Tripod help

dafiryde · 03-14-2009, 03:56 PM

this has been on the back burner for a while now, and is once again spinning my head around in circles
i was always under the impression that the bogen manfrotto legs were considered to be good, but yet on different sites you hardly see them being mentioned.
i was looking at the 190 xprob or the 055 xprob with the 488 rc2 ball head
i have the K20D with grip and my heaviest lens is the 16-50 2.8
Gitzo pricing is way out of my league
folded length is my greatest issue ( the shorter the better )
if its too heavy and long when folded it will be left at home
But want it to be sturdy, and easy to deploy

Dave

shiestmiester · 03-15-2009, 11:21 AM

I just had a thread about travel tripod options. Got some good info.

Check out the Dolica Proline (just ordered one on amazon), the Fancier Compact (on eBay) also the impact something or other.

thread here

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-camera-accessories/53055-fancier-i...ng-tripod.html

Wheatfield · 03-15-2009, 12:37 PM

See if Feisol has anything that would do what you want.

Urmas R. · 03-15-2009, 01:32 PM

I just bought 055 xprob and I really like it. I use it mostly for macro and close up or even landscape photography. It is very versatile and one can adjust every leg separately, plus easily turn the center column to the horizontal position. While being very (!) stable, it is rather heavy (at least the aluminium one that I have, may be there is a carbon version?). I can easily imagine that for some people it could be too much to carry around the whole day. Also, it does not fold very small. Hence I don't think it would pass as a carry on lugage in flights. For this purpose I have a smaller Slik tripod. The latter one is good enough for a small prime lens and k20d.

candgpics · 03-15-2009, 06:36 PM

I am a relative beginner and I am not sure if this is not enough for your needs, but I just purchased an Induro ab2. I tried the ab1, but found it just a bit too light duty, though it might have been sufficient. The ab2 is a bit under 5 pounds and for my weekend warrior use, at least for now, it seems sturdy enough.

This is the link:

INDURO | Products | Tripod Kits | Adventure Series Tripod Kits | AB2 – Cat. 470-002

I paid $181 delivered from Amazon. It has a nice case and seems more than enough for my k20d, 16-50 or 50-135, and a flash.

When I put it through its paces I will post my impressions.

Good luck.

Gregg

dafiryde · 03-17-2009, 12:18 PM

Originally posted by lawjbm

Induro ab2.
Gregg

28" in length folded, i know will stay home

to try a different swing
any experience with the gorilla slr pod

Dave

mutedphotos · 04-19-2009, 07:08 PM

I think Bogen is fantastic, but you'll probably hear more about higher end gear (typically carbon fiber stuff). I think of bogen/manfrotto as the high-end for the budget restricted. They're infinitely better than the $30 plastic tripods you'll see in most stores, and are as sturdy as the pro gear, but just don't have the carbon fiber weight. I have a slightly older 055 model (sold as the 3021 in the US) with the 486 ball head. I took out the center column of the tripod to reduce the weight a bit and I have no problem carting it around all day. Very sturdy and flexible. And it's the absolute perfect height for me (5'7"), with the camera right at eye level. The only thing I've ever wanted to fix about it is that it doesn't come with retractable spikes in the feet (though you can order spikes separately).

**Canada_Rockies** · 04-19-2009, 07:52 PM

That's a Manfrotto 055B (B for black) with the Manfrotto 0168 ball head in my avatar. I've had it for over 20 years, and it still holds my 400 steady. The only modification I have made is to add water pipe insulation to the top sections of the legs. This is much less punishing to the shoulders while carrying it with the rig on the head.

Russell-Evans · 04-20-2009, 05:26 AM

The Feisol Traveler or Benro Travel Angel series are small, strong, and pretty light.

FEISOL CT-3441S

Max. Height- 128 cm / 50.39 inch
Max. Extended Height - 178 cm / 70.08 inch
Folded Length - 43 cm /16.93 inch
Min. Height With Optional Short Column - 19 cm /7.48 inch
WeightMax. - 1.00 Kg /2.20 pounds
LoadMax. - 10 Kg / 22.05 pounds

Benro C-169M8

Normal Height (mm/in) 1220/48.0
Max.Height (mm/in) 1480/58.3
Folded Height (mm/in) 355/14.0
Min.Height (mm/in) 355/14.0
Weight (kg/lbs) 1.0/2.2
Max.Load Capacity (kg/lbs) 8.0/17.6

Thank you
Russell

stevebrot · 04-20-2009, 09:14 AM

Originally posted by dafiryde

28" in length folded, i know will stay home

to try a different swing
any experience with the gorilla slr pod

Dave

My daughter has the Induro AB2 and the length was a bit of a concern when it was purchased. In practice, it has not been a problem. The main issue with length is that if the folded length is short, the weight goes up due to additional tripod sections.

Steve

HermanLee · 04-20-2009, 01:20 PM

Dave,

I just bought a Giottos MT9360 Leg + MH1300-657 head.
A great tripod. It offers almost everything that Gitzo has at much lesser price.

GIOTTO'S-Professional Photographic Equipment

I bought it from B&H for the leg where they had special offer which include a very nice monopod for free

It's a heavier setup when including the ballhead.
but if you want to travel light, you can always leave the ballhead at home and just use the leg since Giottos in this series has a nice feature where you can use the swiveling joint combined with short column as a panning head.
Very nice tripod indeed.

asahi · 04-20-2009, 02:33 PM

I see a lot of good advice--and some pretty pricey tripods. I saw a Manfrotto 125B featured at Adorama and bought it for about $110. Good, solid tripod with a nice ballhead and quick-release, rated to hold over 7 pounds...It works for me. If this one won't get me the shot, I probably don't need it; and i am much more likely to actually carry it than leave it behind. Truth in advertising--i will probably NEVER own a really big telephoto of the 400mm f2.8 sort, so this might clue you in to the limits of my advice.

Confused · 04-20-2009, 04:32 PM

Hi Dave

I purchased a wonderful Giottos *MTL9351B tripod last year, which also has the same ingenious centre column arrangement as illustrated in the first link below (2nd photo down) and also 2nd link (2nd photo down):

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/561973-post8.html

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=882156&postcount=2

Best regards
Richard

P.S. It* weighs 2.1kg. For my review, try this link:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/field-accessories/29879-giottos-mtl9351b-...hlight=GIOTTOS

http://www.red-door.co.uk/pages/productpages/giottos/giottos-MTL9351B-Tripod.html

nanok · 04-20-2009, 05:39 PM

benro c197n6 here (versatile, good for macro, cf, price for the legs in the range of the -- excellent -- 190xprob, solid enough for my use). i do mostly landscape, so independent legs, multiple angles for each leg, and a versatile center column (any angle, basically) are very useful. matched with the ballhead i am using, it is not light (over 2kg in all, the head weighs about 750g

). there are four sections versions of this, and aluminium versions which are not that much heavyer (depends on what your expectations are, really)

good luck finding the right one for you.

mutedphotos · 04-20-2009, 06:02 PM

Just thought I'd mention that I was just looking through John Shaw's Nature Photography Field Guide and read his section on tripods. All of his recommendations were Gitzo's, but the last paragraph said that if you didn't want to spend as much, get the Bogen/Manfrotto 3021 (055), which he felt is the best tripod you can get for the littlest amount of money (provided you're not overly tall, more than 5'10" or so)

03-14-2009, 03:56 PM	#1
dafiryde Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Trinidad and Tobago Posts: 419	Tripod help this has been on the back burner for a while now, and is once again spinning my head around in circles i was always under the impression that the bogen manfrotto legs were considered to be good, but yet on different sites you hardly see them being mentioned. i was looking at the 190 xprob or the 055 xprob with the 488 rc2 ball head i have the K20D with grip and my heaviest lens is the 16-50 2.8 Gitzo pricing is way out of my league folded length is my greatest issue ( the shorter the better ) if its too heavy and long when folded it will be left at home But want it to be sturdy, and easy to deploy Dave

03-15-2009, 06:36 PM	#5
candgpics Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Maine, USA Posts: 394	Induro ab2 I am a relative beginner and I am not sure if this is not enough for your needs, but I just purchased an Induro ab2. I tried the ab1, but found it just a bit too light duty, though it might have been sufficient. The ab2 is a bit under 5 pounds and for my weekend warrior use, at least for now, it seems sturdy enough. This is the link: INDURO \| Products \| Tripod Kits \| Adventure Series Tripod Kits \| AB2 – Cat. 470-002 I paid $181 delivered from Amazon. It has a nice case and seems more than enough for my k20d, 16-50 or 50-135, and a flash. When I put it through its paces I will post my impressions. Good luck. Gregg

04-20-2009, 05:26 AM	#9
Russell-Evans Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,553	The Feisol Traveler or Benro Travel Angel series are small, strong, and pretty light. FEISOL CT-3441S Max. Height- 128 cm / 50.39 inch Max. Extended Height - 178 cm / 70.08 inch Folded Length - 43 cm /16.93 inch Min. Height With Optional Short Column - 19 cm /7.48 inch WeightMax. - 1.00 Kg /2.20 pounds LoadMax. - 10 Kg / 22.05 pounds Benro C-169M8 Normal Height (mm/in) 1220/48.0 Max.Height (mm/in) 1480/58.3 Folded Height (mm/in) 355/14.0 Min.Height (mm/in) 355/14.0 Weight (kg/lbs) 1.0/2.2 Max.Load Capacity (kg/lbs) 8.0/17.6 Thank you Russell

04-20-2009, 04:32 PM	#13
Confused Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: London Posts: 1,067	Hi Dave I purchased a wonderful Giottos MTL9351B tripod last year, which also has the same ingenious centre column arrangement as illustrated in the first link below (2nd photo down) and also 2nd link (2nd photo down): https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/561973-post8.html http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=882156&postcount=2 Best regards Richard P.S. It weighs 2.1kg. For my review, try this link: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/field-accessories/29879-giottos-mtl9351b-...hlight=GIOTTOS http://www.red-door.co.uk/pages/productpages/giottos/giottos-MTL9351B-Tripod.html Last edited by Confused; 04-22-2009 at 12:33 PM.

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03-15-2009, 11:21 AM	#2
shiestmiester Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 97	I just had a thread about travel tripod options. Got some good info. Check out the Dolica Proline (just ordered one on amazon), the Fancier Compact (on eBay) also the impact something or other. thread here https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-camera-accessories/53055-fancier-i...ng-tripod.html

03-15-2009, 12:37 PM	#3
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	See if Feisol has anything that would do what you want.

03-15-2009, 01:32 PM	#4
Urmas R. Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Germany Posts: 179	I just bought 055 xprob and I really like it. I use it mostly for macro and close up or even landscape photography. It is very versatile and one can adjust every leg separately, plus easily turn the center column to the horizontal position. While being very (!) stable, it is rather heavy (at least the aluminium one that I have, may be there is a carbon version?). I can easily imagine that for some people it could be too much to carry around the whole day. Also, it does not fold very small. Hence I don't think it would pass as a carry on lugage in flights. For this purpose I have a smaller Slik tripod. The latter one is good enough for a small prime lens and k20d.

03-17-2009, 12:18 PM	#6
dafiryde Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Trinidad and Tobago Posts: 419 Original Poster	Originally posted by lawjbm Induro ab2. Gregg 28" in length folded, i know will stay home to try a different swing any experience with the gorilla slr pod Dave

04-19-2009, 07:08 PM	#7
mutedphotos Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 149	I think Bogen is fantastic, but you'll probably hear more about higher end gear (typically carbon fiber stuff). I think of bogen/manfrotto as the high-end for the budget restricted. They're infinitely better than the $30 plastic tripods you'll see in most stores, and are as sturdy as the pro gear, but just don't have the carbon fiber weight. I have a slightly older 055 model (sold as the 3021 in the US) with the 486 ball head. I took out the center column of the tripod to reduce the weight a bit and I have no problem carting it around all day. Very sturdy and flexible. And it's the absolute perfect height for me (5'7"), with the camera right at eye level. The only thing I've ever wanted to fix about it is that it doesn't come with retractable spikes in the feet (though you can order spikes separately).

04-19-2009, 07:52 PM	#8
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	That's a Manfrotto 055B (B for black) with the Manfrotto 0168 ball head in my avatar. I've had it for over 20 years, and it still holds my 400 steady. The only modification I have made is to add water pipe insulation to the top sections of the legs. This is much less punishing to the shoulders while carrying it with the rig on the head.

04-20-2009, 09:14 AM	#10
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by dafiryde 28" in length folded, i know will stay home to try a different swing any experience with the gorilla slr pod Dave My daughter has the Induro AB2 and the length was a bit of a concern when it was purchased. In practice, it has not been a problem. The main issue with length is that if the folded length is short, the weight goes up due to additional tripod sections. Steve

04-20-2009, 01:20 PM	#11
HermanLee Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Southern California, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 729	Dave, I just bought a Giottos MT9360 Leg + MH1300-657 head. A great tripod. It offers almost everything that Gitzo has at much lesser price. GIOTTO'S-Professional Photographic Equipment I bought it from B&H for the leg where they had special offer which include a very nice monopod for free It's a heavier setup when including the ballhead. but if you want to travel light, you can always leave the ballhead at home and just use the leg since Giottos in this series has a nice feature where you can use the swiveling joint combined with short column as a panning head. Very nice tripod indeed.

04-20-2009, 02:33 PM	#12
asahi Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Holliston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 69	I see a lot of good advice--and some pretty pricey tripods. I saw a Manfrotto 125B featured at Adorama and bought it for about $110. Good, solid tripod with a nice ballhead and quick-release, rated to hold over 7 pounds...It works for me. If this one won't get me the shot, I probably don't need it; and i am much more likely to actually carry it than leave it behind. Truth in advertising--i will probably NEVER own a really big telephoto of the 400mm f2.8 sort, so this might clue you in to the limits of my advice.

04-20-2009, 05:39 PM	#14
nanok Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 969	benro c197n6 here (versatile, good for macro, cf, price for the legs in the range of the -- excellent -- 190xprob, solid enough for my use). i do mostly landscape, so independent legs, multiple angles for each leg, and a versatile center column (any angle, basically) are very useful. matched with the ballhead i am using, it is not light (over 2kg in all, the head weighs about 750g ). there are four sections versions of this, and aluminium versions which are not that much heavyer (depends on what your expectations are, really) good luck finding the right one for you.

04-20-2009, 06:02 PM	#15
mutedphotos Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 149	Just thought I'd mention that I was just looking through John Shaw's Nature Photography Field Guide and read his section on tripods. All of his recommendations were Gitzo's, but the last paragraph said that if you didn't want to spend as much, get the Bogen/Manfrotto 3021 (055), which he felt is the best tripod you can get for the littlest amount of money (provided you're not overly tall, more than 5'10" or so)