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TRIPOD
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Jan 25, 2013 07:01:39   #
wISOr Loc: Austin, TEXAS
 
GREETINGS! After spending a small fortune on a D7000, 3 lenses, bag...yadda yadda, I am now in the market for a tripod. BUT am a bit clueless which way to look, other than a decent used one that I can pack and carry on an upcoming whale watching excursion. The longest lens I have is the 70-300mm and I really would like to spend even a smaller fortune on a reasonable tripod. NOT a pro at this so a basic one that will hold the camera nicely and not send me to a lending institution to purchase... :) Aesthetically, as long as it has not been run over by a car and works will be OK too.



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Jan 25, 2013 08:10:02   #
JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK
 
No matter what I shoot I only use a gimbal, they are the best heads as far as I am concerned.

I do have Manfrotto ball heads and pan/tilt but my monopod and Giottos legs have model 1 and 2 LENSMASTER gimbals.

Two people on this site have also bought them.

TOP quality aircraft alloy, not cheap steel that will rust.

http://www.lensmaster.co.uk/rh1.htm


http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/ad121/jser1/Img_4085.jpg



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Jan 25, 2013 08:17:55   #
JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK
 
I also have a couple of new D7000s and Sigma 150-500, the above is a 60D with 120-400, I have five tripods including the Manfrotto 055XPROB, and Unilok (look that up), and after years of testing finally the combos are right.

False economy good gear cheap pod, nono......

£220 for legs and gimbal.



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Jan 25, 2013 08:33:47   #
traveler90712 Loc: Lake Worth, Fl.
 
I will not advise you on which tripod or ball head to get. But I will say, ensure the tripod and ball head can support at least 1 1/2 to 2 times the total weight of your camera and largest lens.

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Jan 25, 2013 10:54:57   #
gdwsr Loc: Northern California
 
There are a lot of options to consider. But first. If you are going on a whale watch on a boat, I have read that you do not want to use a tripod; it will pick up the vibrations of the engines and the wave tossing will throw off level, etc. Hand holding apparently dampens all that.

As far as a tripod.... Man!... you are preceptive to notice it is not a simple matter to pick out the right one for you. You will get a lot of different answers, none of which are wrong. For example, a lot of people like ball heads as they allow one adjustment (handle) to maneuver the camera in all three planes. I prefer a three way head (three handles) that way I can adjust each plane independently. 3-ways are considerably cheaper but that isn't the reason I like it. Also carbon fiber tripods are very light and won't rust or corrode (although you still want to flush them off with fresh water after a salt water shoot). Also a consideration it the type of leg adjustment. Leg clamping mechanisms very as well; some are twist, some flap-clamp. Most have a clamp at the bottom of each leg segment but there are some very nice ones that have one adjustment at the very top of the tripod legs. (I would put that at the top of my priority list for my next tripod). No matter what you get you want to make sure the "clamp" is tight (push down hard on it and make sure it won't slip -- ever).

In my opinion, any tripod will do the job if it is strong and stable AND works for your style of shooting. I use a Slik 212dx and love it but I probably don't beat to the same drum as most. Here is one on ebay just to give you something to look at.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SLIK-Universal-U-212-Deluxe-Camera-Tripod-3-way-Pan-Head-non-twist-legs-EXC-/281055196009?pt=US_Tripods&hash=item417031f369

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Jan 25, 2013 13:00:55   #
JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK
 
Agree with gdwsr you will not use a tripod on a boat, ship, anything moving

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Jan 25, 2013 13:07:29   #
Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
 
JR1 wrote:
Agree with gdwsr you will not use a tripod on a boat, ship, anything moving


Agree. Save your money (for now) and buy a couple of beers. You won't need or want the tripod aboard a boat.
BTW, beautiful color in that photo you posted.

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Jan 25, 2013 14:03:17   #
Raider Fan Loc: Lake County, IL.
 
wmf wrote:
GREETINGS! After spending a small fortune on a D7000, 3 lenses, bag...yadda yadda, I am now in the market for a tripod. BUT am a bit clueless which way to look, other than a decent used one that I can pack and carry on an upcoming whale watching excursion. The longest lens I have is the 70-300mm and I really would like to spend even a smaller fortune on a reasonable tripod. NOT a pro at this so a basic one that will hold the camera nicely and not send me to a lending institution to purchase... :) Aesthetically, as long as it has not been run over by a car and works will be OK too.
GREETINGS! After spending a small fortune on a D70... (show quote)


Check out Adorama. They have tripod kits that are very reasonable and are feature rich!

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Jan 25, 2013 18:38:05   #
wISOr Loc: Austin, TEXAS
 
Thanks for the info and thank you for the color kudo! We will be on a far size ship and never thought about THAT movement. Bar Keep, another round of brewskies please!

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Jan 25, 2013 18:51:22   #
Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
 
wmf wrote:
Thanks for the info and thank you for the color kudo! We will be on a far size ship and never thought about THAT movement. Bar Keep, another round of brewskies please!


Have a great time, take a lot of pics and post them soon. We need images with heat- it's freezing here.

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Jan 25, 2013 19:16:21   #
wISOr Loc: Austin, TEXAS
 
Db7423 wrote:
wmf wrote:
Thanks for the info and thank you for the color kudo! We will be on a far size ship and never thought about THAT movement. Bar Keep, another round of brewskies please!


Have a great time, take a lot of pics and post them soon. We need images with heat- it's freezing here.


Man I feel for you guys. Austin Texas is 76 degrees and no end in sight for a week or so.

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Jan 25, 2013 19:20:37   #
Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
 
wmf wrote:
Db7423 wrote:
wmf wrote:
Thanks for the info and thank you for the color kudo! We will be on a far size ship and never thought about THAT movement. Bar Keep, another round of brewskies please!


Have a great time, take a lot of pics and post them soon. We need images with heat- it's freezing here.


Man I feel for you guys. Austin Texas is 76 degrees and no end in sight for a week or so.


Go ahead and rub it in- BTW, have a lousy trip and on second look the color is terrible! :) :)

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Jan 25, 2013 19:29:25   #
wISOr Loc: Austin, TEXAS
 
Db7423 wrote:
wmf wrote:
Db7423 wrote:
wmf wrote:
Thanks for the info and thank you for the color kudo! We will be on a far size ship and never thought about THAT movement. Bar Keep, another round of brewskies please!


Have a great time, take a lot of pics and post them soon. We need images with heat- it's freezing here.


Man I feel for you guys. Austin Texas is 76 degrees and no end in sight for a week or so.


Go ahead and rub it in- BTW, have a lousy trip and on second look the color is terrible! :) :)
quote=wmf quote=Db7423 quote=wmf Thanks for the... (show quote)


Funny! BTW, the last blinding snowstorm we had was...NEVER. Not to mention the last time this city shut down was due to a whopping 1" of snow...No bull! COLD to most folks here is 40 ABOVE zero.

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Jan 25, 2013 19:40:49   #
wISOr Loc: Austin, TEXAS
 
wmf wrote:
Db7423 wrote:
wmf wrote:
Db7423 wrote:
wmf wrote:
Thanks for the info and thank you for the color kudo! We will be on a far size ship and never thought about THAT movement. Bar Keep, another round of brewskies please!


Have a great time, take a lot of pics and post them soon. We need images with heat- it's freezing here.


Man I feel for you guys. Austin Texas is 76 degrees and no end in sight for a week or so.


Go ahead and rub it in- BTW, have a lousy trip and on second look the color is terrible! :) :)
quote=wmf quote=Db7423 quote=wmf Thanks for the... (show quote)


As per your wish, a little heat. Not the best pic in town, but warming.

Funny! BTW, the last blinding snowstorm we had was...NEVER. Not to mention the last time this city shut down was due to a whopping 1" of snow...No bull! COLD to most folks here is 40 ABOVE zero.
quote=Db7423 quote=wmf quote=Db7423 quote=wmf ... (show quote)



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Jan 25, 2013 19:42:05   #
Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
 
wmf wrote:
Db7423 wrote:
wmf wrote:
Db7423 wrote:
wmf wrote:
Thanks for the info and thank you for the color kudo! We will be on a far size ship and never thought about THAT movement. Bar Keep, another round of brewskies please!


Have a great time, take a lot of pics and post them soon. We need images with heat- it's freezing here.


Man I feel for you guys. Austin Texas is 76 degrees and no end in sight for a week or so.


Go ahead and rub it in- BTW, have a lousy trip and on second look the color is terrible! :) :)
quote=wmf quote=Db7423 quote=wmf Thanks for the... (show quote)


Funny! BTW, the last blinding snowstorm we had was...NEVER. Not to mention the last time this city shut down was due to a whopping 1" of snow...No bull! COLD to most folks here is 40 ABOVE zero.
quote=Db7423 quote=wmf quote=Db7423 quote=wmf ... (show quote)


We know how to handle the snow and 1" doesn't even slow traffic here. But we really have been cold. This week the schools in my area delayed the start of the school day two hours to give it a chance to warm a little for the kids waiting for their school bus pickup. Things have changed somewhat over the years- I remember having to walk about a mile to and from school with no regard for the weather conditions and that mile was up hill both ways! Seriously, post some pics when you return and have a great time and don't drink all that tripod money cause you will need one sooner or later. Thanks for the fire! I feel warmer already.

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