|
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
10-26-2009, 08:30 PM
|
| |
Update on the tripod saga...
Well, ended up deciding on the Manfrotto 055CX4 Pro and upgrading to the 468MGRC0 head and picking up spiked feet at the same time. In all ended up costing a pretty penny, but weighs considerably less (even with the monster head) and is much shorter when folded up than my previous 3 section aluminium setup which was one of the primary considerations of the upgrade.
Oddly enough, despite double checking with the sales person to get the right spiked feet I ended up with the wrong ones – a month later the correct ones arrived - make sure if you’re buying them for the CX4 that you get SPK-2N, not SPK-2 as the latter are larger diameter spikes for three section tripods…better still, just check them in store before leaving (!). My tripod also arrived without the hex key adjuster for tension on the leg clamps, but this was easily remedied by the retailer in about 10 days.
The new tripod setup hasn’t received a great deal of work (yet). Mostly light duty macro work, but I’m very pleased with ease of use and overall quality as a support. Just how durable the 055 is will be determined over time, but at this point it ‘feels’ as though it will remain in my kit for some time.
Hanging a counterweight and then rotating the centre column 90 degrees was also surprisingly stable. Despite looking a little flimsy, the centre column clamp does an excellent job of keeping the column in place and the column itself is surprisingly rigid.
The 468 hydrostatic ball head is very heavy, but more than capable of supporting everything I have thrown at it so far. I haven’t been shooting anything that capitalises on the friction preset of the head just yet, which for the time being makes the 468 a very expensive 488 head, but I think once I start chasing small birds with a long lens the friction preset will become more useful.
Either way, once I’ve had an opportunity to test it out further I’ll add another post to this thread and let you know how the head performs.
|
|
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
08-26-2009, 03:49 PM
|
| |
nice set of wheels Johnno. I've got a similar setup on my K7 Bandit and generally speaking, find that people leave the bag alone when you're not physically on it.
I'm thinking of rigging something up to take my tripod with me (attached to the ventura rack) as it's something I miss when motorcycle touring.
I don't know how the ventura style rack would go on an Enfield, but MacGirl's suggestion of a 'dry' bag could work well. Not a dedicated photo bag, but given rain isn't just falling on the bag (rather being driven into the zips and seams at 100km/h) might fare better than just the rain jackets built into photo bags.
I've seen couriers with a sling style bag that is held in place by a second support strap, that can quickly turn around to gain access to the contents without getting off the bike. I know Crumpler make pretty good messanger bags, but don't know if they make the 'dry' variety.
|
|
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
08-26-2009, 03:28 PM
|
| |
excellent dbh...will add them to the shopping list if I pick up the manfrotto
|
|
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
08-26-2009, 03:27 PM
|
| |
pxpaulx - all rambling responses gratefully accepted! You've convinced me to look harder at the 468mgrc0 hydrostatic ball head as I feel that's the sort of thing there could be some significant benefits in owning.
On the leg front, i'm still undecided. But will definitely look into the feisol!
|
|
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
08-26-2009, 03:23 PM
|
| |
Thanks Diego...worth knowing. It wouldn't get too much use in those conditions but at least I know what post-shoot work i'm up for when the tripod does get grotty.
|
|
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
08-25-2009, 05:55 PM
|
| |
...and while I'm thinking about it dbh...how do you find using the q90 centre column?
|
|
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
08-25-2009, 05:37 PM
|
| |
Thanks dbh,
what model/part number were the spiked feet? I've seen ones where the spikes can also be concealed with rubber feet...are these the ones you have? If I end up with the MF4 then i'll get the feet at the same time.
cheers
|
|
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
08-25-2009, 05:30 PM
|
| |
Thanks pxpaulx for your comments.
yes, unfortunately the 055Carbon does cost over $800, but I expect to do some negotiating and by the time you pick up another head you're looking at a fair sum of $$$.
I've got the 488RC0 on my existing tripod and I'm happy to continue using the hex plate. The midi head also has a safety catch on the QR so you cant accidentally unlock the QR plate.
I've been tossing around the idea of less sections = more rigidity...makes sense given each section is larger diameter tubing and therefore more rigid but portability is an issue for me, especially compressed length as if it's too long or awkward to carry, I tend to leave it at home/in the car (which is what occasionally happens with the one at the moment)
Thanks for your advice, I'll have to check out the gitzo catalogue again to make sure I haven't overlooked anything and check out the clam head and markins as like you say could save me 50mm.
|
|
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories
08-25-2009, 04:16 AM
|
| |
I've been trawling through the search options on the forums and haven't come up with any threads that specifically mentioned the tripod i'm considering so I thought I'd throw it out there anew for consideration.
I was wondering if any of you had experience using the Manfrotto 055 carbon 4 section tripod legs...and even better if you've been using it with a 488 RC0 head, as that's what I'm planning on putting on this set of legs.
Also, what would you consider alternatives/better options to this tripod (it fits basically all of the criteria I have, but when you're spending this much coin it's nice to know you're not spending it without justification)
I've looked though the gitzo and slik options and haven't come up with much.
Specifically, I'd like something comparatively light (existing tripod with head is 800mm compressed and 3.5kg, with max height of 1580mm) The existing height is adequate and I rarely use the tripod with the centre post extended.
Jobs thrown at this tripod would vary from low down macro to extended landscape and studio work. there may be some benefit in the more adjustable centre columns of the gitzo and benbo tripods, but not having this feature before I don't know how (if) i'd use it and whether it's worth considering.
The 488RC0 head is about 130mm tall by itself so i'd prefer a tripod with a compressed length 550mm or less.
the 488RC0 and the 055CXPro4 combination is 680mm compressed and weighs 2.5kg, so at this stage it's my preferred option, but i'd value some input into options I may not have considered.
That said, i'm in Australia so it would need to be available locally with appropriate warranty support.
Thanks for your help!
|
|
Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
04-13-2009, 05:31 PM
|
| |
Great site Matt, thanks for posting!
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-04-2009, 09:52 PM
|
| |
Thanks SpecialK, very informative post and good choice of pictures to illustrate the lens' characteristics...all I need to do now is scratch up the (numerous) pennies for it!
|
|
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
12-21-2008, 08:00 PM
|
| |
I've tried a range of batteries through my K100d, i found the best to be Duracel NiMH 2650mAh, generally available for AUD$20 pk 4. I bought some panasonic 2700mAh, but was very disappointed as they didint even register in the camera when fully charged. Enegiser lithium were also always on standby in the camera bag when travelling as I always got good 'value' out of those batteries regardless of shooting conditions.
|
|
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
12-21-2008, 07:57 PM
|
| |
I also recently made the change from K100d to K20D, and have no regrets. The K20D is an awesome camera, great feel, the additional buttions and dials suit how I use the camera and the extra resolution is handy too!
|
|
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
12-08-2008, 05:45 PM
|
| |
what a great video...thanks for pointing it out.
I wonder what film stalin did use? ;)
|
|
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
12-08-2008, 05:28 PM
|
| |
I upgraded recently from the K100D to the K20D and I certainly don't regret it.
I'd go for the upgrade if you can find a home for your k200d, i doubt you'll regret it either. Pentax may release a new camera soon, but in the meantime you'll have all the images taken with the K20d you mightn't otherwise taken, or at least in higher resolution!
|
|
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
11-19-2008, 04:21 PM
|
| |
I think that everyone can rest assured that pentax will release a new FF 20+ megapixel body - now that i've bought a k20d ;-)
...last time i bought a k100d the k10d was released 2 months later, so we'll see if history repeats itself.
Seriously though, even if they did i'd still be chuffed with the K20, feels much more substantial that the k100, i've now got the resolution to produce all the image sizes I need to print, and I love that they've got multi function dials so i'm not mucking around in menus to change metering and AF modes...reminds me of the old MZ-5n days.
|
|
Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
09-25-2008, 07:44 PM
|
| |
cancel that mortgage payment, i've just seen something new for a LBA restraining order!
|
|
Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
09-03-2008, 05:21 PM
|
| |
another great collection of images...good luck to all!
|
|
Forum: Winners' Showcase
08-31-2008, 05:14 PM
|
| |
Nice work Kim, I like how your pattern has depth
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
08-14-2008, 04:07 PM
|
| |
Nice images...i particularly like the bokeh of the FA 31mm 1.8 Limited - was that taken wide open or f2/f2.8?
|
|
Forum: Post Your Photos!
08-12-2008, 10:20 PM
|
| |
Nice pics! Time to break out the GSX-R 600 engine and let the good times roll! Certainly looks like a heap of fun.
|
|
Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
08-12-2008, 10:16 PM
|
| |
Good to hear CR Kennedy has looked after you Grant. Fortunately I've not had to test Pentax warranty claims (touch wood), so even if things get a little pear shaped, it's good that the situation was finally resolved.
|
|
Forum: Winners' Showcase
08-12-2008, 09:58 PM
|
| |
wow what a stunning photo!
|
|
Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
08-12-2008, 09:54 PM
|
| |
Love #5 and #12...stand out images for me in wide interpretation of the theme
|
