Tripod Help

Vycor

First, i know there are lots of threads regarding tripods, but they are just very confusing...

Bottom line. I have a Nikon D200 and I need a good/decent tripod. Im using a standard $150 tripod i picked up locally but it sucks for photography. My lenses constantly shake, and its not helping me.

Without everybody listing tons of combos, can someone just give me what THEY RECOMMEND as a good tripod/ball mount combo? Something that i can have a quick release system. And something that will keep my camera/lenses very sturdy. I shoot with an 80-400mm sigma sometimes and need that to be steady also.

I rarely do portrait shots, so tilting ISNT a necessety, would be nice, but really its not a necessity.

My budget, around $500-$700 for everything.

claudermilk

Hooray! Someone with a good budget that will get them a nice setup! What a refreshing change.

I'll start at the top. Ballhead with an Arca-Swiss QR system. Take your pick among ReallyRightStuff, Markins, Kirk, Acratech, Arca-Swiss, or Manfrotto. My preference is RRS, specifically the BH-40LRII. If you go with really big lenses, then the BH-55 or a full Wimberlye gimbal setup. For QR, the L-brackets are very nice--again my preference is RRS, but Kirk also makes nice ones. You will also want a QR lens plate for the Sigma.

For legs, the gold standard is the Gitzos and they cost it. For less expensive options (you can spend your entire budget just on the Gitzo legs), look at Feisol, Giottos, Slik Pro, and Velbon. I have a Giottos MT7261 and am quite happy with it, I figure I paid 50% of Gitzo price for 90% of Gitzo function.

So to summarize, I use a Giottos MT7261 legset (3-section Lava with twist locks) and RRS BH-40 ballhead. On the camera I have a RRS L-bracket for my 20D & a standard plate for my Mamiya, and a lens plate for my 70-200. This setup works very well & is a joy to use--causing me to use it more. Some pieces I got used, so my total outlay is a bit under $800. I can only envision needing additional QR plates as more bodies & lenses are added, and possibly a $20 short center column. Other than that, this stuff ought to outlive me.

Icebear

Well, you didn't say anything about what you actually shoot, or how important portability is to you, but here's a combo that has served me well with the D200. I'd strongly recommend a remote release for your D200 also. If you want reasonable portability along with reasonable stability, the Manfrotto combo I linked to will make you happy. I also have a MUCH heavier Manfrotto system similar to this but older. It's not reasonably portable due to the weight and bulk of the head, but it IS beefier.

Your budget is your problem. You have too many good choices.

Vycor

Portability kind of matters. Im a news photographer. I shoot a lot of crime scenes, fires, accidents. I mainly use tripods for crime scenes at night. As I have time to setup and need those shots to be clear. I never use my tripod for fires because

1) i move around a lot
2) i move around a lot

Vycor

I think im gonna go with the Acratech GV2 Ballhead (http://acratech.net/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AOS&Product_Code=GV2)

tripod legs im not sure with yet, I may use my existing legs and just take off the crappy head thats on there now. See how it works, i can always upgrade to real quality legs later.

claudermilk

Let us know how it goes. There's not a lot of feedback on those.

BriShay

Wow at what you shoot! I use to work for a newspaper myself.

Vycor

It arrived today. I can't believe something so small cost so much, go figure. Its not even that complex...

It works nicely. I can put my 400mm on and make it act like a gimbal. Works nicely. Now I just need a set of DECENT tripod legs, because the ones I have really suck. They move a lot, but this is a lot better setup then I had before... legs are the next investment.

These are the legs I have now (bought it as a kit from a local store), I just took the head off and im using the legs for now.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/513771-REG/Davis_Sanford_CARBONLITE3_CarbonLite_3_Carbon_Fiber.html

Brascole

Vycor wrote:

First, i know there are lots of threads regarding tripods, but they are just very confusing...

Bottom line. I have a Nikon D200 and I need a good/decent tripod. Im using a standard $150 tripod i picked up locally but it sucks for photography. My lenses constantly shake, and its not helping me.

Without everybody listing tons of combos, can someone just give me what THEY RECOMMEND as a good tripod/ball mount combo? Something that i can have a quick release system. And something that will keep my camera/lenses very sturdy. I shoot with an 80-400mm sigma sometimes and need that to be steady also.

I rarely do portrait shots, so tilting ISNT a necessety, would be nice, but really its not a necessity.

My budget, around $500-$700 for everything.

Just purchased the induro c214 carbon 8X tripod $329.00 and the induro DM23 ballhead $219.00. I'm a hobbyist and it works for me. They are well made, strong and the rubber grip locks are very comfortable and quick to release. Neat feature is the set screws that secure the head to the tripod base for further security. The ballhead quick release plate is well made and I prefer the pullout knob to a lever release. I have their carbon monopod also. I have a D300 w/grip plus the Nikon 200mm macro lens with an R1 wireless speedlight system attached and it doesn't move. A comparable Gitzo and Acra costs $1000. I guess if I made a living I'd go with the gitzo/acra. But what I haves serves me well and it's carbon.

Their site is indurogear.com

Of course put whatever you research in your hand. It's made in China but that should not turn you off on this kit.