Tripod!! (2pics added)

[bossel]

I think of getting a tripod. Does it make sense to invest big money into something with a big name like Manfrotto? Or is this really for the pros (I am not)? I read good things about Fancier on a french forum. Tripod, ballhead and plate for £40 and it seems to be rather solid. What's your experience?

[AJ Gressette]

Personally I think tripods and heads are way over priced today. I think just about any steady tripod/head will work, granted it is rated for the amount of weight you intend to attach to it. The only exception to this rule would be the use of tripods with large prime lenses 300mm and up and specialized ones specifically made for macro photography. For lenses with tripod collars I have had the best luck with these using Bogen/Manfroto tripods and Wimberley heads.
My two and a half cents worth,
AJ

[Birma]

Hi Bossel. I think that it is worth spending a bit more on a tripod as it is one of those areas that you can end up spending more in the long run if you buy a cheap version initially and then find you have to upgrade later. Sadly I did this; I bought a cheap tripod as I wasn't sure if I would find it useful. I then found it very difficult (and frustrating) to use the cheap version, not tall enough, not flexible (in terms of configurations), not steady enough (very important!), not strong enough for telephoto lenses, etc. I then had to upgrade and I bought a manfrotto set (legs and head) after much research. I am sure this set will serve me for a long time. If I "win the lottery" I will probably buy carbon fibre legs, and I can also imagine trying further heads in the future. Using this tripod is fantastic compared to the cheap version. I don't know anything about the French make you mention, but I suggest finding a shop that sells some and try them out - it makes all the difference.

Like anything in photography you can spend a great deal on a tripod - but I think you can also get a very nice set up for less than £150, which will last a long time.

I bought Manfrotto 055 X PRO B legs (nice and tall) and 804 RC 2 head (3 way pan and tilt).

[bonneville]

I bought a cheap tripod as I wasn't sure if I would find it useful. I then found it very difficult (and frustrating) to use the cheap version, not tall enough, not flexible (in terms of configurations), not steady enough (very important!), not strong enough for telephoto lenses, etc. I then had to upgrade and I bought a manfrotto set (legs and head) after much research.

I so agree with Birma.

Buy a cheap Tripod and you might as well throw your hard earned (insert currency) away. I do use my cheapo Jessops tripod for off camera flash now but investing in a carbon fibre "good" tripod will pay you dividends (just wait 'till you have to carry it any distance, and I've had a triple heart by-pass )

tripod - oh so sharp pictures
light but sturdy tripod - my new best friend

Brian

[Greg Beetham]

Yes Bossel go for the Manfrotto, (or equivalent in quality) I bought the 055 like Birma did and I liked it so much I bought another one so I could leave one permanently in my truck (wrapped up so it can't rub on anything), I had a look at the Chinese copy of the Manfrotto 055 (they had it in the shop as well) and it seemed like quite a good copy attempt, but I still bought the Manfrotto at 2/3 more in price.
I like ball heads more than pan and tilts so I have more of those than the latter, I standardized on the same Manfrotto hex plate version for most of my tripod heads, although I have a couple of oddbods as well, the hex plate ones are rather heavy so one does need a lighter smaller type for carrying/travel any great distance.
One I don't have is a genuine (good) light travel tripod yet, as Birma mentioned the carbon legs version could be the go, but I would expect the price to be a tad on the high side, also a slightly smaller carbon tripod all over might be more suited for hiking/travel, but it would still need to be high quality just the same, it's useless carrying something around (not to mention spending good money on) for camera support that in the end doesn't do the job it's supposed to do.
Greg

[Mike]

I have a 20 plus year old Velbon VE-3 tripod. It's built to withstand a near miss of a nuclear weapon. They don't build them like that anymore. You can have your carbon composite, I'll stick with my aluminum. I replaced the original head with a Manfrotto 322RC2 Grip Action Ballhead. It makes a great combination.

Mike

[Greg Beetham]

Hah! I also have a Velbon, but it's a VEB-3, I don't know what the difference is between it and the VE-3, I bought mine approx 35 years ago and it still works fine, although I was never totally impressed with the pan and tilt head, and it now wears a Sala ball head, it's quite handy for any sort of use, light stand, camera use, although it's not as rigid as the Manfrotto 055 when extended, it is lighter, and I would carry it easily for some distance in the bush.
The main thing my Velbon doesn't have that the Manfrotto 055 has is the ability to pull the column right out and take off the insert for attaching to the ballhead and the camera, so the legs can be folded out almost horizontally for very low to the ground type shots....magic.
Greg

[bossel]

Ok, have done some searching today. Something reasonnable seams to be the Manfrotto 7302yb. It carries 3.5Kg, goes to 144cm, weighs <1.5Kg.

I also had a look at the 190 but it doesn't seem to be that better than 7302yb. The 055 seems to be a different class, definitely stronger but also more heavy and certainly more expensive.

I could get the 7302yb for 130E incl. ball head, plate and shipping. The most basic 055 (there are so many versions, phew) would cost me around 220E.

Currenlty my most heavy combo would be A700 + beercan, though dreaming of a 70-400 (maybe next year ) Would you think the smaller one (7302) could do this or would you still go for the 055?

[Greg Beetham]

Bossel ol' pal, nothing less than the 055 will do for the 70-400G and a heavy duty ball head, or a pan and tilt head IMO. If I had a lens of that quality I would even be tempted to drag my 075 along to a hide or such...
Greg

[Birma]

The 055 is a 'significant' piece of kit to carry. I don't have a problem with this as I only take it when I am going somewhere specifically just to take pictures. If I was going to be travelling / touring around and I wanted to use a tripod occasionally then I think I would want something smaller / lighter, may be even a mono-pod. The 7302 sounds like a good compromise. But, however light it is, if you are not going to use it, then it is just extra weight. When do you think you are going to use the tripod?

[bossel]

The 055 is a 'significant' piece of kit to carry. <...> When do you think you are going to use the tripod?

Birma!!! Now I had settled for the 055 in my mind and now you get me thinking again I am not a pro-user and would use it only occasionally, for night shots, or moon, plane and fireworks from the terasse. Yes, better a small one that you take with you than a perfect one that stays at home just for the moon shots.

I went to a camera store on the weekend, they have loads of stuff (including Sony, CZ lenses, even the new Tamron 70-200/2.8 and a Bigma in Sony mount)! Tripod section was a deception, mostly tiny things at aroung 50E that would take 1-2 kg only

I think I'll sleep over it but want to order soon, I have 3 weeks of holidays in september

[Birma]

Sorry Bossel - I didn't mean to cause confusion I love my 055 and I'm very happy with it. It is just after going to have a play with it again I was worried that if you expected to use it all day, while wandering about visiting a city for example, I think you would find it getting in the way. For moon and firework shots at home the 055 would be brilliant. Perhaps you will have to buy two, one for home and one for travelling . Isn't this always the dilema? A compromised "jack of all trades", or more expense on having different specialised versions.

I am lucky in that I have a very good camera store within 1 hour that specialises in tripods and bags. Morris Photographic. They have many Manfrotto, Giottos and Gitzo set ups that you can try and very helpful advice from the staff there. Highly recommended if you are in the UK and in the Midlands.

I hope that a night's rest will help make the decision.

[bossel]

Sorry Bossel - I didn't mean to cause confusion

Don't get me wrong, your advice and feedback about your experience with the 055 is greatly appreciated

[bfitzgerald]

I like Velbon myself, they have a complete range and the quality is very good IMO. Every bit the equal of Manfrotto, but with a nicer name

[bossel]

And the winner is .... Manfrotto 190XB with 484RC2 ballhead and 200PL quick release plate. Carries 5Kg, the head 4Kg.

Why not the smaller 7302YB? Well, it'd save me only 30E and after more checking, the 190 does seem more robust. The legs seem thicker and they only have three segments rather than 4. Read somewhere that adds to the stability.

Why not the bigger 055? Taking the 055XPROB (found a good price actually) and the 486R2 ballhead would add 1.5 pounds in weight (nearly 0.8Kg) . Given that I am not that tall and my equipment not that heavy I don't need that. Plus the 190 folded is 12cm (5 inches) shorter.

Ordered this evening, now waiting for my new toy