tripod query

[phatkid77]

CDI help..

been looking for a tripod just to have, i think i am leaning towards the manfrotto 3021BN . when first looking i never even gave heads a thought, but after LOTS of research the 3021 seems to take quite a few heads

im liking the 488rc2 and rc4....recommendations
329 rc2....cant remember if its compatible tho
and the cheaper manfrotto 3030

i could use some guidance, specially for the RC4 ovr the 300....ball head vs pan/tilt??

now CDI-buy........you have a DYNATRAN, how do u know what manfrotto head will fit on their units???? anyone else have one..

i am looking at either the 858bl or the procarbon CF885
im thinking they would be okay for a first tripod, jsut get a real good head

thanks guys

cory

[ReF]

i'm not CDI, but...

forget the 3021N version and go for the 3021PRO. the Pro version gives you the option to mount and extend the center column as a horizontal arm, which can at times be a priceless features, for a mere $10 over the N version.

the RC4 plates are huge. good luck trying to fit them in your bag when attached to your camera and or lens. the cheap little RC2 plates work just fine with my 70-200 f2.8, 400 f5.6, and camera.

as for what head works on which tripod, just look at the specs and see what size the mounting screw is. the 488 has a 3/8 thread female, so just check what the tripods you are shopping for have. there are also adapters that convert 1/4 male to 3/8 male or 3/8 female to 1/4 female depending on how you look at it.

[phatkid77]

thanks man..

ends up being more than 10 bucks..

the 3021 BN is going to be about $140 CNDN and if i was lucky $170 for the pro?

i am debating now between the 488RC2 head and the 329RC4
i was at teh store and i liked the look of the manfrotto 141RC, then got home and see it is the 3030 which some say its not too smooth??

does anyone have the 488RC2 and pan with it??

i just think the ballhead would be a pain to lock in a spot over the pan/tilt??

suggestions

i will go up to $130 CNDN for a head

thanks

[ReF]

your supplier charges that much for the N to Pro upgrade? from bhphotovideo.com in new york, currently the price different between the two models is a whopping $8 ($141.95 vs 149.95). personally i like the ball type heads. i use long lenses often and i really like the freedom to move the ball in all those directions while i track or find my subject. pretty nice when using short lenses too IMO - i like just having to lock one knob for my adjustments. since the 488 has a seperate panning base lock i don't find panning with it to be any kind of problem or annoyance. i like using a ball head on a monopod as well. some people hate ALL ball heads though. just a matter of preference and style of use i guess.

[TenD]

As far as heads go, Manfrottos are decent, but if you looking toward the best set up, you should look at heads that are Arca Swiss QR compatible. Really Right Stuff, Kirk Enterprises, Acratech, Stroboframe, Arca Swiss, Markins, and several others make such heads. They are pretty expensive, eclipsing the price of your leg set by several hundred dollars. Your legset should be sturdy, the 3021 will be fine and your head should be easy to operate, smooth in operation, and lock solidly with no slop. I personally own an Acratech, it's lightweight and holds all of my lenses solidly with no slop or creep. The only knock I have on it is it lacks a drag mechanism, it's either locked or loose.

[cdifoto]

Wow I'm late seeing this thread.

Anyway like others said just check the thread size for direct fit...and shims (aka adapters) are cheap enough if you find a head you really really like but isn't the same size.

The head I have came with my tripod and I like it a lot. It's a pistol grip ball head and has a tensioner so you can loosen or tighten the ball's hold as needed. If you have a heavy lens you can tighten it to hold the weight, or you can loosen it if you have a lighter lens and/or want to be able to move the head around faster. It's a nice setup that easily holds my 7.75lb rig (Sigma 50-500mm + Canon XT + Grip + Flash).

[phatkid77]

thanks guys.......i asked my photog friend, and he has the manfrotto 190 QV and for like 10yrs...... just want to check its height, hes taller than i am, so a 190 pro may suffice.....having said that

190 pro or the 3021BN, which one would you recommend
190pro is between $130cnd and i can get the 3021BN for around $140??

does the 190 PRO centre arm come out? cause that may sway me over just the 3021BN.. like i said i think the 3021 pro is around $220

ALSO, the 3021 has alot more head choices, looks like the 190 will take the 486 not the 488......FWIW

i am 5'11" (regarding my ?? about tripod height) and the biggest lens in my future will be a 70-200F/2.8

thanks again guys, i appreciate it

cory

[murrays]

Has anyone tried this monopod: http://www.adorama.com/TPP.html?searchinfo=monopod&item_no=34

It was recommended on another board and it looks pretty good from the linked article.

-murray

[George Riehm]

Has anyone tried this monopod: http://www.adorama.com/TPP.html?searchinfo=monopod&item_no=34

It was recommended on another board and it looks pretty good from the linked article.

-murray

Nope, sorry. For less money I opted for the Bogen Manfrotto 679 (w/spike tip for hiking and stability) and 484 ball head. Easily totes/supports the Nikkor 80-200 f/2.8 and D70. Quick, and easy.

[cdifoto]

Has anyone tried this monopod: http://www.adorama.com/TPP.html?searchinfo=monopod&item_no=34

It was recommended on another board and it looks pretty good from the linked article.

-murray

Like George I went a cheaper route...even cheaper than George! I got the Slik 350 Monopod for 30 bucks and the Bogen 484 Head for 40 bucks. That's a head and 'pod for less than Adorama's brand of monopod!

[ReF]

As far as heads go, Manfrottos are decent, but if you looking toward the best set up, you should look at heads that are Arca Swiss QR compatible. Really Right Stuff, Kirk Enterprises, Acratech, Stroboframe, Arca Swiss, Markins, and several others make such heads. They are pretty expensive, eclipsing the price of your leg set by several hundred dollars. Your legset should be sturdy, the 3021 will be fine and your head should be easy to operate, smooth in operation, and lock solidly with no slop. I personally own an Acratech, it's lightweight and holds all of my lenses solidly with no slop or creep. The only knock I have on it is it lacks a drag mechanism, it's either locked or loose.

Phatkid77: "i am 5'11" (regarding my ?? about tripod height) and the biggest lens in my future will be a 70-200F/2.8"

i don't know anything about a 190 but the 3021 + the height of the head + height of camera base to viewfinder should almost be perfect for your 5'11 height. you'll lose some height when the camera is tilted 90 degrees on a ball head, and a little less with a 3 way head. you also won't lose any height if using a lens with a tripod collar, as you can rotate the orientation of the camera/lens using the collar intead of flopping the head to the side.

arca swiss ball heads, arca swiss type clamps, and RRS plates are really great high end products, but they certainly cost a bag full of cash. i'll be holding off of purchasing this kind of stuff until i need it, like with a 6lbs or more lens or with larger format equipment. won't be happening anytime soon at all though. again, for now, the 488RC2 is more than enough for a 3lbs 70-200 f2.8 lens + TC + camera + flash IMO.

[George Riehm]

Like George I went a cheaper route...even cheaper than George! I got the Slik 350 Monopod for 30 bucks and the Bogen 484 Head for 40 bucks. That's a head and 'pod for less than Adorama's brand of monopod!

I looked at that one too, but for the extra $20 the 679 offers the spike base-tip and add-on self standing base options. It also is heavier duty and I do use it as a walking stick when there is no heavy lens to support.;)

[aparmley]

149.95 at BH ? What. . . maybe thats just the price for the legs. . . Cause I am looking at the 3021PRO and its $210, but it comes with the 486RC2 head. I am thinking about pulling the trigger on this baby and a bag for it here shortly. . . $254.9x for the whole shebang. . . Thats a lot. I don't even use a tripod that much - maybe I will now that I have a quality one. . . oh well. . . Its just money. . . You can't take it with you! =D

[cdifoto]

I looked at that one too, but for the extra $20 the 679 offers the spike base-tip and add-on self standing base options. It also is heavier duty and I do use it as a walking stick when there is no heavy lens to support.;)


I didn't even see the one you bought. I filtered by price low to high...and saw $29.95, said "yippeee!", clicked, paid, received a couple days later. lol.

[ReF]

Has anyone tried this monopod: http://www.adorama.com/TPP.html?searchinfo=monopod&item_no=34

It was recommended on another board and it looks pretty good from the linked article.

-murray

the type of monopod you need really depends on your uses for it. i personally went with a super light monopod w/ a short collapsed length because i figured i'd just carry the dang tripod if it weren't very much smaller and lighter. i also figured that since the monopod can't completely support itself anyways and i'd be holding onto it or the camera all the time, i wouldn't need a heavy duty model as long as the one i'm using doesn't flex when i exert downward pressure on it. i have a super cheap, tiny giottos ball head for packing light (the giottos sucks, BTW. ordered without seeing it in person. costs next to nothing though), and i use the 488 when i don't mind the added size/weight but tripods are not allowed.

if you will be using massive lenses or constantly attending events that do not allow tripods but do allow monopods, you may want a heavier, more solid feeling monopod.

[jeisner]

I have tried a number of reletively cheap/light monopods for my Sigma 135-400, and have not been happy with any of them, I actually gave up on monopods for a while... That is until I bought the Manfrotto 679B with the 234RC quick release swivel head, still not too expensive or heavy at all and very solid.. I now really do appreciate a monopod when shooting at 400mm (600 equiv.)... :cool: