Tripod rental advice needed

eoren1

In the past few weeks, I have come to the conclusion that I am in need of upgraded lenses as well as a support system. Rather than spending the $3k that it would take to accomplish this now, I'm going the rental route first so that I can adequately try out the gear and assess how well it fits my shooting style. I figured that the Acadia ShootOut would be a great time to try out the glass as well as the tripod. I've checked out the top rental places and both borrowlenses.com and lensrentals.com offer tripod rentals. Both carry the lenses I plan on renting as well so the choice of whom to go with rests with the tripods.
My plan is to eventually go with an L-plate, RRS ball head and probably the Feisol legs that Scott recently reviewed.
Here are the links to the available tripod rentals:
http://www.borrowlenses.com/category/Tripods_and_heads
and
http://www.lensrentals.com/category/tripods-and-support/for-all

I'm bringing the Canon 50D and my heaviest lens will be the 70-200 f/4 IS. Any thoughts on the best support that these guys list and what might give me a feel for the gear I plan to purchase? I'm leaning towards the Velbon tripod with Markins head (link) but that would mean not being able to try out the L-plates. Borrowlenses has the RRS plate for the 40D which I'm not sure would fit the 50D. If it does, can you recommend a set of legs/head from them that would give me a sense of a 'real' support system (unlike the Bogen/Manfrotto one I have now)?
Thanks,
E

ziggy53

eoren1 wrote:

... give me a sense of a 'real' support system (unlike the Bogen/Manfrotto one I have now)?
Thanks,
E

Which sticks do you have now?

My current favorite, that I use, is the Manfrotto 755XB MDEVE, with integral 50mm half-ball. I think it is sturdy enough for any of my cameras through the 1D MKII and a 70-200mm, f2.8 lens, especially with a Manfrotto 3047 head (model III). I can also use this with medium format and occasional large format cameras. (This head is no longer made and it is similar to a heavier-duty version of the current 804RC2 or 808RC pan head.)

I also use a Manfrotto "elbow bracket" for holding camera/lens combinations that don't have a tripod ring. The elbow bracket keeps the center-of-balance proper and the bracket includes an anti-rotation device which adapts to multiple camera bodies.

http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/pid/14804
http://www.amazon.com/Bogen-3047-Deluxe-Tripod-Release/dp/B000077VZW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1246365867&sr=1-1
http://tiny.cc/UXL4Y

eoren1

Hey Ziggy,
I'm using the one of their 'digi compact' tripod kits now. Not good kit at all.
link: http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-728B-Compact-Integrated-Carrying/dp/B00011X0X2

Definitely need to step it up in the support area - lots of creep with this one even with light lenses. Any thoughts on renting a Markins head? Other thoughts on trying out heads with L-plates?
Thanks,
E

ziggy53

Sorry, my background doesn't include much beyond the Bogen/Manfrotto line. (I also have some large and heavy Slik sticks and head. My father has some "really" humongous tripods that can handle up to 8x10 format.) My needs are also somewhat unique since I still have, and occasionally use, larger format equipment.

CliffW

eoren1 wrote:

Hey Ziggy,
I'm using the one of their 'digi compact' tripod kits now. Not good kit at all.
link: http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-728B-Compact-Integrated-Carrying/dp/B00011X0X2

Definitely need to step it up in the support area - lots of creep with this one even with light lenses. Any thoughts on renting a Markins head? Other thoughts on trying out heads with L-plates?
Thanks,
E

Manfrotto has a pretty good online configurator that will help you match your need with the right equipment. Just google "manfrotto configurator" and one of the top links will take you there. If you have a tripod collar on your 70-200 lens, you won't need the L-plate -- just loosen and spin. You would still need it for your smaller lenses. I have used the 190XPROB+488RC4 with my 20D+70-200 and it's done fine.

-- cw

Scott_Quier

eoren1 wrote:

Hey Ziggy,
I'm using the one of their 'digi compact' tripod kits now. Not good kit at all.
link: http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-728B-Compact-Integrated-Carrying/dp/B00011X0X2

Definitely need to step it up in the support area - lots of creep with this one even with light lenses. Any thoughts on renting a Markins head? Other thoughts on trying out heads with L-plates?
Thanks,
E

My thoughts:

• That ballhead, as a rental, looks like it will fill the bill for you, in spades!
• If my experience with my RSS BH-55 is anything to go by, when you get your ballhead you are going to absolutely love it.
• As for the legs I have - I've found one drawback that I'm going to fix between now and the Shootout. The leg ends are capped with a relatively soft rubber that compresses - lending the entire setup to movement/vibration in wind. I'll be replacing these rubber caps with the optional metal tip ends for the Shootout.
• L-Plates are the gift of the gods if you frequently transition from landscape orientation to portrait. Very quick and smooth and, best of all, tends to keep the camera CG mounted over the center of the tripod thus increasing stability.
• Talk to the folks at which ever place you rent from and see if they have or are willing to acquire an L-Plate for your camera. You might be surprise at what they are willing to do for you and I think you'll feel better if the plate you use is actually designed for your camera body.

eoren1

Thanks for the thoughts Scott. I put down the Velbon/Markins for rental for the Shootout trip. I will definitely be talking to you and everyone else about your tripod setup during that trip to try to pick out a good combination for purchase.
See you there.
E

20DNoob

eoren1 wrote:

but that would mean not being able to try out the L-plates.

Kirk makes L plates as well that work fine on my M20, I'm thinking of trying out a Novaflex one as well as I like the lower profile.