This is THE tripod!

Dick on Aruba · June 21, 2006

A good tripod with a good head is expensive…say very expensive.

Some of us did spend many dollars already before they could say “Yeah, that’s it!” and surely I don’t want to spend unnecessary money before I can say the same thing.

So…let me pop the obvious question here:

What tripod / head combination do you recommend and are good for 10 ~ 15 LB?

Keep in mind that I shoot mainly (not strictly) nature.

[FONT=&quot]Dick.[/FONT]

wxwax · June 21, 2006

I am lustfully eyeing a Gitzo Mountaineer that Patch told me about. I handled it at B&H and it feels like a great combination of (relatively) light weight and sturdy stability.

Gitzo G-1258 Mountaineer Reporter 6X Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs (Rapid Column) - Supports 17.6 lb (8 kg)
Mfr# G1258 • B&H# GIG1258

And I also covet a Really Right Stuff ballhead.

Dick on Aruba · June 21, 2006

wxwax wrote:

...Gitzo G-1258 Mountaineer Reporter 6X Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs (Rapid Column) - Supports 17.6 lb (8 kg)
Mfr# G1258 • B&H# GIG1258...

Thanks!

Like many other tripods, it seems a great tripod.

Dick.

gluwater · June 21, 2006

I have the BH-40 and love it. It easily handles my 20D with the 400 f/5.6 and 580EX. If you shoot mostly wildlife have you looked at the Wimberly sidekick? I have some other RRS parts that I put together to make a gimbal head and love it for shooting wildlife, they can also be broken down and used as a panoramic setup. As for a tripod I have the Gitzo 1228 legs. They are similar to the 1258, 4 column, CF. I like it because it is small and sturdy for my needs but the main drawback is that without the center column extended it is a bit short. Especially for shooting BIF's and things in trees.
Here is a picture of my gimbal setup on the BH-40:

Dick on Aruba · June 21, 2006

gluwater wrote:

I have the BH-40 and love it. It easily handles my 20D with the 400 f/5.6 and 580EX. If you shoot mostly wildlife have you looked at the Wimberly sidekick? ...

Very interesting! Thanks Nick.

ChrisJ · June 21, 2006

gluwater wrote:

I have the BH-40 and love it.

I also have the BH-40 and really like it. My 'pod is the Manfrotto 055MF4, 4-section, carbon fiber. I like the leg releases on the Manfrotto better than the Gitzos. I'm 6'1" and have had no issues with the height.

Dick on Aruba · June 21, 2006

ChrisJ wrote:

I also have the BH-40 and really like it. My 'pod is the Manfrotto 055MF4, 4-section, carbon fiber. I like the leg releases on the Manfrotto better than the Gitzos. I'm 6'1" and have had no issues with the height.

Allright the BH-40 suppose to be something good. I found the 4 configurations. Which is the one you're talking about?

BH-40 LR, 40mm with lever clamp
BH-40 Pro, 40mm with crew knob clamp
BH-40 PF, 40mm with platform
BH-40, with no clamp or platform

I think the "PF" look allright? ($310.00)

What do you think of the Manfrotto 458B Neotex Pro? ($330.00)

Dick.

ChrisJ · June 21, 2006

Dick on Aruba wrote:

Allright the BH-40 suppose to be something good. I found the 4 configurations. Which is the one you're talking about?

BH-40 LR, 40mm with lever clamp
BH-40 Pro, 40mm with crew knob clamp
BH-40 PF, 40mm with platform
BH-40, with no clamp or platform

I think the "PF" look allright? ($310.00)

What do you think of the Manfrotto 458B Neotex Pro? ($330.00)

Dick.

I went with the "LR" version and the quick release plates. More expensive now, less time wasted later.

I looked seriously at the Neotec, and in the end decided to go with a more traditional leg clamp. I just wasn't convinced about the longevity, since it's a fairly new product. I'm more tempted with the Neotec monopod, only 1/3 the possible problems!

FYI, Here's My Tripod Thread: http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=30153

gluwater · June 21, 2006

Dick on Aruba wrote:

Allright the BH-40 suppose to be something good. I found the 4 configurations. Which is the one you're talking about?

BH-40 LR, 40mm with lever clamp
BH-40 Pro, 40mm with crew knob clamp
BH-40 PF, 40mm with platform
BH-40, with no clamp or platform

I think the "PF" look allright? ($310.00)

What do you think of the Manfrotto 458B Neotex Pro? ($330.00)

Dick.

I have the BH-40 Pro, the one with the screw knob clamp. They are all the same ball head, just with different clamps. The Lever clamp is faster to latch and unlatch than the screw knob. I would suggest against the "PF" because it is a platform only, no quick release. You will also have to buy either quick release plates for your lenses or a plate for your body. With larger lenses I would suggest getting a plate for each lens. The plate for your body, for use with smaller lenses, I would suggest the L bracket. Does this help? If you have any other questions please feel free to ask.

Dick on Aruba · June 22, 2006

Thanks Chris & Nick.

You both make sense.

I just want to do the right thing. It's too much money just to "try"

Dick.

Manfr3d · June 22, 2006

A bit pricey, or how does it compare to a
Gitzo 1277M or 1377M or Acractech?

David_S85 · June 23, 2006

Like a few others, I'm using the Gitzo G-1258 4-section 6X tripod. I find it just as sturdy as the 3-section version. I tested both side-by side, and set them up and pounded on the top of each to test flex. Equal stability. This is not a tall tripod, but I'm 5'6", and is perfect with the center column all the way down.

The RRS BH-40 tops it off with their PCL clamp. An RRS L bracket is attached to the camera body full-time now. I add one of their slide bars to do panoramas in portrait mode.

Not a cheap combo, but I won't be spending any more money on another walk-around tripod until 2030 at the earliest.

Dick on Aruba · June 23, 2006

Hmmm...thanks guys.

This is THE tripod!

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