Tripod & Head advice ??? I have an 8 year old Oben tripod and head that I paid $140 for. The tripod is suitable until I can get a nice one, but i need to attach sand bags. Only I lost...

Greer Loc: SOUTH GEORGIA

I have an 8 year old Oben tripod and head that I paid $140 for. The tripod is suitable until I can get a nice one, but i need to attach sand bags. Only I lost the hook while moving last year. Can I get a replacement? And the head is terrible. It slips no matter how much I tighten it. Looking for head around $130-140. That’s the most I have to spend although wish it was more. Any ideas about which heads I should get and how to replace metal hook? I want something new. All help appreciated.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Considering that you have to hook sandbags to your current tripod, etc. Do you think plowing $140 isn't throwing money at a problem that will only lead to spending more on a decent tripod?
--Bob

Greer wrote:

I have an 8 year old Oben tripod and head that I paid $140 for. The tripod is suitable until I can get a nice one, but i need to attach sand bags. Only I lost the hook while moving last year. Can I get a replacement? And the head is terrible. It slips no matter how much I tighten it. Looking for head around $130-140. That’s the most I have to spend although wish it was more. Any ideas about which heads I should get and how to replace metal hook? I want something new. All help appreciated.

Greer Loc: SOUTH GEORGIA

rmalarz wrote:

Considering that you have to hook sandbags to your current tripod, etc. Do you think plowing $140 isn't throwing money at a problem that will only lead to spending more on a decent tripod?
--Bob

Not throwing money. Sandbags were my idea. Plan to upgrade to better tripod at some future date. Right now it serves me fine. And I might as well get a good head so I don’t have to replace when I update Tripod. It’s complicated. Decided on Manfrotto magnesium XPRO $146.93 from B & H. Also found the hook and they are including it. Thanks.

MSW

always liked Bogen … except for the heads, which slipped something fierce...

Greer Loc: SOUTH GEORGIA

MSW wrote:

always liked Bogen … except for the heads, which slipped something fierce...

Isn’t that the US name for Manfrotto in Europe or some other brand name? I’ve heard they are very good.

Bob Mevis Loc: Plymouth, Indiana

I bought a 3pod brand c.f. and I really like it. I also bought there pistol grip head. Built like a tank. Under $300.00. Unfortunately, no sandbag hook, however, there is a strap hook close to center and I don't know why that wouldn't work.

RowdyRay Loc: MN

No need for a hook.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/707201-REG/Vanguard_SB_100_SB_100_Stone_Bag.html/?ap=y&ap=y&smp=y&smp=y&lsft=BI%3A514&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjYz17r2n6QIV0P7jBx0ZMg6cEAYYASABEgIsZfD_BwE

I'm a huge fan of Vanguard. Check them out.

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

Greer wrote:

I have an 8 year old Oben tripod and head that I paid $140 for. The tripod is suitable until I can get a nice one, but i need to attach sand bags. Only I lost the hook while moving last year. Can I get a replacement? And the head is terrible. It slips no matter how much I tighten it. Looking for head around $130-140. That’s the most I have to spend although wish it was more. Any ideas about which heads I should get and how to replace metal hook? I want something new. All help appreciated.

So, unless you have an immediate need for a tripod - can you continue to make do until you can get something sturdy, that doesn't require a sandbag to make it sturdy? For the most part, a $130 ball head will slip - so you aren't going to get what you are hoping to get. And a tripod in the same price range will generally not be sturdy, unless you are using it for landscapes with shorter lenses. The general rule is the higher the magnification or narrower the field of view, the sturdier the tripod needs to be.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Greer wrote:

Not throwing money. Sandbags were my idea. Plan to upgrade to better tripod at some future date. Right now it serves me fine. And I might as well get a good head so I don’t have to replace when I update Tripod. It’s complicated. Decided on Manfrotto magnesium XPRO $146.93 from B & H. Also found the hook and they are including it. Thanks.

Manfrotto uses its own quick-release plate pattern and eliminates using the more common ARCA Swiss pattern.
This eliminates the use of camera body "L" brackets, which is a deal-breaker for me.

Greer Loc: SOUTH GEORGIA

I’m wanting a Manfrotto 190Go! Carbon Fiber M-series Tripod w/ MHXPRO-BHQ2 XPRO Ball Head. I can get both for $393.26 (about $100 less than buying them separately). B & H, among others, sell separately or together as a package. The other Manfrotto pair I was looking at had a more expensive tripod I liked better but they sold it for less than the list price if you bought the ball head they had paired with it. Says something about the ball head or may be phasing that model out. Anyway, waiting for my stimulus check (which I haven’t gotten) to break open the piggy bank. Thank y’all for commenting.

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

Greer wrote:

Isn’t that the US name for Manfrotto in Europe or some other brand name? I’ve heard they are very good.

No, we buy MANFROTTO, just as you do. Check out Wikipedia. Seems one company holds many brands.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Greer wrote:

I have an 8 year old Oben tripod and head that I paid $140 for. The tripod is suitable until I can get a nice one, but i need to attach sand bags. Only I lost the hook while moving last year. Can I get a replacement? And the head is terrible. It slips no matter how much I tighten it. Looking for head around $130-140. That’s the most I have to spend although wish it was more. Any ideas about which heads I should get and how to replace metal hook? I want something new. All help appreciated.

The following one may fit your needs, and it is just about $10.00 over your budget. It has a built in red plastic liner that works very well to lock down your camera.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1162342-REG/manfrotto_mhxpro_bhq2_xpro_ball_head.html

The following head is not technically a ball head but allows about the same movement and lots of folks like it, I am not one of them.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/303591-REG/Manfrotto_322RC2_322RC2_Grip_Action_Ballhead.html

As far as replacement parts for your Oben, you can contact them and ask, contact info below.
https://www.obensupports.com/contact-us

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Greer wrote:

I have an 8 year old Oben tripod and head that I paid $140 for. The tripod is suitable until I can get a nice one, but i need to attach sand bags. Only I lost the hook while moving last year. Can I get a replacement? And the head is terrible. It slips no matter how much I tighten it. Looking for head around $130-140. That’s the most I have to spend although wish it was more. Any ideas about which heads I should get and how to replace metal hook? I want something new. All help appreciated.

The head for you - https://www.ebay.com/itm/No-Box-LEOFOTO-LH-40-Ball-Head-40mm-Low-Profile-Arca-RRS-Compatible-w-Pan-Lock/264712842020?hash=item3da21d6b24:g:FSUAAOSwVTpd~BqQ
Please READ the user reviews ....

IMO, the prerequisite for decent ball heads is ball = 40mm or greater. Size MATTERS.
.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Greer wrote:

I have an 8 year old Oben tripod and head that I paid $140 for. The tripod is suitable until I can get a nice one, but i need to attach sand bags. Only I lost the hook while moving last year. Can I get a replacement? And the head is terrible. It slips no matter how much I tighten it. Looking for head around $130-140. That’s the most I have to spend although wish it was more. Any ideas about which heads I should get and how to replace metal hook? I want something new. All help appreciated.

A good tripod is invaluable in some situations but I get very good results hand holding with stabilized bodies and lenses. Also, I went down the various head options including a gimbal and now use a fluid head almost exclusively.

A good one fits right into your price range. Check out Manfrotto.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

Greer wrote:

I have an 8 year old Oben tripod and head that I paid $140 for. The tripod is suitable until I can get a nice one, but i need to attach sand bags. Only I lost the hook while moving last year. Can I get a replacement? And the head is terrible. It slips no matter how much I tighten it. Looking for head around $130-140. That’s the most I have to spend although wish it was more. Any ideas about which heads I should get and how to replace metal hook? I want something new. All help appreciated.

Sirui K-30X About $130.00 usd.