Tripod Suggestions.

[Jcas]

I have a big birthday coming up (you know those where you go from one decade to the next, and feel 10 years older)

Anyway my dear sister has offered to buy me a tripod for my birthday. I have been reading a bit on tripods, but not enough to know what to get and what to leave alone.

I do varied stuff, landscapes. macro, and general whatever i see photgraphy.

Would like not a top notch one, but not el cheapo either, and something not too heavy to pick up and move a bit with if the need arises.

Can you give me a couple of suggestions for a middle of the road easy to use tripod???

[Philr]

Hey Julie, I have a Manfrotto 804RC2 tripod head and 190xb tripod it is a really really good tripod. Mine was a gift also but I find it is quite light, very stury and durable and most importantly easy and quick to use. I really would have liked a heavier one as I do a lot of storm shots and it does move a lot in the strong winds (even with weights). The head is a basic 3 way pan tilt head. Also I am quite tall and I if it is fully extended i still have to crouch down a bit. I think its only about 180cm tall. But overall good for one of the cheaper manfrotto's (approx $350).

[Buddah]

Mine's basically the same as Phil's. It'll do me! A great bit of kit to have and when you sort out your needs further down the track you can get something more specialised (and generally more expensive) but in the meantime the 'frotto will serve you well.

[enduro]

I have a 804RC2 tripod head and 190XBPRO (updated from the 190XB) tripod, it stands at a max of 142cm +head and gets down to 20cm (8cm without head). Unlike the 190XB, the XBPRO centre column can click from vertical to horizontal with with a button press - the older version required unscrewing an attachment from the bottom of the shaft.

Issues with weight can be solved by attaching you backpack to the provided hook on the 190XBPRO, I am not sure if the earlier verion has that. Either way you can just use a cable wraped around the pods neck for the same purpose.

I got my new version for under $350 locally the other week.

A similar option is the 055 (I think) which stands taller and heavier.

[Buddah]

Sorry, posted to the wrong thread.

[lourdes]

I have a Manfrotto 190xDB +804RC2Head and i like it.

[MarkW]

Julie
Google up all the manufacturers and they will have comparison charts showing the relative features of each of their tripods. Print out the charts and compare manufacturer with manufacturer.

Some things to note:

The better quality manufacturers will sell just a tripod without a head. You select the head you want. The head doesnt need to be the same brand but you need to check the screw thread size (1/4" or 3/8") Sometimes manufacturers do package deals with tripod and head complete.

The lighter the tripod the more flexible it will be. Long lenses need a heavy tripod and a large head capable of taking the weight while extended. Consider what lens you might get in the next few years.

Having people say this tripod is good for me is a waste of bandwidth - you need to do the hard work and investigate this yourself - go to a couple of good camera stores with your camera and your largest lens. Try them out. Jiggle them around to see how much movement there is. Pick them up - remember your going to have to carry this piece of kit to where ever your going to use it. If its too heavy then its just going to be a white elephant.

[enduro]

Julie
Google up all the manufacturers and they will have comparison charts showing the relative features of each of their tripods. Print out the charts and compare manufacturer with manufacturer.

Some things to note:

The better quality manufacturers will sell just a tripod without a head. You select the head you want. The head doesnt need to be the same brand but you need to check the screw thread size (1/4" or 3/8") Sometimes manufacturers do package deals with tripod and head complete.

The lighter the tripod the more flexible it will be. Long lenses need a heavy tripod and a large head capable of taking the weight while extended. Consider what lens you might get in the next few years.

Having people say this tripod is good for me is a waste of bandwidth - you need to do the hard work and investigate this yourself - go to a couple of good camera stores with your camera and your largest lens. Try them out. Jiggle them around to see how much movement there is. Pick them up - remember your going to have to carry this piece of kit to where ever your going to use it. If its too heavy then its just going to be a white elephant.

Agreed with the in shop try out.

I tried my 400mm + 40D + flash unit on the 190XBPRO and its fine for me. I also have Manfrotto Art144 which is a heavy pig of a thing to carry around but only cast $20 from a work disposal tender.

[trigger]

I recommend the frotto 055xprob..... hehehe

Anyway, I started off with a vintage Velbon 1970s tripod used by my dad with his film slr. Ok the thing was stable and solid as a rock but the weight....i kid you not .....4.5kgs.

I ditched the thing and got myself a Slik 713CF tripod. just over 1 Kg with head. However there are compromises as it as $$ and with high winds it wasnt that stable. Also the height was about 1.4m which is not bad, but i am about 180cm so i had to semi bend down all the time to look into the view finder. I got sick of it and tried the 055xPROB and the older CLB models, the height is perfect and i wanted the extra feature of horizontal shooting.

so things that i consider important are.

1. Weight - Willing to carry that extra 2-3kgs?
2. Right height for you?
3. Features