Tripod Advice

angusallan

angusallan

Suspended / Banned
Messages
44
Edit My Images
No
Hi,

I am looking to invest in a decent tripod. I have been looking at the manfrotto range, in particular the 055xprob, the 190xprob and the befree range.

I will be mostly using it for landscape and night photography. Where I live we regularly get windy conditions so I am needing something relatively sturdy. I will be using the tripod with a canon 1000d and the largest lens I have is a tamron 70-300mm.

I would prefer a ball head such as a 496rc2 or similar.

I am just looking for advice on the difference between each tripod and if anyone has suggestions of any other similar makes/models that would be suitable.

Thanks in advance,
Angus
 
The basic difference between the 055 and 190 is their size. The 055 has larger diameter legs so should be more sturdy than the 190. The 055 has a larger weight capacity but that's probably not a worry for you. Also the 055 is taller so you won't need to stoop if you are tall. If you are worried about weight you are carrying the 190 is lighter than the 055. The problem with tripods is you can't have stability, lightness, capacity and low cost. You can have 2 maybe 3 of these but not all four easily. The easiest way to help stabilise the tripod in windy conditions is to hang something heavy from it, camera bag, bean bag etc.

Head wise have you looked at the 460MG or junior geared 410 heads? The ball heads are good (I had a 498RC2) but it's a pain when you get the camera horizontal axis level and then want to move the composition left/right or up/down. I currently get around this by using a uniqball ball but I wanted one head for landscape and when using a heavy telephoto lens.

Red snapper get many recommendations on here, I've not used them personally but they seem good value.
 
Many thanks for the replies.

I am only about 5ft10 so the extra height that the 055 offers shouldn't be a requirement. Although the sturdier legs may be a preference for me but presumably if I hung my bag from the 190 then this should give me plenty stability?

I haven't had a look at the red snapper range yet - do you know which red snapper tripods are similar to the two manfrotto ones that I have mentioned above?

Thanks,
Angus
 
PM them on the thread link or give them a call, I think TP members still get 10% discount
 
You need the height to be right WITHOUT raising the centre column - that makes it less stable, though fine where its just taking the weight for you and your shutter speed is still high (i.e. motorsport often)

For me - lightweight tripods are silly - buy heavy and if its a problem diet for a week or two, lose 3-5lbs yourself, and that'll be the difference between a good and floppy tripod :D

Dave
 
Thanks Peter, I will pm them.

Perhaps I may need the extra height the 055 offers after all, since I will be using it for long exposures. Yes

Thanks,
Angus
 
DG Phototraining said:
You need the height to be right WITHOUT raising the centre column - that makes it less stable, though fine where its just taking the weight for you and your shutter speed is still high (i.e. motorsport often)

For me - lightweight tripods are silly - buy heavy and if its a problem diet for a week or two, lose 3-5lbs yourself, and that'll be the difference between a good and floppy tripod :D

Dave
Click to expand...

Like your thinking :D

It's been often said, buy the best tripod you can afford and try to buy once. There are numerous threads on here regarding tripods so maybe worth looking around.

Myself, I wasn't sure if I would use a tripod due to disabilities and the way our house is laid out, as I would only use at home. So I bought an old Cullmann tripod made in West Germany (to give idea of age) and it's as solid as a rock, but I am finding its a little low for me by a couple of inches. As I am using it more than I thought, I will be looking to upgrade next year.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for starting this thread and for the replies. I am in exactly the same position and it seems a jungle out there - and there are no decent shops nearby.

My kit is heavier than yours and I am finding my current tripod is just not up to the job. I don't need the extra height, but I need to know it will cope with a 400mm f5.6 lens and not budge, as well as for long exposures with landscape lenses on a 5D3.

At the moment I'm using a Manfrotto 496RC2 head and swapping it between my monopod and tripod - I find it has a tendency to droop with my 5d3 and 24-70 f/2.8 lens on it. It is a bit more balanced if the lens has a tripod ring on it.
 
I have 3 "proper" tripods. One alloy one with a geared head for long, accurately aimed exposures (and short carries!), one CF one with a ball head for longer carries and another CF one with a ball head for travel (significantly lighter than the other CF one and packs smaller.) If I was starting again from scratch, I wouldn't have bought the alloy one but at the time I was after cheap and sturdy and it (Manfrotto 190 Pro B) fitted the bill. The larger CF one is another Manfrotto, this time an X-Pro 190 CF and the travel one is a Giottos Vitruvian. In windy conditions I usually hang the camera bag off the bottom of the centre column to add a little extra stability. I find that the 190s are sturdy enough for my needs and kit - FF DSLR and 24-120 f/4 is the usual cargo on them and the Giottos usually only carries a Fuji X-T1 with the 18-135 mounted (but does handle the Nikon kit on occasion.)
 
Everyone advises a newbie to avoid the mistake they made and go for a really good (expensive) tripod to begin with, instead of buying a cheap one, regretting it, and upgrading. But any tripod, including the best in the world, is a compromise between contradictory requirements. A tripod for hiking can't be too heavy. A tripod which can fit in plane cabin baggage can't be too big. A tripod which will sometimes be used for taking photos of tiny flowers and insects must be able to get close to the ground. A tripod for shooting wide angle interiors benefits from a tiltable centre column. A tripod sometimes used for document or art copying benefits from being able to lock easily into perfectly horizontal or vertical. Tripods used on top of windy hills have to be much more stable than tripods used indoors. That's why I've ended up with three tripods I use depening on what I'm doing.

So buying a cheap tripod can be a good way of learning by experience exactly what you want from a tripod, to give you a good idea of what kind of thing it would be worth spending a lot of money on. A tripod you no longer use to hold your camera may still have a useful life holding an off camera flash. A second hand tripod can be a good way of getting a starter tripod on which to learn your own personal tripodology.
 
Many thanks for all the replies, they have all been really helpful.

I have sent a Pm to Redsnapper to see what they have to offer otherwise i think i may go down the route of buying a second hand 055xprob as i can't really afford to buy new at the moment unless i find a good deal somewhere.
 
I bought the 055XPRO4, its sturdy and folds slightly smaller with 4 legs, I made a spread sheet and logged prices, height and more importantly weight, it's not the lightest, but good middle of the road job.
 
Just thought I'd chip in and say thanks to everyone for the advice too, as I've been pondering about my first tripod and head combination too. Hadn't really thought about the height issue as I'm only 5' 3 and a fart, but it certainly got me thinking more about the little details like that.

:clap: Thanks peeps :)
 
I have just been on the phone to a very helpful chap at red snapper. I think I am going to go for red snapper legs and buy the head separately. Going to go for the red snapper RSF-324. Now to decide on a head.....

I am wanting a ball head that will support my kit (detailed in first post). I like the quick release system that the manfrotto 496rc2 has - can anyone suggest any other similar heads?
 
Last edited:
Last edited:
angusallan said:
I have just been on the phone to a very helpful chap at red snapper. I think I am going to go for red snapper legs and buy the head separately. Going to go for the red snapper RSF-324. Now to decide on a head.....

I am wanting a ball head that will support my kit (detailed in first post). I like the quick release system that the manfrotto 496rc2 has - can anyone suggest any other similar heads?
Click to expand...

I've got the 494RC2 which I use on a Gorillapod and a 498RC2 which I use on my travel tripod (Velbon Ultra Rexi L). I chose ball heads because they're nice and compact but to be perfectly honest I find them a pain in the neck to use for landscape work.

They're very nicely made and will do the job but either of the heads the Rob-Nikon mentioned (460MG & 410 Geared) will be a lot easier to use for the type of photography you'll be using them for. I had the 460MG and traded for the 410 and whilst there is a weight penalty with the 410 it's a fantastic bit of kit. It's permanently attached to my 055CXPro4.

Of course if you're dead set on a ball head then you'll be totally satisfied with the 496RC2 (although the swivel base on the 498 might be of use to you for panoramas) and the quick release system is nice and easy to use. But if you get the opportunity to have a look at the 2 alternatives mentioned take it.

Good luck!
 
Last edited:
I hadn't really looked at the 3 way heads in great detail but the 460mg might be starting to sway me away from the ball head type. At least once I have my camera set level (for landscape photography) then I can just lock that axis. I presume the 460 will be suitable for panoramas also?

Again, many thanks for everyone's input - it's all been a great help in my decision making process.

Cheers,
Angus
 
I bought one of these (Slik) ages ago.

http://www.sliktripod.co.uk/pages/PRO700DX.html

http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-slik-pro-700dx-complete-tripod/p1000342

Shop about and you'll get the legs and the head for around £100

Centre column screws off to leave a little stubby section so you can splay the legs right down to ground level. With the centre column removed the legs will still go high enough for somebody of your height.

Leg clips are robust and chunky. Easy to use when hands are numb and they don't go brittle in the weather over time.

I've had all manner of head / leg combos over the years. The head that comes with the legs is a good strong 3 way even if you want to add a different one afterwards.

Honestly can't speak highly enough of the legs though. I've had a few Gitzo and Manfrotto tripods and whilst they're not Gitzo, they are (imo) better than Manfrotto 055 / 190.

A few heads that the legs have had......IMG_0142 by dinners85, on Flickr




IMG_0150 by dinners85, on Flickr

IMG_0142 by dinners85, on Flickr

332RC2 by dinners85, on Flickr

IMG_5950 by dinners85, on Flickr

498 RC2 / Slik 700 was a good really good no nonsense easy to use heavy combo (mounted above)

Manfrotto 498RC2 by dinners85, on Flickr
 
Last edited:
A bit late but lots of good advice above.
I particularly agree with Chris Malcoms advice.

My first tripod was a freebie with a magazine subscription. I learned all I liked, loathed and was just frustrated by with it and knew what to look for in my first real purchase based on my particular needs.
Everything is a compromise based on your priorities.

I have 2 main tripods now.
Manfroto 055xprob - heavy, sturdy, good in tough conditions. Very adjustable. Very fast to set up/put away. Sturdy even when extended to about 8ft. Heavy and awkward to carry on some photo rucksacks. Good to use on any potential thieves coming for your camera gear.

Manfroto Befree - very compact, yet sturdy for its size. Perfect for little city breaks when traveling light is critical. Not very adjustable. Takes about 10-15 seconds longer than 055xprob to set up/put away which can be frustrating when used to faster. Have to bend over when taking shots.
On the plus side, in situations where you don't have the room or can carry the weight of the big tripod around all day, it will allow you to get shots that you otherwise couldn't hand held. Its easily attached to photo rucksacks without sticking out and hitting anyone near you.

As for heads.... I find its personal. Go into a store and try them out and see what you are comfortable with.
 
Thanks for the replies guys, they are all very helpful - a few more options to look at :)
 
bbg404 said:
I've got the 190xprob (forsale) and just moved over to the 055xprob for the height as I'm quite tall with a sore back but I have to say the 055 is more stable but bigger and heavyer to carry about!
Click to expand...

As it happens I've been umming and ahhing over it, but I want to get to the local camera shop to have a play about with some and get a feel for things first. Hoping to do that this weekend
 
Oh dear... Which one?
 
I use a manfrotto 055xprob and a 410 junior geared head , quite heavy to carry around but very solid.

I then got a manfrotto befree, and i prefer it, so light,fits in my camera backpack, the head is pretty good, goes quite tall as well, use them both with a 5D3.

CIsxi0.jpg


FCmxve.jpg
 
Balb0wa said:
I use a manfrotto 055xprob and a 410 junior geared head , quite heavy to carry around but very solid.

I then got a manfrotto befree, and i prefer it, so light,fits in my camera backpack, the head is pretty good, goes quite tall as well, use them both with a 5D3.

CIsxi0.jpg


FCmxve.jpg
Click to expand...

Jealous haha I've got the 055xprob with a ball head and the BeFree with the ball head but would love a geared head
 
i prefer the ball head, easier to use, but the geared head is great for fine adjustments
 
I just took receipt of a Benro 2692T +B1 Short Travel Angel 2. I purchased this specifically for a long holiday in Australia. It seemed to be the best blend of quality build, compact design and low weight that I could find. I have to say that I am suitably impressed with it. I have no issues with throwing it in a small rucksack and carrying it about. I like the ball head, it almost feels fluid in the way that it moves. All in all, I really like it.
 
Balb0wa said:
i prefer the ball head, easier to use, but the geared head is great for fine adjustments
Click to expand...

I did have the manfrotto 190xprob with the manfrotto 3 way but changed to the 055 with ball head and im still not totally sold on the ball head think i prefer the 3 way but i have to admit the ball head is quicker and i only wanted the 410 for like you say fine adjustments and they are brilliant for astro stuff, on the otehr hand i like the Befree with with the ball head i think its cause its so small, light and a quick tripod all round.
 
bbg404 said:
I did have the manfrotto 190xprob with the manfrotto 3 way but changed to the 055 with ball head and im still not totally sold on the ball head think i prefer the 3 way but i have to admit the ball head is quicker and i only wanted the 410 for like you say fine adjustments and they are brilliant for astro stuff, on the otehr hand i like the Befree with with the ball head i think its cause its so small, light and a quick tripod all round.
Click to expand...

Yes the befree is great , got mine from amazon for £120, when i got it , it looked liked it had been opened or used,still looked semi pristine, but i needed it quickly, came on a Friday, needed it for a trip away.

So i rang amazon, they knocked 20% off , was quite happy with that. Costing less than £100.
 
bbg404 said:
Real bargain then! I'll have the Befree and 055 with me for my 5 days in he lakes from tomorrow ..... Weathers not looking the best though
Click to expand...

No the weather is poor for the next week, unlucky! you never know you may get a bit of sun coming through.

Just registered all my manfrotto stuff online, never done it, seems everything has 8 yr warranty extension, meaning 10 yr in full?.
 
I have 3 tripods, one cheap for holding gadgets, one Manfrotto 475B studio pod with geared column plus 488 RC4 ball head, solid & heavy.
My travel pod is a Vanguard Alta Pro 263 AB, this comes with a Vanguard SBH 100 ball head, the pod is rated at 7kg and 5kg if using the column in its 0-180 degree ability, the head can take 10kg.
It may seem a bit odd for a head to have a heavier capacity but this is the part that needs to be better rated to help stop lens creep or the whole unit from tilting.
I have a Canon 1D MK IV with a Sigma 120-300 F/2.8 EX APO HSM with tripod column ring and this combo weighs 4.3kg & doesn't move, the centre column has a hook for hanging your kit bag to aid stability if needed.
It weighs 2.44kg inc the head & is aluminium, I have seen & read horror stories about carbon pods falling over & smashing and heads separating from their columns due to unseen cracks.
I purchased mine from here http://www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk/tr...-aluminium-tripod-with-sbh-100-ball-head.html for £129 inc p&P
Good for landscape due to light weight but still strong, extremely versatile in obtaining any angle, hello macro low down while waiting for that sun to set!
It even comes with a pod bag & second spare quick release plate. The 0-180 degree adjust ability is a really useful feature.
I nearly bought either the 055 or 190 manfrotto due to the 90 degree (only) column but was ably to try this out first, glad I did.
Sorry if this hasn't helped & added to the confusion.
 
The OP mentioned wind (we assume of the atmospheric sort). You're not going to use a BeFree in a wind, are you? Better to screw the camera to a boulder. Some posters get a bit off-topic.
 
DG Phototraining said:
You need the height to be right WITHOUT raising the centre column - that makes it less stable, though fine where its just taking the weight for you and your shutter speed is still high (i.e. motorsport often)

For me - lightweight tripods are silly - buy heavy and if its a problem diet for a week or two, lose 3-5lbs yourself, and that'll be the difference between a good and floppy tripod :D

Dave
Click to expand...

How would losing weight help make a tripod easier to carry? :thinking:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top