hmm, have you tried Bogen/Manfrotto Carbon One 3444?

Do you prefer it over some Gitzo model? I am going to buy a CF
tripod soon, but am not familiar with the Gitzo models, but they
seem to be in the same price range as the 3444 that I am
considering (I need a traveling tripod with an integrated bubble
level).

Click to expand...

You really have to use a Gitzo to appreciate the difference, at
least in the aluminum tripods. My experience is that it's like the
difference between an Explorer and a Suburban.

Denis

Click to expand...

I find kirk fitted plate for the 70-200 to be better than the Wimberly.

Gymrat1976 said:

Cheers
Jason

snapshotdoc said:

I'm using a Manfrotti 3021BPRO tripod with a Kirk BH-1 with my
70-200mm VR lens and it is a dream combination--very stable, smooth
as silk ball head, very secure. The combo was not cheap--around
$600 with the Kirk QR replacement plate for the 70-200mm VR lens,
but less than CF, which I don't need as I prefer to "travel light"
when hiking the back country and even a CF tripod with head is NOT
light when hiking the Rockies!

And yes, you would "need" a QR plate for each lens or camera body
that you plan to use with the ball head. The Kirk currenty comes
with a universal QR plate which I have permanently installed on my
D70. And they make plates for virtually all of the Nikon lenses
which might require one.

You could use a universal QR plate and switch it from lens to lens
to body, but then it's no longer "QR"! They cost about $50-75 @.

Hope this helps.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

--
Osku

Joe,

Thanks so much for the info. I've been considering the 3443 and didn't realize the differences between it and the 3443D were so substantial. I really prefer the leg release style on the Manfrotto better than the screw style on the Gitzo. I have a Slik right now that has the screw system and it's just kind of a pain.

Right now, I've just got a D100 + 70-200 VR, so I'm guessing the 3443 would hold it. Down the road, I will add a TC-14E II. Way down the road I'll hopefully add a D2h/x and maybe a 300mm, but I don't anticipate much more than that, so my debate continues: 1228 or 3443.

Thanks,
BB

Joe Marques said:

Hi BB,

Very perceptive. I have the Bogen/Manfrotto 3443 Carbon One
(this is NOT the 3443D model it's better - 3 leg sections -
removable center column that can be put in HORIZONTALLY for macro
shots, spiked feet that can be put on in place of the regular feet,
a carry strap and 3.5 pounds of really cool looking carbon fiber).
It's really a beautifully made tripod - I'm just an anal retentive
fool who wants the Gitzo and be done with it for many years.

I was actually amazed at how stable a 3.5 pound CF tripod was
compared to much heavier metal pods that I had (it seems
counterintuitive but the lighter pod won in every test). I just
think the 3443 is a TAD light for my long term needs (it's max load
is 13.5 pounds and the Gitzo 1325 is 26.5 pounds - I see at least a
120-300 2.8 in my future which is pounds plus the D2H and probably
a TC.

I'm probably selling it and will list it at fredmiranda.com - it's
mint. I know - I'm crazy.

Joe

Click to expand...

Hummm, recommending a place to buy something because of a better price and not telling actual price paid sounds fishy to me (ie. let everyone else pay higher so I can get a lower price). It looks to me that there is a conflict of interest in this recommendation. I personally like a place that has one low price.

lawnmower said:

You are right Joe, it is not on their website. I always call them
personally and talk to Eldar or Saam. They will order it for you.
Tell them that I told you to call and get a price quote over the
phone. I have spent quite a bit of money at their store so I am
able to negotiate prices. I have done that from the beginning
though. Tell them that I told you to call and find a price from
another store and negotiate a price. Their standard price is
probably lower than anyone else’s on Gitzos and Lowepro bags
anyway. I compared prices with other stores and called them right
off. The prices that they list for the 1227 and 1228 are pretty
good. If the price is not what you are looking for, tell them of a
reputable store like B&H and tell them the price and watch them go
to work for you. These guys are great. I really can't tell you
the price I paid because that wouldn't be fair to them. These guys
will work with you and they don’t play games.

Click to expand...

--
Tony

http://homepage.mac.com/a5m http://www.pbase.com/a5m

If I bought 3 brand new Toyota’s at a dealership and you bought none from that same dealership in reality, who do you think they would recognize when both of us walked through the door? Who do you think they would be inclined to give special treatment to, me or you? I have bought 3 cars you have bought none. If your answer is anything other than me you are living in a dream world and you need to come back to reality. Now comes the photography store.

I have spent thousands, and at the rate that I am going maybe thousands more from ephotocraft. Do you think they might cut me a good deal on a tripod? If you don't think so you better wake up and smell the roses. Also do you think that I have any intention on tell everyone how much I paid? Maybe the salesman doesn't want to cut his profits with every customer and then again maybe he does. I don't make that determination, he does.

How much I paid is between me and him but I will tell you that ephotocraft has some of the best prices if not the best prices on Gitzo's and Lowepro bags with no discount and they definitely have the best service of any store that I have bought from and the list of stores is extensive that I have bought from. We won't even talk about how great the prices can get with a special customer discount from ephotocraft. These guys truly take care of their customers. Read epinions and Resellarratings.com about ephotocraft. They are the best. I would start buying from the guys at ephotocraft now so as to start a relationship with those fine gentleman and take advantage of their great prices now and potentially better ones later. Just thought I would give you a little class on business in the good old USA! I am just trying to help my fellow photographers out because a lot of us only are familiar with B&H, Adorama, Canoga, Ritz, etc. Really it does not affect me one way or the other if someone else saves money and gets great one on one service or not. I am just trying to help the people on this forum. I have found a great store and I just want to share my find with others that don’t realize that there are better stores than Ritz and B&H.

ak1999 said:

lawnmower said:

You are right Joe, it is not on their website. I always call them
personally and talk to Eldar or Saam. They will order it for you.
Tell them that I told you to call and get a price quote over the
phone. I have spent quite a bit of money at their store so I am
able to negotiate prices. I have done that from the beginning
though. Tell them that I told you to call and find a price from
another store and negotiate a price. Their standard price is
probably lower than anyone else’s on Gitzos and Lowepro bags
anyway. I compared prices with other stores and called them right
off. The prices that they list for the 1227 and 1228 are pretty
good. If the price is not what you are looking for, tell them of a
reputable store like B&H and tell them the price and watch them go
to work for you. These guys are great. I really can't tell you
the price I paid because that wouldn't be fair to them. These guys
will work with you and they don’t play games.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I could very well get a better deal if I don't know you because the dealer will get a new customer. I will probably get a lesser deal if you introduce me to the dealer because the dealer knows that he will need to cut you a deal the next time you buy one.
Your business teaching below is kid's stuff to me.
Nowadays, everyone looks in car forums to find out about price paid.

This is a powerful information better than "I can recommend a good car dealer that can give you a good deal". Car dealers don't like this kind of information be posted on web. The "old" business model that you preach below is dying very quickly.
I was never a good price haggler but I don't have to be one anymore.

I paid fair deal on my last three car purchases using information from web forums. I don't have to do any sale pitch so I can get a break on my next purchase or only shop in one place in hope to get customer loyalty "discount". I have the tool to get a good deal. That is why I found your original post useless without any price information.
Getting a really a "good deal" means nothing, it is subjective.

I understand perfectly this side of the business. lawnmower said:

I have spent thousands, and at the rate that I am going maybe
thousands more from ephotocraft. Do you think they might cut me a
good deal on a tripod? If you don't think so you better wake up
and smell the roses. Also do you think that I have any intention
on tell everyone how much I paid? Maybe the salesman doesn't want
to cut his profits with every customer and then again maybe he
does. I don't make that determination, he does.

How much I paid is between me and him but I will tell you that
ephotocraft has some of the best prices if not the best prices on
Gitzo's and Lowepro bags with no discount and they definitely have
the best service of any store that I have bought from and the list
of stores is extensive that I have bought from. We won't even talk
about how great the prices can get with a special customer discount
from ephotocraft. These guys truly take care of their customers.
Read epinions and Resellarratings.com about ephotocraft. They are
the best. I would start buying from the guys at ephotocraft now
so as to start a relationship with those fine gentleman and take
advantage of their great prices now and potentially better ones
later. Just thought I would give you a little class on business in
the good old USA! I am just trying to help my fellow
photographers out because a lot of us only are familiar with B&H,
Adorama, Canoga, Ritz, etc. Really it does not affect me one way
or the other if someone else saves money and gets great one on one
service or not. I am just trying to help the people on this forum.
I have found a great store and I just want to share my find with
others that don’t realize that there are better stores than Ritz
and B&H.

ak1999 said:

lawnmower said:

You are right Joe, it is not on their website. I always call them
personally and talk to Eldar or Saam. They will order it for you.
Tell them that I told you to call and get a price quote over the
phone. I have spent quite a bit of money at their store so I am
able to negotiate prices. I have done that from the beginning
though. Tell them that I told you to call and find a price from
another store and negotiate a price. Their standard price is
probably lower than anyone else’s on Gitzos and Lowepro bags
anyway. I compared prices with other stores and called them right
off. The prices that they list for the 1227 and 1228 are pretty
good. If the price is not what you are looking for, tell them of a
reputable store like B&H and tell them the price and watch them go
to work for you. These guys are great. I really can't tell you
the price I paid because that wouldn't be fair to them. These guys
will work with you and they don’t play games.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

It's their 80th aniversay aluminum model. Sorry to hear you had problems with your Linhoff. Mine's worked very well.

Steve

fjp said:

Steve Ridges said:

I'm useing a Gitzo 2527 (I think) with a Linhoff Profi 2 head and
Stroboframe QR. I know the Stroboframe QR aren't as popular but I
really like the fast, spring loaded design.

Click to expand...

I'm not familiar with that Gitzo model. Is it metal? I have the
1227, which is carbon fiber.

I used to use the Linhoff Profi 2 but it sagged too much and I had
to put too much muscle into tightening it down. This is one of
those cases where at least I personally fell victim to the very
syndrome I was talking about, where buying "second best" instead of
top of the line from the start costed me more money than if I would
have just bit the bullet and gone whole hog from the start. I got
rid of the sag and the necessity for fingers stronger than those
attached to my body by going up to the Arca-Swiss B1 Ball Head
which I have now used with satisfaction for years.

Now my Linhoff Profi 2 languishes at the back of one of my drawers,
unused for years.

--
FJP

Click to expand...

I guess you are made of money but some of us are not that well off. Twenty, Thirty, or Fifty dollars makes a difference to many people that use this forum as a tool to obtain information. Myself being one of those many and I am not too proud to state that fact. I could care less if you and I ever do business in the same store. I will be taken care of regardless with excellent service or in the great USA I can take my business elsewhere. Mr. Big Money everybody is not as well off as you are, so if you don't mind, let us Po Folk tell each other about good stores that we can save a buck and get good service without trying to rain on our parade.

Thank you.

ak1999 said:

I could very well get a better deal if I don't know you because the
dealer will get a new customer. I will probably get a lesser deal
if you introduce me to the dealer because the dealer knows that he
will need to cut you a deal the next time you buy one.

Click to expand...

He doesn't need to cut me a deal. I am a good costumer that spends a lot of money in his store so he does anyway because I appreciate those guys and they know it.

ak1999 said:

Your business teaching below is kid's stuff to me.
Nowadays, everyone looks in car forums to find out about price paid.
This is a powerful information better than "I can recommend a good
car dealer that can give you a good deal". Car dealers don't like
this kind of information be posted on web. The "old" business model
that you preach below is dying very quickly.
I was never a good price haggler but I don't have to be one anymore.

Click to expand...

Because you are so rich hey? And very hung up on yourself also. Your riches have gone to your head and now you are a little stuck up and proud.

ak1999 said:

I paid fair deal on my last three car purchases using information
from web forums. I don't have to do any sale pitch so I can get a
break on my next purchase or only shop in one place in hope to get
customer loyalty "discount". I have the tool to get a good deal.
That is why I found your original post useless without any price
information.
Getting a really a "good deal" means nothing, it is subjective.

Click to expand...

It does to us Po Folk.

ak1999 said:

I understand perfectly this side of the business. lawnmower said:

I have spent thousands, and at the rate that I am going maybe
thousands more from ephotocraft. Do you think they might cut me a
good deal on a tripod? If you don't think so you better wake up
and smell the roses. Also do you think that I have any intention
on tell everyone how much I paid? Maybe the salesman doesn't want
to cut his profits with every customer and then again maybe he
does. I don't make that determination, he does.

How much I paid is between me and him but I will tell you that
ephotocraft has some of the best prices if not the best prices on
Gitzo's and Lowepro bags with no discount and they definitely have
the best service of any store that I have bought from and the list
of stores is extensive that I have bought from. We won't even talk
about how great the prices can get with a special customer discount
from ephotocraft. These guys truly take care of their customers.
Read epinions and Resellarratings.com about ephotocraft. They are
the best. I would start buying from the guys at ephotocraft now
so as to start a relationship with those fine gentleman and take
advantage of their great prices now and potentially better ones
later. Just thought I would give you a little class on business in
the good old USA! I am just trying to help my fellow
photographers out because a lot of us only are familiar with B&H,
Adorama, Canoga, Ritz, etc. Really it does not affect me one way
or the other if someone else saves money and gets great one on one
service or not. I am just trying to help the people on this forum.
I have found a great store and I just want to share my find with
others that don’t realize that there are better stores than Ritz
and B&H.

ak1999 said:

Hummm, recommending a place to buy something because of a better
price and not telling actual price paid sounds fishy to me (ie. let
everyone else pay higher so I can get a lower price). It looks to
me that there is a conflict of interest in this recommendation. I
personally like a place that has one low price.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...