Chefneil

I posted a little while ago that I was interested in getting a studio tripod which was steady and had a center column which could go up and down, and got a bunch of responses. I sure do appreciate the varying opinions expressed and they helped me to figure out what is was that I wanted. A few of you suggested that I use some pretty high end equipment, but I am an amateur on a low budget. I went to B&H and chatted with one of their dudes and laid out my parameters---Steady base with a column the goes up and down, less than $200.

And he came up with 3 suggestions in my range. The one I decided upon was this: Davis & Sanford ProVista Tripod with FM18 Fluid Head BH# DAPVTFM18 at https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/623781-REG/Davis_Sanford_PROVISTA18_PROVISTA18_ProVista_Tripod_with.html. This is more tripod than I need and less than what I would need if I was going into video. But it works! When extended to its highest point it goes above my head, the legs are way sturdy and the center column is solid. It is heavy enough to hold my 6D with the 100mm Macro, or heavier lens, with no noticeable movement. I don't plan on using this for anything other than in studio work, so portability is not an issue. I am happy with it.

Here is a pic of the studio with the tripod and subject I was shooting.

The only issue I have is the fact that I cannot turn my camera from Landscape to Portrait mode. There is a fix, think gimble here, which I may look into in the future.

Thanks all for contributing to the future of my studio playtime, it really helped in my making a good "solid" decision.

Later, olc

(Download)

jcboy3

You just need to get an L-bracket for your camera and you can rotate from landscape to portrait orientation.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Member "jcboy3" is exactly right. An L-bracket will allow you to briefly remove the camera from the tripod, for example, in Landscape mode, turn it 90 degrees and re-attach the tripod to the "L" side of the bracket and shoot in Portrait mode.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Looks like a decent tripod - how much does it weigh ??


This will allow you to go vertical -or- in between with adjustment - https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Manfrotto-2-way-Head-monopod-Tilt-Top-Aluminum-234-Camera-Japan/161840791327?hash=item25ae767f1f:g:E-MAAOSw9r1WCOgq


Put the A/S adapter on it - https://www.ebay.com/itm/QR-50-Quick-Release-Clamp-Plate-For-Arca-SWISS-Manfrotto-Gitzo-Transition-Socket/332501203508?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372

OR, L bracket - https://www.ebay.com/itm/Universal-QR-Quick-Release-L-Plate-Bracket-For-Arca-Swiss-RSS-Manfrotto-Ballhead/111766215805?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372

..

DennisC. Loc: Antelope, CA

That head is intended for video, it will work for what you are using it for. Besides the vertical shooting problem without some kind of adapter, low cost video heads usually don’t lock down as solid as a still photo head.