What tripod & head..again.

[AlexStirrup]

Looking to spend around £250 for the tripod and the head. The lighter the better and would mainly be used for landscapes. Needs to be steady enough for a 5d mk2 & 70-200/24-105.

Was originally leaning towards the Manfrotto 055XPROB but after feeling it in Jessops it's rather heavy and bulky and would prefer to spend a bit extra for lightness. Now looking towards the Giottos GTMTL8350B, which is a 4 section carbon fibre tripod but not sure of it stability wise.

Any advice at all would be appreciated as well as any input from anyone with either of the above/or similar tripods.

Thanks, Alex.

 

[Keebsuk]

4 section tripods are generally less stable than their 3 section counterparts. If you want stability, then the tripods will generally be slightly heavier.

I guess that you have to decide what is more important to you, stability or weight.

Andy

 

[Yellowbelly]

I can well recommend the Giottos MTL 8361B tripod with the MH1311 ball head. I use mine mainly for landscapes, but the facility to swing the top tube to almost any angle is a great bonus.

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-giottos-mtl8361b-adjustable-column-carbon-fibre-tripod/p1025876

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-giottos-mh1311-652-ball-head/p1523315

 

[AlexStirrup]

Thanks Bob, will have a look now.

 

[stu.artd]

Giottos are in the midst of replacing the MTL range with the YTL range. The newer YTL tripods have a Y shaped centre column so that the legs pack in tighter making it narrower when closed.

 

[PJ S]

Stu, it's 2013 − 2012 was last year!

 

[stu.artd]

Stu, it's 2013 − 2012 was last year!

LOL. I wondered what was up with the timestamp, but didn't notice the year!! :bonk:

 

[PJ S]

LOL. :bonk:

Think you need something better than that toy mallet!
Take your pick.....

 

[stu.artd]

yeh, yeh.

 

[mpe]

I strongly recommend Gitzo brand. They made tripods that last. It is true that they are more expensive than other brands but it is for a reason.

Basic models like my aluminium GT2331 are affordable and they are still better than popular Manfrotto 190/055 series. Everything is better - legs connections, small connection hardware, ...

I would definitely buy Aluminium Gitzo than Chinese carbon.

 

[mpe]

I forgot to mention that as much as I like gitzo tripods (legs) I hate their ball-heads. It is better to look elsewhere for head. Definitely recommend something with arca-swiss style QR rather than proprietary plates.

Markins makes great heads.

 

[poyin]

I like gitzo tripods too, they are very light and steady, i own a GT1541 carbon fibre 4 section.
I hate the heads of them too, i chose the acratech ballhead and it performs fabulously.

 

[markmullen]

He's probably sorted now but for landscapes have a look at a geared head, by far the best I've used for accuracy. Not cheap or light but for the kind of work I do ideal.