Which Tripod for keen amateur?

**dmdigital** · 8th January 2009, 05:39 PM

Originally Posted by 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

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** · 8th January 2009, 06:16 PM

Originally Posted by dm_td5

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** · 8th January 2009, 06:24 PM

Originally Posted by discomuzz

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

Thanks for that

**Yorkshire_Jon** · 8th January 2009, 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by dullbird

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** · 8th January 2009, 07:57 PM

Originally Posted by discomuzz

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

**loanrangie** · 8th January 2009, 08:01 PM

Originally Posted by Yorkshire_Jon

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** · 8th January 2009, 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by Yorkshire_Jon

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 US$374 with a ballhead

**dullbird** · 8th January 2009, 09:03 PM

Originally Posted by dm_td5

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 US$374 with a ballhead

yeh your looking $540 and upwards

**dmdigital** · 8th January 2009, 09:07 PM

Originally Posted by dullbird

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

**Yorkshire_Jon** · 8th January 2009, 09:26 PM

Originally Posted by dm_td5

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 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)

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.

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