Tripod....where do I start?

[beanbag]

Since I'll be taking delivery of my new EF 70-200m f/2.8L IS lens in a couple of months, I figured it might just well be time to get a tripod....

The only thing is I have no idea where to start. You don't seem to get many reviews on this kit and prices vary immensely.

I basically need something light, sturdy enough to support a Canon 40D with the 70-200m f/2.8L IS lens.

I've no idea at what price I should be looking at, nor do I know what makes or in fact anything about tripods.

Ideas chaps?

[GetCarter]

Decide whether you want it to be sturdy on top of a mountain or in London. Decide how much extra weight you are prepared to carry. Then decide which manfrotto tripod you want. Then decide if you want a geared head or not. Then visit warehouse express.

IMHO

Edited by GetCarter on Tuesday 16th December 13:39

[Simpo Two]

You do realise that the whole idea of IS is that you don't need a tripod...

[beanbag]

Simpo Two said:

You do realise that the whole idea of IS is that you don't need a tripod...

It's mainly for longer exposures at night.....but you've got a bloody good point there.....

[Simpo Two]

beanbag said:

It's mainly for longer exposures at night

Okey doke. Well I'm not a tripod consultant but my Manfrotto 055Pro is a pretty stout bugger, and decently tall.

[GetCarter]

Simpo Two said:

beanbag said:

It's mainly for longer exposures at night

Okey doke. Well I'm not a tripod consultant but my Manfrotto 055Pro is a pretty stout bugger, and decently tall.

Is what I use. Bit heavy though.

[Simpo Two]

GetCarter said:

Is what I use. Bit heavy though.

Agreed. Handy for impressing customers though when you ask them to hold it for a moment! For any distance I fit a strap and carry it over my shoulder like a rifle.

There's a carbon fibre version which is half the weight and double the cost, but I don't really need it for what I do.

[Scho]

Simpo Two said:

GetCarter said:

Is what I use. Bit heavy though.

Agreed. Handy for impressing customers though when you ask them to hold it for a moment! For any distance I fit a strap and carry it over my shoulder like a rifle.
.

PAH, this is heavy:



agreed that 55Pro is a good allrounder.

i bought a geared head last year, has been a revelation. highly recommended!

Edited by Scho on Tuesday 16th December 15:01

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

GetCarter said:

Decide whether you want it to be sturdy on top of a mountain or in London. Decide how much extra weight you are prepared to carry. Then decide which manfrotto tripod you want. Then decide if you want a geared head or not. Then visit warehouse express.

IMHO

Can I put a word in for Gitzo? I'm very happy with mine, and it's stood up to quite a few years of abuse very well.

Does anybody actually need a geared head though?

[beano500]

GetCarter said:

Simpo Two said:

beanbag said:

It's mainly for longer exposures at night

Okey doke. Well I'm not a tripod consultant but my Manfrotto 055Pro is a pretty stout bugger, and decently tall.

Is what I use. Bit heavy though.

Try an 055C then - I'm pretty sure it was used as a weapon in the middle ages....


Can't beat a really god quality ball head, though my Kirk BH-1.

[Glosphil]

PhotoPlus magazine recently (August 2008 edition) tested tripod that cost under £100.

Best on test - Velbon Ultra LUXi L with a target price of £85 (I have seen it for under £75)

Best value - Slik Sprint Pro GM with a target price of £45

A friend of mine has just bought the Velbon and it seems an excellent tripod with very fast and secure adjustment of leg length and built-in spirit levels in the head.

[Bee_Jay]

I have the Manfrotto 190MF4 with a 484RC2 ball head on it that I bought after a lot of titting about with about every tripod available at Focus On Imaging a couple of years back. (Great way to do it BTW as all the manufacturers have a stand there if you can wait until Feb time.)

It is really pretty lightweight (Carbon Fibre) and sturdy with it while packing up short.

I regularly have my 20D / 5D2 with battery grip and 70-200 2.8 IS L on it no problems at all, even using the camera tripod mount occasionally and not the lens one. (I tend not to have the mount on the lens most of the time as it takes up space in the bag...

[beanbag]

Cheers all for the replies and advice. You've given me a much better idea of what I need to be looking for.

Glosphil....any chance you could perhaps scan over that copy of of the article from your magazine? There's no chance I can get it here in Austria!!!!

Also, one of you mentioned not using the lens mount for the 70-200. Is there any advantage / disadvantage to not using it? I always had the impression that was the best balance point for the lens on a tripod????

[GravelBen]

I recall a recent thread where folk were waxing lyrical about Leica cameras...well some may not realise it but they make tripods as well...

[cirks]

beanbag said:

Cheers all for the replies and advice. You've given me a much better idea of what I need to be looking for.
Glosphil....any chance you could perhaps scan over that copy of of the article from your magazine? There's no chance I can get it here in Austria!!!!
Also, one of you mentioned not using the lens mount for the 70-200. Is there any advantage / disadvantage to not using it? I always had the impression that was the best balance point for the lens on a tripod????

IMHO, the collar is better. It does depend on what angle you've got the camera etc but I've had my 70-200 2.8 cause the whole camera to move whilst on the tripod (when on 322RC2 head) when mounting on the camera rather than the collar. The collar does make the balance point much better and it's easier to use the pistol grip too when better balanced.
I can probably dig out a tripod test too. I use the Manfrotto 190ProB which is good although not stunningly light.

[Zod]

I bought a carbon fibre Manfrotto and a geared head. The geared head is great when you are using it, but it weighs so much more than the rest of the tripod that it's a pain to carry around and it also means that outdoors you need to hang the camera bag from the centre of the tripod to lower the CG. I need to get a simple head as well.

[Bee_Jay]

cirks said:

beanbag said:

Cheers all for the replies and advice. You've given me a much better idea of what I need to be looking for.
Glosphil....any chance you could perhaps scan over that copy of of the article from your magazine? There's no chance I can get it here in Austria!!!!
Also, one of you mentioned not using the lens mount for the 70-200. Is there any advantage / disadvantage to not using it? I always had the impression that was the best balance point for the lens on a tripod????

IMHO, the collar is better. It does depend on what angle you've got the camera etc but I've had my 70-200 2.8 cause the whole camera to move whilst on the tripod (when on 322RC2 head) when mounting on the camera rather than the collar. The collar does make the balance point much better and it's easier to use the pistol grip too when better balanced.
I can probably dig out a tripod test too. I use the Manfrotto 190ProB which is good although not stunningly light.

Indeed - use the collar if you can - I do.

I just don't tend to have it on the lens all the time as it makes it a bugger to fit in a bag...

[C&C]

Take a look at Redsnapper:
Legs:
http://www1.clikpic.com/Redsnapper/photo_1036442.h...
Head:
http://www1.clikpic.com/Redsnapper/photo_2019865.h...
Discussion:
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread...
Brief review:
http://www.toddjones.co.uk/pod/tripodinf.htm
Another discussion/review:
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread...
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread...

I bought the legs and ball head and for the money, I've not seen anything that comes close.

If you order on the phone, ask for Joe and quote the talkphotography forum he'll give you a 10% discount.

Their other stuff (bags particularly) are good value too.

Conrad.

P.S. I have no connection with RS - just a very happy customer.