Tripod tips anyone?

Had a play with something interesting? Got something that we all covet? Found a real lemon? Write a few lines about it, and share your experiences.

Moderator: Moderators

Forum rules
Please ensure that you have a meaningful location included in your profile. Please refer to the FAQ for details of what "meaningful" is.

Tripod tips anyone?

Postby JordanP on Wed Oct 20, 2004 12:53 pm

Hi,

I'm seeking advice on what tripods I should be looking at as I need to get one fairly fast.

My budget is about 300 - 400. I want something with a bit of weight - must be able to hold the 70-200 VR safely and would appreciate quick release capability.

All advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Craig
User avatar
JordanP
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1050
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2004 8:52 pm
Location: Lismore, NSW

Postby gstark on Wed Oct 20, 2004 12:56 pm

Craig,

Repeat after me ...

Manfrotto ...

Manfrotto ...

Manfrotto ...
g.
Gary Stark
Nikon, Canon, Bronica .... stuff
The people who want English to be the official language of the United States are uncomfortable with their leaders being fluent in it - US Pres. Bartlet
User avatar
gstark
Site Admin
 
Posts: 22896
Joined: Thu Aug 05, 2004 11:41 pm
Location: Bondi, NSW

Postby birddog114 on Wed Oct 20, 2004 2:44 pm

Craig,
Go for the Manfrotto 440, bit expensive but will serve your needs and gears.
Birddog114
VNAF, My Beloved Country and Airspace
User avatar
birddog114
Senior Member
 
Posts: 15881
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2004 8:18 pm
Location: Belmore,Sydney

Postby JordanP on Wed Oct 20, 2004 2:48 pm

thanks for the advice I will go check it out now.
Craig
User avatar
JordanP
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1050
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2004 8:52 pm
Location: Lismore, NSW

Postby JordanP on Wed Oct 20, 2004 3:09 pm

Hi again - jsut had a look at this one


Giottos Innovator Alloy MT9170

Anyone have any experiences or advice about this one?
Craig
User avatar
JordanP
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1050
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2004 8:52 pm
Location: Lismore, NSW

Postby Greg B on Wed Oct 20, 2004 3:14 pm

gstark wrote:Craig,

Repeat after me ...

Manfrotto ...

Manfrotto ...

Manfrotto ...


Brave question Craig.
Greg - - - - D200 etc

Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
- Arthur Schopenhauer
User avatar
Greg B
Moderator
 
Posts: 5938
Joined: Fri Sep 03, 2004 7:14 pm
Location: Surrey Hills, Melbourne

Postby JordanP on Wed Oct 20, 2004 3:49 pm

I like living dangerously 8)
Craig
User avatar
JordanP
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1050
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2004 8:52 pm
Location: Lismore, NSW

Postby Raydar on Wed Oct 20, 2004 5:34 pm

Ha Craig :D

I have to say go for a Manfrotto, like every one ells :roll:

Go & see john he’s got a few down there to have a look at. PS: Welcome back 8)

Cheers
Ray :lol:
>> All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism<<
User avatar
Raydar
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1366
Joined: Sun Aug 08, 2004 7:57 am
Location: Lismore, Northern - NSW

Postby Bruno on Wed Oct 20, 2004 5:39 pm

on the topic of manfrotto, can anyone reccomend me a ballhead in the sub $200 price bracket?

Cheers
User avatar
Bruno
Member
 
Posts: 69
Joined: Thu Sep 16, 2004 11:26 am
Location: Chatswood, Sydney

Postby Onyx on Fri Oct 22, 2004 3:33 pm

Ballhead - 484 or 484RC2 (RC2 = quick release platform). Able to carry 4kg, that's D70 plus sizeable lens (though not the 'fully sik' teles). Or one size up, 486 or 486RC2. Their 6kg max weight matches the weight capacity of Manfrotto's mid-range tripod legs.
User avatar
Onyx
Senior Member
 
Posts: 3631
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2004 6:51 pm
Location: westsyd.nsw.au

Postby MHD on Fri Oct 22, 2004 4:19 pm

Onyx wrote: (though not the 'fully sik' teles)

:lol: :lol: :lol:
New page
http://www.potofgrass.com
Portfolio...
http://images.potofgrass.com
Comments and money always welcome
User avatar
MHD
Moderator
 
Posts: 5829
Joined: Sat Sep 11, 2004 8:51 pm
Location: Chicago Burbs

Postby Kris on Fri Oct 22, 2004 4:54 pm

Manfrotto 440 @ $957 AUD!!!

Gitzo 1325 is cheaper?
User avatar
Kris
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1046
Joined: Thu Sep 16, 2004 8:31 am
Location: East, Sydney

Postby Glen on Fri Oct 22, 2004 5:06 pm

Seems a snip doesn't it Kris, a grand for three sticks to stick your camera on which is full of expensive electronics
User avatar
Glen
Moderator
 
Posts: 11819
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2004 3:14 pm
Location: Sydney - Neutral Bay - Nikon

Postby Kris on Fri Oct 22, 2004 5:20 pm

Glen wrote:Seems a snip doesn't it Kris, a grand for three sticks to stick your camera on which is full of expensive electronics


You're not wrong!
User avatar
Kris
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1046
Joined: Thu Sep 16, 2004 8:31 am
Location: East, Sydney

Postby birddog114 on Fri Oct 22, 2004 5:24 pm

Kris wrote:Manfrotto 440 @ $957 AUD!!!

Gitzo 1325 is cheaper?


Kris,
Gitzo 1325 local is AU$ 1200 + GST/ At RRS or B&H US$507.00.
Birddog114
VNAF, My Beloved Country and Airspace
User avatar
birddog114
Senior Member
 
Posts: 15881
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2004 8:18 pm
Location: Belmore,Sydney

Postby fozzie on Sat Oct 30, 2004 6:51 pm

Craig,

I was just sufing through the vanbar website in Melbourne, and if you are still interested the Manfrotto 440 tripod is $885.80 incl. GST:

Manfrotto 440 Carbon tripod (Ref No: dm-7440) Order:

The ideal carbon fibre and magnesium tripod to fit into a backpack.

AUD Inc. Tax: $885.50 AUD Ex. Tax: $805.00 Export: USD 587.65

Goodbye for now,
fozzie

When people ask what equipment I use - I tell them my eyes.
User avatar
fozzie
Key Member
 
Posts: 2806
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 9:19 pm
Location: AUADA : Nikon D3/D2x - JPG Shooter

Postby birddog114 on Sat Oct 30, 2004 7:28 pm

fozzie,
At the meet today we have three tripods:
Mine is Gitzo 1325 CF and the Markin 20 ballhead
Pluckaduck has the Manfrotto 440 CF with ballhead, not remember.
Onyx has the Manfrotto 190 with ballhead.

Everyone at the meet impressed the Gitzo 1325 with Markin Ballhead in comparison with the Manfrotto 440, the Gitzo 1325 cost US$505.00 = AU$694.00 including shipping, I think Kris ordered it, PM him to see where is he get it?

I might buy another one, the Gitzo 1227LVL once Kris got his. It cost less than 1K.

http://www.bogenimaging.us/product/temp ... temid=2513
Last edited by birddog114 on Sat Oct 30, 2004 9:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Birddog114
VNAF, My Beloved Country and Airspace
User avatar
birddog114
Senior Member
 
Posts: 15881
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2004 8:18 pm
Location: Belmore,Sydney

Postby Kris on Sat Oct 30, 2004 7:52 pm

Guys, 1325 is the way to go if you're considering going the Manfrotto 440 way.

Ebay US has various sellers that will ship it to AU, on EMS Express Post (3-7 days with tracking number) for anywhere between $500 and $507 USD depending on the seller.

Lands cheaper than the 440 and I think would be a sturdier tripod.

Now, where is my bread and water?
User avatar
Kris
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1046
Joined: Thu Sep 16, 2004 8:31 am
Location: East, Sydney

Postby Dargan on Sat Oct 30, 2004 8:22 pm

Depends on what you want to pay doesn't it and your needs. I have the Manfrotto 190Pro B with MF 486RC2 ball head, all up cost $300, (Is this your set up Onyx?) For the new entrant I think it is appropriate, it seems stable and well made. For the high end users other choices would be more appropriate.

I would like a suggestion on choice of monopod though from this post. If I go treking the current setup would be too heavy to lug, I was thinking of a lightweight monopod or clamp system. Any suggestions?
In the end we know Nothing, but in the meantime Learn like crazy.
Your Camera Does Matter Nikon D70 D200 D300
PPOK
User avatar
Dargan
Senior Member
 
Posts: 702
Joined: Fri Oct 01, 2004 11:22 pm
Location: Sunshine Coast

Postby Onyx on Sat Oct 30, 2004 9:24 pm

I've used my new tripod on maybe 2 occasions and already I'm suffering tripod lust!! Mine's the 190, but it's a pan head, not a ball. 3 individual knobs for each axis of movement - suits my intended use as a pano and nighttime 'pod.
I didn't think my aluminium tripod was that heavy - but having felt the difference between the carbon fibre ones, WOW! That's all I have to say. :)
User avatar
Onyx
Senior Member
 
Posts: 3631
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2004 6:51 pm
Location: westsyd.nsw.au

Postby fozzie on Thu Nov 11, 2004 8:57 am

Kris,

Kris wrote:Guys, 1325 is the way to go if you're considering going the Manfrotto 440 way.

Ebay US has various sellers that will ship it to AU, on EMS Express Post (3-7 days with tracking number) for anywhere between $500 and $507 USD depending on the seller.

Lands cheaper than the 440 and I think would be a sturdier tripod.

Now, where is my bread and water?


In the second half of this month I am going to purchase a Gitzo tripod from USA. Prices you mentioned between $US500 - 507 was shipping included or add-on. If add-on do you know what the cost was?.


Cheers,
fozzie

When people ask what equipment I use - I tell them my eyes.
User avatar
fozzie
Key Member
 
Posts: 2806
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 9:19 pm
Location: AUADA : Nikon D3/D2x - JPG Shooter

Postby birddog114 on Thu Nov 11, 2004 9:14 am

fozzie,
Kris is looking into it but did not order yet, he PM me yesterday.
Just my thought, Mr Poon is selling those too, send him an email and tell him that you're from D70Users. BTW, he informed me that he off to bed from 5am and back to works at 11am (Hong Kong time) everyday and that's his routine, with that time frame he be able to catch up with all the emails and orders around the world, so please be patience.
Birddog114
VNAF, My Beloved Country and Airspace
User avatar
birddog114
Senior Member
 
Posts: 15881
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2004 8:18 pm
Location: Belmore,Sydney

Postby MHD on Thu Nov 11, 2004 9:41 am

*also waiting with curiosity*
New page
http://www.potofgrass.com
Portfolio...
http://images.potofgrass.com
Comments and money always welcome
User avatar
MHD
Moderator
 
Posts: 5829
Joined: Sat Sep 11, 2004 8:51 pm
Location: Chicago Burbs

Postby Matt. K on Thu Nov 11, 2004 1:34 pm

Once you get your tripod then my tip is to keep it low, keep it wide and keep it heavy. And don't be a goose like those who wind their center columns all the way up. And does anybody know why tripod manufacturers don't make a tripod where you can detach one leg for use a monopod? What a great idea and it would be easy to construct. :? :?
Regards

Matt. K
User avatar
Matt. K
Former Outstanding Member Of The Year and KM
 
Posts: 9980
Joined: Mon Sep 06, 2004 7:12 pm
Location: North Nowra

Postby gstark on Thu Nov 11, 2004 2:08 pm

Matt,

While the monopod would be fine, the other 2/3 would be a bipod, pretty well useless for any purposes photographic.

Maybe they need to make a DIY tripod, that you can construct from three monopods. With the right additional attachments, it could also be converted to either a light stand (albeit a heavy-ish light stand) or as a background support.
g.
Gary Stark
Nikon, Canon, Bronica .... stuff
The people who want English to be the official language of the United States are uncomfortable with their leaders being fluent in it - US Pres. Bartlet
User avatar
gstark
Site Admin
 
Posts: 22896
Joined: Thu Aug 05, 2004 11:41 pm
Location: Bondi, NSW

Postby birddog114 on Sat Nov 13, 2004 6:18 am

Birddog114
VNAF, My Beloved Country and Airspace
User avatar
birddog114
Senior Member
 
Posts: 15881
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2004 8:18 pm
Location: Belmore,Sydney

Postby Onyx on Sat Nov 13, 2004 8:58 am

Matt. K wrote:And does anybody know why tripod manufacturers don't make a tripod where you can detach one leg for use a monopod? What a great idea and it would be easy to construct. :? :?


Actually, as I recall our resident Canon guy petal666 has I think a Gitzo that allows just that - 1 leg detach to be used as monopod. Maybe he'll chime in and say more,
User avatar
Onyx
Senior Member
 
Posts: 3631
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2004 6:51 pm
Location: westsyd.nsw.au


Return to Equipment Reviews

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 49 guests