looking for a tripod/head combo under $200my

[Superman]

My heaviest set-up is a T1i with a 70-200 f4 w/1.4 extender. I am looking to spend less than $200. Right now I am leaning towards a Giottos MT9250 Pro Aluminum 4 sec with a Manfrotto 486RC2 Single Release ball head w/RC2 quick release. Not going to do very much macro or anything. Mostly shooting portrait and/or landscape. Best I can get at $200? Bad idea? Other thoughts?


Any help is appreciated


Thanks,


Clark

[Oren]

Not sure that the 190XB is the best choice for your setup, but I'm sure it can handle it - how good? I'm not sure as I said...


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/480279-REG/Manfrotto_190XB_804RC2_190XB_Tripod_Legs_Black_.ht ml

[jks]

Hello,





I myself just got me tripod over the wwekend. It was giottos 9351 it came with a 5011 3way pan head then I got me a seperate giottos ballhead a 1301 with 652 QR plate. all for around $200 maybe e little less. The legs are good from what i can tell. I would suggest you get a 93 series giottos so you can get the horizontal center coulumn you'll nevere when you might need it, and it is really a nice feature. As for the ballhead I would suggest you look at Giottos Ballheads as well. the 1301 is really nice. Really solid once locked in and doesn't need much effort to lock in.


do give them a look. as i am quite happy with my purchase. equip is a gripped xti, 430ex, biggest lens right now is a 70-200 2.8IS

[Brendan7]

You can get a fairly decent tripod (Manfrotto 055XPROB, 055XWNB, etc) for under $200, but I can't recommend getting a good head highly enough. A $400 head and $100 tripod works better than a $400 tripod and $100 head. I know that this would be pushing your price limits to the max, but an Acratech head like the ultimate ballhead or GV2 would be a great investment for you. Again, if you can't afford one now (I can't!), your setup that you are looking at seems pretty good for the budget.In my opinion, it's worth waiting for a better setup, but that's up to you!


good luck [H]


brendan

[Brendan7]

I recommend you read this article. I don't agree with everything here but the main point is valuable.


http://www.bythom.com/support.htm





brendan

[Daniel Browning]

I know video tripods better than still tripods, so I can't say which one is the best under $200. But overall I agree with Brendan. The head is more important than the sticks, and the article by Thom Hogan is good.

[aj1575]

You should also consider other points. You said landscape, will you do a lot of walking, or will you drive your equipment to the locations. If you have to carry it arround, size and weight will also matter a lot, so you might consider a carbon tripod. Velbon has some nice carbon tripods at good prices.


But, as said here before, the head is more important then the tripod. I have a cheap 3-way head, it is okay and holds my equipment very well. But a ballhead would suit me better, and I'm looking around for a nice one. If you are on a tight budget, get yourself agood tripod and a simple 3-way head, and you can later upgrade to a nicer (ball)head. I would not go with a cheap ballhead, since cheap ballheads are not really stable, whilea cheap 3-way head will still work okay.

[Brendan7]

But a ballhead would suit me better, and I'm looking around for a nice one.

You might want to consider the really right stuff bh-55 or an Acratech GP/GV2. The Monoball Z1 IMHO is overpriced.


brendan

[Superman]

Hey everyone,


thanks for the input, I just decided on the tripod yesterday. I went with my initial thought which was the giottos tripod and the manfrotto ball head. The points about the head being more important than sticks was helpful.





My understanding is that Giottos is a chinese brand tripod and they sell kits with their own ball heads. My plan of $200 works if I went this route but I was not very sure about a chinese ball head (not that I have a problem with Chinese, in fact I am Chinese - born in Hong Kong) but I have heard that the best ball heads at any given price point are American or Italian. So I went with the Manfrotto which exceeded my budget by about $20 but I think (especially after what was said about getting a better ball head vs a better set of sticks) it was the right choice. I will usually have a car to get to locales and I could use a bit of a work out anyway so I guess I could live w/o the carbon fiber.





I really like the Acratech products but it is just too much over budget right now. It is something I will seriously consider and save for when I get into heavier setups and have enough dough to go carbon fiber (gitzo I hope) tripod.





Thanks, Clark

[Sheiky]

I will usually have a car to get to locales and I could use a bit of a work out anyway so I guess I could live w/o the carbon fiber.


Thanks, Clark

I'm sure this isn't a problem for superman [:P] As long as it isn't made of Kryptonite you'll be great []


With a great ball head you could always upgrade your tripod when needed. Good luck shooting with your new equipment![8-|]