Choosing a Tripod? Need some recommendations

Zascar

I need a new tripod as my current manfrotto 785b is way to small for my current lenses. Its ok with a kit lens but it can't handle the 24-105 on its side, and zero change with the 70-200. So I need to chose a new one but honestly I'm lost with the amount of choice. There just seem to be soo many different options. I really have no idea which types do what or are needed, I'm literally lost. Can someone emlighten me at all?

What do you guys have an why did you chose it? What are the main things to look out for, what's essential/useful? Any best all rounder /value choice?

Zascar

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

Ok so from loads and loads of research last night I think I like the Manfrotto 190XPROB seems to be very popular and a great choice. Head wise I'm not really sure but the 496RC2 again seems to be a popular choice. The 390RC2 pan & tilt looks interesting too but I'm not sure.

Any tips anyone? Also is there any other makes of tripod that are just as good as these, but cheaper? Is it worth it?

pansyflower

I use the 190xprob carbon version and am very pleased with it. It is versatile, can support heavier lenses and not too long to bring on hols.
Re the head my preference would be for a ballhead, though I haven't used a pan n tilt ( yet)

BFassassin

I have a three legged thing tripod that is pretty good. I dont use it often enough tbh but the tripod is good and sturdy and folds up to be pretty small. The one I have is the Adrian.
http://www.3leggedthing.com/

patrickc68

I have the manfrotto 055prob with 488 rco ball head,,its a very sturdy tripod,,its well capable of holding my 60d with 24-15 and more ,,only downside wud be its pretty heavy ,,for long hikes

pansyflower

And I'm sure you tried tripods and heads in Conns etc, or borrowed from friends.

5uspect

I've got one of these:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0049F3158/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
can't really fault it. Holds my 70-200 f2.8L IS with a 5D mkIII on the back pretty well.

Farmlife

I have a Manfrotto 055xprob and 498RC2, also have a light Manfrotto MKC3 which i tend to use much more as it straps to the camera bag without much notice, works grand with the 5d and 24-105. they both use the same snap plate so depending on what i'm doing

ImagenEstilo

Might be a bit too late here but check out the Vanguard Alta Pro series. And believe it or not Harvey Norman sell them. I've two of them and they are fantastic for the money. My Manfrotto 055PROB is relegated becuase of these things. Best value and best performance from a tripod that I have seen. They are about 200 notes in HN.

Zascar

Thanks Farmlife, how do you find the 498RC2? I was thinking the 496RC2 as I don't need the pan feature. I was thinking this: http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Manfrotto-190XPROB-Tripod-W-496RC2-Head-190-Bag-Kit-/270731028995?pt=US_Tripods&hash=item3f08d3aa03#ht_12875wt_952 for just under €200 - however I'd prefer to spend less if I could.
Imageneltilo I'll give them a look in harvey norman at the weekend if I can. Does that price include the head?

Nebezpeci Mys

I'm using Giottos Vitruvian and can't fault it. It comes with a ball head and you can choose from 4kg or 6kg load. One if its legs also comes off and combined with the central column it creates a monopod. The central column is reversible, so you can get really low, if needed.

Hope your tripod hunt goes well for you.

Zascar

Thanks Neb. I found a few on Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=Giottos+Vitruvian+ is yours one of those? The monopod idea looks cool. I wonder is it lighter than the Manfrotto?
Edit: it seems that it is very light and compact which is important to me so this looks great. Neb there are a few bad reviews here, would you agree with any of it? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Giottos-Vitruvian-VGR9255-MH5310-630-Aluminium/dp/B003AJHAXS/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1365104983&sr=1-2&keywords=Giottos+Vitruvian

Nebezpeci Mys

I have this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Giottos-Vitruvian-VGR9255-MH5310-630-Aluminium/dp/B003AJHAXS/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1365105845&sr=1-2&keywords=Giottos+Vitruvian

Not sure about its weight tbh but defo not the heaviest of tripods for sure.

ImagenEstilo

Zascar wrote: »

Thanks Farmlife, how do you find the 498RC2? I was thinking the 496RC2 as I don't need the pan feature. I was thinking this: http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Manfrotto-190XPROB-Tripod-W-496RC2-Head-190-Bag-Kit-/270731028995?pt=US_Tripods&hash=item3f08d3aa03#ht_12875wt_952 for just under €200 - however I'd prefer to spend less if I could.
Imageneltilo I'll give them a look in harvey norman at the weekend if I can. Does that price include the head?

Hi Zascar,

Yep, that includes the head. The head has a 10kg load capacity and the legs are 7 kg. It is savage load capacity for the price. The build quality is lovely, oozes quality. It is nice and light, comes with balast bag, spiked feed and an ingenious number of positions. I know it is harvey norman and vanguard and people think that it must be crap but I can tell you straight up it is the bees. I bought two of them and retired my much over priced Manfrotto becuase of them. A diamond in the rough, certainly when I picked up the two of them for 340 notes.

Dave

Farmlife

to be honest i don't use the pan myself, had great ideas at time of buying. i find manfrotto great, but that's just comparing them to the cheep light brands i've had in the past. the 190 could be a good option as the 055 isn't ideal to carry about

Zascar

I saw the Manfrotto 190 and although its a beautiful piece of hit and very well made, it's pretty heavy and fairly big too. I think I'd rather something smaller and lighter - I'd be more inclined to bring it with me places if it was I think. Neb I think the Giottos Vitruvian you recommended is ticking most of the boxes now. I like the way it folds up neat, and becomes a monopod also - it's well priced too. Here is another good review: http://www.ephotozine.com/article/giottos-vitruvian-vgrn-9255-tripod-with-monopod-17168

I'm still confused as hell though, all the options around hreads etc - I just don't really know what will be best for me - but I'm getting there

Farmlife

if its too heavy to carry about you'll end up leaving it behind and miss those shots you could have got, manfrotto do a carbon one but id say it's crazy money

BumbleB

Zascar wrote: »

I saw the Manfrotto 190 and although its a beautiful piece of hit and very well made, it's pretty heavy and fairly big too. I think I'd rather something smaller and lighter - I'd be more inclined to bring it with me places if it was I think. Neb I think the Giottos Vitruvian you recommended is ticking most of the boxes now. I like the way it folds up neat, and becomes a monopod also - it's well priced too. Here is another good review: http://www.ephotozine.com/article/giottos-vitruvian-vgrn-9255-tripod-with-monopod-17168

I'm still confused as hell though, all the options around hreads etc - I just don't really know what will be best for me - but I'm getting there

Yup, it is heavy not at the start of course but a few hours later.The manfrotto 190 x prob b is great I have one myself and I like it a lot.It's extremely adjustable and well built.

Zascar

So I went into town today to have a look around a few more shops - intending not to buy anything but just have a look and see what my options are. I went into Bermingham cameras where i had never been to before, the staff were very helpful - and they suggested a few different options like the bigger Manfrotto and Vanguards, but then showed me the Velbon UT43D. It's pretty much everything I wanted. It's amazingly small and light, the legs flip upwards so its very compact - I can easily fit it in my backpack which is a huge plus. Ball head is nice and simple and works well. Best of all the legs extend all the way with just one quarter turn - brilliant! So much quicker than the 4 finicky clips on my old Manfrotto.

I had not intended to buy anything today but really liked it so I bought it there and then. Cost me €149 which is great as I did not want to pay any more. Plus I have not seen it any cheaper online. So pretty happy overall. I just tried it with my 70-200 and it holds it absolutely fine even in portrait. Because it's a really travel tripod the legs will not be as sturdy as a far bigger and heavier alternative but I reckon its going to be fine for my needs as long as I'm not in strong winds etc (I could be wrong but we'll see )

Details:
http://www.wexphotographic.com/blog/velbon-ultrek-ut-43d-tripod-review
http://www.ephotozine.com/article/velbon-ultrek-ut-43d-tripod-review-16820