Durable Tripods...

[ravencr]

Hey guys,

I'd like to get a high quality durable and lightweight tripod to hold two things:

1) Nikon D300 with 18-200 lense

and at times:

2) SB-800 Flash

I work in the offroad market, so durability is key, then lightweight being the second most important factor. I don't want to pay more than I need to, but I'm willing to get the best out there if there's substantial advantage for durability.

Thanks,

Chris

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

I've got essentially that setup and like my Manfrotto XPROB with the R322C1 ballhead.

It's allright except the blasted quick release plate slips a bit in portrait orientation. I'm not prepared to screw it any harder into the body.

The 055XPROB legs are a bit heavier and higher than the 190XPROB that I could have got instead and is used by most other people here. The 190 carbon fibre model is 1 kilo lighter than my setup and probably a bit stronger if you don't want your pod up around the 6' mark:)

Although mine is ok and functional I do wish I'd spent more (around $1000 instead of $500) and gotten a good Gitzo model with a better head but thats just me. Everyone else seams rapt with their Manfrotto's.

[ravencr]

Ok, let me rephrase my statements above. I didn't realize tripods cost as much as they apparently do. So, I'm prepared to pay $200 or less for a tripod. :) I'd actually like to have one that I don't have to duck down to use, and I'm 6'2", and then I'd like to have one for traveling on my motorcycle that's 18" or shorter when fully closed for transport.

Chris

[D Thompson]

Should be able to find one that suits your monetary and physical needs by looking at some of the tripod specs here http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/category/8310/General_Accessories_Tripods_Support.html

[ravencr]

Thanks for the link.

Chris

[erichlund]

The only way you're going to get your height on a cheap tripod is to raise the center post. Tripod purists tend to call this the monopod on top of a tripod solution. While it's not "that" bad, the single post is more prone to vibration than if the camara sits just above the three legs. You should probably get over the idea of getting a tripod tall enough so you don't have to stoop. There won't be anything really, massively stable in your price range, so you will want to limit the instability by not using the center column as much as possible.

If you really mean durability, not stability, then you want to look at tripods that have twist locks rather than lever locks on the legs. Lever locks break under hard use, and they typically cannot be taken apart for cleaning.

Remember, stability (not durability), is the raison d'etre tripods exist. If you're going compromise on stability, perhaps you should just put more money in VR/IS/OS.

Basically, based on your budget, you want to investigate Gitzo knockoffs. Gitzo is out of your range. Two names to research are Benro and Feisol. I've heard decent things about the latter, not as much about Benro. Neither will be as durable as a Gitzo, but you get to keep your firstborn.

[ravencr]

Thanks for the info...It's a hard decision and ultimately I'll probably end up spending more than expected, as usual. :)

Chris

[Rhys]

I have a Manfrotto 3021BN which is quite good. It cost me $150 plus $50 for the head. It's rock steady.

Avoid getting 4-section legs and tripods with braced legs. Extra sections lead to wobble. A brace means the tripod's so wobbly that they had to put a brace to make it less obviously bad.

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

Do yourself a favour and read this thread including the links (particularly from Erich) before you buy a tripod. Then you can make a more educated decision.

Remember I think my $500 tripod is workable but not really fit for purpose with the weight of the gear you intend to put on it.

http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38477