Lens or Tripod

rbrugman

Hey Everyone,
I have a bit of money saved up and I was looking for a recommendation. I am either looking to get a VR lens for my D80 or to get a nice tripod and ball head combo. I don't have either currently besides a really cheap, old tripod that I do not trust my camera on.

I'm leaning toward the tripod for the simple fact that I think my 18-135 kit lens does the job. It does take nice pictures if I can hold the camera steady. I mainly shoot landscapes, portraits, and travel photos.

If anyone has recommendations on what I should get please let me know. I am traveling to Europe next month and would like to take enough pictures to make a travel photo book, but I need them to be sharp and clear.

Thanks!
Robert

bkatz

Robert -

It sounds like you know exactly what you are shooting so the real question is what do you think you are missing now? Do you wish you had a tripod for your landscapes and travel photos (portraits of course but not sure if you are doing that on your trip) or do you want a wider zoom with VR - For example an 18-200mm VR. Do you plan to take one lens only with you on your trip or multiple? (Hence if you want more zoom then the 200mm side would be nice with the same 18) or if you want to take 2more than one lens you can invest in the 70-300mm VR (a little cheaper) but not sure if you want or need that much zoom.

If you are getting a Tripod - also a great choice - how heavy can it be and what will be to heavy for walking around? Do you want to get one great tripod that will last you years plus a ball head (see Thom Hogan's site) or do you plan on owning 2, one now which you will use when traveling and one heavy duty when you invest in heavier glass?

I think you already know yuor own answer from your question in the first place but hope this helps the thought process (and make sure you have a great bag or holster - as someone who broke a filter on a $700 lens recently while in Frankfurt. I can attest I want a different holster)

SloYerRoll

Landscape=Tripod.
Period.

rbrugman

The thing I find my photos missing is the razor-sharp look that professional photos have. Mine are fine, but they just don't have the same clarity regardless of the settings I use.

I have been happy with the 18-135mm lens I have. It's the only lens I own for this camera and it does a good job. Not great, but nothing to complain about. I just seem to have the shakiest hands in the world when trying to take photos. Thats why I was thinking of investing in a good tripod.

On to the requirements. I am taking a 44L Osprey pack and my Lowepro Slingshot 100 with me. I am traveling mainly by train. If I am going to invest in a nice tripod, I'd like one that is sturdy and well built, but I'd also like it to be able to somehow strap to my larger pack. Weight isn't really that big of an issue to me, but if it weighs 50 pounds it won't stay strapped to my backpack too well. That said, I would also consider not even taking the tripod on the trip. I plan on only carrying the Slingshot when I'm out for the day and I don't know how cumbersome it would be to carry a tripod unless I could attach it to the Slingshot. If I were carrying my larger pack it wouldn't be a problem but I might suffice with just carrying my camera around and using stationary objects to brace myself to get a better shot.

The tripod would mainly be used for portraits and landscapes. When I am hiking or snowshoeing I always have my large pack with me and a tripod would be no problem. This is why I'd rather buy something that will last a bit longer than something that's easy to travel with.

The tripod that I was looking at was the Bogen/Manfrotto 190XB with 486RC2 ballhead. Probably not the best on the market but not terribly priced either. I'd be willing to spend a slight bit more if it was that much better but as a college student, I always have to keep my budget in mind.

I hope I didn't make things even harder than before with the new information.

Robert

bkatz

Robert -

Read this:

http://www.bythom.com/support.htm

rbrugman

Thanks for the site. Unfortunatly even the "inexpensive" gear on that list is a bit above my price range for now. While I know I should get a nice $400 tripod with $300 head, it is just beyond my means to do so. I'm probably going to have to settle for a bit less to start and work my way up from there.

bkatz

Trust me - I understand - I have a monopod but not a good tripod yet but then again I spend a lot of my time shooting sports.

I like the way Thom lays out how to look for one and it is good advice for looking for one even if you can't afford his kit.

rbrugman

The way he runs down the list matched probably exactly how I would do it. I have a tendency to need the best stuff, but since I can't afford it I go low and then build up. I did the same thing with my camera. I started with a Rebel XT, which had nothing wrong with it at all. I then decided for some arbitrary reason that I need a D80, so I sold the Canon for dirt cheap and bought a D80. It hasn't allowed me to take any better pictures than I could of with an XT. Only advantage is that it fits my large hands better and I do like the way it works.

I do have a tripod right now but it's some old 2-pound aluminum discount tripod my parents gave me from their old RCA camcorder. The head has slop and it creeps even with the kit lens. I know I can't afford the top-of-the-line stuff, but I need to find something that will last me a while for under $300.

Like Thom said, there is no use buying expensive glass if I can't hold the camera steady enough to take the shot, so I'll keep the lens I have until after I get a good tripod. Which one to get though will take some research. Scott Kelby recommended the setup above in his book, but Thom had the same model numbers on his list of what not to buy. I think I need to find something in the middle.

Robert

jdryan3

rbrugman wrote:

I have been happy with the 18-135mm lens I have.

Assuming it is about the same as the Caon 28-135 (or even the 24-70) that shouldn't be problem.

rbrugman wrote:

The tripod that I was looking at was the Bogen/Manfrotto 190XB with 486RC2 ballhead. Probably not the best on the market but not terribly priced either.

I have the B/F 3001BN, which is comparable, about 4lbs. I also ahve the 486 RC2. For <$200, not a bad setup, and you won't feel like you have too much $$ invested if your decide to dump it for something else.

I'm not sure how tall you are, but you may want to look at the 055XDB. It will give you more height and about 2.5 lbs more on top. The one you are looking at is not even 4" w/o the center column and the column extended doesn't get you to 5".

Most people try not to extend that column more than a couple inches, maybe 1/2 the height, to avoid makting the entire thing too top heavy and prone to wobble. It does weigh about .5 lbs more than the one you are considering.

I'm not sure of your budget, but even if you could get another $100, look at the Slik tripods like 813 or even the 883. I am currently considering one of those to replace the 3001BN, and I haven't quite convinced myself to go for the $500+ Gitzo.

rbrugman

jdryan3 wrote:

Assuming it is about the same as the Caon 28-135 (or even the 24-70) that shouldn't be problem.



I have the B/F 3001BN, which is comparable, about 4lbs. I also ahve the 486 RC2. For <$200, not a bad setup, and you won't feel like you have too much $$ invested if your decide to dump it for something else.

I'm not sure how tall you are, but you may want to look at the 055XDB. It will give you more height and about 2.5 lbs more on top. The one you are looking at is not even 4" w/o the center column and the column extended doesn't get you to 5".

Most people try not to extend that column more than a couple inches, maybe 1/2 the height, to avoid makting the entire thing too top heavy and prone to wobble. It does weigh about .5 lbs more than the one you are considering.

I'm not sure of your budget, but even if you could get another $100, look at the Slik tripods like 813 or even the 883. I am currently considering one of those to replace the 3001BN, and I haven't quite convinced myself to go for the $500+ Gitzo.

I like the looks (and the price) of the 055XDB and the Slik 813. They both would fall into my price range. Have you been happy with the 486 RC2 or would you recommend going up a step. My D80 has a battery grip attached and the lens. It's not terribly long but it does weigh a little bit. Most of the weight is centered though. Also, what about quick release plates? I've read a couple posts saying they are great and a necessity or would screwing it in every time do?

I'm really looking at this now:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/505863-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto__055XPROB_Tripod_Legs_Black_.html

If I could get a quick release plate for that I think I'd be good to go. Heavy tripod (6.5 pounds with the head) and a bit cheaper then the Slik 883 without head.

jdryan3

rbrugman wrote:

Have you been happy with the 486 RC2 or would you recommend going up a step. My D80 has a battery grip attached and the lens. It's not terribly long but it does weigh a little bit. Most of the weight is centered though. Also, what about quick release plates? I've read a couple posts saying they are great and a necessity or would screwing it in every time do?

I have been happy with the 486 RC2, given what I paid for it. It does come with a QR plate, which I always kept on the body (except when I used the 70-200 f/2.8). But I am looking to get into the RRS system. You may want to look at their clamps & QR plates, specifically the L plate. Because, while not impossible, the 486 is harder to work with when you drop it down into the groove. L plate eliminates this.

Photoskipper

It depends how many lens you are having in your bag.

If I just have the kit lens, definitely I will go for a new lens first. You can get a $100 tripod for beginning.

Good tripod is needed only when you are serious with landscape, night photo and macro. You may have more fun with a good lens - for everyday use.

rbrugman

jdryan3 wrote:

I have been happy with the 486 RC2, given what I paid for it. It does come with a QR plate, which I always kept on the body (except when I used the 70-200 f/2.8). But I am looking to get into the RRS system. You may want to look at their clamps & QR plates, specifically the L plate. Because, while not impossible, the 486 is harder to work with when you drop it down into the groove. L plate eliminates this.

The L-plate system looks amazing. RRS has some great stuff from the reviews, but $105 just for the plate! Thats insane!

I ended up ordering the 055XPROB legs with 486 RC2 ballhead and a new camera strap. $300 well spent (hopefully). Now I just need to save up for a new bike in the spring ;-)