Tripod recommendation, please? (Page 2): Jeepers! B&H has 38 Monfrottos, let alone all the many and various models of all the other brands mentioned by others here that I need to...

Finch585 Loc: Northern California

Danilo wrote:

I've been using a Tiltall for several years now, I'm happy with it, although there are better ones out there. I don't really like the twist-lock legs, but they're okay. I used to have a Bogen (now Monfratto) that was excellent...probably my favorite outside of huge studio tripods. Davis-Sanford is also great.

Jeepers! B&H has 38 Monfrottos, let alone all the many and various models of all the other brands mentioned by others here that I need to consider.....

tomfr Loc: Brevard N.C.

You may want to consider what features the tripod offers as well. How wide do the legs open, this will allow to get down low. Is the center column reversible, that is, can it be inverted. My Manfrotto allowed me to take the column, and put it 90degrees to the ground. Another nice option, is the ability to hang some weight from the center column. I had a light carbon fiber tripod, which was fine, if there was no wind. My Manfrotto is much heavier, at the same time it is rock steady in wind. Gimicky ball heads are fine, I stand by my ,Manfrotto as well. When considering a head, buy one that can handle twice the weight you may be thinking of, you never know when you may get a big heavy lens, and you would not want it to creep down, during a long exposure.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

tomfr wrote:

You may want to consider what features the tripod ... (show quote)

Come to think of it, allowing the center column to sink slowly during a long exposure would give a nice effect.

fotogk Loc: Tuftonboro, NH

New2blog wrote:

I was given a used Vanguard VT219 tripod. While it was a good start for me, I find the ratcheting adjustment design to often be a problem. (Now I know why my friend upgraded :-)

There are SO many out there to choose from new, does anyone have a recommendation on a better design and brand/model they care to share?

Thanks,

Jeffrey

Don't waste your money on a cheap tripod get a good solid one
I have the SystemPRO T325P Carbon Fiber Tripod . A couple things to consider. If you think you will be using it alot (I use my a great deal and carry it all the time hiking) is a carbon fiber. this model is solid and light weight. Carbon Fiber are pricey just for legs. the head I have on it is a manfrotto 804rc2 with quick release plate. It is not a ball head I just did not like the ball head person preference. I have had about 10 different tripods cheap ones under 150.00 and they just did not last or where flimsey and ended up not using them. I wish I had just spent the money the first time and get a good one. Now I am very happy and use it all the time. Even adding a kirk L bracket to it. Good luck with your search

heyjoe Loc: cincinnati ohio

I like the Monfrotto/bogen, i bought an older used one,
i plan to keep it in my photo room,so weight was not an issue,
carbon would be nice if you plan to take out hiking,monfrotto
makes quality heads also, i have the 501,very solid for heavy
set ups like the 70-200 f/2.8 good luck

nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina

New2blog wrote:

I was given a used Vanguard VT219 tripod. While it was a good start for me, I find the ratcheting adjustment design to often be a problem. (Now I know why my friend upgraded :-)

There are SO many out there to choose from new, does anyone have a recommendation on a better design and brand/model they care to share?

Thanks,

Jeffrey

We use "ReallyRightStuff" for everything. Ball Heads, L Plates, Gitzo Tripods, and Panos. I do like the wimberly bracket for long focal length lens....Nikon F4 200-400 needs so much support and the Wimberly works great, perfectly balanced.

Things to consider, will your tripod be in a stationary place most of the time (in studio or like workplace). Or, will you be backpacking or traveling (air travel). Also an important consideration will be the weight of your camera and lens system.

When you call B&H or Adorama, tell them when you will most likely pull out the pod, your travel plans, camera and lens you will likely use, they are very good at advising you with this information.

sbesaw Loc: Boston

Very curious to know what your wife thinks of Feisol. I took a class from top, well known Macro Shooter, Mike Moats and he highly recommended this (Feisol) light weight, steady and highly flexible without center column model which can get right down to ground level,

molsonice Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

Jeffery I have 2 a Manfrotto that I use for my spotting scope which is expensive. Then I purchased a Dolica AX620B100 62-Inch Proline Tripod and Ball Head from Amazon for $40 and added a Opteka TS-1 TacShot Pistol Grip Ball Head with Quick Release Plate for Tripods & Monopods for $29 that works on both tripods and makes for a wonderful tripod system.
I hope this helps

molsonice Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

Go to Amazon.com and check out their prices before your purchase you could save some jingle.

DANthephotoMAN

New2blog wrote:

I was given a used Vanguard VT219 tripod. While it was a good start for me, I find the ratcheting adjustment design to often be a problem. (Now I know why my friend upgraded :-)

There are SO many out there to choose from new, does anyone have a recommendation on a better design and brand/model they care to share?

Thanks,

Jeffrey

Ha! I had a vanguard VT. Nicknamed it the"Very Tedious" because I knew that it meant that. Spend $100-200 on a better one, LOL!

JohnnyRottenNJ Loc: Northern New Jersey

There is only ONE tripod that I will use. After having issues with a pair of Slik U212 Deluxe tripods (the locking mechanism cracks, and then it will no longer support any weight. I only use them to hold remote flash units now. I also have a ProMaster 7150 that is OK, it is light, but again, the quality just isn't there.

That leads me to the last tripod I will most likely EVER have to purchase. (I'm a realist, I don't think I'll wear it out, but it could get stolen.) And in my book the winner is: Manfrotto 3021BPRO with a 486RC2 ball head. I also purchased a Manfrotto 128RC pan & tilt head for video use. It sports a very smooth pan and tilt mechanism. Not that I have ever tried it, nor would I, but this tripod feels like it is strong enough to attach a platform to it and I feel like I could sit on it. I'm sure it is not the lightest contender in the tripod market, and you wouldn't want or need it necessarily for a point and shoot pocket camera, but when you have a few thousand dollars worth of camera and glass perching on something, you need the peace of mind of it being up to the task. Plus the quick release attachments are amazingly secure. I bought one for each of my cameras, and one for each of my two lenses than have a tripod collar.

Unclewiggley Loc: Winter Haven, FL

In an earlier post on a tripod question I posted a Ravelli APGL4 sold by Amazon for $93.33. It claims a list price of $399.99 which I find hard to believe but it has good ratings.

wildman Loc: Bluffton, SC

I use "Really Right Stuff" equipment and although a bit pricey, It's perfect!

wildman

dundeelad Loc: Originally UK. Current West Dundee, Illinois

I bought a Flashpoint series carbon fiber tripod from Adorama.com and one of their ballheads, Both work fine and the carbon fiber makes the tripod very easy to carry - not heavy at all.

Grumpy D Stevens

Roger Hicks wrote:

globetrekker wrote:

I know I'll want a tripod at some point too. Can anyone paste some links to online information that summarizes what's out there. . .

Not really. It's a huge market and constantly changing (my wife covers tripods for Shutterbug magazine). Here's a draft of something you may find of use: http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/ps%20how%20tripod.html

Cheers,

R.

"We choose (and recommend) something in between, partly on the grounds of price but also because (in our own case) we know that we could probably lose the entire weight of any tripod under about 3 kg/7 lb. via a little dieting. This is a sobering thought."

This quote (above) from your article is just a little too close to the truth for me!!! Although, in my case the tripod could weigh more that 7 lbs. Now for my new year's resolution.......