rsjoberg
Leading Member
You pay the $300+ dollars. I'll keep the $125 Benro.
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Tripod Help
- Thread starter ClaudioG
- Start date
LilKnytt
Veteran Member
Not that I'm an authority on this issue, but I just went through this thing & it was driving me nuts. Neil will attest to that.
My final decision became to blow my budget & buy the Markins M20. The M10 would probably have been enough, but I was advised, or rather from his answer I deduced, by Steve at Markins that in the long run spending the extra $ 50 on the M20 would in the long run save me time & money.
What was the final straw for me was seeing a comparison of the ballheads right next to each other comparing their weight, load capacity, Load/weight ration, Height & Street price. That immediately told me that the Markins was the way to go.
I just got the M20 yesterday. It's small, light, easily used & I feel very capable of holding my heavy lenses with my TC17E-II
If I was you, I'd listen to everything Neil tells you. You can't get better advice. Then just order the Markins M10 or M20. I don't need to see the others to know I've made the right choice. I will not regret this buy.
JMHO
Lil
My final decision became to blow my budget & buy the Markins M20. The M10 would probably have been enough, but I was advised, or rather from his answer I deduced, by Steve at Markins that in the long run spending the extra $ 50 on the M20 would in the long run save me time & money.
What was the final straw for me was seeing a comparison of the ballheads right next to each other comparing their weight, load capacity, Load/weight ration, Height & Street price. That immediately told me that the Markins was the way to go.
I just got the M20 yesterday. It's small, light, easily used & I feel very capable of holding my heavy lenses with my TC17E-II
If I was you, I'd listen to everything Neil tells you. You can't get better advice. Then just order the Markins M10 or M20. I don't need to see the others to know I've made the right choice. I will not regret this buy.
JMHO
Lil
PhotoTraveler
Forum Pro
First, Toms article isn't "spend a lot of money" it's simply saying buy quality stuff first. It doesn't have to be super expensive. More expensive doesn't always mean better. Monfrotto 3021 legs are a deal. They are fairly cheap, and built like tanks. They downsides are stuff like being heavy. You just don't want to buy junk when for a few bucks more you could have something solid. If you will never need the support of a BH55, and don't want to carry that weight around all the time, it might not be the right path.
On the head. You might want to consider smaller heads. Those heads you are looking at are huge heads, and overkill for just about everything. Unless you got massive super telephotos or medium format gear. Something like a BH45 could go a very long way for you.
On the head. You might want to consider smaller heads. Those heads you are looking at are huge heads, and overkill for just about everything. Unless you got massive super telephotos or medium format gear. Something like a BH45 could go a very long way for you.
Sounds like a good deal to me.
Actually I paid well more than $300. The head plus an AS plate for the d200 plus shipping plus tax @ I have a couple of Benro quick release plates. They are better made than a German one I have and cost half the price.
NRothschild
Veteran Member
I would disagree with the above, to the extent that a BH-40 (assume you made a typo) costs the same as an M10, and is just an ounce or two less in weight and about the same size. An M10 will handle a larger real world payload than the BH-40, and I think it is a good idea to "overkill" a ballhead if possible, because the less payload on top of a ballhead relative to it's real world capacity, the smoother it performs and the more extreme angles it can reach while staying in a good sweetspot. In the $330 price class, I'm not sure how you could beat an M10, either in performance or size or weight. Even if the performance with a 70-200 lens is "overkill", what's wrong with room for future growth? What is the advantage of the BH-40?
The A-S Z1 is also the same price, but a bit heavier than the Markins if that is an issue. If price is an issue, of the major ballheads only the Kirk BH-3 would be significantly cheaper and within a tighter budget that would be a good choice. If price is really an issue, there are the Benro and Feisol ballheads, but user comments are much more mixed for those heads and I do not think they tension as nicely as the others discussed here.
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Regards,
Neil
LilKnytt
Veteran Member
Hi Claudio,
I was trying to get a deal on eBay & went through it with Neil. After all things said & done I almost got a set of Gitzos, but lost them last minute. But since they were old style they were heavier.
So after Neil patiently had gone through my list of about 10 + legs, Neil recommended the Feisol CT-3371 Carbon Fiber Tripod. Ordered it from Taiwan on a Thursday night & received them brand new from the factory on Tuesday before noon. I had not ordered the Markins yet even.
So I'm sure you realize that I blew my budget royally. ;-)
Ah well, as far as I know we only live once & I might as well buy one good set at once and not worry about it ever again. I hope.
Lil
NRothschild
Veteran Member
A short explanation. Lil did not want to pop for a CF Gitzo so she was looking at various Gitzso and Bogen aluminum legs, mostly in the 8LB weight range (weight of tripod, not payload).
I suggested the Feisol CT-3371 because it is CF, a 3 section (sturdier than a 4 section all else equal) and it has 37mm diameter legs. These legs are actually sized in the Gitzo 4 series class, which is 37mm diameter legs, and the same as my G1410. The G1410 is an impressively sturdy set of legs, but very long (about 29" folded length, by memory) and heavy at 8.5LB. wihtout a head.
I have never seen these legs, but I have the smaller Feisol monopod and I have played with the smaller Feisol tripod in the field, which uses the same leg construction as my monopod. The smaller Feisol was designed against the Gitzo 2 series. My impression of that tripod is that it is not quite as stiff as my G1228, but at $200 I think it is very good value for the money and I would shoot on those legs with a 70-200 or 300F/4. As a bonus, teh current Feisol tripods (except for their new Explorer knockoff) come with flat plates and I like flat plates as a base for my heads. It's similar to the Gitzo systematic plate and they even havecenter columns and leveling bases you can add to the system.
I have never had a chance to shoot controlled tests with the Feisol legs I worlked with but I was impressed enough to recommendthe Feisol tripod to some friends and acquaintences for tight budget situations because with a Kirk BH-3, you get a very nice set of legs and head for around $500ish.
Now, looking at the CT-3371, those appear to be nice beefy legs and they have metal leg collars, unlike the smaller legs. My thinking is that even if they are not quite up to Gitzo stiffness standards (as I observed with the smaller legs) they are a class above the Gitzo 3 series and there is a good chance that these legs are every bit as good as at least the old 1325. tehy could be better; I don't know. The folded length is a little long, about the same as the 1410, and I think they are about 4.5LB, by memory, so I thought that was an attractive alternative to a used set of Gitzzo or Bogen metal legs that would run 6-8LBs or more. I've also considered them for myself, as a more portable alternative to my G1410, and they are fair money at about $365 delivered.
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Regards,
Neil
I suggested the Feisol CT-3371 because it is CF, a 3 section (sturdier than a 4 section all else equal) and it has 37mm diameter legs. These legs are actually sized in the Gitzo 4 series class, which is 37mm diameter legs, and the same as my G1410. The G1410 is an impressively sturdy set of legs, but very long (about 29" folded length, by memory) and heavy at 8.5LB. wihtout a head.
I have never seen these legs, but I have the smaller Feisol monopod and I have played with the smaller Feisol tripod in the field, which uses the same leg construction as my monopod. The smaller Feisol was designed against the Gitzo 2 series. My impression of that tripod is that it is not quite as stiff as my G1228, but at $200 I think it is very good value for the money and I would shoot on those legs with a 70-200 or 300F/4. As a bonus, teh current Feisol tripods (except for their new Explorer knockoff) come with flat plates and I like flat plates as a base for my heads. It's similar to the Gitzo systematic plate and they even havecenter columns and leveling bases you can add to the system.
I have never had a chance to shoot controlled tests with the Feisol legs I worlked with but I was impressed enough to recommendthe Feisol tripod to some friends and acquaintences for tight budget situations because with a Kirk BH-3, you get a very nice set of legs and head for around $500ish.
Now, looking at the CT-3371, those appear to be nice beefy legs and they have metal leg collars, unlike the smaller legs. My thinking is that even if they are not quite up to Gitzo stiffness standards (as I observed with the smaller legs) they are a class above the Gitzo 3 series and there is a good chance that these legs are every bit as good as at least the old 1325. tehy could be better; I don't know. The folded length is a little long, about the same as the 1410, and I think they are about 4.5LB, by memory, so I thought that was an attractive alternative to a used set of Gitzzo or Bogen metal legs that would run 6-8LBs or more. I've also considered them for myself, as a more portable alternative to my G1410, and they are fair money at about $365 delivered.
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Regards,
Neil
Where did you buy feison on ebay $329?
How do you like these legs? I would be inclined to spend more on the ballhead and a little less for now on the legs and these fieols would be just perfect.
Is there any service support or you are on your own once bought?
Thanks
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ClaudioG
How do you like these legs? I would be inclined to spend more on the ballhead and a little less for now on the legs and these fieols would be just perfect.
Is there any service support or you are on your own once bought?
Thanks
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ClaudioG
Neal I am seriously considering going with the Markins M-20 and the same Feisol tripod Lil got. Gitzo is very nice but a comparable set of legs is no less than $700. Is gitzo worth the extra $350? If you think it makes a big difference I would consider splurging the extra dough otherwise I would be more than happy to go with the feisol.
M-20 $389
PG-50 camera plate $50
PL-70 70-200 plate $50
Feisol 3371 $376 shipped
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Total $856
It should be a more than decent tripod for a reasonable price.
I'd be most interested in your input.
Thanks
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ClaudioG
M-20 $389
PG-50 camera plate $50
PL-70 70-200 plate $50
Feisol 3371 $376 shipped
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Total $856
It should be a more than decent tripod for a reasonable price.
I'd be most interested in your input.
Thanks
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ClaudioG
LilKnytt
Veteran Member
Claudio,
do you want a copy of my shopping list so you know what Neil in the long run advised me to get. I got another plate for the 70-200VR that Neil found for me. Let me know & I'll let you know what plate for the VR lens Neil finally came up with for me.
Lil
What a joke if we end up with the same setup. I can only tell you I like it a lot.
do you want a copy of my shopping list so you know what Neil in the long run advised me to get. I got another plate for the 70-200VR that Neil found for me. Let me know & I'll let you know what plate for the VR lens Neil finally came up with for me.
Lil
What a joke if we end up with the same setup. I can only tell you I like it a lot.
LilKnytt
Veteran Member
No I bought it directly from them in Taiwan & saved $ 10.00 on it through their web site. http://www.feisol.com
I have really nothing to compare with. But I know I feel they're sturdy. I spread the legs only to the first spread. I placed both my hands on the top & pushed up, I'm an ex gymnast. The legs did not move with my 120lbs weight. It's not much of a test, but I felt comfortable enough to do that.
Then after the M20 showed up I put on the ball head & put on the camera plate, added my 70-200VR lens & made the Feisol & M20 balance it off the camera. This is the key, off the camera, not off the foot on the lens. It was rock steady.
I've ordered other plates for my lenses based upon Neil's recommendations. If you want to know what I ordered all you need to do is let me know.
It comes with warranty papers & included is the bag to carry them in. No use in buying those extra on eBay for $ 50.00
Glad to help Claudio. I'm happy with what I've bought & I'm fussy with these things.
Lil
LilKnytt
Veteran Member
Hi again Caludio
Ok here is my list that I went over with Neil.
Feisol ordered from Taiwan from their website. Includes bag & cost $ 10.00 less than on eBay. With shipping $ 365 I believe
Then I got from Markins USA
M20L I was suggested the L which is supposed to be for left handed people, but it frees up your right hand for the camera & you can use the left hand for tightening things. Very nifty I must say.
I don't know for sure which Nikon you've got. I have the D200 so I ordered the Markins Camera Plate P200U for 49.99
With two day shipping that came to a total of $ 463.98
Then from Wimberly's web site I got.
For the 70-200VR Neil recommended the
Wimberly P-20
3.86" (70-200VR) $ 52.00
&
Extra screw SW100
for Wimberly $ 1.00
I don't know what other lenses you may need extras for, but based upon what I know this is what my list looked like. I got another plate for my 300mm f/4, but that's a different story.
Hope this helps
Lil
LilKnytt
Veteran Member
Please forgive it simply pressing the keys in the wrong order, but oh so rude.... Not intentional.
Lil
Lil
yatesd399606
Leading Member
Induro might be another viable alternative since it has the latest features, is officially supported in the US, and readily available.
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/accessories/indiro413.shtml
My setup is strictly a lightweight setup, but I think you may find this thread I started helpful:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1034&message=22674983
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Doug
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/accessories/indiro413.shtml
My setup is strictly a lightweight setup, but I think you may find this thread I started helpful:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1034&message=22674983
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Doug
NRothschild
Veteran Member
I haven't required any sevice on my monopod. I've seen many comments here over the years about the great after sale support from Feisol. All the comments were along the lines of emailing them with a problem and having a part shipped out express mail (free of charge). They might want an emailed image of the broken part, for verification or identification, but never seen anyone say that they had to send broken parts back first. A search on "Feisol service" ought to turn up some.
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Regards,
Neil
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Regards,
Neil
NRothschild
Veteran Member
Just to be clear, I suggested the M10L because that has the drop slot to the left with the controls facing you. Since you ordered a standard camera plate (not an L bracket), you want the drop on the left.
I personally use R models (with L brackets on my bodies), but that is a personal preference based on the way I use it, especially with a sidekick I like the drop on the right and generally like the layout of the main knob facing me with the pan lock just to the left of the main knob. But that is a complcated story.
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Regards,
Neil
I personally use R models (with L brackets on my bodies), but that is a personal preference based on the way I use it, especially with a sidekick I like the drop on the right and generally like the layout of the main knob facing me with the pan lock just to the left of the main knob. But that is a complcated story.
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Regards,
Neil
hawkmanva
Forum Enthusiast
In order to get the max use out of the ball head (meaning using the max weight it can handle) you would also need a tripod that can handle that weight too, right? For example the 2530 has a max weight of 26.4 pounds, so either with the BH-55 or the Markins you would never even come close to being able to use the ball head's max weight of 99 and 50 respectively.
Is my assumption correct?
Is my assumption correct?
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