Suggestions for a tripod/ball head? (Maximum bang for Buck)

I'm thinking I'll spending around$300.00-$350.00 for the tripod and ball head.


I'm currently using a <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"]Canon EOS Rebel XSibut, anticipate getting an XXD body, eventually.The largest lens I've got is a <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"]Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 <span style="color: #ff0000; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"]L<span style="color: #000000; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"] USM[/b]and the largest lens I'm ever likely toown is a <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"]Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 <span style="color: #ff0000;"]L<span style="color: #000000; mso-themecolor: text1;"] IS USM[/b]. I'm only 5' 9" so it doesn't have to be extraordinarily tall. Of course I'd prefer carbon but I understand aluminum might have to do.


<span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"]Is it even possible to get a good one in this price range? ...or am I gonna need to increase my budget?


<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"]EDIT: I'mnot interested, at all,in using it for video.

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Originally Posted by Jarhead5811

<span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"]Is it even possible to get a good one in this price range? ...or am I gonna need to increase my budget?

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Though some will disagree, I say increase your budget and buy the very best tripod and and ballhead you can possibly afford. If your willing to spend $1000-1500 for a lens, be willing to do so on a tripod and head.


I have discovered (the hard way), that aluminum transmits visablehigh frequency vibrations to your camera that can be viewed when on live view X10. This will significantly soften your images,regardless of environmental factors such as wind.


When I first got my 100-400L, I was dissapointed in the IQ of my images. I tried everything; Aluminum tripod, mirror lockup, shutter release, Micro focus adjustments--nothing I did produced the coveted "tack sharp image". I even sent the lens back to Canon for adjustment, but even that didn't help. One day, I took the camera off of the aluminum tripod, sat the camera on my kitchen counter top, propped up the lens with a phone book and took a shot out of my back door---Wow, My first "tack sharp" image of a stuffed animal on a saw horse---not Nat Geo worthy, but I was happy. I then tried the same shot on the tripod again, fuzzy. When I went to live view X10, I could actually see the image vibrating---


After a little reading I was convinced that my next purchase was a good CF tripod and Ball Head. A few months later I saved enough to By a Gitzo 3530 and a RRS ball head----Not a single regret, Probably the smartest purchase I have made----But, I did have to postpone my next lens purchase.


Good luck


Bob

http://bythom.com/support.htm

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Originally Posted by Jarhead5811

I'm thinking I'll spending around$300.00-$350.00 for the tripod and ball head....Is it even possible to get a good one in this price range?

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I've been quite pleased with my Manfrotto 190CXPRO4 carbon fiber legs and 488RC2 ball head (the latter has been replaced with the 498RC2). The combo runs around $450, a little less if you get the 3-section legs. I use it with a gripped 7D and 100-400mm lens.

Jarhead....check out Feisol USA; http://www.feisol.net/index.php


I have had the CT-3371 for 3 years now and I have no complaints; carbon fiber for $319 plus a Manfrotto 488RC2 for my 7D and 100-400. I started w/the 40D.


Prepare yourself for lots of input.

I have the Induro CT213 carbon fiber tripod &amp; BHD2 ballhead that I use with my 7d &amp; 100-400mm lens and have no complaints. Both have worked out really well for me but then again I've never used anything else to compare it to.


It will run you about $600 total new but maybe you could find a used set.

Denise

The Giottos carbon legs are a pretty good value in my opinion.


I have a personal preference or Arca type heads, but the Manfrotto heads are pretty solid for the money. I had a 488RC2 for a bit and never had a problem with it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jarhead5811

Is it even possible to get a good one in this price range? ...or am I gonna need to increase my budget?

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Just a random question...how intensive do you think you'll use it? Like daily? Once a week? All the time?


I personally don't use my tripod that often and I use a aluminum tripod and ballhead that I got for free with a magazine. Perhaps not as good as the big brands, but it works perfectly for me. It wouldn't make sense for me to buy an expensive tripod. I use a non-gripped 5D mark 2 with 24-105 most of the time, without a tripod-ring and it works like a charm.



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Originally Posted by bob williams

Though some will disagree, I say increase your budget and buy the very best tripod and and ballhead you can possibly afford. If your willing to spend $1000-1500 for a lens, be willing to do so on a tripod and head.

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I guess I am one [:P] I think your equation is wrong. This way you're implying that you use your tripod just as much as you use your 1000-1500 dollar lenses. But what if you use your tripod with 1/5th of all your shots you take with one lens(which seems an awefull lot for the most of us I think), then a 300-350 dollar budget doesn't sound so wrong to me [:P]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jarhead5811

EDIT: I'mnot interested, at all,in using it for video.

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So basically what you need is a tripod for static shots? Or do you also want to do some tracking? In that case I think some sturdy legs could do fine with a cheaper ballhead?


Jan

The things I use and got for free are:


-Redged RTT-423 studio tripod titanium aloy legs79 euro value


- Redged RT-1 professional ballhead T-series59 euro value


So it comes down to about 140 euro which is comparable to 18- dollars and I'm doing fine with it.


I've also used a 100-400 on it and it worked perfectly for me, but I must say I'm an occasional user, so the die-hard users will definitely disagree with me here I think [;)]


Official Redged site, although I don't think they will deliver in the US, but I'm not sure. I am trying to make a point..
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I doubt I'd use it extensively but not having had a good tripod available it's hard to say for sure.


Last night I was looking around on B&amp;Hs website. I found a set of Manfrotto carbon fibre legs ($300) and a Giottos ball head ($160) that had a good many user reviews, most very positive.


I'll post links when I get home, can't manage it with this phone.

Let me guess, Zoom.nl? ;-)


I'm not going in to specifics here, but getting it right the first place really saves money. Tripods and ball heads don't go out of fashion quickly. Better save up and get some really solid gear.

I really like having tripod legs that can splay right out, enabling you to shoot at ground level. Most of my flower shots are done this way. With some models (like my Gitzo) you need to remove the centre column to do this. It looks like the Manfrotto has a better system where the column can swing out horizontally. If vibrations are a problem, having a hook on the centre column where you can hang a weight (like your camera bag) will usually deal with that.

I know I am going against the CF grain here, but I went with a 055XPROB/322RC2 Manfrotto kit from Adorama for $319.00 and I have been pleased with it. It comes with a spirit level, tripod hanger and a lower-end case. I have not been plagued with any vibration issues, thus far.


Chris

KEH.com has many Induro CF legs in demo, ex and like new condition for under $150

I've got the manfrotto 190xprob and a manfrotto 486RC2 ballhead and have no regrets or complaints. CF would likely be better, but it wasn't in the budget at the time. Besides, carrying the extra weight just helps keep me in better shape [:P]


Stephen