Yay new tripod!
Discussion
New tripod time. Being both tight-fisted and difficult to please, I've gone for the Vanguard Alta 263AB, with the SBH-100 ball head.
The main reason for changing is that my current tripod, a wonderfully affordable Manfrotto MKC3-H01, lacks a few features that ease a landscape togger's life. Specifically, the head is not precisely adjustable, it has no levels, there's no hook to hang your camera bag on (to weigh down the tripod) and it's a bit droopy with a 550D on it, wearing a 24-105mm lens - not surprising, as its payload is a delicate 1.5KG. It's also not very spreadable - but then, the whole thing weighs just a kilo and a half, and it folds up really small, and the pistol-grip head with its thumbwheel for lock and release is really convenient.
The Vanguard is an altogether meatier beast, which will happily wear 7KG up top, has a hook for weights and spreads almost flat. The SBH-100 ball head has multiple levels for super-straight horizons and, if the reviews are to be believed, is smooth and firm in operation.
The only downside is the delivery time. I should have it by the end of November, apparently...
The main reason for changing is that my current tripod, a wonderfully affordable Manfrotto MKC3-H01, lacks a few features that ease a landscape togger's life. Specifically, the head is not precisely adjustable, it has no levels, there's no hook to hang your camera bag on (to weigh down the tripod) and it's a bit droopy with a 550D on it, wearing a 24-105mm lens - not surprising, as its payload is a delicate 1.5KG. It's also not very spreadable - but then, the whole thing weighs just a kilo and a half, and it folds up really small, and the pistol-grip head with its thumbwheel for lock and release is really convenient.
The Vanguard is an altogether meatier beast, which will happily wear 7KG up top, has a hook for weights and spreads almost flat. The SBH-100 ball head has multiple levels for super-straight horizons and, if the reviews are to be believed, is smooth and firm in operation.
The only downside is the delivery time. I should have it by the end of November, apparently...
markmullen said:
CommanderJameson said:
I suspect I will have a "close to the ground" phase in the near future...
I'll lend you an angle finder, makes the job a lot easier. That or use liveview.
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