[sholtzma]

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I am looking to replace the heavy duty Bogen 3036 tripod I now have. I want a good quality tripod, tall enough that the tripod+head+camera height will be roughly eyelevel (I'm 5'8") without extending the center column, and relatively lightweight. Also need it to be affordable.

The best I can find that are still relatively low priced are the Giottos 7271, 8271, and 9271. ~5'2" without center column extended; 5'10" with column extended. The first two are about 5 pounds, and the third just under 6 pounds. Prices are $300 new for the first two and $165 new for the third.

Anything else out there with specs like these and prices in this range?

[GaryML]

I am looking to replace the heavy duty Bogen 3036 tripod I now have. I want a good quality tripod, tall enough that the tripod+head+camera height will be roughly eyelevel (I'm 5'8") without extending the center column, and relatively lightweight. Also need it to be affordable.

The best I can find that are still relatively low priced are the Giottos 7271, 8271, and 9271. ~5'2" without center column extended; 5'10" with column extended. The first two are about 5 pounds, and the third just under 6 pounds. Prices are $300 new for the first two and $165 new for the third.

Anything else out there with specs like these and prices in this range?

I have a Gitzo 1930 "Basalt" tripod. I'm also 5'8" and it is the perfect height for me with a Kirk BH-3 ball head (without extending the center column). It weighs around 3 lbs and cost just over $300 as I recall. It's a lot cheaper than the full height Gitzo carbon fiber tripods (and I wouldn't want to go any lighter than 3 lbs). It also has a hook on the center column so you can hang your camera bag on it for extra weight. It's very sturdy and all of the hardware is superb quality. I couldn't ask for a better tripod.

[Confused]

Hi Sholtzma

I not entirely sure about this, but I believe that Bogen is the brand name for Manfrotto products in the USA ? I'm afraid I'm unfamiliar with your Bogen 3036, but have had owned a Manfrotto 055 Pro for some years now and have been thoroughly delighted with it's overall construction and stability, not to mention it's relatively light weight (2.4 kg). It fits in my medium-sized suitcase and the central column is removable, to make it even more compact. The legs splay out via individual latches at the top, making ground-shots very easy and the central column is not only reversible, but comes in two sections (short & longer). There is a good choice of separate heads to suit your particular needs/price point etc. I am 6'1" tall myself and it suits me fine, so imagine you'd have no trouble being 5'8" ! If you've already considered this model, then of course I apologise in advance.
Note the following link below:

tripods, heads, monopods, light stands, camera supports, lighting supports, professional tripod 055PRO - PRO TRIPOD

Hope this info is of some use ?

Best regards
Richard

[stewart_photo]

Take a look at the Davis & Sanford CarbonLite X10 tripod system (head & legs) priced at $190 from Cameta Camera. It has carbon fiber legs, magnesium canopy & leg hardware, and an aluminum-magnesium alloy head. While the whole thing weighs just 5.4 lbs (2.5 kg), the load rating for the legs is 14 lbs (6.5 kg) and the head 9 lbs (4 kg).

This tripod system was pretty good, but I didn't really like the head included (your opinions may differ). So I eventually added the Giottos MH 7001 ball head with quick release ($75 from B&H). Made of very thick aluminum alloy weighing just one pound (.5 kg), it's load capacity is 13 lb (6 kg).

This combination has worked very well for me, both in the studio and on location.

stewart

[Confused]

Hi Stewart

I was greatly intrigued to learn about Davis and Sanford tripods, as I've never heard of the company before. I doubt whether they are available in the UK, but I'll have a little trawl on the internet to see what I can find out about them !

Best regards
Richard

[roy]

i just got THIS and THIS and when fully extended w/o the center column extended i'd have to stand on something to get to the VF and i'm 5'10''. under 5.5lbs and rated at 17.5lbs or 8k . together for under 130usd delivered. the head is one of the best i've used.. comes with a VERY nice padded bag also.
edit: forgot to say that it's rock steady

[regken]

i just got THIS and THIS and when fully extended w/o the center column extended i'd have to stand on something to get to the VF and i'm 5'10''. under 5.5lbs and rated at 17.5lbs or 8k . together for under 130usd delivered. the head is one of the best i've used.. comes with a VERY nice padded bag also.
edit: forgot to say that it's rock steady

the Amvona stuff is a real buy.

Ken

[stewart_photo]

I was greatly intrigued to learn about Davis and Sanford tripods, as I've never heard of the company before. I doubt whether they are available in the UK, but I'll have a little trawl on the internet to see what I can find out about them !

My profound apologies, Richard. Even sitting here in the middle of Germany, I still get caught up in the USA centric aspect of this forum. This is especially bad since so many companies not shipping outside the USA constantly irritates me as well. Anyway, the Davis and Sanford tripods are handled by Tiffen in the USA and I suspect world-wide as well. Beyond that, I don't have a clue whether this particular tripod is actually available in the UK (or EU).

stewart

[Peter Zack]

I'd second the thoughts on the Manfrotto 055 and the brand overall. I have a 15 year old 190 and 108 ballhead that still works like new. I also have the newer version with the reversible center column. Added a small ballhead to that and it gets right down on the ground for close up work. Solid unit, reasonable weight and excellent heads. I'm 6' and it works perfectly without raising the center post.
The Amvona units are fine and are knock off (Chinese?) versions of Manfrotto and other brands. I have one of their monopods that I really like. Only issue is the leg locks are not as smooth and the QR plates don't quite match the sizes of a Manfrotto (probably to avoid copyright infringements) so if you have both, you have to change QR plates back and forth. Manfrotto's are just built to better tolerances and will probably last longer.

[roy]

and the QR plates don't quite match the sizes of a Manfrotto

i noticed that also peter. i use it for everything right now but i have a Bogen Manfrotto 3273 on the way for my 2 cannons. i'd like better balance with them.

[helios]

I recently bought a Benro C227n6 tripod and KS2 ball head. I have been very pleased with them. Have a look at BENRO Contact.. which lists agents in different countries and a link to the maufacturers website. The Benros appear to be Chinese versions of Gitzos but a lot cheaper. I must say the quality seems remarkably good.
Archie

[Confused]

Hi Helios

Blimey.......I feel like I've been 'out-of-the-loop' for longer than I imagined.......seems as though those beers I consumed last century must have been stronger than I thought !!!
I admit that I'd not heard of either Benro or Davis and Sanford before now. However, both ranges of products look extremely interesting and I just wonder how widely available the Benro stuff is in the U.K. ? Of course there is another well-established brand of tripods entitled Benbo, so this may well lead to some slight confusion for the uninformed !

Best regards
Richard