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 - 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

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