Help deciding on next lens

[Richard Lane]

Mpieris,

Thank You!

Manfrotto makes quality tripods and offers some nice features, like the tilting and pivoting center column. The one that Neuro recommended is a nice one and it's reasonably priced for it's quality, as tripods can get very expensive quickly. I'm not a fan of the Manfrotto proprietary quick release below either. I found it a little cumbersome to use. I also think there are better choices than a Manfrotto Head.

Here is an example:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...tem_Quick.html


The way to go is with the more universal, Arca-Swiss style. You will also need to buy a camera body plate. There is the knob release and the lever release.

http://reallyrightstuff.com/Items.as...ampsLR&key=cat

Here are some other quality heads of varying prices:

http://reallyrightstuff.com/Items.aspx?code=BALLHEADS&key=cat

http://www.markinsamerica.com/MA5/category.php?req=1

http://bestballhead.com/list.aspx?cat=100

http://www.kirkphoto.com/Ball-Heads.html



Other reasonably priced ,quality tripod legs and heads are from Feisol:

http://www.feisol.net/feisol-tournament-tripod-ct3442-rapid-p-31.html

I'll be gone for the day, so I'll check back tonight or tomorrow.

Have fun looking,
Rich

[Mpieris]

Mpieris,

Thank You!

Manfrotto makes quality tripods and offers some nice features, like the tilting and pivoting center column. The one that Neuro recommended is a nice one and it's reasonably priced for it's quality, as tripods can get very expensive quickly. I'm not a fan of the Manfrotto proprietary quick release below either. I found it a little cumbersome to use. I also think there are better choices than a Manfrotto Head.

Here is an example:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...tem_Quick.html


The way to go is with the more universal, Arca-Swiss style. You will also need to buy a camera body plate. There is the knob release and the lever release.

http://reallyrightstuff.com/Items.as...ampsLR&key=cat

Here are some other quality heads of varying prices:

http://reallyrightstuff.com/Items.aspx?code=BALLHEADS&key=cat

http://www.markinsamerica.com/MA5/category.php?req=1

http://bestballhead.com/list.aspx?cat=100

http://www.kirkphoto.com/Ball-Heads.html



Other reasonably priced ,quality tripod legs and heads are from Feisol:

http://www.feisol.net/feisol-tournament-tripod-ct3442-rapid-p-31.html

I'll be gone for the day, so I'll check back tonight or tomorrow.

Have fun looking,
Rich

It's taking me a while to research the right tripod, head, and clamp options for my needs. Rich, do you or anyone else have any experience with Feisol (tripod and/or head) or Best Ballhead? I checked B&H and Amazon, but couldn't find any user reviews on any of the products. For Feisol, I think any of the 3301, 3401, or 3402 legs look to meet the specs I'm looking for. It also fits within my original budget (although I'd still spend more to avoid a piece of junk that I'd have to replace in a year or two. From a ballhead perspective, the CB-40 looks like it would be ok. The main hesitation I have is because it doesn't seem to be as popular as some of the other brands. It's tough to see what the feedback is from actual people that made the investment. The other option I've been looking at is the Manfrotto 190cxpro3, but not sure on the head.

[Richard Lane]

For Feisol, I think any of the 3301, 3401, or 3402 legs look to meet the specs I'm looking for. It also fits within my original budget (although I'd still spend more to avoid a piece of junk that I'd have to replace in a year or two.

Just to be clear, I was recommending the Feisol "Tournament Series" in my initial post. I'm less familiar with the "Classic Series" that you're looking at. But, you should also try to stay within your budget.

http://www.feisol.net/rapid-tripods-...ds-c-1_14.html


http://www.feisol.net/manuals/FEISOL...nt_Version.pdf


After you do some more research and narrow things down, then post again.


Rich

[Mpieris]

Just to be clear, I was recommending the Feisol "Tournament Series" in my initial post. I'm less familiar with the "Classic Series" that you're looking at. But, you should also try to stay within your budget.

http://www.feisol.net/rapid-tripods-...ds-c-1_14.html


http://www.feisol.net/manuals/FEISOL...nt_Version.pdf


After you do some more research and narrow things down, then post again.


Rich

Rich, thanks once again for all the information and links. You've been extremely generous with your advice and info. After going through them all, I'm starting to zero in on a direction. I've read a lot of people's feedback on paying a premium upfront to avoid paying more afterwards because of poor quality or poor performance. Based on this, my new thinking is to go with the following setup:

- Gitzo 2531
- Kirk BH-1 (comes with arca swiss style clamp)
- Wimberley P5 (for my 5D2)
- Wimberley P20 (for my 70-200 f2.8L)

This will run me about $1200 with shipping and taxes. It's more than I planned as a budget. But I'd rather spend this once than get something cheaper and eventually upgrade to a setup like this later. Let me know what you think of this setup and if I should consider something else given my planned budget just increased. Thanks again!

[HDNitehawk]

Of the Gitzo 2531's this one would be the most versatile; Gitzo GT2531EX 6X Carbon Fiber Explorer Tripod Legs http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...bon_Fiber.html


The legs are much more adjustable, and the column can be set at any angle. Also noitce the lock down for the leg position, it can be set at any angle where many tripods have set positions.

[Mpieris]

Of the Gitzo 2531's this one would be the most versatile; Gitzo GT2531EX 6X Carbon Fiber Explorer Tripod Legs http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...bon_Fiber.html


The legs are much more adjustable, and the column can be set at any angle. Also noitce the lock down for the leg position, it can be set at any angle where many tripods have set positions.

Thanks for the tip. Didn't realize this was not standard on the mountaineer. I noticed that the explorer version is 1 lb heavier than the mountaineer. Not having used a tripod before, I don't know what is more valuable - 1 lb weight savings or ability to set at any angle? I'm using it mostly as a travel tripod so I'm very sensitive to the weight. It gets tiring lugging all the gear around so anywhere that I can save on weight without a significant compromise, I'd like to.

[HDNitehawk]

Thanks for the tip. Didn't realize this was not standard on the mountaineer. I noticed that the explorer version is 1 lb heavier than the mountaineer. Not having used a tripod before, I don't know what is more valuable - 1 lb weight savings or ability to set at any angle? I'm using it mostly as a travel tripod so I'm very sensitive to the weight. It gets tiring lugging all the gear around so anywhere that I can save on weight without a significant compromise, I'd like to.

That version is excellent for macro work; you can position your camera in some really odd positions. If all you need is three stable legs that are easy to carry one of the other versions might serve you better. I own a version of this tripod, and while for almost every application it works great, I have thought about buying another tripod to carry backpacking because of the weight. You lose some of the versatility, but if I were just planning on taking mostly landscape shots I could give the versatility up to save a pound or two.

[Kombi]

. It's more than I planned as a budget. But I'd rather spend this once than get something cheaper and eventually upgrade to a setup like this later. Let me know what you think of this setup and if I should consider something else given my planned budget just increased. Thanks again!

This is really the right way to go.
I have 2 tripods- one I bought used about 20 yrs ago Solid build Manfrotto with 3 way pan head- so heavy that it only gets used around the house (as base for a laser level) or driven close to where I'm taking a picture, the second I bought last year ($150ish), light but flimsy and short never used it.
Not out much right now- but as I get better and have a need for a tripod I want one I can use.

Thanks to all who share in these posts I have learnt the importance of a good tripod.