Recommended tripods and heads?
Discussion
I've now settled on my new camera outfit, which will be used sans tripod for about 50% of the time, using the fast (f0.95 - 50mm) lens that will be my 'go to' and the high iso performance of a couple of cameras, but I also have some slower lenses and a new macro outfit on the way. I've had various tripods before including a carbon Gitzo (when cf was new, so maybe not so good as today's stuff?) that was way too flimsy and didn't handle wind well and my best, a heavy Manfrotto 58 (I think).
I'd be interested to hear what people recommend for macro including in my home studio set up and stitched landscapes etc. (using a Cambo Actus as middle man between lens and bodies). I'd quite like not to have to lug something as heavy (and cold and sharp!) as the old Manfrotto and wonder about the carbon Manfrotto Be Free. Would this be too lightweight and are there good alternatives?
Also, head wise, it comes with a ball head, but for the stitched/panaoramic stuff and macro will one head work well for both uses and what would you recommend? Preferably without the cost of the Arca Cube!
Cheers.
I'd be interested to hear what people recommend for macro including in my home studio set up and stitched landscapes etc. (using a Cambo Actus as middle man between lens and bodies). I'd quite like not to have to lug something as heavy (and cold and sharp!) as the old Manfrotto and wonder about the carbon Manfrotto Be Free. Would this be too lightweight and are there good alternatives?
Also, head wise, it comes with a ball head, but for the stitched/panaoramic stuff and macro will one head work well for both uses and what would you recommend? Preferably without the cost of the Arca Cube!
Cheers.
Gitzo all the way, the lack of a central column vs the manfrotto is a great benefit to stability and macro as you can get much closer to the ground and its better for tabletop work. Carbon is vastly better, its ability to damp vibration is much better than steel. If you are having problem with wind, add a heavy bag to the hook.
Something like a
G - Gitzo
T - Tripod
3 - this refers to the thickness of the tube
5 - Materiel
4 - leg sections
2 - release
L - long
would be ideal
For the head, for panos ideally you need a nodal panoramic head. This will allow the camera to rotate around the no parralax point ie http://www.johnhpanos.com/epcalib.htm
Something like a
G - Gitzo
T - Tripod
3 - this refers to the thickness of the tube
5 - Materiel
4 - leg sections
2 - release
L - long
would be ideal
For the head, for panos ideally you need a nodal panoramic head. This will allow the camera to rotate around the no parralax point ie http://www.johnhpanos.com/epcalib.htm
Thanks for this - I hadn't remembered the centre column aspect, despite reading about issues on Luminous Landscape a while back!
Panorama/stitching wise I don't expect to do extreme ones and the Cambo Actus gives parallax free rear stitching with fixed lens position, so I'd thought I wouldn't need a pano head... am I wrong on this?
Panorama/stitching wise I don't expect to do extreme ones and the Cambo Actus gives parallax free rear stitching with fixed lens position, so I'd thought I wouldn't need a pano head... am I wrong on this?
Geared heads are the way forwards for landscape and macro IMO, cheapest is the Manfrotto 410, the 405 is bigger and bulkier but better made. As you say Cube is superb but pricy. With either Manfrotto I'd recommend the Hejnar arca swiss conversion.
For legs I use a carbon Gitzo explorer, which allows independent leg angles and also bringing the centre column to horizontal, ideal for low angle shots.
For legs I use a carbon Gitzo explorer, which allows independent leg angles and also bringing the centre column to horizontal, ideal for low angle shots.
steveatesh said:
I have a Manfrotto XPROB 055 and the central column pulls out and goes horizontal, allowing the camera to be just above ground level. Each leg adjusts to different angles too, and the tripod is very stable.
The centre column also goes inverted, so you can mash your hotshoe into the ground if you wish!It's versatile, but a bit heavy. Unless you need it for self-defence I'd get the pricier CF version next time.
Hate Geared heads. Love Ball heads, so much quicker and easier.
I dislike centre columns also. Though they can be useful if they can be inverted to shoot really low, but my tripod goes down to 3-4 inches anyhow.
I use a Feisol CT-3432 or soemthing, with a Markins Q3T ball head.
I would also look at Sirui, RRS, Gitzo Gizoto for tripods.
Ball heads, aratech, RRS, Markins, sirui, even sunwayphoto do decent ones.
I dislike centre columns also. Though they can be useful if they can be inverted to shoot really low, but my tripod goes down to 3-4 inches anyhow.
I use a Feisol CT-3432 or soemthing, with a Markins Q3T ball head.
I would also look at Sirui, RRS, Gitzo Gizoto for tripods.
Ball heads, aratech, RRS, Markins, sirui, even sunwayphoto do decent ones.
Thanks to you all again - I'm half way there now. Having read several reviews again and taking your comments in to account I've got something pretty close to what your combined suggestions lead to and ordered a Really Right Stuff TVC-34 Series 3 carbon fiber tripod. No centre column, goes as low as needed and up to 58" so with a head should be tall enough, plus seems pretty solid/rigid for its weight.
Now I just need to decide on the head, but have about 3 to 5 weeks to decide as it is on back order.
Now I just need to decide on the head, but have about 3 to 5 weeks to decide as it is on back order.
I dithered a lot over price but then took £ to $ into account as an excuse! Compared to the cost of lenses and printer it isn't such a big proportion of a typical kit, just a bit less 'exciting' I guess. Also considered your idea of it being a one and only, to pass off against previous 'buy-disappointed-sell-buy again' history. This time round I aim to settle on gear I know I'll be happy with and stick to, including past loves that I trust.
Their stuff sounds like it is really well made, but I'd read that their heads were less good than the tripod, and read about a new Manfrotto ball head that seemed a bit lacking so think I'll look at Arcatec, Linhof and Leica tomorrow, and take further advice.
Their stuff sounds like it is really well made, but I'd read that their heads were less good than the tripod, and read about a new Manfrotto ball head that seemed a bit lacking so think I'll look at Arcatec, Linhof and Leica tomorrow, and take further advice.
RobDickinson said:
IMO make sure the head QR system is arca swiss. Adds so much versatility.
All my stuff is arca swiss and I can interchange between numerous tripods, camera/L plates, timelapse gear etc
Sorry to pick your brains again Rob. In the end I've decided on and bought a well recommended (Luminous Landscape, Andy Rouse et al) UniqBall head, the 35 model which comes with a quick release plate/clamp - do you think I will need to add or convert to an Arca Swiss form like you suggested?All my stuff is arca swiss and I can interchange between numerous tripods, camera/L plates, timelapse gear etc
They do various accessories but it does say it comes with a plate so I wonder if that, or others they sell will do the trick...
http://www.uniqball.eu/ballheads/ubh35
markmullen said:
I'm 99% sure the uniqball is Arca Swiss compatible.
Thanks, yes it is. I did some digging on the site and saw that, I was more wondering if I needed to source Arca Swiss plates or clamps or whoever or if the bit that comes with it does the same job. Looking at photos I reckon it should.Sorry for the dumbness, with my last tripods it was just a matter of screwing the pan tilt head on to the thread and then tripod screw on to that. 'Them were the days!' etc... Though I did have a dodgy Manfrotto hexagonal quick release for a while, that had a nasty tendency to fall off the tripod even when carefully mounted - never seemed tightly enough screwed. So I was!
nellyleelephant said:
I have the larger version of the Uniqball and have been impressed so far, I only really use it to support my long lens. Make sure that the one you have ordered is one with the latest X plate clamp (still Arca style)
Good to see that I'm not alone in going this way... it does seem to have a lot going for it.Unfortunately I think the X Plate is only available for the larger 45 model. My longest lens at the moment is 180mm so didn't think I would need the extra heft and stability (or cost!) of that head.
RobDickinson said:
Thats an interesting ball head, will check out some of the reviews.
As for the plate, yes looks arca swiss and decent, but I have L plates on my cameras makes shooting portrait much easier
I think I will get an L plate too as I do like to shoot in portrait format a fair bit, just forgot to get round to that tbh.As for the plate, yes looks arca swiss and decent, but I have L plates on my cameras makes shooting portrait much easier
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