Tripod questions..

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stevewestern

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OK, I need help with tripods.
I have an aged tripod. Seems to do the job just fine.
Now, I see questions about tripod heads and leg sets.
Please explain - why have a seperate head and seperate legs - what does one head do that another does not ?
I assume the head can detach rapidly, if needed, but don't they all pan and move, then lock up if wanted ??
If anyone can help me understand, then many thanks !!

Cheers

steve
 
:runaway:

You need to do some reading up on heads.
Tilt, panning, ball, gimbal. Quick release plates...

Then look into what makes a solid tripod vs cost
build, materials, weight, features...


After doing that you might have a clue

There are lotsa threads on this forum discussing this and that or you can go and dig through the manfroto/velbon home pages
 
There is a big difference in the type of head you can buy and the type of legs you can buy.

Put simply it gives you the choice to ensure you get exactly the right set up you want. I prefer pan and tilts - but there are many out there who like ball heads. It's all a matter of choice.
 
We really got down and dirty a while back and covered a fair bit of ground on tripods and heads in THIS THREAD

It's actually a minefield for the newcomer and I can understand the problem. Read the thread - it may help somewhat. :)
 
Hi,

I bought a Manfrotto 055CL in Black and the 488RC2 Ball Head for both myself and my dad.

It is solid even with my Canon 350D, Grip and Canon 100-400L IS lens fitted, it can go up to 178cm ( saves crouching down to see through viewfinder ) and can go as low as 10cm or so. I was going to buy two 190's but it can't go as low or as high, so went for the 055 instead - Total cost for the 055 and 488RC2 was £162.50 for legs and head including P+P.

I thought the important thing for me was the height, as it can go to eye level without using the centre column, and having shot a US Football game last year with an older tripod I knew it was no fun crouching for any length of time. Also my dad was wanting to get into macro and I thought it better to get one that went really low for that.

The other thing to bear in mind is that you might want to upgrade your DSLR and Lens' later and find out that you need a sturdier base, this combo isn't that heavy at about 2.4kg, both dad and I removed the centre column and fitted the ball head to the low level gizmo which saves a bit of weight and can still got to head height ( I'm 5' 8" ). My dad is nearly 70 and he can carry it with Canon 350D and 70-200F4L fitted, as well as his rucksack so you should manage it no problem.

Better to spend as much as you can afford on a decent set now and save losing money if you have to trade up ;)

Details below in case you want a look.

055 CLB Tripod

488RC2 Head

Hope this helps,

Mike.
 
I've just bought the Giottos tripod from warehouse express http://www.warehouseexpress.com/?/specials/slrp.html in the special price section for £110, its a bit of a weight compared to the manfrotto but for the price it comes with ball head and bag. I'm really impressed with it :) .
 
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