Tripods

hellgaphellgap Registered Users Posts: 5 Beginner grinner
edited October 4, 2013 in Accessories
Hi ya all Im new at photography here goes. I have been looking at tripods as mine sucks literally. I am looking at the manfroto 055 x pro b Im into wildlife macro and landscapes. I guess lots of areas , Im not one to waste money. I just bought a manfroto 3 way 804 rc2 tripod head im looking at a second tripod head the 500ah fluid head . what are your thoughts. In the future ill get a opteca cft90 because it wont matter if I beat it up hiking or in the back of the truck. I was going to buy just one tripod head but its just not gonna do good video with a 804 so I chose the 500 manfroto its new small and suppose to be very user friendly. plus the price is under 200 . Please let me know if Im making poor choices thanks kelly

Comments

  • cmasoncmason Registered Users Posts: 2,506 Major grins
    edited October 4, 2013
    It will be really helpful it you:

    1) fully explain what you want to do (it seems wildlife, macro and landscape photography, and I am guessing some sort of video).
    2) let us know what gear you have and how you want to use it, which helps understand the weight and other factors. (camera + lens combo)
    3) and, where you wish to use it (travel, hiking, carry on the plane, back of truck, sandy beaches or just in the studio).

    You will likely find that the general consensus among experienced users is to get the absolute best tripod and head you can. The rationale is this: buying a $500+ tripod and $350 head is expensive, but they are built to last, and in the end, you will spend more going with cheaper product. For example, you have already purchased a tripod, and now own two heads, and are considering another tripod to 'just throw in the back of the truck'. If you had purchased say a top of the line carbon fiber tripod and a RSS or kirk head, you would likely have spent the same money by now.

    Recommended tripods:

    Gitzo: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?atclk=Brand_Gitzo&ci=2636&N=4075788741+4291428784
    Really Right Stuff: http://reallyrightstuff.com/Items.aspx?key=cat&code=TripodsRRS

    I have had really good luck with my Benro, others swear by Feisol. These are chinese carbon fiber tripods, but seem reasonable quality and workmanship. No one would confuse them with the two above, but if you can't bring yourself to spend $800 on a tripod, I personally recommend Benro.

    Ballheads:

    Really Right Stuff: http://reallyrightstuff.com/Items.aspx?code=BALLHEADS&key=cat
    Kirk: http://www.kirkphoto.com/ball-heads.html

    Sorry but I have no experience with video and fluid heads, but others will chime in.
    Photos
  • puzzledpaulpuzzledpaul Registered Users Posts: 1,621 Major grins
    edited October 4, 2013
    + whether you're prepared to buy used / older kit ... or want the 'latest 'n greatest' :)

    Considerable savings along this route, of course, and you're dealing with fairly basic / simple gear - unlike cams / lenses etc.

    Imo, also depends on what sort of pics you're trying to take ,,, many excellent macro people hand hold / use basic supports + flash... but if you're into ambient light macro, that'll probably be a different ball game ... especially if you're trying to chase a live subject around with gear on a tripod :)

    Wildlife - I've yet to see /come across a std tripod + head combo that'll let me get as low as I want to - therefore need a different approach. If you're happy with (relatively) high pov shots of low - down subjects, no problem ...

    Amongst others, I'd suggest checking out / considering old/ used Alu Gitzos - all the series 3/4/5 system offerings have a 85mm diameter split clamp ring which allows for easy attachment of custom - built accessories (if into such messing around)

    pp
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