Tripod Help
thebigsky
Registered Users Posts: 1,052 Major grins
Hi, I've made the classic mistake of buying a tripod/head combination that is heavy enough to put me off wanting to lug it around.
Can anyone recommend me a lightweight tripod/head suitable to mount the weight of a Canon 5D with a variety of glass, mainly a 17-40 through to a 70-200.
I'll be using it to take landscapes and will carry it on straps on the side of my backpack.
I'm prepared to spend up to £400 ($800) approx.
Thanks for any help,
Charlie
Can anyone recommend me a lightweight tripod/head suitable to mount the weight of a Canon 5D with a variety of glass, mainly a 17-40 through to a 70-200.
I'll be using it to take landscapes and will carry it on straps on the side of my backpack.
I'm prepared to spend up to £400 ($800) approx.
Thanks for any help,
Charlie
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Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
I just got the tripod Marc Muench recommended to me: Slik Pro 883 CF-D ($330 from BH Photo). A very light, carbon fiber, three section tripod, legs only. I too have a 5D, with my largest lens being a 200 2.8L (or the 70-300 DO).
For the head I got the Really Right Stuff mid-sized BH-40 with the LR II clamp. It's a good combo, but note you'll need the stainless steel Bushing sold by RRS since the stud on the tripod is 1/4" -20, and the BH-40 needs 3/8" -16.
As I understand it Gitzo Carbon Fiber tripods are incredible. They are lightweight, and very well made. There are many models, and they can come with a reversable stud (no bushing needed). The downside is they appear to be more expensive. I believe the GT 2227 is an older model that has been replaced.
RRS says in your situation (5D with a 70-200 2.8) you need what they catagorize as a "Lightweight" tripod, and they name the GT1530 3 section, or the GT1540 4 section as good matchs for the BH-40 head. The tripod is 2.5 lbs, but costs around $500. Four section leg sets are not quite as sturdy, some say (the fourth section is pretty thin), and they take a little longer to set up. On the plus side, they are shorter when folded up.
I researched this in preparation for doing pano landscapes, which need an especially firm and level base.
Good luck!
Skip
http://skip-dechert.smugmug.com
Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
I think I'll head down this route then, what are ball heads like in the field, I've always imagined them slipping, can they grip a reasonable amount of weight?
Charlie
Charlie
Someone with more field experience than I have should probably answer this question, but my BH-40 ballhead from RRS has a very tight grip - I can't get it to move no matter what I do. It is specifically rated as being made for your camera and lens (5D plus 70-200 2.8), so I'd predict that unless you dip it in oil that it will never slip.
If your nervous, for $80 you could step up to the BH-55, but it weighs about 400g more, and then you're probably getting into a heavier set of legs too. If your aim is to travel light but have a sturdy tripod for your gear, the BH-40 plus the legs mentioned in my prior post should work very nicely.
Skip
http://skip-dechert.smugmug.com
Their combined weight is 1.7kg compared to my existing Manfrotto tripod and head which weighs 3.5kg so I've really no excuse to leave this tripod at home.
Charlie
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Charlie:
I should have mentioned that RRS only sells directly, and that they do ship internationally (maybe I did mention that part of it).
They do not sell the Gitzo tripods internationally, however.
1.7 Kg (3.7 lbs) is definitely very light for tripod plus ballhead, so I'd say you certainly met your weight reduction requirements.
I don't know anything about the Gitzo ballhead, but I would think it's a good one just based on the reputation Gitzo has for their tripods.
Good luck!
Skip
http://skip-dechert.smugmug.com