Need a tri-pod recommendation

[mchorvat]

Here's what I am looking for:


Independent legs;


Ball mount included;


Able to hold a 5D and a telephoto macro lens and not shake;


Leveling indicators a plus;


Quick release bracket also a plus


Between $200-300.

[Brendan7]

For a tripod in your price range, I suggest the Bogen-Manftotto 055XPROB. It's built especially for macro work, with a multipurpose center column. It'll easily support any non-supertelephoto lens you could put on it. It's rated to 15.4lbs and costs about $170. I have a 300 f/4 which weighs 1lb more than any macro lens and the XPROB holds it just fine. While you can buy it with head included, I suggest saving some extra money and buying a professional-quality head such as the Acratech GV2 or Really Right Stuff BH-55. This will push your budget, but I think you won't regret it.


my 2¢ [I]


brendan

[mchorvat]

Cool. I'll take a look at those items. Just to be sure, I have two lens that might be a weight issue: 70-200 IS L f2.8, 180 macro L f3.5. I think the macro is less than the 300mm f 4, but the 70-200 f2.8 is close to 60oz.

[Brendan7]

Cool. I'll take a look at those items. Just to be sure, I have two lens that might be a weight issue: 70-200 IS L f2.8, 180 macro L f3.5. I think the macro is less than the 300mm f 4, but the 70-200 f2.8 is close to 60oz.

That'll be fine, don't worry. The 70-200 weighs 3.2 pounds. The XPROB will hold it fine. Using the 180 macro in horizontal column mode should be a synch. One last piece of advice is to go with either Manfrotto or Gitzo (the XPROB is Manfrotto). Chinese brands such as Benro and Induro offer cheaper "imitations" of their European counterparts. If you are looking at these you'd be better off with a Gitzo. Another chinese brand, Giottos, offers some nice quality innovations in camera support. I personally like their stuff. But whatever you buy, just buy quality. In my opinion, if you're supporting $3000 of gear it's stupid to use a half-decent tripod, buy right the first time around. I think the XPROB will suit your needs just fine.


good luck!


brendan

[scalesusa]

I sold off my 15 lb rated Manfroto tripods, they were not nearly stable enough, and bought a Benro 438C. No comparison, the Benro is rock solid and a bargain for the price. It is heavy, but it works smoothly and holds anything I can throw at it. The Benro tripod heads were crap though and I now have a Kirk.


It is not as nice as a Gitzo, but I got mine at B&H for low $$ before they sold out.

[Brendan7]

Cool. I'll take a look at those items. Just to be sure, I have two lens that might be a weight issue: 70-200 IS L f2.8, 180 macro L f3.5. I think the macro is less than the 300mm f 4, but the 70-200 f2.8 is close to 60oz.

That'll be fine, don't worry. The 70-200 weighs 3.2 pounds. The XPROB will hold it fine. Using the 180 macro in horizontal column mode should be a synch. One last piece of advice is to go with either Manfrotto or Gitzo (the XPROB is Manfrotto). Chinese brands such as Benro and Induro offer cheaper "imitations" of their European counterparts.These come with a quality decrease, though and I would avoid them.Giottos (another Chinese brand) is an exception, they offer quality designs.In my opinion, if you're supporting $3000 of gear it's stupid to use a half-decent tripod, buy right the first time around. I think the XPROB will suit your needs just fine.


good luck!


brendan

[Superman]

I bought a giottos for the legs and so far I'm thrilled with it. As for the head, i've been told by more than one individual whose opinions I trust - if you have to spend more on part more than the other, it makes more sense to put your money on the head. So I would go with Manfrotto (which I did) or if you can really spend the bucks, go with a acratech or really right stuff.


Clark

[mchorvat]

Thanks for the input. I went with theManfrotto tri and theAcratech ball head. So far they are totally fab!


Now, if I can just get that lint out my view finder I'll be set!