Recommend a Tripod

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Jim Hutch

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Currently using a Cullman tripod I bought over 20 years ago, now in the position to upgrade, looking at a Manfrotto as the one to go for, whats the best type to go for in your opinion ?
 
It depends on your budget.

I've had Manfrotto 190XDB and 055XProB both of which were good, the 055 was taller which at 6'3 was useful if I wanted to shoot at head height (which in landscapes I rarely do).

Now I use a pair of Gitzo carbon fibre tripods, a series 1 mountaineer for times when I know I'll be walking a long way or clambering down cliffs, mountains etc and a series 2 explorer. The explorer is superb, very flexible, the legs can be set at any angle, not just predefined click stops and the centre column again can be angled.
 
I use the Manfrotto 055CX03PRO and the 410 geared head and love this set up.

You will get a dozen different makes and models so as Mark has already stated, a lot of the choice is budget dependent.

Andy
 
Keebsuk said:
I use the Manfrotto 055CX03PRO and the 410 geared head and love this set up.
Andy
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I have exactly the same set up and feelings for it!

I previously had a 190XPROB with a 498RC2 ball head... The 190 is a great tripod but if the budget allows I'd go for the 055 as it's not only taller but noticeably sturdier. The ball head while quicker to manoeuvre doesn't allow for the precise adjustments that you often need to fine tune a composition. As has been mentioned already a geared head is a joy to use for landscapes, easily adjusted and solid as a rock.
 
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I use a Manfrotto 190Cx CF Tripod-3S + 498RC2 Ball Head - suit me for all of my Tripod needs :D


Les :thumbs:
 
Thanks for all the various recommendations, should have mentioned my budget was round about £200, will check out details of the tripods mentioned
 
Lez325 said:
I use a Manfrotto 190Cx CF Tripod-3S + 498RC2 Ball Head - suit me for all of my Tripod needs :D


Les :thumbs:
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Hmm, I've been looking for something relatively compact as an all-rounder. Was thinking of the Velbon Ultra Rexi L (which collapses much smaller than most others), but looking into this I'm interested in the reduced weight (it'll actually attach better to my bag tripod holder I would think).

I'm favouring the Giottos MH1311-652 head, although the weight rating for that seems unnecessary given the rating on the tripods I'm looking at.
 
happygolucky said:
The 410 geared head is a delight to use for landscapes.
Click to expand...

For the money I think it is the best I have seen. :thumbs:

justinminns said:
I have exactly the same set up and feelings for it!

I previously had a 190XPROB with a 498RC2 ball head... The 190 is a great tripod but if the budget allows I'd go for the 055 as it's not only taller but noticeably sturdier. The ball head while quicker to manoeuvre doesn't allow for the precise adjustments that you often need to fine tune a composition. As has been mentioned already a geared head is a joy to use for landscapes, easily adjusted and solid as a rock.
Click to expand...

I upgraded from the same but with the 804RC2 and the difference is huge both in sturdiness and adjustability. :)

There is better kit available but I think you would be hard pressed to beat the 55 with a 410 head. The only downside is the weight. The tripod is ok but the 410 is a heavy blighter especially if it is perma mounted on the 55. I have got round this by buying one of the padded Manfrotto tripod bags. It works great for me as I can carry other bits with the tripod that I cannot fit into my backpack. A word of warning though! Manfrotto sure know how to charge as the bag cost me around £100!

Andy
 
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Thanks for the advice given, just ordered the Manfrotto 055CX03PRO with the 410 geared head, hopefully get to use it next week
 
Kirk / RRS etc do custom L brackets designed for each body which have the correct cutouts for cable release ports etc rather than a generic. Also A/S is a universal fitting so you might have an Arca Swiss head on your tripod, one on a monopod, one on a gimbal for long lenses etc and they'd all be compatible. I for example use Arca Swiss clamps on both my 405 and 410 heads, on my black rapid, on a Novoflex minipod for travelling light, on a monopod and on a macro focusing rack to use as a nodal slider for panoramas. They all work together and mean it is easy to get compatible kit in future.
 
markmullen said:
Try carrying a 405 with panorama base and levelling base, it makes the 410 look lightweight!
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Now that's just plain silly! :cuckoo:

Jim Hutch said:
Thanks for the advice given, just ordered the Manfrotto 055CX03PRO with the 410 geared head, hopefully get to use it next week
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A fine selection Jim. I am sure you will find it to be an excellent combo! :thumbs:

Andy
 
markmullen said:
Kirk / RRS etc do custom L brackets designed for each body which have the correct cutouts for cable release ports etc rather than a generic. Also A/S is a universal fitting so you might have an Arca Swiss head on your tripod, one on a monopod, one on a gimbal for long lenses etc and they'd all be compatible. I for example use Arca Swiss clamps on both my 405 and 410 heads, on my black rapid, on a Novoflex minipod for travelling light, on a monopod and on a macro focusing rack to use as a nodal slider for panoramas. They all work together and mean it is easy to get compatible kit in future.
Click to expand...

That makes sense... it's rather annoying that there's no easy solution... The Manfrotto one isn't camera specific but to switch to AS I'd need to buy the L bracket, new clamp for the head and new plates for lens mounts and other cameras.

I do like the look of the Hejnar clamp with RRS brackets and plates though
 
i used to use a ball head but id stay clear not as there a nightmare. i use a 3way manfrotto head and giottos legs. i know some people say its an odd setup but i prefer this head to the giottos one.

its about 6months old and off amazon got the pair for £120 just make sure it suits your needs with regards to strength, weight and angle of the shots
 
Jim Hutch said:
Thanks for the advice given, just ordered the Manfrotto 055CX03PRO with the 410 geared head, hopefully get to use it next week
Click to expand...

The exact same setup I've been using for years.
It's never let me down - apart from being blown over into a lake with 5DII and TSE 24II on the top.
In severe storms I now always spread the legs to the next notch; a configuration so stable you could kick it across the beach and it wouldn't tip over :)

For short distances I generally just carry in my hand. The 410 makes a great hand hold.

For longer carries, I use the strap from an old laptop case. I've got a pair of cable ties around the bottom of one leg, one tight on the leg, and the other making a loop for the strap to snap onto. There is a clipping point on the top of the tripod, but it's too small to get the strap onto, so I had a cable tie there too until it broke on a remote beach so was replaced by a bit of green fishing net that has now been doing good service for a couple of years.
By putting the lower cable tie around the bottom of the middle leg, I find I don't need to take the strap off to use the tripod.

If you have come from a ball head, the 410 takes a little bit of getting used to.
It's well worth persisting until using the 410 comes naturally.
 
Anything from Giottos, they're just amazing with a great price! I'm currently using the Giottos MTL 9361B with Giottos MH 1312 ball head!
 
Recommending velbon, get a light weight one. Otherwise it will stay in your home most of time...
 
I have a Giottos MTL 8361B with Manfrotto 460 Mg head which I really like. I have a solid but fairly basic Slik Pro 500 DX with 3 way head for the beach as my Giotto did not like that.


chadpowell said:
Anything from Giottos, they're just amazing with a great price! I'm currently using the Giottos MTL 9361B with Giottos MH 1312 ball head!
Click to expand...

How is that head I fancied one of them .
 
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