Tripod solution: call for C&C

Nikolai

I finally got (almost) enough funds to get myself a decent tripod. Few bucks are still missing for shipping, but I'll manage. :
After reading long and hard ("reading *is* hard!":-) and comparing the reviews I came to the following configuration:

• Legs
  Bogen Manfrotto MagFiber 055MF4 National Geographic Edition, available at several retailers (including Amazon:-) for $375 with no tax and free shipping.
• Head
  Acratech Ultimate Ballhead V2,
  available at Acratech and some other places for $329.95 (version with QR clamp) + s/h
• Plates
  Acratech 60mm lens plate (for EF 70-200 IS and EF 100-400 IS), Kirk L-plate for 30D with BG-E2, maybe a universal Acratech cork-top plate.

While I'm not a "birder", I could see (mostly during the shootouts) that a good tripod can be a pleasure to work with. I can also see that it can generally improve the quality of the images, especially in the low-light and long focal length conditions.
I may consider getting Wimberly Sidekick eventually, but as of now I don't think I'd need one (no 500mm-600mm on the financial horizon).

Now, the reason I post all this: does anybody know anything compromising this choice? Bad reviews? Tripod is not sturdy enough? Not tall enough for a guy like me (I'm 6'2")? Ballhead is cumbersome in usage and not locking properly at some esoteric angles?

Please, do your worst!

Thank you! :thumb

saurora

Manfrotto 055MF4 Mag Figer/Manfrotto 322RC2 Grip
Hi Nik! I just received my new tripod in the mail today. Like you, I really struggled reading about tripods, ball heads, plates, etc. I had no clue what I was doing. Tried following all the threads, but eventually had to figure it out myself based on 3 things: weight was very important for me as I plan to use it outdoors or on location, so that meant it had to be a carbon fiber. (2) amount of use, which for me would be minimal. That meant I did not want to buy the highest priced one I could find. So I shopped for lower priced, but with the abililty to withstand a certain amount of weight. (3) brand reputation (quality), I did shop names that were unknown to me, but most had to be imported, or bought online from distributors I might not be able to communicate with. So I decided in the end to buy the Bogen-Manfrotto 055MF4 Mag Fiber 4-section tripod. It is not the same, I guess, as your National Geographic edition, and I think it might be lighter as it weighs about 4 1/2 lbs. Then I had to figure out a ball head. Egads. They are even more confusing to look at and I had never really used one. So I ended up ordering the Manfrotto 322RC2 Horizontal Grip Action ball head. Supposedly it came with a rapid connection plate, but I dont see one in the box, so I have to follow up on that. I bought both at Amazon - the tripod was $341 and the head was $116. No tax and free shipping. So I feel I came out pretty good. I haven't attached the camera yet, and the grip is a little large for my hand. Maybe the grip action will help build up some strength in my hands! It was a purchase I wasn't crazy about making, but sometimes you just have to use one if you want the sharper images. Anyway...it is reassuring to know someone else is buying a Manfrotto, too. Good luck with yours!

saurora

Guess I was wrong...there is a quick-release plate..(I just didn't know what I was looking at!)

Nikolai

Thanks, Saurora!
NG edition adds the legs warmers and maybe spikes, in case they were misssing on the non-NG edition. I wanted both features and price/weight difference was negligible (for a 190lb guy:-)

Did you try to reposition the center column?

Cheers!

saurora

Nikolai wrote:

NG edition adds the legs warmers and maybe spikes, in case they were misssing on the non-NG edition. I wanted both features and price/weight difference was negligible (for a 190lb guy:-)

Did you try to reposition the center column?

Cheers!

Hehehe...not sure I'm up for that challenge....yet.

ian408

Nothing wrong with the setup you've chosen as long as it is what you need
and want.

Ian

Nikolai

Thanks, Ian!

ian408 wrote:

Nothing wrong with the setup you've chosen as long as it is what you need and want.
Ian

I figured it should be OK, but I just wanted to make a last minute check before commiting to a long-term major purchase...