Advice on a tripod

[jai]

Hi guys,

I really need to buy a tripod as I'm getting a lot of 'shaky pics'.

Can anyone advise me on one?

In a great book I'm reading (Scott Kelby's 'The Digital Photography Book'), it advises to get the Manfrotto 3001BD, is this a good one to get?
I can't seem to find it in any online shops where I am, so I'm wondering if the European model has a different model number...

Thanks,

[aparmley]

Hi guys,

I really need to buy a tripod as I'm getting a lot of 'shaky pics'.

Can anyone advise me on one?

In a great book I'm reading (Scott Kelby's 'The Digital Photography Book'), it advises to get the Manfrotto 3001BD, is this a good one to get?
I can't seem to find it in any online shops where I am, so I'm wondering if the European model has a different model number...

Thanks,

Hey Jai -

I had a cheap wobbly plastic tripod for my Canon A95. . . P.O.S (piece of S#!t).

I then upgrade shortly after getting my 350D and got a Bogen/Manfrotto 3021BPRO Tripod Legs (Black) with 486RC2 Compact Ballhead for $210 USD. Certainly there are more expensive alternatives just as there are cheaper - but for me this was the golden mean. However, after having used this set up I am currently looking to replace the 486RC2 with a "Pistol" grip head for quicker and better adjusting.

I used a WPs Dynatran. . . I was very impressed at how identical it was to my bogen and how well built it was. . . I really loved the pistol grip, very sturdy, very simple to move - it was great for those little adjustments that are so hard to make accurately with my RC2 head. Check this out here:

Amvona.com's Dynatran AT-828BL (http://www.amvona.com/v7/shop/?page=shop/flypage&view=1&product_id=1838) Price is right at $180 . . . they have other options though. . .

[Rhys]

Hi guys,

I really need to buy a tripod as I'm getting a lot of 'shaky pics'.

Can anyone advise me on one?

In a great book I'm reading (Scott Kelby's 'The Digital Photography Book'), it advises to get the Manfrotto 3001BD, is this a good one to get?
I can't seem to find it in any online shops where I am, so I'm wondering if the European model has a different model number...

Thanks,

I suggest the Manfrotto 3021BN with a nice Hoya 3D head as being excellent. I bought mine in the US because that's where I now live (also a UK ex-pat). Depending on which canton you're in, it might be easier to go to one of the surrounding countries to get your tripod (possibly cheaper too as I gather Swiss sales tax is horrendous).

[Dcoggs]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=5138&A=details&Q=&sku=353223&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

I purchased this one before Thanksgiving and have been very happy with it. Kinda heavy, but very stable. Far and away much better than the cheap Sunpak I had.

[GoneTomorrow]

If I may, I would like to add my own query to this topic, rather than starting a new one, since I also am searching for a new tripod.

I understand differences in quality and so forth, but all I want is a tripod that isn't wobbly (or at least not so much), and smooth and precise adjustments rather than the large jerks. I need to replace my $19.99 Kodak tripod (also a collossal POS!).

I'm looking for economy here, less than $50 USD if possible. Weight requirements will be for large prosumer cameras (Nikon Coolpix 5700 an Panasonic DMC-FZ50). I'm looking for a tripod that is as compact as possible when folded, but one that will extend at least to 60" or so. Quick release would be nice too.

I can't really get a good idea, obviously, of the quality of tripods by looking online, plus the local electronics stores only cheap ones, while the camera shops only offer really expensive ones.

Thanks ahead of time.

[Dcoggs]

If I may, I would like to add my own query to this topic, rather than starting a new one, since I also am searching for a new tripod.

I understand differences in quality and so forth, but all I want is a tripod that isn't wobbly (or at least not so much), and smooth and precise adjustments rather than the large jerks. I need to replace my $19.99 Kodak tripod (also a collossal POS!).

I'm looking for economy here, less than $50 USD if possible. Weight requirements will be for large prosumer cameras (Nikon Coolpix 5700 an Panasonic DMC-FZ50). I'm looking for a tripod that is as compact as possible when folded, but one that will extend at least to 60" or so. Quick release would be nice too.

I can't really get a good idea, obviously, of the quality of tripods by looking online, plus the local electronics stores only cheap ones, while the camera shops only offer really expensive ones.

Thanks ahead of time.


You're never going to find a tripod with the qualities you want for $50 or under(unless its used). My Sunpak cost around $75 and it jerks, doesn't hold my 400 with a medium lens steady, and constantly needed tightening. As soon as I spent around $200 for my Bogen, Manfrotto, I saw what a good tripod was all about. I'm not saying go out there and spend that much, but any tripod for $50 is going to be a headache to deal with, and probably not going to be very steady when you need it to be.

[GoneTomorrow]

You're never going to find a tripod with the qualities you want for $50 or under(unless its used). My Sunpak cost around $75 and it jerks, doesn't hold my 400 with a medium lens steady, and constantly needed tightening. As soon as I spent around $200 for my Bogen, Manfrotto, I saw what a good tripod was all about. I'm not saying go out there and spend that much, but any tripod for $50 is going to be a headache to deal with, and probably not going to be very steady when you need it to be.

Thanks for the input.

[snap]

I went through several cheap tripods. They were wobbly with the camera mounted, and shook in the wind. I finally decided to spend some money to get a good item. I got the Manfrotto 055MF3 and a Kirk ball head. I paid more than I had originally budgeted for a tripod, but I am very happy with what I have. I have used this setup with a 300mm lens in a high wind and there was no movement whatsoever. I have Gitzo GM2940 monopod that I use when I hike or travel by plane. It is very sturdy and easy to use.

[jai]

Thanks for all the input everyone.

The 3xxx model numbers seem to be for the US, can someone have a look on Manfrotto's site: www.manfrotto.com and tell me which tripods are the European equivalents to the 3001BD, 3021BN or any other that you may advise?

Also, is the 486RC2 the right ballhead to get?

Thanks,

[Bluedog]

I've got the Bogen Manfrotto 3001BD/486RC2 and have been impressively satisfied with the setup but will be upgrading the head to the 488RC2 in the near future as it allows for panning without loosening the ball head.

Very light weight compared to some of the others which is a plus if lugging the thing around. Added one of their carrying straps too which is handy to have.

[RichNY]

If you are really looking for a good ballhead you should consider the Really Right Stuff (RRS) BH-40. Head and shoulders above the rest of the field. (Or go with the BH-55 if you plan on getting into the really long f/2.8 primes)

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/ballheads/index.html

Whatever ballhead you wind up with it makes sense to still buy your camera's plate from RRS where they are custom made to fit to each model of camera rather than using a generic plate. (For the Arca-Swiss clamp on your ballhead)

One of their L brackets will make life much more convenient going back and forth between portrait and landscape (As opposed to having the camera hang off balance to the side of the ballhead.)

I've been using a Gitzo 1563 monopod recently and the difference in my opinion the quality difference between Gitzos and the Monfrotto/Bogen tripods is like Canon DSLR to Kodak Easyshare.

[jai]

Hi all,

I've done a lot of Googling, and am now thinking about getting the Manfrotto 055ProB:
http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/offonce/pid/2277?livid=68&lsf=68&child=2

I think that this is the 3021BPRO in the US, right?

What really interests me is the horizontal bar, as I can use it to take landscape shots and stitch them together...am I right?
How does it work?

Would you advise this tripod, I've read that it can be heavy, is it really that bad?

Now, the head...

What's the difference between the 486RC2 and the 488RC2?
Are they both OK for my 400D/XTi?

Thanks,

[jai]

Can anyone help?

Thanks,

[fractalgfx]

There is a Chinese company Benro that seems to be making some really high quality tripods at lower prices than name brands. The are just being released in the us under the Induro name.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/pma06.htm
http://www.indurogear.com/
http://www.benro.cn/

[jai]

Well, I've just ordered the 055ProB and the 488RC2.
Hope I get them before Christmas...

At last, I can take some good landscape shots!

[achuang]

You've made a great choice of tripod, I have the 3021BPRO (055BPRO in some countries) aswell with the 486RC2 instead of the 488RC2 you're getting and I wish I had the separate panning function that the 488 has.

[aparmley]

If you are really looking for a good ballhead you should consider the Really Right Stuff (RRS) BH-40. Head and shoulders above the rest of the field. (Or go with the BH-55 if you plan on getting into the really long f/2.8 primes)

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/ballheads/index.html

Whatever ballhead you wind up with it makes sense to still buy your camera's plate from RRS where they are custom made to fit to each model of camera rather than using a generic plate. (For the Arca-Swiss clamp on your ballhead)

One of their L brackets will make life much more convenient going back and forth between portrait and landscape (As opposed to having the camera hang off balance to the side of the ballhead.)

I've been using a Gitzo 1563 monopod recently and the difference in my opinion the quality difference between Gitzos and the Monfrotto/Bogen tripods is like Canon DSLR to Kodak Easyshare.


Those are great ballheads Rich. $375 a pop too. way too rich for my blood. I mean if thats the whole set up I could see, tripod legs and all, but its just the ballhead.

[Gary_P]

What I don't like about my tripod is that I have to flip, then unflip, 6 things to get it standing. Then probably extend the top part. Then tighten this and that. And even then, one leg might be weak (undertightened).

Sorry; not sure the model, but it's an tubular aluminum Manfrotto with flip-clips similar with those on the Manfrotto 3021BPro (from what I see on the BH photo).


Mine's the same way, in fact, one of the clips broke at the pin so it holds somewhat, which is ok for my instamatic but not my new canon.
I was told to duct tape it. HAHAHAHAHA
Told him NOT. Didn't spent this much on a camera just to have a tripod fall over.