Looking for a Tripod and head.

samiam513 · February 11, 2006

I have a Canon 350D with my biggest lens being a 75-300.

I have a cheap tripod now, and I am looking to get a high quality tripod/head set very soon.

I want 360 degrees of movement.
Quick release (atleast QR plate)
and the tripod must go above 60 inches.

I am looking into a 20D currently, and don't want to limit my lens selection with a tripod.

So far I have found...

[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Bogen / Manfrotto 486RC2 Compact Ball Head with Rapid Connect System 2 (Quick Release) - Supports 13.2 lb (6 kg)[/FONT]
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?cpncode=11-2654453&srccode=cii_7240328&A=ShowProduct&Q=&O=&sku=272449

[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Bogen / Manfrotto 3221WN (055BWB) Tripod Legs (Black) - Supports 13.20 lb (5.99 kg[/FONT]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?cpncode=10-12735586&srccode=cii_7240328&A=ShowProduct&Q=&O=&sku=217266

Are those good choices, or should I go another direction? Bogen's site only lists 3 heads compatible with this tripod, but I though all of theirs were interchangable...

Help?

Bodwick · February 11, 2006

I've owned and used a 55 for many years. It's a solid well built tripod that will last your entire life. It's a bit heavy, but managable, to carry for any distance. A gitzo is my choice when weight becomes an issue(at about >25kg).

Over the years I've bought a few heads and with them the associated plates. I've ended building a system around Q plates and would suggest you change the head plate for an Arca type Q system. I'd start heading in that direction now rather than collect different plates. Anyone agree?

You can fit any head to your 55 the (I think 1/4 & 3/8") connectors can be reversed or changed to whatever you need.

samiam513 wrote:

I have a Canon 350D with my biggest lens being a 75-300.

I have a cheap tripod now, and I am looking to get a high quality tripod/head set very soon.

I want 360 degrees of movement.
Quick release (atleast QR plate)
and the tripod must go above 60 inches.

I am looking into a 20D currently, and don't want to limit my lens selection with a tripod.

So far I have found...

[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Bogen / Manfrotto 486RC2 Compact Ball Head with Rapid Connect System 2 (Quick Release) - Supports 13.2 lb (6 kg)[/FONT]
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?cpncode=11-2654453&srccode=cii_7240328&A=ShowProduct&Q=&O=&sku=272449

[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Bogen / Manfrotto 3221WN (055BWB) Tripod Legs (Black) - Supports 13.20 lb (5.99 kg[/FONT]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?cpncode=10-12735586&srccode=cii_7240328&A=ShowProduct&Q=&O=&sku=217266

Are those good choices, or should I go another direction? Bogen's site only lists 3 heads compatible with this tripod, but I though all of theirs were interchangable...

Help?

jwear · February 11, 2006

cameras and glass come and go but the tripod stays a long time buy the best you can for the money --I just upgraded to gitzo and will go with arca or rightstuff this will hold past a 500 ect so i will never

have to buy another

i hope

ian408 · February 11, 2006

I think you'll find the Bogen 486RC2 will work for what you have today.

But you say you don't want to be limited in your lens selection. That said,
I've found that the Bogen QR system does not do well at all with larger lenses (like
the 300 f/2.8) or heavy bodies. The weight tends to loosen the plate as you
shoot.

To handle the weight, I chose to go with the Arca/Swiss style ball head and
Quick Release. You can usually choose either a lever or thumb screw base
plate. On my larger lenses, I use a Q plate and on the camera bodies, an L
bracket. The L bracket allows me to rotate the camera between horizontal
or vertical--handy for portrait or landscape work.

You have choices with respect to suppliers. Myself, I run with a RRS
head and lens plates. Really Right Stuff has been a great company to work
with. Kirk Enterprises also offers a nice selection of plates and heads.
Acratech offers a unique style ball head that takes some getting used to but
is a very nice head. And of course, Arca Swiss.

Here's a list of suppliers:

The legs you have chosen will work with any of these heads and my only
advise here is to buy the sturdiest set of legs you can afford.

All said, buy the best you can afford today and you will be happier tomorrow.

Let us know how it works out for you.

Ian

blackwaterstudio · February 11, 2006

This is the tripod I bought. I love it, had it in a creek doing a shot and the water moving about 5mph never moved the tripod.

Manfrotto Tripod and Head

Crispin · February 12, 2006

My first tripod was a cheapy 'cause I thought "hey, it has 3 legs, that's all you need"
I had read posts where people were saying spend all you can on a tripod but did not belive them

About a month ago I upgraded to a Manfrotto 190D Pro (http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/cache/offonce/pid/2050?fullList=0|67|68|69|71&idx=71) and a 460MG head (http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/cache/offonce/pid/2332?fullList=0|67|80|81|82&idx=82)

I am extremly happy wiht both. Compared to the cheapy, it's built like a brick sh1t house:D
It has it's limits though, I would not stick a really big piece of glass on. (They day I can afford a piece of glass that strains the head I'll be happy:D )

samiam513 · February 12, 2006

Are all mounting screws the same size for head>camera?

Bystander · February 12, 2006

Tripod seems big and heavy but I guess its very solid. Did you consider any lighter models?

jdsphotography wrote:

This is the tripod I bought. I love it, had it in a creek doing a shot and the water moving about 5mph never moved the tripod.

Manfrotto Tripod and Head

blackwaterstudio · February 12, 2006

Bystander wrote:

Tripod seems big and heavy but I guess its very solid. Did you consider any lighter models?

9.6lbs isn't considered heavy to me, even after carrying it all day in the field. There are lighter ones but your looking at carbon fiber and that cost money.

Looking for a Tripod and head.

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