Mondolinni Loc: Long Island, New York

Hello Folks,
Looking for tripod/ball head advice. I'm using an older aluminum Giottos MTL9251 with a pan head. Having lots of shake and instability using my 24-70 2.8 and 70-300.Nikon
I'm on a budget, as I'm sure most are, looking to upgrade to a Manfrotto MT055CXPRO3 ($350./054 ball head $200.)
Does anyone have experience with either, and can anyone offer thoughts on whether or not this combo would help?

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Besides mentioning that your present tripod is not stable enough for your camera (did not mention which one) and your 24-70 and 70-300 lenses you also failed to mention what subjects do you intend to shoot.
The tripod you have in mind by Manfrotto is made of carbon fibers which equals to lightness compared to same aluminum models. It is capable of holding near 20 lbs. of weight which makes it a good selection if your camera and lens combo does not exceed that weight.
The type of subject you shoot is very important in the selection of a tripod. For macro photography you want a tripod that will come close to ground. For portraits most tripods with good enough stability will do which is also true for landscapes but I would recommend an L-clamp such as those made by RRS to keep the center of gravity of your camera and lens in the same position. Most probably you know that in order to use an L-clamp you need an Arca Swiss type head.
I have no experience with the tripod you want to buy but I have used tripods for more than 40 years, mainly aluminum tripods but I have had my share of carbon fibers also.
I believe that chances are excellent that if you gear weights less than 20 lbs. this tripod should do well.
Just get an Arca Swiss type head and you are all set.

Mondolinni Loc: Long Island, New York

Thank You for your reply cameraapapi, Yes, sorry, I did fail to mention I shoot with a D-90 and D-7100; Duh that does help. Most of my stuff is portraiture and landscapes. VERY little macro if any. You mention an Arca Swiss "type" head; does that mean that other manufacturers make them, or would I have to buy an Arca Swiss product. Sorry, I'm not too familiar with that.

Leitz Loc: Solms

The MT055CXPRO3 tripod & 054 ball head with the Q2 quick release is plenty adequate for your camera and lens. You will have no balance problems - an Arca Swiss plate is more for longer, heavier lenses.

Mondolinni Loc: Long Island, New York

Thanks for the help people, I do appreciate the info and suggestions. :thumbup:

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Arca Swiss type clamps will work with L brackets, which is not the case with the 054. Besides, I have not seen a Manfrotto ball head, other than the huge video ones, that I couldn't move once it was supposedly "locked" down. There are better options out there - Sirui, Markins, Really Right Stuff, Kirk, etc.

EddieC Loc: CT

I have the Pro3 and it is excellent and I use the Manfrotto 324RC2 Joystick Tripod head. I have no problems with my D750 and 28-300 lens mounted on it.

Mondolinni Loc: Long Island, New York

OK,Interesting replies; Thanks Hogs

Mondolinni Loc: Long Island, New York

Thanks Gene51, do you have a suggestion for one of the brands you mentioned? I looked at the Sirui K40X, certainly much cheaper. Have you had hands on experience with that brand/ Tripods? Thanks for you time Gene.

houdel Loc: Chase, Michigan USA

I have the Manfrotto 055XPROB (same tripod legs, but aluminum, not carbon fiber) and the Manfrotto 808RC4 pan head. This combo handles my medium format Mamiya RB67 quite nicely; I expect the tripod & head you selected would do just as well for your rig.

Basil Loc: New Mexico

I have experience with Sirui. I recently upgraded my tripod and after a great deal of research, the tripod I felt best met my needs for a sturdy, lightweight tripod was the Sirui N-2204X 4-section carbon fiber tripod ($435):

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/994932-REG/sirui_bsrn2204x_n_2204x_carbon_tripod.html

One of the legs comes off to be used as a monopod too. Here's a pretty short but good demo of this tripod:

http://youtu.be/ZOevriaMTxQ

(One difference between the one in the video (N2204) and mine (N2204X) is that mine has all three legs with the padded grip, otherwise they are identical)

I also bought the Sirui K-20x Ball Head ($127) (For the camera / glass I have this is more than adequate).

I absolutely love this tripod/head combo. It is sturdy, lightweight and very easy/quick to set up with the twist-style legs (I hated the Clip-tabs that were on my previous tripod).

Just some friendly advice about posting. If you can still edit your subject, you might get more responses if you edit topic to read "Tripod/ball Head Advice" instead of just "Advice". A lot of folks won't even click on threads that have non-descriptive titles.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

I have used the 2204 and the 3204 Sirui tripods - borrowed from students and friends for evaluation. They make a quality product.

I have been a fan of Feisol products for a while - I use their top tripod, the CT 3472, which has a 37mm top tube, and is super stable with my 600mm F4. My guess is that even it's baby brother, which I have used with a 100mm - 300mm F4 and a 50-500 on a crop sensor camera will do just fine. It's model no. is CT 3442 ($310)which has a 28mm top tube. Their CB50 head ($160) works nicely with it, allowing the tripod legs to be folded up 180 degrees to avoid removing the ball head. It's well made and within your budget.

Very similar, but around $100 more, would be the Sirui N-3204X ($465)with their K 40X ball head ($165). Though you could probably save a few dollars and still be happy with the N-2204X ($435) and their K30X ball head ($140). Getting the higher model on both the tripod and the ball head is a bit of future proofing, in case you get a longer lens. The higher model has a 32mm top tube, compared to the 28mm one on the 2204. Bigger diameter tube = better stability. Tripod weight or weight capacity does not predict stability. That is a myth that anyone who has purchased and replaced an inadequate tripod can attest to. It is an easy spec to generate, which is why many mfgrs print it.

I do applaud you for considering alternatives - there are great products at reasonable prices that are completely worthwhile.

BTW, I owned a Gitzo Series 3 Carbon, and found it predictably marginally unstable with a 50-500 and an Arca-Swiss Z1 ball head - but usable. It had a 32mm top tube, but Gitzo did not recommend using it with a lens longer than 300mm. I returned it and got the "heftier" (by 3 ounces) CT3472 and never looked back. Clearly the 600mm lens would not have been a good match - and not because of load capacity - but because the Feisol's top tube was 37mm - and more stable.

If I were independently wealthy, I'd have a Gitzo Series 5 or the top model Really Right Stuff - and an assistant to carry it for me. :)

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

Manfrotto makes great tripods and heads at affordable prices. I feel comfortable mounting my gear on my Manfrotto tripod and monopod.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

If you become independently wealthy, I will apply for the position of your assistant.

Mondolinni Loc: Long Island, New York

Great Advice on the posting Basil, thanks for that. Thanks for your in depth reply as well.