Tripod advice needed

[simpo two]

It might be time to move on from my trusty Cullman.

What I like about it:
Lightweight with quick-release legs
Quick release plate
3-way pan/tilt head
Legs that angle up individually almost to level - very handy for working close to tables etc. The centre column comes right out and can be put in upsdie-down (ie from underneath)

What I don't like about it:
Friction grip centre column: fast to adjust but gradually subsides under weight of D70 + Speedlight + 70-200 f2.8!
Centre column wobbly when extended.

I'm leaning towards Manfrotto but then Benbo have a model with the splaying legs I think...?

I don't want to spend a fortune; something mid-range and not too heavy/cumbersome. Ease and speed of use is also important, and ideally it will get the viewfinder up to eyelevel of a six footer.

Suggestions/links welcome please!

[V6GTO]

I've got a Benbo with legs you can put at any angle. It's fine, but it's a bit gimicky, and now I've bent one of the legs I want to replace it, and have decided I like the Manfrotto that Matt has(don't know the modle no.) as it has all the good points of your Cullman plus a strong extender(ooh err Mrs) HTH.

Martin.

[simpo two]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Only from hotmail, which I replied to. In case you didn't get it, you were runner up due to location!

[luca brazzi]

Just bought this one:

Manfrotto 055PRO


MinHeight (cm) 11
Max.Height (cm) 176
Weight( kg) 2.4
Max. Load(kg) 6
Leg Sections 3

Very solid, but does not include a head.

Using this one:486RC2 Compact Ball Head
with RC2 quick release


Comes out reasonably expensive, but great gear.
www.warehouseexpress.com/


HTH, LB

[simpo two]

Thanks Luca, useful. I just remembered a stumbling block: I'd liek to see before I buy. Where can I go to get my hands on all these models? Bit too posh for a Jessops, no?

[406]

Jessops do Manfroto John, go and have a look. I got mine from there. Also got my monopod from them.

Ah, you may have to ask to see them, as they dont always have them on show

~HTH

Dave

406

[Methanol]

I use this combination, very quick precise and versatile.

www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/cache/offonce/pid/2280?livid=liv2113

www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/cache/offonce/pid/2345?livid=liv2214

[luca brazzi]

Also Jacobs display them....certainly the one in Oxford St, London.

LB

[beano500]

Damn it!

Every time I think about replacing my old junk with a decent support, I end up dreaming of a Manfrotto 055 and a decent head which is about three times the price of the tripod.

Who posted the 405 geared head???

[Captain Beaky]

luca brazzi said:

Just bought this one: Manfrotto 055PRO MinHeight (cm) 11 Max.Height (cm) 176 Weight( kg) 2.4 Max. Load(kg) 6 Leg Sections 3 Very solid, but does not include a head. Using this one:486RC2 Compact Ball Head with RC2 quick release Comes out reasonably expensive, but great gear. www.warehouseexpress.com/ HTH, LB

I have the same head but use the CarbonOne 440 tripod which has four-section legs for smaller packing - at the price slightly slower set-up. This has just been superceded by the 055PRO.

It all works very nicely for me - bigish SLR, lenses up to 300mm.

[te51cle]

Benbos are weird to handle, definitely one to try before you buy, and they don't close down very small either.

I found the standard Manfrotto 055 to be too heavy for carrying around very far, the 190 doesn't extend particularly high. The new Neotec looks like an interesting design but small and heavy. The 055MF3 might be the best answer for you if you don't mind forking out about £230 on a carbon fibre and magnesium jobbie. The 322RC2 grip action ball head looks interesting, I'd avoid the 141RC head as although its virtually a standard I found it a bit awkward to use, the 390RC2 would be better.

[simpo two]

Thanks all. I can find the Neotec for £222 but the 055, which looks about the same apart from having lever-lock legs, is only £112. Or am I missing something? I don't really want to go over £200 inc head.

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Aspen-of-Hereford-Limited

>> Edited by simpo two on Tuesday 20th September 21:25

[Ali_D]

I got a velbon CF tripod from warehouse express - £125 I think, its a half price offer. Its pretty solid and has the features you want. Can't for the life of me remember which head I got for it though (it is morning!).

[EmmaP]

I'm a big Manfrotto fan. I upgraded to a new one last year (475B base and 029 head). Weighs an absolute ton and cost a fortune though. Calumet* stock a wide range of bases and heads. Best to pop in, have a feel and see which design suits you best and stands up to all that weight.

*www.calumetphoto.com

[te51cle]

The 055CL and 055PRO are the standard metal tripods, the PRO having the useful ability to place the centre column horizontally as well as vertically. The 055MF3 is the carbon fibre one, but looks like its out of your price range.

Velbon make a CF tripod the CF-631El for about £160 to which you could add a different (better !) manufacturers head, such as the Manfrotto 390RC2 and still have some change out of £200.

I think I've mentioned in other threads that I had a Velbon Sherpa 450 (all aluminium) and while being stable and useful to begin with it will get steadily sloppier with wear.

Knowing where you're going, how windy it can be, considering how much you've spent on cameras and lenses, saving £100 on a tripod could be a false economy...

Oh, I've just looked on eBay and the big Manfrotto seller there is charging no less than normal retailers !

[simpo two]

te51cle said:

Knowing where you're going, how windy it can be, considering how much you've spent on cameras and lenses, saving £100 on a tripod could be a false economy...

Thanks; good comparative info there. Manfrotto nomenclature is totally unhelpful.
Actually this isn't for NZ - it's for corporate stuff where not only do I need something that looks better than High Street, I need something that won't wobble at full extension or gradually subside under the weight of a 70-200 f2.8!
And as for budget, well - I don't suppose it will ever wear out so...

[te51cle]

If you don't mind a bit of weight (professionals should look solid shouldn't they!) there's the Giotto Innovator MT9170 quick review Looks like nothing else and that bloke likes it.

[Bacardi]

simpo two said:

I need something that won't wobble at full extension or gradually subside under the weight of a 70-200 f2.8!And as for budget, well - I don't suppose it will ever wear out so...

Here you go. No wobble, won't wear out.............. might add a little to the excess baggage if you take it to NZ

[simpo two]

Excellent mate - you can be the Sherpa

[elderly]

te51cle said:

Knowing where you're going, how windy it can be, considering how much you've spent on cameras and lenses, saving £100 on a tripod could be a false economy...

Hang a supermarket carrier bag filled with whatever is around (stones, sand, soil etc. ) and hang it from the top of your light tripod - it's effective
and VERY cheap!