Help deciding on next lens

[Mpieris]

With the larger super telephoto lenses you will end up wanting a head and tripod that you will not use on the smaller gear.

But the question is, how much do you want to spend for a tripod and head?

Gitzo is one of the best legs if you want to lay out the high price for it.

I have the Acra Swiss Mono Ball Z1, and it is solid as a rock but expensive.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...1_dp_with.html

Thanks for the tip. Maybe I will need to focus on a tripod and head for the immediate need, which maximizes out with my 70-200. As far as price is concerned, I was hoping to keep it under $500 for both head and tripod. But I can be convinced to shell out more if there is something out there that has the stability and weight quality that I'm looking for.

[HDNitehawk]

That head on a good set of Gitzo legs will give you the stability, but will set you back $1,200 or more depending on which of there tripods you pick out.

I would suggest whatever you start with, think ahead on what clamp system you go with. It can cost you more to switch up if you plan on expanding your set up later. Everything I have now is Acra Swiss compatible.

[neuroanatomist]

I like Manfrotto as a good compromise between quality and price. Also recommend Arca-Swiss style plates - I have my 190CXPRO4 legs with 468MG head and 694CX monopod with 234 head fitted with Wimberley C-12 clamps.

[Mpieris]

Thanks for the assistance. $1200 is a little more than I was looking to spend on a tripod and head setup. I'm a newbie when it comes to this gear. By clamping system, are you referring to anything more than the head?

The 190CXPRO4 has a lot of good reviews. The 468MG has several options with a "quick release" on it. What do I need too consider when deciding on a model?

[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.

[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.