Head & Legs ... How do I Make An Informed Choice?

InaGlo

InaGlo

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Ok I really need some help here.
I want … no … need a tripod.
Ive just been reading through some old threads about heads & legs, with the intention of learning about what will suit my needs but, tbh, all Ive managed to do is confuse myself.
Id like to make up my own mind instead of just thinking ‘ahh yeah, a few guys have the Manfrotto 055, so it must be good, oh & isn’t the **** head the way to go … ok W.E … heres my moolah … gimmie my toys!'

Id like to buy once only, if thats possible , and then just forget about pods … if I take that route, at what cost … a remortgage?

Also, I keep reading about getting what you pay for, but as Ive never even used a tripod before, how do I as a noob, begin compare?

All I want is reliability & ease of use. (as we all do, I suppose).
I don’t mind paying a bit more for something that is really going to last me in terms of upgrading, but at the same time Im not interested in brand snobbery, so the kit would have to justify the cost.

So, where/how do I find out about what will suit me?
Im confused by the heads mostly...
Any pointers?

Oh forget all the above … somebody please … just tell me what goddam tripod to buy & be done with it :bonk:

(just kidding)!!! ;)
 
I thought the 055prob was a good idea after doing lots of research
then the head, I like to try and keep things quite simple so eventually went for the pistol grip thingy, "322RC2" just the one control handle (like me nice and simple!:cuckoo:)
Then just to confuse matters a little more I discovered I could get the
055proB MF3 (&head) from the states at pretty much the same price as the055proB here!
So anyway that what I went for in the end
Not used it a great deal but my initial impressions are good
Sorry for confusing you even more
 
It might help if we had an idea how much wonga you're prepared to stretch to Glo. ;)

Any old tripod will do when the sun's out and you can use enormously quick shutter speeds. Unfortunately our climate isn't like that so most of the time, we're really pushing our luck with shutter speeds which is when a rickety tripod just wont hack it! :shrug:

A tripod is the thing everyone resents spending dosh on until they realise just how important a good one is. Try to cut corners and you end up forking out again. It isn't really brand snobbery - Manfrotto and Gitzo are the choice of most togs based on a reputation built up over many years.

You really want one light enough that you wont mind carting it about and rigid enough that it will serve your needs. It's that combination which is the tricky bit. Whatever you do get the right legs initially - you can always add the head later. Give us an idea on price though and I'm sure you'll get loads of suggestions. :)
 
InaGlo said:
Ok I really need some help here.
I want … no … need a tripod.
Ive just been reading through some old threads about heads & legs, with the intention of learning about what will suit my needs but, tbh, all Ive managed to do is confuse myself.
Id like to make up my own mind instead of just thinking ‘ahh yeah, a few guys have the Manfrotto 055, so it must be good, oh & isn’t the **** head the way to go … ok W.E … heres my moolah … gimmie my toys!'

Id like to buy once only, if thats possible , and then just forget about pods … if I take that route, at what cost … a remortgage?

Also, I keep reading about getting what you pay for, but as Ive never even used a tripod before, how do I as a noob, begin compare?

All I want is reliability & ease of use. (as we all do, I suppose).
I don’t mind paying a bit more for something that is really going to last me in terms of upgrading, but at the same time Im not interested in brand snobbery, so the kit would have to justify the cost.

So, where/how do I find out about what will suit me?
Im confused by the heads mostly...
Any pointers?

Oh forget all the above … somebody please … just tell me what goddam tripod to buy & be done with it :bonk:

(just kidding)!!! ;)
Click to expand...

InaGlo - Have you a decent camera place locally where you can go & try some tripods out? If yes you'll soon see where all the expense lies as the more expensive ones are just better built & operate more smoothly etc - I didn't have that luxury & decided to buy my tripod based on reviews / reputation etc and of course price! - I wanted carbon fibre so I could carry the thing around with me but not the usual CF price tag i.e. £200+ - I bought a Benro from Ebay (not Benbo btw) Benro is made in China & imho a great CF tripod (cost me £150 iirc) - I prefer the ballhead to the pan type & presently have 2 of these (Gitzo & Giottos) - You can spend anything from £20-£300 on the head alone!
HTH - Paul ;)
 
Manfrotto 190 Pro (either black or chrome) 488rc head (quick release) or the 486CR may do you.

I had so much bother setting up my Benbo trekker I never used it.

This is SO easy, I use it all the time. Goes low for macro shots too.
055 pro may be a bit heavy for you.

T4 cameras a good price.

190 Pro Black (£60)

488RC (£59) head and quick release plate

486RC (£45) head and quick release plate



+p+p


http://www.t4cameras.co.uk/
 
Ta peeps,

I dont have anywhere Im aware of to try out the goods ... Jessops is NOT an option :lol:

I have read a bit/chatted about the Manfrotto 055 & 190 ... & I do like the sound of that black Janice ;)
But before I decide on the Manfrotto, Id like to read up a bit on the Gitzo range too, but dont really know where to look for reviews/solid advice.

CT, Im was thinking around a couple of hundred on each ... suprised to see I can get the Manfrotto's for much less, which is good.
 
InaGlo said:
CT, Im was thinking around a couple of hundred on each ... suprised to see I can get the Manfrotto's for much less, which is good.
Click to expand...

Well that's a goodly amount of Wonga and if you go for the legs suggested by Janice you wont go far wrong. That leaves you a lot of dosh to spend on the head. I'll find you some links to check out.
 
GITZO Range

Have a look at the Explorer in alumium Glo. Not cheap at 200 quid, but it's highly adaptable, very light and you'll actually wanna take it with you - it's almost a pleasure to carry it. I have the carbon fibre version of this as do quite a few people on here. best tripod I've ever owned.
 
Can I just ask a quick Q on this subject. With my 190 Pro B the silver ring at the bottom of the centre column swivels round and has made a mark on the black of each leg...so the chrome is showing thru. Am I doing somehting wrong? It doesnt tighten up I dont think. :shrug:
 
If I was looking for the ultimate ball head it would be one of these Glo. have a browse but don't get too depressed. :D

Really Right Stuff
 
Janice said:
Can I just ask a quick Q on this subject. With my 190 Pro B the silver ring at the bottom of the centre column swivels round and has made a mark on the black of each leg...so the chrome is showing thru. Am I doing somehting wrong? It doesnt tighten up I dont think. :shrug:
Click to expand...

You can get those sticky Velcro pads Janice. Try cutting a small pad and sticking it on the back of each leg where its's catching? B&Q sell the pads.
 
i'd go with the 190 pro for a mix of versitility and lightness with the 322rc joystick head.

:thumbs:
 
I read reviews and trawled the internet for the legs and heads and ended up buying an MF 055CL with RC322 trigger Head with quick release plate and bought a spare QR plate for back up camera. The other head I bought which is a bit fiddly to use but great for landscapes and panoramic stuff is the RC141. I made the mistake by not trying the legs before buying it and if I had to choose over again I would go for a Carbon Fibre set as the 055CL with any head on weighs a ton to cart around. Not so good if you are vertically challenged like me.

Whatever you think want Glo, try before you buy is the best advice I can give 'cause it can be a costly business if you get it wrong for you.:)
 
I Will have a good ponder on the above suggestions, so thanks again peeps.

If I choose the manfrotto I am leaning towards the idea of carbon but, wondered just how robust these are .... seem to remember the ex having a carbon fishing rod some years ago, snapped it first day he took it out... plonka!

Anyway, CT ...thanks sooo very much for sending me to RRS site :nuts:
The line 'the finest ballheads ever' has been washing over my tired little eyes & doing an excellent job of persuading me that I NEED one of those now!..

I also read the review on here of a RRS head by mho01...

mho01 said:
I use a

Gitzo 1348mk2 Tripod
RRS Ultimate pro Omni pivot package
Canon 1dmk2n
Canon 17-40, 24-70, 70-200, etc

Looked at all the other manufacturers gear and bought the one that would mean no upgrading due to not being strong enough, and I wanted one that was built properly with bearings etc and not bushings. I also use the rrs L bracket which is a life saver and very easy to use.

I work on the adage " Buy the correct one, and buy once"

I dont take anyone's word for how good anything is I just use that as a starting point for my research to begin.

If you put the BH-55 next to a manfrotto you will see which is the best designed and easiest to use.

So for me it was no contest. I suggest that anyone tries before they buy.
Click to expand...

So should I concern my little airhead about bushings and bearings?
...It sems just when I think Im starting to get my head around it all... along comes something else to confuse my overloaded little noodle even further?
 
InaGlo said:
So should I concern my little airhead about bushings and bearings?
Click to expand...

dont know about your bearings...but a girl should always bother her little airhead about her bushings!! :D :lol:
 
Sorry! :|
I am turning over a new leaf from now on.

Nothing rude or funny from now on....even if it is there for the taking.......I'm leaving it to someone else! :D
 
Carbon is more than up to the job in normal weather conditions, it however doesn't tolerate extreme cold or abuse. Scratches can prove to be stress risers and if your unlucky enough to knock such a weak point it could fail dramatically.

the 322 head is just about the best solution for landscape and portraits as it offers rapid adjustment and stability.
 
InaGlo said:
I Will have a good ponder on the above suggestions, so thanks again peeps.

If I choose the manfrotto I am leaning towards the idea of carbon but, wondered just how robust these are .... seem to remember the ex having a carbon fishing rod some years ago, snapped it first day he took it out... plonka!
Click to expand...

Glad I'm not your ex! :lol:

CF is actually stronger and more rigid than steel - he must have been a crap fisherman. :D
Anyway, CT ...thanks sooo very much for sending me to RRS site :nuts:
The line 'the finest ballheads ever' has been washing over my tired little eyes & doing an excellent job of persuading me that I NEED one of those now!..

I also read the review on here of a RRS head by mho01...



So should I concern my little airhead about bushings and bearings?
...It sems just when I think Im starting to get my head around it all... along comes something else to confuse my overloaded little noodle even further?
Click to expand...

Well you should really concern yourself about it. Nearly all ball heads suffer from a condition called ball droop. (Janice! :nono:) It's extremely annoying and frustrating. What happens is you line up your shot perfectly through the viewfinder, tighten up the ball head, then when you release the camera you watch the camera droop down below the point you've lined up on. This is usually the AF point you've carefully lined up on your subject! So what you try to do is compensate for it by aligning a little higher to account for the droop. You can mess about for ages and it's really annoying - particularly with macro.

The surface of that ball needs to be machined with phenomenal accuracy to really get the control and grip you need and that's where the price difference comes from. Also, the larger the ball, generally speaking, then the more surface it has to be gripped tightly when you lock the head off.
 
OMG! Im heading into Janice territory now, as of course my next question to all of you guys that use ballheads is .... do all your balls 'droop' then? :lol:

..Oh & yeah, the ex was a crap fisherman ... in fact he was crap at everything ... hence he's the ex! :D
 
LOL.

Yep - my Manfrotto ball head droops. It's a good head, but it's very annoying in this one respect. I don't use it too often though as I'm usually using the long lenses on the gimbal head.
 
Oh gawd! I can feel my fingers creeping back towards the RRS site... and I fancied eating at least one decent meal this week too! :shake:

No, no .... more research is needed first me thinks!
 
InaGlo said:
Oh gawd! I can feel my fingers creeping back towards the RRS site... and I fancied eating at least one decent meal this week too! :shake:

No, no .... more research is needed first me thinks!
Click to expand...

I'd have a chat with mho1 (Mark) It's a lotta dosh, but it's a superb bit of kit, which I'm sure will cope with the weight of pretty well any lens/camera combo you can throw at it.

You may be as well served by one of the pistol grip type quick release heads others have mentioned though if you don't want to spend that much dough.
 
CT said:
You may be as well served by one of the pistol grip type quick release heads others have mentioned though if you don't want to spend that much dough.
Click to expand...

I nearly got one of those..............cant remember why I didnt now! :shrug:
 
Janice said:
I nearly got one of those..............cant remember why I didnt now! :shrug:
Click to expand...

I haven't used one Janice, and I've heard some say that it's a bit of a strain compressing the handle grip - perhaps more so for the ladies? Andy Rouse tested one in some ridiculously hostile environment and was impressed with it.
 
He! he! Im safely back in the familiar territory of the confused again now!
Youre right CT, it is so easy to end up spending a lot of money, and I dont really want to spend where I dont actually need to.

With regard to lens/weight, I cant really see me ever going for anything over the 70-200mm lens but this time last year I had no interest in the 70-200mm, so never say never.

I was hoping to buy a pod this week but I think Ill spend a bit more time reading up before I rush into anything.
Ta for the help! :thumbs:
 
InaGlo said:
He! he! Im safely back in the familiar territory of the confused again now!
Youre right CT, it is so easy to end up spending a lot of money, and I dont really want to spend where I dont actually need to.

With regard to lens/weight, I cant really see me ever going for anything over the 70-200mm lens but this time last year I had no interest in the 70-200mm, so never say never.

I was hoping to buy a pod this week but I think Ill spend a bit more time reading up before I rush into anything.
Ta for the help! :thumbs:
Click to expand...

Well if there's anything you should never buy in a rush it's a tripd and head.

IMHO you wont go wrong with the Manfrotto 190 legs for the money - its a set of solid, adaptable legs. Choosing the head is everyone's problem! ;)
 
Can't see you really going wrong with that combo Janice - and you get to eat. :D

How's your grip? ;)
 
CT said:
Can't see you really going wrong with that combo Janice - and you get to eat. :D

How's your grip? ;)
Click to expand...
OOOh errr CT! I really dont know about Janice's grip .... but Im not particularly strong myself! ;)

Also, this is my nails at the mo.. . bit lurid I know but, the work was for a client for her advertising.
Anyway, they are my natural nails and I need to keep them this sort of length for my work.
My nails really dont stop me doing anything despite what peeps think, but having said that ... exerting pressure with an overly tight grip ona narrow object, is one such instance where I can find myself stabbing my own palms rather uncomfortably.
Hmmm! I guess thats yet another point to have to consider!


Strips-043.jpg
 
The trigger section on the 322 is actually quite thick, which is why I recommended it to you.

;)
 
I did have a look at it........you were too busy gossiping


:exit:
 
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