Tripod and ball head for Canon 600D?

Seanchai

There's so much choice out there that I'm not sure where to start. I'm willing to spend up to €200 on both tripod and ball head (is there anything else which I'd need?).

I'm tall so I don't fancy those small light ones that you place on a car or wall. On the other hand I do a lot of travelling so I don't want it too heavy. Sturdy, certainly - but not a burden on flights etc. I'm primarily taking landscape photos, and I find my night-time photos with the Night-time Portrait function on the 600D in amazing places I'll never be to again are being destroyed for the want of a tripod/steadiness.

All recommendations will be welcome. Thanks.

Leftyflip

Anything Manfrotto to be honest.
This is good.

sebphoto

'Night-time Portrait function' ?

I'd say go for Manfrotto, Benro, Giottos, Gitzo.. however more important question is: what lenses you have and how much more can you add to your budget?
Tripod is second most important thing just after the lens. You will pay for it only once and tripod will serve you for ages.
It's an investment. You won't regret such purchase. If you travel a lot then consider carbon fibre tripod or monopod.

davyjose

Seanchai wrote: »

There's so much choice out there that I'm not sure where to start. I'm willing to spend up to €200 on both tripod and ball head (is there anything else which I'd need?).

I'm tall so I don't fancy those small light ones that you place on a car or wall. On the other hand I do a lot of travelling so I don't want it too heavy. Sturdy, certainly - but not a burden on flights etc. I'm primarily taking landscape photos, and I find my night-time photos with the Night-time Portrait function on the 600D in amazing places I'll never be to again are being destroyed for the want of a tripod/steadiness.

All recommendations will be welcome. Thanks.

I got this: http://www.amazon.com/Ravelli-APGL4-Professional-Tripod-Adjustable/dp/B003SQEAY0

Obviously I doubt it was ever really $400, but it seems like a nice piece of kit. One of the bulls eye levels on mine seems to be off though (I only use the tubular one for keeping the camera flat). But it's built solid, nice ease of movement, and locks pretty solid.
It's my first tripod, so I cant really compare, but I'll be keeping this for a while yet.

sebphoto

davyjose wrote: »

I got this: http://www.amazon.com/Ravelli-APGL4-Professional-Tripod-Adjustable/dp/B003SQEAY0

Obviously I doubt it was ever really $400, but it seems like a nice piece of kit. One of the bulls eye levels on mine seems to be off though (I only use the tubular one for keeping the camera flat). But it's built solid, nice ease of movement, and locks pretty solid.
It's my first tripod, so I cant really compare, but I'll be keeping this for a while yet.

Weight is really over 3 KG?

davyjose

sebphoto wrote: »

Weight is really over 3 KG?

I don't feel it tbh. Just goes over the shoulder. It's a big sturdy piece of kit though. No knocking it over.

It is quite big though, and I suppose weighty enough. It's a trade off - anything too light isn't worth it.

sebphoto

davyjose wrote: »

I don't feel it tbh. Just goes over the shoulder. It's a big sturdy piece of kit though. No knocking it over.

It is quite big though, and I suppose weighty enough. It's a trade off - anything too light isn't worth it.

Oh, you'll curse very loudly if you'll have to carry 3kg tripod on holidays.. lightweight tripod from reliable company is really worth the price

Seanchai

sebphoto wrote: »

'Night-time Portrait function' ?

I'd say go for Manfrotto, Benro, Giottos, Gitzo.. however more important question is: what lenses you have and how much more can you add to your budget?
Tripod is second most important thing just after the lens. You will pay for it only once and tripod will serve you for ages.
It's an investment. You won't regret such purchase. If you travel a lot then consider carbon fibre tripod or monopod.

The lens is 18-55mm at the moment. I have no plans at present to get a bigger lens, but I will once I start taking better photos on this. I see this Manfrotto 190XPROB 3 Section Aluminum Pro Tripod got good reviews. Would that be the best of the Manfrotto in the €200 price range?

The Night-time portrait function is actually deadly for night landscape photos, but destroyed by any movement at all which is why there's a big 'You need a tripod for this mode' warning when you use it. I used the Sports function to take photos of a massive fireworks display on New Years Eve night and that came out very well, but again they would have been better with a tripod.

brokenarms

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Slik-340-BH-Tripod-SBH-200DQ/dp/B00474CHXI/ref=sr_1_48?ie=UTF8&qid=1355835159&sr=8-48


Fairly good tripod. light enough for packpacking, Nice and stiff and a ball head. Sale price is fantastic.