tripods, monopods and heads .. help please

413x · 10 May 2014 at 21:29

the cheapo tripod i have will not cut it with my 120-300 and it was only a free stop gap anyway

a while ago i had a thread about tripods and decided (although have not bought) on

giottos tripod due to the center column being able to angle down towards the ground for macro. i havent seen anything where the centre column goes past parallel in regards to the ground

i have looked at a few monopods and prices seem to generally range from dirt cheap to 100ish where reasonable.
i have just come across this..
Manfrotto 685B.. which has no latches and just drops to height and locks. reviews seem positive im not sure how much of an advantage this is? other i was looking at was
Sirui P-326 Carbon Monopod which is much lighter at 440 g but twist locks for legs

heads i dont really have a clue on. ball heads seem popular but i cannot

so i was looking at
Manfrotto 685B monopod or Sirui P-326 Carbon
giottos ytl range in either carbon or aluminium
maybe a ball head

FYI im 6ft

giottos

surui

manfrotto

V-Spec · 10 May 2014 at 22:32

Regarding tripods, any of the ones you pick that meet the load requirements will be fine - carbon fibre ones are generally nicer because they're stiffer, with a heavy lens like the 120-300, it'll wobble around much less, but carbon is more expensive, buy the best you can imo.

But as an experienced user of large heavy telephoto lenses, I can say that the head will probably be the most important part. Your 120-300 is a heavy lens, my own previous experience with a 300 F2.8 (slightly lighter) was a nightmare with cheap ball heads, the damn thing would move all over the place - was a nightmare to adjust with the lens mounted, and had a tendency to move by itself.

There's a company called "3 legged thing" which has recently released some decent ballheads, they use a sturdy wimberley plate style fitting, rather than the flimsier types used by manfrotto, you can get one for around £120.

You might be suprised by the cost of a decent tripod/head, but when you're mouting £3k+ worth of kit - you want it to be right.

Amp34 · 11 May 2014 at 00:54

I use the manfrotto mini ball head with my 120-300 when travelling, along with a manfrotto 190 CX (non pro, so you can remove the centre column)... It's not perfect but it handles the lens well with few issues. It can be a bit wobbly when you start stacking teleconverters though!

Big question with tripods is what do you plan on doing with it? Are you planning on shooting static around your garden, close distances to a car or using it on longer distance walks? Unless you're specifically planning on shooting then it makes a big difference on size and weight of tripod... The best one is not the sturdier, it's the one you have with you. That's the reason my 055Pro is my least used tripod! If you do want portability then you may have to consider some compromises, fore example I shoot on the 190CX without the centre column which means its certainly not eye height at full extension (over 6ft), it is however much more stable than similar tripods of the same weight (including the Three legged thing tripods, I tried them side by side in the shop).

A nice gimbal head would be great for this lens but again the weight and size thing comes in to play, one of the reasons I mostly use the mini ball head.

Personally I never "got" monopods, mine sits in the back of my cupboard. I found it did little stability wise if you were strong enough to hold the lens anyway and just made it more awkward to use. I can see the use in sport and other static shoots where a bit more mobility than a tripod is wanted and the lens needs to be held up for 40 minutes at a time but for wildlife... Personal preference though.

D.P. · 11 May 2014 at 02:35

I have a Gitzo 3530S with a really right stuff bh-55 ball head.
It is not cheap, at all, but it is faultless and makes most tripods look like cheap plastic toy. I spent years looking for a good tripod and head, tested dozens in shops and most were disappointing, or ended up very heavy. Now adays there are more tripod options, and in general the tripods is easier to to find, especially if you don't care about weight and go for a solid steel setup. Good heads are few and far between. Really right stuff make the best, but others are good (martins etc). For big lenses you might want to look at gimbal head like wimberly.

Amp34 raises a valid point about tripod weight and having a lighter tripod to take with you. My perspective is that if you take a big heavy lens that deserves a solid tripod then you don't mind taking a heavier tripod. If the weight of the tripod is off putting then simply take a lighter lens setup (70-300mm etc). You will get better results from a lighter lens setup that is easily hand held or supported by a light tripod than a big heavy lens with inadequate support. Now carbon fibre tripod from a good manufacture allow you to go lighter and maintain the same support, but you pay more.

As a warning., There are plenty of cheap Chinese carbon fibre knock offs out there but they vary in quality and are normally cheaper for a reason althought hey here are the odd bargain. Carbon fibre itself Aries. Assiveicely in quality and strength, the most expensive have isomorphic all multi-dimensional high-ply count inter-weaves. Cheap carbon fibre is horrible nasty stuff that is easily broken. And even when decent CF is used there is a lot of important design in making stable tripods, many cheap onces will use a thinner CF weave, or have a smaller diameter tube. Making a connection between CF and metal links can cause issues as well. Saying that there are some cheaper cf tripods out there that are fairly good and are so much cheaper than a Gitzo that they can be good enough.

Lastly, a good tripod and ball head will outlast several cameras and lens upgrades and never really get outdated. It is the best investment you can make in photography. A good camera is quickly outdated with new sensors or better AF, good lenses last longer, 10 years or more, but you get sharper lenses, new features like better AF, new IS/VR, better focal ranges (the 35-50 went to 35-60, to 28-70 to 24-70, maybe 24-85 with IS next?. Tripods, they don't change much. Carbon fibre came, at a price, not much on the horizon though.

mrk · 11 May 2014 at 02:59

Can't see myself needing something beefier than the Velbon Rexi-L and Calumet 7049 Pro ball head. Will be good even if I get a long tele in the future if needs require.

The combined price for both was very competitive as well for the kind of features on offer.

Hunders · 11 May 2014 at 10:58

I have a Giottos carbon fibre tripod like the one pictured and is very sturdy and serves is purpose well. However, since downsizing to a Fuji I have been considering selling it and getting something smaller.

413x · 11 May 2014 at 13:02

^good to see someone with one of the tripods im looking at thinking its ok

i have had a look at some of those wimberly heads. very nice design but probably a little to much for me! I really liked the arm similar to a telescope arm).

The tripod will likely be a general purpose job. I would love to start going to motorsport events with the sigma lens. the hardest task. it will also probably be used at more static wild life places. also architecture (ie within buildings) with my UWA 10-22mm)

the monopod i dont know except for the obvious of wildlife walking. i also suspect it would be very useful in museums and at the zoo. especially where i cant faff with a tripod or it blocks walkways. I may well get more use out of the mono.

any views on the monopod i linked?

ball head.. i knew this would be the hardest part, looked at 3LT .. substantial weight support in quite light package. Seen a manfrotto 468rc2 is popular too as well as much pricier options than these

413x · 11 May 2014 at 22:13

Have been looking at gimbal heads

There are a couple of reasonable options
Manfrotto 393
Lensmaster gh2
These are about 100 pounds

For the tripod I'm likely going for a carbon Giottos (simply due to the macro perk)
I'll go carbon as it helps with weight

For the monopod probably the one linked by manfrotto

I'm not sure whether to get the mono or tripod first however. These are not absolute decisions and I will still need a ball head for the lighter lenses but now will not need the weight requirements

Reasonable plan?

Tysonator · 12 May 2014 at 11:20

Amp34 said:
I use the manfrotto mini ball head with my 120-300 when travelling, along with a manfrotto 190 CX (non pro, so you can remove the centre column)... It's not perfect but it handles the lens well with few issues. It can be a bit wobbly when you start stacking teleconverters though!

Big question with tripods is what do you plan on doing with it? Are you planning on shooting static around your garden, close distances to a car or using it on longer distance walks? Unless you're specifically planning on shooting then it makes a big difference on size and weight of tripod... The best one is not the sturdier, it's the one you have with you. That's the reason my 055Pro is my least used tripod! If you do want portability then you may have to consider some compromises, fore example I shoot on the 190CX without the centre column which means its certainly not eye height at full extension (over 6ft), it is however much more stable than similar tripods of the same weight (including the Three legged thing tripods, I tried them side by side in the shop).

A nice gimbal head would be great for this lens but again the weight and size thing comes in to play, one of the reasons I mostly use the mini ball head.

Personally I never "got" monopods, mine sits in the back of my cupboard. I found it did little stability wise if you were strong enough to hold the lens anyway and just made it more awkward to use. I can see the use in sport and other static shoots where a bit more mobility than a tripod is wanted and the lens needs to be held up for 40 minutes at a time but for wildlife... Personal preference though.

I agree, the tripod head is the most important. I use a decent 3 handle manfrotto head on a light compact Slik tripod. Some times I do mount my tele 70-300 lens and the tripod head copes well with the DLSR and the lens.

In the future I will treat my self to a carbon fibre tripod !

413x · 12 May 2014 at 20:31

any benefit in pan/tilt head over a ball? Some say the finesse of being able to micro control one axis is useful but can be annoying?

To be clear i may well get this for big lens.

D.P. · 12 May 2014 at 21:57

For a big lens a gimbal head (as pictured) is much better than either a pan-tilt or ball head because it makes the lens effectively weightless so you can move around with ease.

For general photography a ball head is best, you can control all dimensions in a single fluid movement making it much faster and easier. Even with a ball head you normally have an independent pan control if desired.Basically, with a ball head you can photograph something bottom left, with a quick action photograph something top right with a single movement.With a pan tilt you have to control the pan, then the tilt, locking both independently. Also pan-tilts tend not to have control over the friction so it can be very hard to set an accurate position.
When more control is desired you probably want something dedicated like a panoramic head so you can rotate the lens around its nodal point, or macro rails so you can accurately focus manually. Pan-tilt heads don't help with any accuracy there.

The only advantage a pan-tilt head has is that you can tilt while not panning, something that is more or less useful for stills photography but can have some use in video. And video is generally where pan-tilt heads are used because it is common to want to film a scene panning the camera while keeping the other dimension fixed, or tilting. But as I said, a ball head also allows panning with the ball locked.

413x · 12 May 2014 at 22:37

Ill try a ball to start with then. manfrotto looks quite popular (especially with now not needing the weight support and having panning). These are things that are tricky to gauge due to not really personally know the pros and cons.

The gimbals do look very easy and balanced. so ill grab one

I saw pan and tilt were advised for video. not something im fussed with atm

And · 13 May 2014 at 07:24

Looking at your gear I'd spend a little more and go Gitzo 3-series CF for the tripod/monopod and for a gimbal Wimberley Sidekick or Mongoose.

413x · 13 May 2014 at 13:42

And said:
Looking at your gear I'd spend a little more and go Gitzo 3-series CF for the tripod/monopod and for a gimbal Wimberley Sidekick or Mongoose.

Pricy kit!

Tbh I really want a tripod that had the flexible centre column.
Giottos and vanguard seem the likely candidates

D.P. · 13 May 2014 at 14:58

al4x said:
Pricy kit!

Tbh I really want a tripod that had the flexible centre column.
Giottos and vanguard seem the likely candidates

In general you should avoid the center column - reduced stability and adds weight. You want the mass of the camera and lens to sit on the apex of the legs, not extended away on an extra length of column.

If you get a Gitzo Systematic (s series) then you can freely add and remove the center column when desired. It is an extra purchase, I have never found the need, but the option is there.
I really think your lens is screaming out for a Gitzo 35 series, or a really right stuff TVC-33. Try to get something with only 3 sections.

Buy cheap, buy twice really.
Thom Hogan has an excellent article.
http://www.bythom.com/support.htm

Above&Beyond · 13 May 2014 at 18:26

How much money do you have for tripod/monopod and head?

413x · 13 May 2014 at 19:48

im, going to need

gimabal head
ball head
monopod
tripod

im not sure of the total cost for all tbh
but the kit you listed DP seems to come in at 600 minimum for the tripod on its own. That is quite a chunk.

its like the wimberly heads, they are about 3-4x the cost on the lensmaster

i had thought i prior i could do

200-300 for tripod
100-200 for each head
100 ish for monopod

Above&Beyond · 13 May 2014 at 20:08

Have a look at the Redsnapper site there is no real need for your requirements to spend £600 on a Gitzo.

413x · 14 May 2014 at 22:04

i may go to aluminium for the tripod now, its less than half the price. quite a lot less. The weight difference is negligible
im going to skip the standard head for now as i really cant pick one out!
i know the monopod i will be getting for definite
im getting a lensmaster gimbal style head not sure in version 1 or 2

so trying to decide between monopod and tripod for now + gimbal head

413x · 25 May 2014 at 16:33

i think i am going to buy my monopod and gimbal head first

i already have a (very) basic tripod i got given that i can use for anything indoors for now
this obviously cannot support my long lens. The tripod is one of those cheap ones that has a pan-tilt permanently fixed head

i think i will go this route also as its summer and walks/zoo trips etc where i cant just stop and fiddle about with a tripod

seeing as this will be primarily for the long lens i will be getting either a half or full gimabl head - not sure which brand
i have already decided on the monopod