Tripod (Inc Manfrotto 144 Bird) advice please.

[Uncle Fester]

Please excuse my ignorance, but as someone very new to photography and this forum, I’d like to ask a few questions about tripods. I have only just discovered that some tripods have interchangeable heads; so if I’ve used the wrong terminology in my post please accept my apologies!

I recently purchased a very cheap tripod (Hama Star 61) and whilst trying to pan it just locked up and I was unable to use the tripod for panning. I’ve returned the tripod and am now looking for one, or possibly two, replacements.

I would like to have a nice solid tripod for use at home; particularly macro work.

I would like a second; lighter tripod that I could carry around for outside work.

A friend has lent me a Manfrotto 144 Bird tripod; which she is selling. I have tried to attach some photos; but they do not appear when preview this post; so I have also included links to photos in case they do not show in the post.

This tripod is (to my eyes) very well made and substantial. However; the head on the tripod does not look as if it will swing the camera through ninety degrees for portrait use. I believe the head is a 128RC. Can this head be used to have the camera in portrait mode? If so; how? If not; can I buy another that will and which one do I need?

Also; there seems to be no winding handle with which to raise the central column. There appears to be a hole where it looks as if a handle would attach. Is the handle available separately?

Links to photo's of Manfrotto 144 Bird tripod:

https://i.imgsafe.org/13a0a91eb6.jpg

https://i.imgsafe.org/13a6e035fe.jpg

https://i.imgsafe.org/1399da1425.jpg

Is this tripod a good choice; for my intended use of macro photography at home or are there better alternatives?

The tripod is being sold for £40; which seems like a good price to me. However I don’t know; if I’m wasting my money as I may also have to buy a new head and winding handle for the central column.

Finally; are there any suggestions for a good, light tripod for carry around use?

Thanks in advance for your help and advice.

Mods; please move if I have posted in this in the wrong section!

 

[niko]

i don't know that tripod, but there is a set of 055 legs in the for sale section that would do you nicely (the ad/sale nothing to do with me btw).

 

[HoppyUK]

I've not heard of a Bird tripod, but it's certainly not part of the current Manfrotto photography range. Manfrotto has not used that style of leg locks for a long time.

A couple of things. That's not a head designed for photography, possibly video or for a bird spotting scope. That needs changing. And the hole you mention is, I think, where the centre-column locking screw goes. Without that, it will be very unstable and of course you won't be able to extend the column. You can't go far wrong for 40 quid, but it's not usable for photography as it stands.

For macro working, an articulating centre-column is very useful, eg Manfrotto 190 Xpro or one of the similarly equipped Benros, but expect to pay a great deal more, with head extra. Suggest you get to look at a few tripods at a dealer, get a feel for what's what.

 

[Yelkrub]

A quick google search shows images from Harrison cameras of 2 144b tripods.
Looking at the picture from their website I think the hole is for a 1/4" to 3/8" adapter and the column lock screw is between the legs 120° clockwise of that hole.
There is no winding handle option, just release the column lock screw and lift the centre column then lock with the screw again.
Vanguard alt pro 263AT looks good with an articulating centre column for macro at around £110.
I have the manfrotto 190 and while the centre column will lie flat off the top of the legs it's a pain getting the height right if trying to capture for example, a bug in a flower.

 

[Uncle Fester]

Thank you for your replies and I'm sorry for my delayed response to them.

i don't know that tripod, but there is a set of 055 legs in the for sale section that would do you nicely (the ad/sale nothing to do with me btw).

Thanks for that. Alas, as a newbie to this forum, the classifieds are forbidden to me until I have a few more posts under my belt!

I've not heard of a Bird tripod, but it's certainly not part of the current Manfrotto photography range. Manfrotto has not used that style of leg locks for a long time.

A couple of things. That's not a head designed for photography, possibly video or for a bird spotting scope. That needs changing. And the hole you mention is, I think, where the centre-column locking screw goes. Without that, it will be very unstable and of course you won't be able to extend the column. You can't go far wrong for 40 quid, but it's not usable for photography as it stands.

For macro working, an articulating centre-column is very useful, eg Manfrotto 190 Xpro or one of the similarly equipped Benros, but expect to pay a great deal more, with head extra. Suggest you get to look at a few tripods at a dealer, get a feel for what's what.

I believe the Manfrotto 144 Bird is some years old; but exactly how many I do not know. What you say about the head being for video or bird spotting use makes sense.

Does anyone know if there is a ‘still photography’ head I can fit to it and what model it would be?

I’m guessing that I need something like This 808RC4

Does anyone know if any Manfrotto head will fit any Manfrotto tripod?

That’s good advice about having an articulating centre column for macro working; I didn’t know such things existed! Maybe the 144 Bird isn’t the ideal tripod for my needs?

I have never heard of Benros; so that is another option to investigate. I only have one local dealer; and their stock is very limited; but I will pop in for a chat.

A quick google search shows images from Harrison cameras of 2 144b tripods.
Looking at the picture from their website I think the hole is for a 1/4" to 3/8" adapter and the column lock screw is between the legs 120° clockwise of that hole.
There is no winding handle option, just release the column lock screw and lift the centre column then lock with the screw again.
Vanguard alt pro 263AT looks good with an articulating centre column for macro at around £110.
I have the manfrotto 190 and while the centre column will lie flat off the top of the legs it's a pain getting the height right if trying to capture for example, a bug in a flower.

Thanks for the reply and taking the trouble to google the 144Bird tripod – much appreciated.

Thank you very much for the advice; about the column lock screw and lifting the centre column. When I saw the hole; I automatically assumed it was for a winding handle! At least I now can use the centre column!

Thanks also for your comments about the Manfrotto 190 and difficulty in getting the centre column height right for macro work.

Can anyone suggest any alternative tripods and accessories (sliding rails etc.) for macro work?

Also; has anyone any ideas for a good light weight tripod for carry around use?


Thanks

 

[Sejanus Aelianus]

I use a Manfrotto 405 geared head on Benbo standard legs. Not a cheap solution but very good value for flexibility, accuracy and stability.

 

[Uncle Fester]

I use a Manfrotto 405 geared head on Benbo standard legs. Not a cheap solution but very good value for flexibility, accuracy and stability.

Wow; what a great tripod/head.

I think the 405 is too expensive for me at the moment. Would something like the standard 3 way head or the 410 Junior Geared Head be suitable, more wallet friendly, alternatives?

Would they fit my current 144 Bird Tripod?

Do any Manfrotto heads fit any (full size) Manfrotto tripods?

Are tripods and heads from different manufacturers fully interchangeable?

Thanks

 

[Snapsh0t]

Virtually all heads and legs are interchangeable. There are only two threads used - 1/4" and 3/8" - most heads are 3/8"and usually come with a 1/4" to 3/8" adapter.

 

[Uncle Fester]

Virtually all heads and legs are interchangeable. There are only two threads used - 1/4" and 3/8" - most heads are 3/8"and usually come with a 1/4" to 3/8" adapter.

Thank you; that is good to know.

If you are choosing a camera; there is a wealth of information available. Choosing a tripod and head seems to be harder as information seems thin on the ground. What you've told me seems basic stuff, but until I read your post, I had not found that information anywhere else.

I have e-mailed Manfrotto regarding suitable heads for my tripod. Hopefully they will reply!