Tripod recommendations

[Lobster43]

I've been upgrading recently, and now is the time for the tripod, so would like some opinions on which would suit me best for my requirements.

The camera is a 5D mk2 with battery pack and various lenses.

I want something sturdy enough to be able to take longish exposures for sunsets but also light enough to carry around.

I've been looking at the Manfrotto range, primarily the 190 or 055 and then the carbon vs aluminium and also the basic vs pro models. It's all getting a bit difficult to decide.

It's not money no object, but I want to get something that will meet my needs, so would rather spend £400 now rather than be disappointed with a £200 spend on a tripod and head.

I am considering a midi ball head. Is this a good choice, if so which one?

What do you use and why?

[markmullen]

I use two, a Manfrotto 055XProB and a carbon fibre Gitzo mountaineer. The Manfrotto is superb, even in high winds it has stayed still with a 1 series and fairly heavy lens on it, the downside being it is a little too heavy to carry for a long distance, although I have done it plenty of times. The upside is that it will go quite high, and doesn't cost a lot.

I bought the Gitzo for trips where I needed to walk or hike further, as a landscape photographer I go to some quite inaccessible places, clambering down cliffs, over wet rocks etc where lightness is key. Despite the lowest sections of the legs being tiny it is actually very solid. It folds down very small and weighs very little.

In terms of heads it depends on what you are going to use it for. I use a geared head (Manfrotto 405) for landscapes as I can make tiny adjustments (levelling a horizon for instance), it would be terrible for action shots though!

[Simpo Two]

I have an 055ProB. Nice and sturdy and a welcome height advantage over many other tripods. Great for the studio but can get heavy if carting about all day. Centre column can be inverted or set at right angles; legs splay out almost flat - so good for awkward areas. If weight is important, go for the CF version. I use a 141RC 3-way pan/tilt head but it's a personal thing.

[ian in lancs]

A vote for the 055proxb here too and I have the monopod 'version' too. Superb but a bit heavy. It's possible to remove the lower leg sections to lighten if height isn't an issue but it doesn't save very much.

[Lobster43]

The 055PROB seems to be the one to go for.
The extra height and moving the centre column to horizontal will be useful.

Just aluminium vs carbon decision next.

And which head of course.
Ball head for speed and panning or a geared head for precision

[Simpo Two]

If I was buying again I'd choose CF. The extra cost is tiny given the fact it will last for decades, if not end up with your children

[GetCarter]

I also use the 055PROB with geared head - but would also go CF if I was buying now

[Lobster43]

Decision made, it will be a 055PROB CF.

But will it be 3 or 4 section. Why do they make so many?

The head is still to be decided.

Calumet tomorrow to have a play.

Still open to further suggestions.
I think I may end up with more than one, certainly with the head.

[LongQ]

I have a CF Giottos for the big stuff and a Gitzo ball head to go with it.

For travelling a compact Giottos (aluminium for this one - late purchase before a trip and the CF version was not available in store) with a lighter load rating and more basic (but still 3 way adjustable) ball head. It can also be used as a monopod.

[binliner]

I recently had the same decision to make when I upgraded my Manfrotto 190XPROB for something bigger. I went for the 055CXPRO3 (with my old 498RC2 ball head) as it's taller than the 4 section and folded size wasn't really an issue as I have a travel tripod anyway.

I can't really fault the legs, light, tall and sturdy (Heaviest stuff I have is a 7D with 300mm f4). The head has a couple of slightly annoying design issues which mean when in portrait orientation occasionally one of the adjustment knobs fouls the quick release plate but otherwise it's a nice head.

I've just won one of these http://www.vanguardworld.co.uk/index.php/pv/produc... though so the set up might be changing