About tripods

[Lovin]

Guys, can you give me an advise about tripods and ball heads, please.
What do you think about this one, and especially about this kind of "head":

Manfrotto 055XPROB 3-Section Tripod w/ 322RC2 055XPROB,322K - (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=getItemDetail&Q=&sku=624814&is=REG&si=rev#anchorToReadReviews)

Thank you :)

[Mad Aussie]

I've got the 190XPROB and it's excellent. Gets a bit weighty on longer walks but usually worth it.

Make sure that if you go for the ball head ... you get one that's designed for heavier gear than what you have. In the case of ballheads I believe it's better to over-compensate.

[JAS_Photo]

I just got the 055X ProB tripod, Lovin and I really like it. It is a bit heavier than the 190XProB, so you may not want to trek up mountains with it. I had a ballhead, Manfrotto 486RC2 and while they are fast to use it was making me crazy. The camera was always slipping about on the quick release plate and getting the thing squared up was a pain as well. Btw, the 055X weighs three pounds and will support 14 lbs. I also purchased the Manfrotto 410 geared head which weighs in at a hefty 2.7 lbs and will support up to 11 lbs.

[Hillbillygirl]

Hello Lovin': I would suggest you take a good look at these,https://www.benphoto.ca/store//catalog/product_info.php?cPath=32&products_id=87
They are almost an exact replica of Gitzo tripods and are very high quality indeed. We own two of them and we use heavy glass almost exclusively. Our rigs weigh in at approx. 8-15 lbs., depending on gear we have added. The particular model I have linked to will hold more than the Manfrotto, is much lighter, (carbon fibre), and has better twist-lock legs on it. Yes, we looked very hard at all before purchasing and that is why we went this way. Were out in 25+ mph winds the other day with a 500mm f4L lens, and 580exII flash mounted, standing on a platform 20 ft up, and had no vibration whatsoever. (The pods we have will hold 27 lbs.) Also , the price is right.
Any questions, feel free to ask. We never leave home without our pods, so we do have lots of miles on them.

[Lovin]

Thanks MA and JAS, thanks Hillbillygirl for the tips.
Now I'm taking in consideration Benro too.
I checked some reviews and everyone was very satisfied about Benro.
So it will be between Benro and Manfrotto.

[Mad Aussie]

We went to dinner with some friends yesterday and Tom has a 055xproB so I was able to compare. Definitely a heavier (probably more stable though) option to my 190XProB and too heavy to lug very far on a decent walk in the bush in my opinion.

[Matt K.]

Personally, I like the FEISOL (http://www.feisol.com/english/feisolen.htm) carbon fibre tripods. Very light, four sections, so packing it is easier, and including the FEISOL ball head I paid 550 Canadian for it. I like it a lot. Only thing is it does not come with spikes, you have to buy them extra. But they also offer a very nice , if you're so inclined.

[Wicked Dark]

If the Manfrotto brand is keeping up with the quality of the Bogens they used to be, I can attest to their durability. I still use one I bought in the 80s. I'm after a species of 190XPro though, but I don't need it yet.

[Mad Aussie]

Yeh I have an older Manfrotto as well as the 190XProB ... still going strong.

Carbon ... mmmm :rolleyes: Can't afford carbon ... it all goes on my bikes :headslap:

[Wicked Dark]

I have some carbon on one of my bikes. It's a paint guard so I don't scratch it up. :)

[Lovin]

I'm wondering if the Benro can be used to macro as well?
I guess Hillbillygirl can answer that question.

[Mad Aussie]

I have some carbon on one of my bikes. It's a paint guard so I don't scratch it up. :)
Any carbon is a start :) I have plastic stuff to protect my carbon :)

[Hillbillygirl]

I'm wondering if the Benro can be used to macro as well?
I guess Hillbillygirl can answer that question.

Pretty much all can be used for macro work, but there are limitations for sure. Most will tell you that the reversible centre column works well for macro. Does it?, yes and no. If you use the reversible centre column it means that you hang the camera under and between the legs of the tripod to get lower to ground. You also must use a collar on your lens to orient camera in upright position, or it will be upside down.
This one would be a better bet if you are interested mostly in macro work, as centre column can actually be moved horizontally also, thus no need for collar. https://www.benphoto.ca/store//catalog/index.php?cPath=24
Just remember, if you are VERY serious about macro work with tripod, you will also need a sliding rail system for the very shallow DOF you will be using, and they are NOT cheap.
What actual lenses/body combos will you be working with, and what type of photography are you using tripod for, as this would give us some sort of direction in best direction to send you?

[Lovin]

Thank you HBGirl :)
I'm not with macro photography, but never know.
I'll go for Benro, but first I have to save some money :D

[Barefoot]

Hi, Lovin.

I think I have an identical set up only its labeled under the Vortex name. The documentation that came with it has Manfrotto written all over it. Nowhere near as stable as I'd like, but its a heck of a lot lighter that the old Bogen I used to have to carry everywhere.(and still use on those windy days.)

Most here have commented on the tri-pod without mentioning the ballhead on top. If your hands are strong enough to use this all day, then I'd highly recommend it. I say this because it requires a great deal of tension to be dialed in when I have something like the 70-300 mm mounted on the D300s. But boy is it fast. Just squeeze the handle, frame you shot, and release the handle. It's configurable for right or left hand use and can even be turned into a pistol grip which is how I'm using mine at present. It may not be the most expensive ballhead on the market, but in my view its the most practical and user friendly by far.