View Full Version : Tripods and (ball)heads
I'm looking for a good tripod and ballhead for a reasonably price.
Please tell me what do you use and how good (or bad) it is.
For the ballhead, I think that the acratech GV2 is what I'd like to have, but it's too expensive and I might not get it right now, so do you have any other suggestions for something cheaper but yet good enough?
...I said cheaper, not cheap - I'm not looking for something cheap to put my camera on. For other stuff like off camera lighting or lens hood I wouldn't mind go cheap, but I'm not putting my camera on a cheap tripod/head.
Is there anyone here who uses something other than ballhead?
Also, if someone here have some used tripod/ballhead and would like to sell it, let me know. Again, only high-end gear, if I buy used to save money, I'd go for good stuff and not cheap stuff - think acratech/manfrotto style.
Feanor
07-07-2009, 02:35 PM
I had a similar thread running a while ago which got some excellent replies, especially from George Slusher. You can find it here http://community.the-digital-picture.com/forums/t/620.aspx .
I have since bought the Feisol 3372 with CB-50 ballhead and can't recommend it more. I'm convinced it's the best value for money option available. I intend on doing a thorough review thread at some point but haven't had the time.
Looks nice, but it's a $500 tripod - I could buy a new Gitzo tripod for the same price.
Feanor
07-07-2009, 06:58 PM
I thought the good Gitzos were much more than that, especially including head - and besides, I believe Gitzos are much heavier.
It's hard to know what to advise though as you've not put a figure on your budget - on the one hand you don't want to spend too much, on the other hand you say you don't mind investing on good kit. :)
I will not give a budget since this is not one of those threads...
What I was looking for was to hear your thoughts and personal experience with different gear.
Sean Setters
07-07-2009, 07:12 PM
I looked into the Feisol CB-50 ballhead he was talking about, and it looks like a very good ballhead for the money.
Mark Elberson
07-07-2009, 07:44 PM
Where do you buy Feisol products? I could not find them at either B&H or Adorama.
Sean Setters
07-07-2009, 08:02 PM
Where do you buy Feisol products? I could not find them at either B&H or Adorama.
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Straight from the manufacturer ("http://www.feisol.net/feisol-ball-head-cb50d-with-release-plate-qp144750-p-9.html). ;-)
Hey Feanor and thanks for the help. Does the CB-50D ballhead in Sean's link come with the quick release clamp included? (it seem like it does but I just want to make sure).
Mark Elberson
07-08-2009, 10:05 AM
Feanor,
A few questions:
1) How is panning with the CB-50 head? Do you need to add the PB-70 panning base or can it be done without it?
2) What about the quick release? Is it strictly proprietary or can you use an Arca-Type Quick Release Adapter?
No one here use tripods? [^o)]
Dumien
07-10-2009, 06:54 AM
I do, but mine is cheap as hell. But it does its jobquite well, at least for what I use it. It's the Manfrotto 718B with head included.
It's not that good for panning, but when I have to do somthing like that I just keep the 3 legs closed together and use it as a monopod ^^
it's light and steady enough for me...and for $74 it was a great deal hahaha
Feanor
07-11-2009, 04:34 AM
Hey Feanor and thanks for the help. Does the CB-50D ballhead in Sean's link come with the quick release clamp included? (it seem like it does but I just want to make sure).
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It goes come with quick release plate - I nearly made that mistake myself, it's not that obvious from their website!
Feanor,
A few questions:
1) How is panning with the CB-50 head? Do you need to add the PB-70 panning base or can it be done without it?
2) What about the quick release? Is it strictly proprietary or can you use an Arca-Type Quick Release Adapter?
1) I've only had the tripod a few weeks and haven't had to pan with it and, althought I've done a lot of research before buying, I must admit to having no real-world experience with other tripods so can't really compare. But the CB-50 has a panning base integrated that looks pretty much exactly like the PB-70. It's beautifully smooth and can be easily locked.
2) I'm not sure, I'm using the Feisol plate. When I get round to doing my review I'll put a link to it on here - I think the photos I've already taken should answer your question.
If you're looking at the Tournament Class tripods, which are the ones I'd recommend, you are unlikely to need a center column (depending on your height of course). I'm 6'2" and fully extended with CB-50 my 3372 brings the camera up to nose level, which is fine. I've not yet used the center column in anger but only expect to need it on the odd occasion when I'm wanting to angle the camera upwards. You also don't need the Horizontal Adaptor to take photos in portrait - the CB-50 will do that. The Horizontal Adaptor is only really any use for macro.
Feanor, thanks for the help. Note that quick release plate and qucik release clamp are 2 different things - you mount the release clamp to the top of your ballhead, and you mount the release plate to the bottom of your camera, after doing that, you can easily put the camera on your tripod quickly by attaching the release plate to the release clamp. I'm sure you know all that but again, I'm just making sure since most ballheads don't come with a quick release plate nor with quick release clamp. So, are you telling me that the Feisol comes with BOTH the plate and the clamp included?
Feanor
07-12-2009, 01:55 PM
Oren - as an engineer myself I'd be worried if I got the two terms muddled up! ;) It does indeed come with both clamp and plate.
I have however since realised that I made a mistake above - it's the 3342 tripod I've bought, not sure why I kept writing 3372.
If anyone is interested I've just completed my own review ("http://www.talkaudio.co.uk/vbb/showthread.php?t=297485)of the 3342.
Hey Feanor and thanks for the help. Does the CB-50D ballhead in Sean's link come with the quick release clamp included? (it seem like it does but I just want to make sure).
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It goes come with quick release plate - I nearly made that mistake myself, it's not that obvious from their website!
Feanor,
A few questions:
1) How is panning with the CB-50 head? Do you need to add the PB-70 panning base or can it be done without it?
2) What about the quick release? Is it strictly proprietary or can you use an Arca-Type Quick Release Adapter?
2) I'm not sure, I'm using the Feisol plate. When I get round to doing my review I'll put a link to it on here - I think the photos I've already taken should answer your question.
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FYI, Arca/Wimberly/Kirk plates should work on the Feisol clamp if Feisol is reporting their plate base dimensions accurately (should be only 1mm or so difference between plate widths and only a small difference between groove angle). If not, just replace the Feisol clamp with one from Kirk (2 or 2.5 inch will be fine and won't break the bank).
Feanor, IAMB and anyone else - thanks guys [;)]