bulldog001

I need a tripod for my Pentax. I was looking at getting a Manfrotto 190XPROB 3 Section Aluminum Pro Tripod with a Vanguard GH-100 Pistol Grip Ball Head but I've recently come across a Sunpak pro 423px combo.
Anyone have any thoughts one way or another ? I am a novice and this would be my first "good" tripod.

Thank you in advance

JimH Loc: Western South Jersey, USA

Tripods are one of those things that sometimes develop an almost religious fervor among their various adherents.

Some will tell you to buy the $1000 space-age carbon fiber tripod that only weighs 4 ounces, so you don't get tired hauling it up and down Mt McKinley.

Others will swear by their antique wooden unit that was passed down by Matthew Brady's negative cutter, and weights 50 pounds.

Here's what I suggest - if you plan to hike all over GGE, look for sturdy lightness, but you'll pay for it. Carbon fiber seems to be the material of choice. Aluminum is next in lightness, and wood heaviest (if you can still find it).

If you don't need lightness per se, look for sturdy.

Check the height. If you're over about 5.5", make sure the darn thing extends up high enough without using the center post. If you have to extend the center post another 8 or 10 inches, you lose a lot of stability.

Check the sturdiness of the legs. Check the way they lock - the last thing you want is for a tripod leg to slide loose with an expensive camera up on top of it. BANG! Oooops..

Check the mounting plate locking mechanism. Make sure it locks SECURELY.

Make sure the tripod is sturdy enough to hold your camera and the heaviest lens you might hang on it. Some big zooms are kinda heavy, and it's not hard to get up around 10-11 pounds. My 50D and 100-400mm lens is too much for a cheap aluminum tripod.


(GGE: God's Green Earth) :)

DB Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

Being fairly new to anything but a point and shoot camera I relied on a semi-pro photography friend for advise. I wanted a tripod I would be happy with for years, and I do believe I found what works for me.

http://www.adorama.com/GTMT8340.html

This tripod has 4 sections on each leg (carbon fiber) giving maximum versitility with an easy twist and pull that is easily one handed adjusting. The center arm also becomes a lateral arm (holds the camera pointing straight down) which I love, and the legs can be spread full open to lower the tripod within inches of the ground. It comes with a nice carrying case, tool kit and one feature I like is the attachable shoulder strap where one end secures around the legs securing them. I am happy with this tripod. One note, maximum height is 55.1", but for me (5'3" tall) this is not a problem... for someone taller it could be.

I also invested in a joystick head for the tripod, with a squeeze handle that works very well. I also got the quick release mounting plate.

http://www.adorama.com/BG327RC2.html

One small issue with this joystick head on the Giottos tripod is that a small section of the handle sticks out of one end of the carrying case... I don't find that a problem but some might.

Check with people you know, visit some camera shops and try them out. The feature I absolutely wanted was the lateral arm. Not everyone needs it. Good luck

Stevebales Loc: Central Florida USA

JimH hit the nail on the head. He is right on target as what you should look for. Always look for what is comfortable for you and hight and weight are important factors as well as durability. I use a Benro C-268 which works well and doesn't cost you your shirt.

KB Loc: Tennessee

If you're like most photographers, your needs will change in the future so try to considder that when you purchase. You can buy a good one now, or after you've purchased several cheap ones that seemed like a good idea at the time.

wmralls Loc: Kansas City

Bulldog,

Just a few thoughts on camera platforms and stability:

If you are doing much treking at all, you will at some point hate the t-pod enough to leave it at home.

If you are not shooting where you need time exposures or otherwise need totally hands off, then consider a monopod. there are also "string-pods" that attach a string or cable to the camera's pod mounting hole with a step-on-it device on the other end of the string/cable. You extend the string, step on the end piece, pull UP on the camera to stabilize and shoot. It is very quick and allows more freedom of motion in positioning the camera that any other device. You can make one or buy one. This site has info.

You might also consider a mono-pod if quick setup and weight are an issue. I keep my mono on the camera almost all of the time. I do not even extend always and the extra weight pulling down on the camera also acts as a stabilizer for shots in the 1/60-1/10 sec range for all but my biggest tele.

I also carry a beanbag mount and a tiny remote release instead when in really rough country. (Adorama has the Omnipod Standard Beanbag Camera Support, Measures 9" x 5" x 1", Camouflage). I also carry a separate, 6' strap to secure the bag to larger limbs/trunks then hide and trip remotely when game shows up.

Overall, I also try to avoid the need for any stabilizing by using a slightly higher ISO and speed and good body form (more on the good body form later).

Is important to know you and your equipment and understand when extra stabilization is needed. I find the 1/60th rule about right (slower needs extra stabilization). You also need to consider the environment and situation where shooting. If wind is blowing, you might need a pod even though you are shooting at 1/100. I have shot with camera out over a gorge about 6' from cliff face. Used a 4" fallen limb lying on ground with camera attached to beanbag mount strapped to limb and limb shoved out so camera was 6' from cliff face ( I heard the shudders of you folks reading this!).

Many times a good, stable, body position is enough: feet shoulder width apart and non-dominate foot slightly forward pointing at target (like a pistol firing stance), elbows tucked in tightly to sides, face not touching camera, right hand on release, left hand under lens cradling it at center of balance if a long lens.

dancer

In the field I use a mono-pod. Quick set up, take down. Beats off snakes, black widow spiders. Use as a walking stick.
Fast leveler or horizontal/angle determiner.
Light weight, convenient. Stores easy.

dancer

Yes, Indoors, Studio use, I use a tripod, period.
A museum often won't let you in with a tripod. A mono, can fit in your pocket. Situational.

Bobbee

I have a Vanguard with the Vanguard Pistol Grip head. Nice tripod, nice head. I have a Nikon D700 with a battery pack and a 2-70 lens. I have to tighten up hard to make them stay but it is a very heavy setup.

BRobb Loc: Florida

I have the Sunpak Pro 423 PX, so far so good. Not too heavy and the legs will continue to hyper extend out so you can get a wider/lower stance. It seems to be stable even when extended. I utilize a remote when shooting at night and require the shutter to be opened longer, just to prevent the shake from pushing on the camera body. I would say the Sunpak is a good buy if you are new (like me) and not 100% sure where your photography is going to take you. For now it is a hobby for me so I did not want to drop a lot of coin for an expensive t-pod.

Brad

Bobbee

The Vanguard set up was not expensive. I think it ran about 240 @ Adorama last year. If you go to PDN Photo Expo this Oct at the Javaits Center in NYC (assuming you are near NYC) you can get deals on this and everything.

Ugly Jake Loc: Sub-Rural Vermont

In the field I use a mono-pod. Quick set up, take down. Beats off snakes, black widow spiders. Use as a walking stick.
No, never ! This is intended to hold 10 or 12 lbs max - a walking stick holds up to 1/3 of your weight - you do the math !

tsamori

whatever you decide on for a tripod keep in mind a quick release for it. I want to swap my tripod for one that has quick release capabilities as mine doesn't. Iwould probably use it more I it did.

Bobbee

this is why I went to the pistol grip. I was spending alot of time adjusting the three settings. Pain in the neck. I love the Pistol Grip.

tsamori

what exactlly is the pistol grip?