Help me choose a tripod.

Messiah Khan · 24 Apr 2007 at 15:30

Right, im just doing my research on tripods for when payday comes.

Ive decided to do reseach properly so that whicevre tripod I choose will last me for a long time. Initially I was going to go for the Velbon Ultra-Maxi-SF due to its exceptional weight, and low minimum height. However im now wondering if this would be a little shortsighted, and that I would be wiser getting something a bit heavier, but sturdier. Weight is still an issue, as I don't want to be lugging some 8kg studio tripod around with me, but the most important feature is the minimum head height. I intend to do a lot of macro work, so I ideally need to get 20cm or lower.

Ive also been looking at heads, and im wondering if it would be worth getting a separate head. The ones I like the look of are;

Slik AF2100 Grip-Action Ball Head
Slik AF1100e Grip-Action Ball Head
Manfrotto 322RC2 Grip Action Ball Head

I like them due to the grip action. Anyone used one of these? How good are they? Any other alternatives? I think im looking at a maximum of about £150 for the full tripod/head, with definately no more then £200, but obviously the cheaper the better. So essentially im looking for a tripod that is; Light, low minimum heing, but able to go up to normal height, quick and easy to set up, and with a quick release head. Any suggestions or ideas?

Raymond Lin · 24 Apr 2007 at 16:03

Manfrotto 055 Pro for legs

Head is up to you, ball or P&T.

Shoei · 24 Apr 2007 at 17:21

Ive got 055Pro legs and a 488RC04 head. Its around 6 ft to the top of the 488 when every thing is extened on the tripod.
I went for the 488 ball head since it has seperate pan control, some of the other ball heads dont do independant panning.
Total was around £200, that included a carry strap as well.

rpstewart · 24 Apr 2007 at 17:32

messiah khan said:
Manfrotto 322RC2 Grip Action Ball Head

I like them due to the grip action. Anyone used one of these? How good are they?

I use one of those on a set of Manfrotto legs. It's pretty easy to use although you do need to be steady and gentle letting the grip go or the camera will droop a touch as the ball firms up. I've no idea if this is any more difficult to deal with than a normal ball head though.

konicky · 24 Apr 2007 at 17:59

190MF4 + 486RC2

The 322 is expensive, I'd save £40 and get the 486RC2 head and spend the extra on the legs. I got the Manfrotto 190MF4 and love it. Light and small enough to fit in my backpack, goes low to the ground too.

Sol · 24 Apr 2007 at 19:08

Ah the usual cries of Manfrotto Pro 090 or 055. Velbon make some tripods that are equal build imo and sometimes better value.

I have a Velbon Sherpa PRO CF-631EL, very nicely built...expensive though. I use a Manfrotto 486 RC2 head. Save and get a good one if you can wait, otherwise you'll just end up buying two.

Shoei · 24 Apr 2007 at 19:11

Sol said:
Ah the usual cries of Manfrotto Pro 090 or 055. Velbon make some tripods that are equal build imo and sometimes better value.

I have a Velbon Sherpa PRO CF-631EL, very nicely built...expensive though. I use a Manfrotto 486 RC2 head. Save and get a good one if you can wait, otherwise you'll just end up buying two.

thats the argument Thom Hogan uses, buy a good one now or end up spending lots buying several different tripods.
Compared to my cheap and cheerfull cobra tripod that wobbles like a half set jelly, the 055 feels like it could with stand a hurricane with out moving!

Messiah Khan · 24 Apr 2007 at 22:26

Thanks a lot guys, that all helped a lot. A combination of the Manfrotto 055ProB and the 322RC2 head look very good. However I also found the; Manfrotto 190XPROB which looks even more tempting. Its lighter then the 055ProB, lower minimum height and the central column can pivot to horizontal. Only downsides over the 055ProB are a lower max height @146cm (although this is sufficient for me I think) and a lower max weight capacity of 5kg. So would a combination of the Manfrotto 190XPROB with the 322RC2 head be good? Topping my budget at £190ish I know, but this setup looks very tempting. Any comments about this setup?

Edit; Just found that combination for £174 which makes it even more tempting.

Raymond Lin · 24 Apr 2007 at 22:40

the 055pro also have removable central column.

Messiah Khan · 24 Apr 2007 at 22:49

Ah, cool didn't notice that. I still like the ligther weight on the 190XPROB. But both look very good;

Code:

Model        Weight  Min height  Max height  Max load  Price
						

055ProB	        2.4	   11        176        7       £110
190XPROB	1.8       8.5        146	5	£100

Raymond Lin · 24 Apr 2007 at 22:52

Here you go, an example.

Messiah Khan · 24 Apr 2007 at 23:10

Thank you.

How well does it fold up? Easy to strap to a bag and carry around all day?