Types of tripod head etc

munge

munge

munge

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So I need to replace my girlfriend in my life until I get a new one and as I live in stunning countryside, I thought I'd try and get into proper landscape photography and take advantage of it.

I am however bewildered by the variety of different tripods and tripod heads around. I'm looking or a lightweight carbon fibre tripod, but more I'm struggling to work out which head I need. It would only be for landscape/sky/macro photography, not sport or birding (though I understand you can get tripods that can double as monopods?)

What sort of head should I be looking at and anyone recommend a particular one in that style? Budget is anywhere upto £300-400 for both.

Cheers!
 
Ball-heads are best for photography, you can rapidly rotate the camera, compose, and lock everything down in a fluid motion. Best to use a system with arca-style quick release plates for the camera and also for each of the longer lenses so you can quickly attach and release etc.

I use a Really right stuff BH-55 and it is fantastic but probably over budget. The BH-40 is a good size for most tasks. Also look at Martins, Kirk etc.
 
I'd suggest looking at a geared head like the Manfrotto 410 Junior which is around £140. Great for landscape work as you can "unlock" the head to get a rough set-up but then get very precise adjustment to fine tune things. The 410 isn't light at 1.2kg though but it's very nice to work with.
 
So I'm basically looking at a ball head then? I guess I should be looking at sending in the region of £100 for something reasonable, or should I be expecting to pay a bit more? Buy cheap, buy twice and all that!
 
And didn't realise just how many tripods there were out there! Loks like toss up between Manfrotto 190 series and 055 series, though its hard to get a feel for them on a screen! Although I then start looking at Gitzo and everything else and the picture suddenly gets so murky.
 
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Cheap, sturdy, light.

Pick any 2....

Assuming you want a functional tripod you have to make the trade off between a lightweight carbon fibre tripod like a Gitzo 35 series, or a heavier steel tripod that will be sturdy but heavy.
 
D.P. said:
Cheap, sturdy, light.

Pick any 2....

Assuming you want a functional tripod you have to make the trade off between a lightweight carbon fibre tripod like a Gitzo 35 series, or a heavier steel tripod that will be sturdy but heavy.
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Buy cheap and buy twice... Particularly when just spent £3500 on new gear to attach to it!

Am wanting something not too heavy that I can travel with, hence carbon fibre and don't mind paying couple hundred pounds for it. Hopefully will last 10-15 years at least. Reminds me of spending £20 on speaker cable for my expensive surround sound system.

Probably end up with something like Manfrotto 055 or 190 series, or Gitzo Basalt type, though always difficult when they are all so similar. And ball head it will be too by the sounds of it. BH-40 looks fantastic but like you say, probably more than I need at the moment!
 
#Chri5# said:
I'd suggest looking at a geared head like the Manfrotto 410 Junior which is around £140. Great for landscape work as you can "unlock" the head to get a rough set-up but then get very precise adjustment to fine tune things. The 410 isn't light at 1.2kg though but it's very nice to work with.
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Another vote for a geared head like the 410. Amazingly precise with no fear of droop.
I have an Acratech ball head which costs a bomb and the small amount of droop even on that head can be really frustrating.
 
munge said:
Probably end up with something like Manfrotto 055 or 190 series, or Gitzo Basalt type, though always difficult when they are all so similar. And ball head it will be too by the sounds of it. BH-40 looks fantastic but like you say, probably more than I need at the moment!
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Had my 190CX3 since 2009 iirc, it's spot on, little 'light' when placed in the sea, but weigh it down with your backpack and all is good.

Cracking tripod and easy to carry up hills etc.
 
How much benefit does 4 section have (or not) over 3 section tripods?

I take it its more about compactability than anything else?
 
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munge said:
How much benefit does 4 section have (or not) over 3 section tripods?

I take it its more about compactability than anything else?
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4 sections are less stable than 3 sections, always go 3 sections if you can.

Tripods are only as strong as the weakest point, which on the 4 section tripods is the thin walls of the 4th section.


The only advantage of a 4 section tripod is really for travel but I have no problems carrying my 3 section Gitzo 3531S in a solid suitcase.
 
Okay, just ordered Manfrotto 190 carbon fibre 3 section and the Junior geared head. Looking forward to using it now!

Can finally dispose of my £30 plastic one that was just awful!
 
I use my cheap tripods that knowledgeable friends/family gave as presents to hold up a flash and also for my tomatoes!
 
D.P. said:
I use my cheap tripods that knowledgeable friends/family gave as presents to hold up a flash and also for my tomatoes!
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Good thinking! Picturing tripods and tomatoes, brilliant! You've gotta have a picture somewhere, surely?
 
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