Tripod, head & QRP suggestion please.

ado100

I've upgraded much of my equipment over the last year or so but not my tripod. Now I find that the Quick Release Plate on the cheap pan and tilt Velbon is not capable of holding the D600 and 24-70mm in portrait position - the lens is simply too heavy and droops slowly towards the floor :eek:

So I need a sturdy rig (tripod, head & QPR) that I can lock off for studio work, weight is not an issue as I don't intend hiking up mountains with it. Pan and tilt? Geared ball? Trigger? Would €350-€500 get me something decent?

I'd really appreciate your comments.

Thanks.

ScumLord

Manfrotto seem to be very good. I'm using one my father bought years ago, it hasn't got some of the modern bells and whistles but it's certainly robust. If the new ones are as robust you'll get many years of use out of it.

sebphoto

ado100 wrote: »

I've upgraded much of my equipment over the last year or so but not my tripod. Now I find that the Quick Release Plate on the cheap pan and tilt Velbon is not capable of holding the D600 and 24-70mm in portrait position - the lens is simply too heavy and droops slowly towards the floor :eek:

So I need a sturdy rig (tripod, head & QPR) that I can lock off for studio work, weight is not an issue as I don't intend hiking up mountains with it. Pan and tilt? Geared ball? Trigger? Would €350-€500 get me somethin
g decent?

I'd really appreciate your comments.

Thanks.

Are you looking for something reliable or for short term solution?
Consider Sirui products. Quick release plates are compatibile with Arca swiss and in the same time you pay less for really good gear with very long warranty.
Besides that take a look on Manfrotto and Gitzo products.

Leftyflip

I'm using a Manfrotto 190XPROB with one of their ball heads and I find it very reliable and sturdy! Had it holding a 70-200 f/2.8 on a D7000 with out a bother! Cost about €250 for the head and legs if I remember right!

ado100

sebphoto wrote: »

Are you looking for something reliable or for short term solution?
Consider Sirui products. Quick release plates are compatibile with Arca swiss and in the same time you pay less for really good gear with very long warranty.
Besides that take a look on Manfrotto and Gitzo products.

Definitely looking for a long term solution here, so am prepared to pay a bit more for the right kit. Has anyone used one of the trigger heads, are they strong enough to support say a 70-200mm 2.8?

fox007

ado100 wrote: »

Definitely looking for a long term solution here, so am prepared to pay a bit more for the right kit. Has anyone used one of the trigger heads, are they strong enough to support say a 70-200mm 2.8?

Another manfrotto fan here I use one all the time with a D90 with 70-300 holds great and has never dropped with the weight

jpfahy

I've a Manfrotto 190xprob with the head below, rock solid with a 5DII, grip and 70-200:

http://www.connscameras.ie/manfrotto-498rc4-midi-ball-head-with-rc4/8024221563290pd.html

ado100

jpfahy wrote: »

I've a Manfrotto 190xprob with the head below, rock solid with a 5DII, grip and 70-200:

http://www.connscameras.ie/manfrotto-498rc4-midi-ball-head-with-rc4/8024221563290pd.html

I like the look of this kit - gets great reviews too.

As a matter on interest, how do you find the RC4 QR plate? Some reviews suggest it's a bit too big for SLR, but with a heavy lens I'd rather be over speced than on the limit.

Also as I'm quite tall, I might go for the 055XPROB legs as they have a bit more height. I'll do the rounds of the camera shops and try them all out.

ado100

So I did the research online, visited the camera shops to check out the kit in real life and finally settled on the Manfrotto 0055XPROB legs and Manfrotto 498RC4 head - got a very good deal at John Gunn on Wexford St.

I'm very pleased with this kit, the legs are really solid and versatile with the rotating centre tube. The RC4 plate means no problems whatsoever with camera weight.

Thank you for your help and suggestions.