Tripod help

Invective

Hi folks!

About a year ago, I bought a $25 tripod. No swivel, no level, cheap plastic. Just wanted to try it out. I find myself using it more and more, so I want to upgrade. I'm looking for something with a bit more versatility. I'm shooting with the Canon Rebel XT. I had a couple of questions though.

Is the threaded attachment the only option (screwing the camera onto the tripod). I find this to be quite time consuming, particularly because I have no swivel on my tripod. I find myself attaching and removing the camera many times in a set.

What do you guys use? I'd like to stay under $200, but I'd also like this to be a tripod I use for a long time. Any suggestions? Thanks

GadgetGav

You need a tripod with a quick release plate. That way you only attach the via the screw thread once, then the plate can stay on the camera but you can unclip it from the tripod.
There are plenty of good tripods out there less than $200. I haven't used this particular one, but I have the same ball head on a Bogen monopod and it is good.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/428998-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_725B_725B_Digi_Black_Tripod.html

Try going to your local camera store and see what they have. You'll probably be surprised at what you can get on your budget.

Art Scott

I have been using Giottos tri and mono pods for quite some time now and really like them.......I did put a bogen 322RC2 head on the tripod and a flip base on the mono so I could use the RC2 plates....but both come with a nice 3-way head with quick release ...I got mine from Philly Photo on Ebay but I do believe that B/H and other camera stores carry them also....if you have the money they also have the carbon fibre and LAVA tripods.

claudermilk

I'll start with the obligatory link to Thom's site: http://www.bythom.com/support.htm

There are a lot of options, and one of the truisms is you get light, cheap, good--pick two. Some of the Chinese legs are allowing for a little more leeway in that, so you don't have to pay megabucks for a Gitzo and still end up with a decent tripod.

I am using a Giottos Lava series and am quite happy with it. They are a good option, as is Feisol from all I've read on it (I was planning on a Feisol until I saw a Giottos). You can also look at some ofhte aluminum Mafrotto legs (3001, 3011 are the popular budget legs).

I also added a ballhead, and after drinkingthe kool-aid there I am definitely in the "3-way heads suck" camp. The budget option is the Manfrotto 386 or 388. You can get one of their several QR plate systems or get one without and get an Arca-Swiss system clamp from someone else. The A-S system is much more expensive, but IMHO is well worth the cost as it's the best I've ever used.

Here is the gold standard budget steup from B&H: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/496281-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto__190XDB_Tripod_Legs_Black_.html
Just a hair over budget, but those two pieces are considered very good budget options.

Invective

Thanks for the quick replies!!

Just to clarify, a 'ballhead' will give me the option to turn my camera 90 degrees right?

The quick release sounds amazing! I'm sure I will LOVE it.

Art, what do you mean by "flip base"?

Both B&H options posted look really great, way more freedom than what I currently have, I will probably go with one of them!

That article was definitley an eye opener, thanks claudermilk. It explained the frustration I'm having right now, and how to eliminate it.

Van Isle

Really, really take the standard tripod advice to heart. I listened well and spent some coin. I'm still a cheap bastige, so I don't mind heavy.

I went against the budget-minded recommendations of the sales guy at the store, and went with a heavier duty and more expensive ballhead.

And now that I've put a 200mm lens on, a few filters, a good flash unit...shooting at a funny angle...

pretty glad I have a solid tripod.

VI

gryphonslair99

claudermilk wrote:

I'll start with the obligatory link to Thom's site: http://www.bythom.com/support.htm

There are a lot of options, and one of the truisms is you get light, cheap, good--pick two. Some of the Chinese legs are allowing for a little more leeway in that, so you don't have to pay megabucks for a Gitzo and still end up with a decent tripod.

I am using a Giottos Lava series and am quite happy with it. They are a good option, as is Feisol from all I've read on it (I was planning on a Feisol until I saw a Giottos). You can also look at some ofhte aluminum Mafrotto legs (3001, 3011 are the popular budget legs).

I also added a ballhead, and after drinkingthe kool-aid there I am definitely in the "3-way heads suck" camp. The budget option is the Manfrotto 386 or 388. You can get one of their several QR plate systems or get one without and get an Arca-Swiss system clamp from someone else. The A-S system is much more expensive, but IMHO is well worth the cost as it's the best I've ever used.

Here is the gold standard budget steup from B&H: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/496281-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto__190XDB_Tripod_Legs_Black_.html
Just a hair over budget, but those two pieces are considered very good budget options.

That may be the buget gold standard, but in my area this is the standard for all around tripods. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/353322-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto__3021BPRO_Tripod_Black_with.html
The extra $70 is definately worth the money.

IF you are doing alot of portrait work then this has become pretty much the standard. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/353324-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto__3021BPRO_Tripod_Black_with.html

Keep in mind, if you spend the money on a good tripod now and take care of it, you could still be using it 20 years from now with no complaints.

RogersDA

Check out the catalog and information available at Really Right Stuff.

RRS 2007 Catalog

Their ballheads and plates are very well made.

claudermilk

Invective: Yes, you can turn the platform 90 degrees. There is a drop notch in all the ballheads I've seen to allow that. It works, but the downside is the camera move to the side and down when you do it, and cantilevers the weight off-center. The preferred (and more expensive) method is an L-bracket with matching QR system. It's worth the money.

gryphonslair99: Agreed, but I was trying to keep close to the stated budget.

RogersDA: Again, agreed. I have an RRS BH-40 and it meets the expecations fro mthe reputation. RRS is the gold standard for ballheads & A-S QR gera. It costs it, too. Just that head is out of the stated budget at over $350; IMHO worth the money--but if you don't have it to spend, it doesn't matter much.