What would you buy for a tripod/head?
Oct 10, 2013 08:26:14 #
Nikonian72 wrote:
I am very pleased with this pistol-grip ball-head.
Thanks for suggesting this unit... I am considering a new tripod with ball head and this Vanguard pistol grip, combined with their tripod looks very good. B&H has the combo priced at $260 + shipping. Fits my budget... :thumbup:
Oct 10, 2013 08:39:17 #
tommyf wrote:
I want professional quality but light weight . So, please give your advice? Thank you again for assistance.
I'm happy with my Vanguard Tracker 4. It's big and heavy, and the price is reasonable.
Really Right Stuff has an excellent reputation. Their tripods are high in both quality and price.
http://reallyrightstuff.com/Index.aspx?code=46&key=fr
Oct 10, 2013 08:43:19 #
Try out various heads. I have a Gimbal head for long lens or lens with tripod collar, a three way head for landscapes. and a straight ball head. My head use varies on what I am photographing. I also have a Jobu Wide Angle Adapter Bracket 2which when added to my gimbal head allows me to use my camera attached in both portrait and landscape mode
Oct 10, 2013 08:55:34 #
dusty3d wrote:
what is the advantage of a pistol-grip?
Pro - it is very fast in making gross adjustments.
Con - Making fine adjustments is (at least for me) a slow and tedious process.
I suspect a more traditional ball head where you hold the camera instead of the pistol grip would work out better when making fine adjustments.
Oct 10, 2013 09:19:01 #
jgitomer wrote:
Pro - it is very fast in making gross adjustments.
Con - Making fine adjustments is (at least for me) a slow and tedious process.
I suspect a more traditional ball head where you hold the camera instead of the pistol grip would work out better when making fine adjustments.
Con - Making fine adjustments is (at least for me) a slow and tedious process.
I suspect a more traditional ball head where you hold the camera instead of the pistol grip would work out better when making fine adjustments.
Please note that I don't have a pistol grip, yet... But, I am thinking of getting one. And, I can imagine using both hands to adjust/setup. One hand on the pistol grip/lock release and the other on the camera body. Using both hands (I think) would make the adjustment quick and easy. Anybody got any real experience to share?
Oct 10, 2013 09:47:39 #
I further the sentiment about Really Right Stuff. They don't make large tripods, but they seem to have pride in their work in carbon fiber.
As an owner of one of the bigger Manfrotto's north of $500, I cannot recommend the brand in general. Bad coffee nerves.
On the cheap, but a bit heavy, which is good for tripods, as it were, check Ebay for "Gitzo Tele Studex Giant" if you seek lifetime functionality with superb marks in all respects. This is how tripods used to be. The digital revolution has brought a flippant, dilettante nature to the camera support industry. Most tripods can barely steady a tiny point and shoot camera these days.
As an owner of one of the bigger Manfrotto's north of $500, I cannot recommend the brand in general. Bad coffee nerves.
On the cheap, but a bit heavy, which is good for tripods, as it were, check Ebay for "Gitzo Tele Studex Giant" if you seek lifetime functionality with superb marks in all respects. This is how tripods used to be. The digital revolution has brought a flippant, dilettante nature to the camera support industry. Most tripods can barely steady a tiny point and shoot camera these days.
Here is my jib attached to a Gitzo Tele Studex, about 125 pounds as configured
Oct 10, 2013 09:57:42 #
tommyf wrote:
I want professional quality but light weight . So, please give your advice? Thank you again for assistance.
Hi Tommy. I also am looking for a new tripod head.
I will follow this post.
I will be in vero by October 15. If you are interested; the indian River Photo club is a great place to meet and learn. Google it.
Don
Oct 10, 2013 10:13:40 #
pkricker wrote:
I've got an ancient Tilt-all that's a wonderful tripod. Might get a Benbo one of these days for macro stuff, but the Tilt-all has been all the tripod I could need for everything else (video excepted perhaps).
I had a benbo for some years, and really liked it. It certainly wasn't lightweight, though. The ability to alter the leg positions independently of each other is really useful if you are on uneven ground.
Oct 10, 2013 10:17:46 #
My needs sound a similar to yours. My main goal was to get rid of size, bulk, and expense as I'm one of those retired guys downsizing at this point (sold all my DSLRs and lenses; went with a big bridge camera plus a high-end point'n'shoot).
Another need was to be able to get down low for wildflower macro photography. I bought three tripods this year, and returned two of them. The one I decided to keep is a "Vanguard Alta Pro 263AT Aluminum Tripod with SBH-100 Ball Head" purchased from Amazon.com. I haven't used it much yet, but it meets my needs. I'm a long-time photographer who's owned everything from cheap K-Mart specials to high-end Gitzo tripods. So there's my .02 worth.
Another need was to be able to get down low for wildflower macro photography. I bought three tripods this year, and returned two of them. The one I decided to keep is a "Vanguard Alta Pro 263AT Aluminum Tripod with SBH-100 Ball Head" purchased from Amazon.com. I haven't used it much yet, but it meets my needs. I'm a long-time photographer who's owned everything from cheap K-Mart specials to high-end Gitzo tripods. So there's my .02 worth.
Oct 10, 2013 10:55:44 #
Oct 10, 2013 11:07:27 #
RichieC
Loc: Adirondacks
really right stuff- if you don't want to ever upgrade a tripod head- 'cause they are the very best. Either their or Gitzo for ultimate tripods.
Oct 10, 2013 11:13:21 #
John Lawrence wrote:
I bought a new tripod last year. I talked to a sales rep at B&H Photo and he walked me through the selection process for my needs. You could do the same thing by communicating privately with MT Shooter on this forum. I'm sure you'll also get lots more information from others on the forum. Good luck.
what/where is MT Shooter's forum?
Oct 10, 2013 11:16:03 #
JohninRockville wrote:
I own at least a half dozen tripods, 3 are Manfrot... (show quote)
Actually, monopods are not useless! While they are not a stable platform like a tripod, there are many places that do not allow use of a tripod (museums, churches, art galleries, etc.). Ergo, a monopod propped against something is your best bet for a stable shot. Plus, you can use it as a walking stick
One consideration is to get a decent tripod that is also a monopod (it converts to a monopod by removing center column and a leg). A good, low cost option is the Fotopro C5i that has everything included (tripod and ball head) for $180. Available on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Fotopro-C5i-Camera-Tripod-Titanium/dp/B007QSAQ8U
Here is a link to an amateur's review of Giotto, Manfrotto, and Fotopro tripods that he owns. Probably helpful (video is 14 minutes long) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uldC49i610g The version of Fotopro tripod he is demoing is carbon fiber, but the overall features match up with the lower cost aluminum one I referred to in prior paragraph.
RRS is superb quality but it is pricey. I use the Acratech Ultimate Ball head for most shoots because it serves three separate roles: Gimbal head, Panorama head, and ball head. It does all three very well and is very easy to clean and keep new (ball heads used in the outdoors can get clogged with dirt or sand, this one won't). Check it out at http://acratech.net/product.php?productid=7&cat=1&page=1 ($280)
The founder and CEO of Acratech, Scott Dordick has provided a series of very good video tutorials. His on-screen style is stilted and almost robotic, the content is excellent. Here is his video about his company's ballheads http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0K_QVrV_-M
If you want carbon fiber, good price performance is available in Induro CT-213 8X tripod $292 coupled with their BHD2 ballhead $180 http://www.amazon.com/Induro-BHD2-Ballhead-39-6lb-Capacity/dp/B002SXMRWQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1381417653&sr=8-3&keywords=induro+ct214 (or use RRS ballhead or my preference Acratech Ultimate)
Oct 10, 2013 11:51:59 #
Oct 10, 2013 13:03:57 #
The one thing I didn't see addressed is the camera quick release. I have a SUNPAK 6200PG, it has a pistol grip which I like, BUT it has a quick release that is not perfectly tight and allows camera movement when pressing the shutter release.
I think I paid around around $40 for it a year ago. I use a D5100 with a 300 mm telephoto on it. I would pay more for a tripod that had a positive camera release on it.
I think I paid around around $40 for it a year ago. I use a D5100 with a 300 mm telephoto on it. I would pay more for a tripod that had a positive camera release on it.
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