Ballhead or new tripod outfit

[sandking]

Just got into my new D300s and need to figure out if I just need a ballhead or better setup. My total budget will probably be under $500 as I've justed dropped a ton of $$$ on my equipment.

I use my tripod now for taking pictures of my wife and I and the family group shot when on vacation or family events . It's much easier than trusting someone else to take the picture. When we go to Disney I use my Lowepro Slingshot 200 and carry a Slik Sprit Mini II. Before I got into the D300s I would use this tripod with my Pentax K100D Tamron 28-75mm and AF-540 flash. It was barely useable to say the least. I was able to get some good shots, but in portrait it felt as if it was going to tip over and the small ballhead was not strong enough for the weight so it was difficult to compose the shot. I would not even dare use this with my current setup (D300s; 16-85mm; SB600 and battery grip) so I need something new.

I also have a Slik Pro 700DX for when we are around the house or someplace I don't need to carry the tripod long distances. I've been very happy with this tripod, but it is a monster and not something I can throw on my back. I'm not sure how this one compares to the $800 tripods, but it seems stable to me....

So the question is what would you recommend for my needs. My new setup is pretty heavy and I like to take portraits. Can I get something for under $500 that will be compact enough to carry on my back through Disney I'm a big guy so weight isn't really my concern, size is. When we go to disney I usually have a backpack with half a case of water and lunch, plus my camera stuff. I'm not a professional, but want to feel safe hanging my $3k investment in a portrait mode on my tripod when I need to.

 

[peter_no]

I'm not a professional, but want to feel safe hanging my $3k investment in a portrait mode on my tripod when I need to.

And there's the rub. So many people spend $$$ on camera/glass then skimp on the support system. My advice would be to sell everything related to support that you have, buy a new Markins ballhead on eBay directly from S. Korea for $200, and then find a used previous-generation CF Gitzo G-1227 or G-1228 for $300-350. You do not need basalt or 6x, but if you buy a carbon fiber Gitzo you will never need to buy another tripod. I bought one seriously used years ago, gave it a CLA and new sheaths and it was as good as new. Didn't look new but worked like new. They are incredibly well built. You can get very high quality support for the money you're prepared to spend but if you sell your current stuff you will cover it and more.

 

[roebedo]

Peter.. some great advise!

Sandking.. it sounds like you have some tough decisions to make, I was kinda in the same spot as you when I was on the hunt for a tri-pod. If your concerns for stability/safety for your 3k investment.. I would have to agree with peter, you dont want to have your expensive rig, on something you have to second guess.. kinda takes the fun and enjoyment out of photography :-(

You can definitely wrap some serious $$ into a support system, and to each their own on how they go about doing so (buying used, new etc..)

I would guess you will have to seriously consider, how much you will be needing the support. You had mentioned $$ and investment?? I can guarantee a good investment in a support system will be worth more than a D300 body in a few years. My take would be spend your $$ in terms of investment on support and glass.

Best of luck, and let us know what you end up

 

[sandking]

Thanks folks, I agree and am one of those people that believe in buying as good as you can even if you have to save for a little bit. In the long run it's worth it, but I was hoping $500 was enough of a budget for my needs at this point. Selling what I have will probably get me about $100, might as well keep them to hold some off camera flashes or my camcorder!!!!

So for $500 it seems like I'm buying a used tripod. I seem to understand the importance of both a good head and sturdy tripod. Is the Slik 700 I have considered a sturdy tripod? To me it seems sturdy, but I have nothing to compare it to except some cheap Walmart aluminum units. The reason I ask is because if my current tripod is considered decent I can spend money focused on the head and wait for a good deal on a used tripod. For the weekend get aways with the family to our cabin or a road trip I don't mind lugging the big boy around. Even in Disney with the baby stroller i could take the Slik and attach it to the stroller instead of carrying it.

i'll look into your recommendations, thanks again.

 

[Irwin]

Is it the Slik 700 DX Pro? If yes then yes, it should be sturdy enough. If you get one of those $200 Markins Q3 off of ebay, it comes with no warranty. I went ahead and ordered one. It hasn't come yet. But the price difference was too great for me to ignore. I'll take my chances. Then get a L plate at Really Riaght Stuff.
--
http://imageevent.com/isewake

 

[roebedo]

You will absolutely love the Markins ball head! Great choice! I too did the Really Right Stuff.. there is a reason why its called that Their quick release camera and L Plates are top notch!

Is it the Slik 700 DX Pro? If yes then yes, it should be sturdy enough. If you get one of those $200 Markins Q3 off of ebay, it comes with no warranty. I went ahead and ordered one. It hasn't come yet. But the price difference was too great for me to ignore. I'll take my chances. Then get a L plate at Really Riaght Stuff.
--
http://imageevent.com/isewake

 

[Hansa Yindee]

My story is the same as many others.
For years kept buying cheap tripods that only drove me crazy.
Couple of years ago went into the camera shop in Seattle, picked
up a Gitzo CF tripod and have been very happy ever sence.
Couldn't afford it but couldn't afford another cheap one eather.
--
Jon in Thailand

http://www.flickr.com/photos/af2899/
.

 

[tomasl]

Lowepro Classified 160 contains
EP-1
Panaleica 1.4/25
Pana 7-14
Olympus 18-180
Olympus 2/50 Macro
Gitzo 531 00 tripod
Manfrotto 468 ballhead
plus adaptor etc

Easy to carry, covers all situations I deal with

If I take only body & one or two lenses, plus Joby tripod, with small Gitzo head, I use a small Crumpler bag

 

[DickyMint]

I too am in the same position as you (New D300s, SB600, 16-85 & 70-300), spent a bit of time today looking at Pods and heads. Looks like i will probably go for the Manfrotto 055CXPRO3 and the 808RC4 as it ceratinly looks sturdy and resilient enough, plus it gives me the ability to migrate to 2.8 glass in the future.

Looking at Adorama site it would just break your $500 limit but it is good kit and worth the money IMO. Proof is in the pudding, as they say, and i have yet to order mine, hoping to do so over the next few days.

I am sure if you check some of the other posts in this forum you will find good reviews of the Manfrotto range and they are definitely more "reasonable" than the Gitzo range.

At the end of the day the choice is up to the individual in terms of performance and quality vs $$$$$.
Good luck choosing.

 

[Irwin]

I pretty much changed my tripod system for maybe about $500. I was able to use some coupons on ebay as well as the Bing cashback. It won't be too bad since I'll sell some stuff to pay for it.

Markins Q3 for
Benro C-069 for approx $230 using a 10% ebay coupon plus cashback
I alread had a L plate but bought it used so it wasn't too much.

You can get creative checking Craigslist, FM and ebay and come up with a pretty good system for a little more than $500.
--
http://imageevent.com/isewake

 

[sandking]

Ok so it looks like everyone is recommending a carbon fiber tripod but they seem to be out of my price range. As I've stated before I'm a big guy and carrying around a 5lb tripod vs. a 2lb one is like wearing a hat to me (when I go hunting I usually have about 50 - 60lbs on my back including my treestand).

That being said is the Manfrotto 055XPROB a good tripod? Is it a step up from the Slik 700DX I currently have? The folded length at B&H shows the Slik only a 1/2" longer than the Manfrotto, but the Manfrotto seems smaller (of course without seeing them side by side just from memory). Besides weight from the carbon fiber am I really missing out on any other benefits?

Secondly since I have absolutely no experience with a good/decent ball head, how is the Manfrotto 468 series? I still have to check on ebay for the one Peter recommended. I'm trying to use my gfit cards and store credit from my local store if I can.