Which Tripod for keen amateur?

[Yorkshire_Jon]

Thought Id ask you well informed folk the question as I need a tripod. Question is which one.

From background reading the Manfrotto's get very good reviews. Do the reviews translate into good real world kit? Would you buy one?

If so, I think Ive narrowed the search down to the 190XPROB or the 055XPROB. Whats complicating things a little is that I know where there is an ex-demo carbon fibre version of the 190XPROB for about £20 more than a new ally 055XPROB.

The 190XPRO is rated to carry upto 5kg of kit, the 055XPROB 7kg. On the face of it the 190XPROB would therefore be ok to carry my Canon DLSR & Canon 70-200 f2.8. But would it be stable outside??? Im sure it would be on the 055XPROB.

Any thoughts? Given that next to none of my shots are taken indoors, I think the weight saving on the carbon fibre 190 would be a big plus, but if its not man enough for the job then i'll have to settle for the ally 055XPROB.

Of course Im open to other suggestions.

Thanks
Jon

[lardy]

hi mate being a semi pro photographer in my former days,and still a keen photographer today.

I can highly recommend the manfrotto series the workmanship is second to none i have an 055pro B with a 322rc2 head for my medium format gear.

This would be a bit of over kill for a poncey two gram all bells and whistles digital thing if that is what you are running, but they have a fab range that fits all needs/requirements.

so have a look around see what you can find that suits and what price you are looking at.

for lanscape stuff also there is the benbo tracker but i think they out weight the manfrotto even with the manfrotto head on but they are tough products, just that i had used both in the past and the manfrotto engineering seemed to be of a greater quality and the weight was slightly better.

make sure you purchase an outdoor tripod for the outdoors and studio one for the studio they have different purposes for very good reasons.

Carbon fibre becomes a possiblity for the digital user, which saves heaps of weight lugging around, draw back is stability which can be improved slightly by hanging the camera bag off the centre column hook, but they can be broken easier than the steel type it goes without saying

hope this is an aid regards andy

[lardy]

if you are buying from the u.k. (as you used a quid sign ) speak to stewart at ffordes scotland he sold me my kit and sometimes they have offers and give a bit of extra free kit if it's in a promo.

looking over your post i see you have a digi what is total weight with the max lens that is your concern really, if you buy a manfrotto make sure you purchase the retractable spike feet they would help no end on rocks etc

regards andy

[dmdigital]

Jon, the golden rule with buying tripods is to buy the best you can afford.

It needs to have criteria:
Rigid and stable
Easy to collapse/open

Dullbird is buying an 055XPROB so she'll jump in sometime. I Have the older 055MF3. MagFibre is the cheaper alternative to Carbon Fibre, BoronFibre is the more expensive option - weight wise compared to aluminium is similar to cost.

Manfotto is the general pick price wise as they are not to badly priced compared to the likes of Gitzo. Gitzo are the best but they cost a LOT more.

My advice is:
3 piece legs
Ability to adjust the angle of each leg
Able to take any tripod head
Ability to clip a weight (sandbag or camera bag) to the tripod for stability
Not too heavy.

For the head, I prefer the ball head. I use RRS and it is very well made gear. Have a look at their website - Really Right Stuff (http://www.reallyrightstuff.com) - as it gives a lot of useful information even if you don't buy one.

Have a look at Tripods and Ball Heads by Thom Hogan (http://www.bythom.com/support.htm)

Also what ever you buy get a carry bag to protect it.

[Yorkshire_Jon]

...Jon, the golden rule with buying tripods is to buy the best you can afford...

Derek,
Many thanks. Thats put the cat among the pigeons with Mrs Yorkshire Jon!!

So if the Manfrotto stuff is regarded as a good price and quality do people have any experiance of fibre over ally i.e. 055 vs 055 MagFibre or 190 vs 190 Mag Fibre? I believe they are exactly the same, just made of different materials and thus lighter - but does this affect stability?

I need to be able to use my Canon 70-200 f2.8 IS with a 5D Mk II or 50D, plus allowing a bit for anything in the future.

Thanks
Jon

[dmdigital]

Really either MF or Alloy types are OK in 3 piece legs. The 055 is a better tripod than the 190 IMO as it has a more versatile head. I've got an MF that I've had for 18 months and I'm very happy wth it.

[slug_burner]

Go the carbon fibre. It will break or hold and it takes a bit to break them. Ali will din't. It is a bit like ski poles.

I have an 055MF3 and for someone that does not make a living from photography it is great. I use a 70-200 f2.8 on my 450d and it handles it fine.

[loanrangie]

Really either MF or Alloy types are OK in 3 piece legs. The 055 is a better tripod than the 190 IMO as it has a more versatile head. I've got an MF that I've had for 18 months and I'm very happy wth it.

A 190 with a b&s head is a good fairly inexpensive setup.

[discomuzz]

The thing I find with tripods is that you have to make sure you get the one with three legs.;)

[dullbird]

i think like all things there is a pay off.....

yes carbon fiber is strong and also light that is the bonus the problem with lightness is stability I think by getting carbon fiber you will maybe only to a small degree though lose some stability over an Ali tripod...

but I'm not talking from experience hear in owning tripods I'm just thinking of overall weight in a windy environment....something that is heavier will take more to blow over than some thing lighter

[dmdigital]

i think like all things there is a pay off.....

yes carbon fiber is strong and also light that is the bonus the problem with lightness is stability I think by getting carbon fiber you will maybe only to a small degree though lose some stability over an Ali tripod...

but I'm not talking from experience hear in owning tripods I'm just thinking of overall weight in a windy environment....something that is heavier will take more to blow over than some thing lighter

Actually its the rigidity that is important. The weight needs to be there for holding it anchored to the ground, this can be easily done with a camera bag. The main thing is not to get legs that can flex. This is why a 4 piece leg is a bad option as the 4th extension is usually very thin and can flex a bit.

[dullbird]

Actually its the rigidity that is important.
The weight needs to be there for holding it anchored to the ground, this can be easily done with a camera bag. The main thing is not to get legs that can flex. This is why a 4 piece leg is a bad option as the 4th extension is usually very thin and can flex a bit.

well to me that is obvious but he is not looking at any brand with such legs as we all know that Manfrotto is well built and he is not going to get flex from any that he has mentioned.

I would personally like the carbon fiber but at the same time I would probably forget to weight it and then gust of wind its all over i think the difference between them really would be negligible and I'm not sure it warrants the dollars for a strong but marginally less stable tripod

[Yorkshire_Jon]

The thing I find with tripods is that you have to make sure you get the one with three legs.;)


:D:D:D Thanks for that :D:D:D

[Yorkshire_Jon]

well to me that is obvious but he is not looking at any brand with such legs as we all know that Manfrotto is well built and he is not going to get flex from any that he has mentioned.

I would personally like the carbon fiber but at the same time I would probably forget to weight it and then gust of wind its all over i think the difference between them really would be negligible and I'm not sure it warrants the dollars for a strong but marginally less stable tripod

M'mmm. Very interesting input guys - thanks.

Sounds like general concensus is that the 055 is the one to have. If the "performance" difference is marginal then its a case of considering cost vs carry-ability. 055MF3 = £219, 055XPROB = £119.

At least the choice of bags is easy!

[loanrangie]

The thing I find with tripods is that you have to make sure you get the one with three legs.;)

I'm guessing thats why they call them TRI pod's :p

[loanrangie]

M'mmm. Very interesting input guys - thanks.

Sounds like general concensus is that the 055 is the one to have. If the "performance" difference is marginal then its a case of considering cost vs carry-ability. 055MF3 = £219, 055XPROB = £119.

At least the choice of bags is easy!

I bought my 190 in London in 1992 and its been across Europe, Africa, Middle East, SE Asia, ENZUD and has not even a mark on it - i would buy another one if i needed to. Cost me 50 squid back then too.

[dmdigital]

M'mmm. Very interesting input guys - thanks.

Sounds like general concensus is that the 055 is the one to have. If the "performance" difference is marginal then its a case of considering cost vs carry-ability. 055MF3 = £219, 055XPROB = £119.

At least the choice of bags is easy!

Jon, check the price in USA or Australia as that seems expensive in AU$'s unless the price has gone up a lot. I paid about AU$350 for my 055MF3 18 months ago.
Bogen / Manfrotto | 055MF3 MagFiber Tripod Legs with 322RC2 Grip (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/362123-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto__055MF3_MagFiber_Tripod_Legs.html) US$374 with a ballhead

[dullbird]

Jon, check the price in USA or Australia as that seems expensive in AU$'s unless the price has gone up a lot.
I paid about AU$350 for my 055MF3 18 months ago.Bogen / Manfrotto | 055MF3 MagFiber Tripod Legs with 322RC2 Grip (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/362123-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto__055MF3_MagFiber_Tripod_Legs.html) US$374 with a ballhead

yeh your looking $540 and upwards;)

[dmdigital]

yeh your looking $540 and upwards;)

Ouch! They have gone up in price:(

Still if you want to do your head in price the new Nikon D3x:eek:

[Yorkshire_Jon]

Jon, check the price in USA or Australia as that seems expensive in AU$'s unless the price has gone up a lot. I paid about AU$350 for my 055MF3 18 months ago.
Bogen / Manfrotto | 055MF3 MagFiber Tripod Legs with 322RC2 Grip (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/362123-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto__055MF3_MagFiber_Tripod_Legs.html) US$374 with a ballhead

Thanks Derek. Unfortunately, such is the state of our Pound against the US$, when I add a bag and shipping the cost comes in at £382!! If I just get the MF3 without the head (I already have a ball SILK head) that I use on my Gorillapod, it still costs £290.

I need to give Ffordes a call a bit later on - With a bit of luck they'll do me a deal and I can collect when Im working up in the highlands next month!

Can anyone recommend an Australian retailer? The AU$ is currently better against the Pound than the AU$.

Also found this NEW MANFROTTO TRIPOD KIT 055 055XB HEAD BAG FREE STRAP on eBay, also, Tripods Supports, Photography (end time 04-Feb-09 17:44:54 GMT) (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-MANFROTTO-TRIPOD-KIT-055-055XB-HEAD-BAG-FREE-STRAP_W0QQitemZ360114195293QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_C amerasPhoto_CameraAccessories_TripodsSupports?hash =item360114195293&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1300%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318)

Its just the 055XB not the new 055XPROB but would that really matter? How much extra use is the quick 90degree shift? On the face of it may seem a good offer, albeit not mag fibre.

[dullbird]

https://www.qualitycamera.com.au/login.php

this guy is very good to deal with, this is where I'm going to be buying my tripod from..he has head and leg combinations at the moment
I'm getting the 055xprob with a 3way pan head...think its about $465 something like that

[dmdigital]

ECS (http://www.cameras.net)
Quality Camera (http://www.qualitycamera.com.au)
Digital Camera Warehouse (http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au)

[dmdigital]

Also have a look on eBay

[dullbird]

i'm finding ebay is becoming less and less a cheap place to buy...in fact I have found a lot of things on their considerably more expensive, incuding tripods

although saying that Jon you might have more luck on uk ebay

[dmdigital]

i'm finding ebay is becoming less and less a cheap place to buy...in fact I have found a lot of things on their considerably more expensive, ...
I've been finding that for years.

[mjm295]

Thanks Derek. Unfortunately, such is the state of our Pound against the US$, when I add a bag and shipping the cost comes in at £382!! If I just get the MF3 without the head (I already have a ball SILK head) that I use on my Gorillapod, it still costs £290.

Jon

I used Calumet when living in the UK - prices seemed good and had a great service from them.

Mark

[dmdigital]

Jon, don't know which bag you're getting but the Manfrotto ones (as in this pic) are excellent.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[Yorkshire_Jon]

Jon, don't know which bag you're getting but the Manfrotto ones (as in this pic) are excellent.
http://www.qualitycamera.com.au/images/MBAG80P.jpg

Thanks Derek. I was 90% certain that I would get the paded Manfrotto one - figured a well fitting bag and a bit of padding may ease carrying around!

Had a good chat with the chap at Ffordes yesterday. He pointed out that the 055MF3 is only 0.7kg lighter than the standard 055. Considering the extra £100 or so and Im thinking that its hard to justify when I wont be strapping it to my back and walking over fells for hours at a time.

J

[dullbird]

Ok just ordered my'n......hoping to have my 055xprob my 3 way head and my padded manfrotto bag here by the end of the week....all for the sum of $570 inc postage air frieght