A Tripod Thread (yet again).

[HSK]

Hi Hexus - Was trying to look for a few other threads, they seemed to of vanished.

I have a Modo Maxi, but my kit has way outgrown the 1 KG limit, and it isn't the most stable tripod as it is.

I have a budget of around 200 pound (give or take) to spend on a good tripod and head.

I was looking at:-

Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripod

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/prod...px?sku=1019760
Manfrotto 322RC2 Horizontal Grip Action Ball Head

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/prod...aspx?sku=10912

I'm open to other suggestions and combinations, I would prefer getting a ball head (with a handle), because I quite like the handle/grip on my Modo Maxi.

Should take a minimum, of 3/4kg I guess (a 1/1.5 KG lens, a gripped 5DMK II, and then some)

Any suggestions are much appreciated.

[Bobster]

I have a Slik Pro 700DX

im currently looking at this ball head

as i used my tripod for the first time shooting portraits in the dark the other day, and found it a pain to use the current head i have..

[HSK]

Cheers for that Bob - That head looks quite different/intresting, will check them both out.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I would have a look at the Velbon Sherpa PRO CF-645:

http://www.velbon.co.uk/newvelbon/pages/CF645.html

It is carbon fibre(weighs around 1.5kg) and can support upto 5kg.

SRS Microsystems have it on sale for only £129:

http://www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk/314...mpaign=pid3143

It is usually over £200!

[HSK]

Hmm! I could really do with something light aswell. Thanks, I'll check it out.

[Syd]

I use a manfrotto 190 Tripod, which is very solid, but a little heavy - I recently changed from a pan and tilt head to this one:

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/prod...aspx?sku=10912

And I have been delighted, much easier to use and quick to get into place.

[HSK]

^ Yea, that's the one I been leaning too - seems like it would be quick to manuvure. I had a quick look at it in Jacobs.

[Syd]

^ Yea, that's the one I been leaning too - seems liek it woudl be quick to manuvure. I had a quick look at it in Jacobs.

It is really quick to move and locks in place nicely, it's also relativley light. Warehouse exp was cheapest place I found it - used ones on the bay were going for £80!!!!!!

[this_is_gav]

Redsnapper (again) have a carbon fibre tripod for £140. If it's even half as good as their metal one then you'll struggle to find much better under £200.

Wish I'd noticed it before I got my 055XPROB (which, for the record, is fine for everything I use it for, but it's not the lightest).

[Flibb]

im currently looking at this ball head

as i used my tripod for the first time shooting portraits in the dark the other day

That head rates as my best ebay purchase, paid £8.50 delivered including an slik tripod. Really like the head, especially for under a tenner

[5eb]

Hi Hexus - Was trying to look for a few other threads, they seemed to of vanished.

I have a Modo Maxi, but my kit has way outgrown the 1 KG limit, and it isn't the most stable tripod as it is.

I have a budget of around 200 pound (give or take) to spend on a good tripod and head.

I was looking at:-

Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripod

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/prod...px?sku=1019760
Manfrotto 322RC2 Horizontal Grip Action Ball Head

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/prod...aspx?sku=10912

I'm open to other suggestions and combinations, I would prefer getting a ball head (with a handle), because I quite like the handle/grip on my Modo Maxi.

Should take a minimum, of 3/4kg I guess (a 1/1.5 KG lens, a gripped 5DMK II, and then some)

Any suggestions are much appreciated.

What lens have you got? I guess it's a tele zoom? If you have the 5D MkII you should really hold off until you can get yourself a REALLY solid ballhead. I have a 40D and a 100-400L lens and with a very big and heavy manfrotto ballhead I still have problems keeping it stable.
I'm saving up for a reallyrightstuff BH-55 (I think that's the name of it) or Acratech one. Expensive but they will keep your camera/lens rock solid and still and will last a lifetime.

I have a Gitzo carbon tripod. I bought it used (can't go wrong there - Gitzo lasts forever) and it's worth having a tripod that has an easy release mechanism for the legs. You don't want to have to spend ages getting the legs out and back in for a photo opportunity...

BTW: happy withe the 5D? I'm thinking about it but am worried about the 3.9fps vs. my 6.5fps on the 40D. ...and no integrated GPS is troubling me...what do you think?

[Rave]

I have a Manfrotto 190 and (I think) an 039 three way head (or something like that, not a ball head anyway). Got it through sheer luck- I used to work for Jessops and we bought in secondhand tripods. The only one anyone ever sold us was the 190/039, which happened to be exactly what I wanted. Needless to say it was never offered for resale. Serendipity in action.

Anyway, point of this fairly rambling post is that a 190 is a big and bloody solid tripod. You'd have to be really serious to need an 055 over a 190.

[Bobster]

BTW: happy withe the 5D? I'm thinking about it but am worried about the 3.9fps vs. my 6.5fps on the 40D. ...and no integrated GPS is troubling me...what do you think?

what do you shoot?

if its not sport related you shouldn't really worry about the FPS

if it is sports, look at a MKIII instead

[kopite]

Redsnapper (again) have a carbon fibre tripod for £140. If it's even half as good as their metal one then you'll struggle to find much better under £200.

Wish I'd noticed it before I got my 055XPROB (which, for the record, is fine for everything I use it for, but it's not the lightest).

As Gav said the metal redsnapper is immense and I`ve heard that the Carbon fibre one is even better

For the price its the best tripod on the market and the cs from them is great

[5eb]

what do you shoot?

if its not sport related you shouldn't really worry about the FPS

if it is sports, look at a MKIII instead

I hope people don't mind me hijacking this thread to talk about the 5D, it just sprang to mind when I read that HSK has that one to put on his/her new tripod. Tell me if you want me to start a thread about the 5D...

Bobster: I do do sports sometimes but not predominantly, I just like to be prepared. And it's not just sports that I find the FPS important for. Whenever there is any fast moving object, people or wildlife (birds in flight, cheetahs running...), I find the FPS of great help, to get me that one shot that is right. The AF servo is not great on the 5D but then it isn't on the 40D. So, when I take about 10-15 shots with 6.5fps, my chances are good that I catch a good moment and that that shot is in focus. When I had my 350D the FPS really annoyed me. It was just too slow for these moments. Even portraits I find great with fast fps. It gets people to react to the fast shutter releases, they laugh and smile and I get that one picture where they have their eyes open and smile naturally. Most of the times, the first 4 shots of my portraits look artificial...don't know what your experiences are...

The MkIII is my dream, I wouldn't care about the weight, that camera has everything (except for the GPS and the video...) - I'm just waiting for exchange rates to go into my favour and then maybe maybe I can afford it - in the States or Hongkong...

[Bobster]

i've shot a couple of 1,000 shots with the 5D2 and the AF is pretty good, id say its on par with the 40..

i've not done any action shots with the 5D2 just wedding stuff, and with the 40, only thing moving is the bride coming down the isle with father, so again not pushing the 40's AF abilities, but all worked as advertised..

i can only think its your shooting technique messing up something with the AF?.. ive shot faster than a cheetah with a 20D with a x2 tele and shots came out fine..

but if you are concerned about the AF then the MKIII is the one to have, i know a few togs who shoot fast paced action and they swear by it for the AF accuracy.


which lenses are you using?