Need a Tripod for my Canon 5D mark II

[Howie]

As the title suggests, I need a Tripod.

I need something that can reasonably be quickly removed from the tripod, for landscape & night photography. Height about 150 cm is good.

Doesn't need to be ultra light, aluminium is fine. So many brands to go with. I need one that will take a telephoto L lens of 200mm weight.

Brands? What setups are people using here?

Thanks
H

[Pharkus]

I'd also like to know what brand and type of tripod ppl are using. I need to get one as I have found an awesome spot for a night shot but will definitely need a tripod for extended exposure to get a better image.

[Frenchie]

I hear Manfretto are top quality.

Subscribed -as I need one as well.

[10d]

Gitzo, baby!

[Howie]

Im currently browsing the Manfrotto website. System Configurator is pretty expansive. There are so many heads to choose from. I think the ball heads from the "hydrostatic" range with a quick release might be the one I'm after.

http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/offonce/pid/1889?livid=80&lsf=80&child=1

H

[Cam]

I'm after a tripod too (for my recently purchased D90). Looking forward to see what you find Howie.
I've heard Manfrotto are good, but I don't want to spend heaps on a tripod. Rather save up for another good lens

[Howie]

I'm after a tripod too (for my recently purchased D90). Looking forward to see what you find Howie.
I've heard Manfrotto are good, but I don't want to spend heaps on a tripod. Rather save up for another good lens

Agreed... No need to get a super tripod. A basic one will do I think as I won't be using it very often! I'll let you guys know what I come up with and maybe a short review from a newbie perspective.

Cheers,
H


EDIT:

I just checked with my JB accounts manager, they do stock Manfrotto so I'll have to do my own research and come up with a model number to see if they have 'general' stock of it. If they do, then rebates will apply and it should be much cheaper than retail.

[Pharkus]

Agreed... No need to get a super tripod. A basic one will do I think as I won't be using it very often! I'll let you guys know what I come up with and maybe a short review from a newbie perspective.

Cheers,
H


EDIT:

I just checked with my JB accounts manager, they do stock Manfrotto so I'll have to do my own research and come up with a model number to see if they have 'general' stock of it. If they do, then rebates will apply and it should be much cheaper than retail.

Going to visit the site now. Let us know which one you decide and a ball park price. I'd be in if you do a group buy!

[Frenchie]

x3

[10d]

As a rule of thumb, you want a tripod that have good sturdy leg. Don't get cheap and light alloy ones cause the tend to break or bend. Most good tripod will have a hook at the bottom of the middle shaft. Very useful as you can add weight such as your camera bag for added stability.
If you're getting a separate head, the lighter the better obviously. Keeping the center of gravity low

[Byza]

my tripod was $25 and works like a charm with removable head, hang hook, very strong etc..... conditions sand, water, dirt etc etc... its awesome... expensive tripods are great but also remember that sometimes you arent always in the best environment for both your camera and tripod... comes down to the user...

i am about to buy another tripod and i would recommend that if you are shooting with the 200mm, get a tripod that can be broken down to a monopod.. this is perfect for track days etc and is worth the little extra so you can use for long exposures but swap over....

worth a thought....

[10d]

i am about to buy another tripod and i would recommend that if you are shooting with the 200mm, get a tripod that can be broken down to a monopod.. this is perfect for track days etc and is worth the little extra so you can use for long exposures but swap over....

worth a thought....
You know which one? That would be nice.

Byza, your pics so awesome, so I will follow your advice.

[zz2]

im looking at the manfrottos too but i cant decide which one!

[Howie]

I've just been offered the famous MANFROTTO 055XPROB EASTON CHANG 'edition'!!! Woohoo!

[Pharkus]

So is a tripod something that you would want to go out and try for yourself? I am just looking for something to keep in the boot of the car for those car park/night shots where my hands aren't steady enough for long exposure shots. Still interested if you have heard back from JB on a price/spec for the Manfrotto. If I have time this week I will probably have a look myself at some.

[Howie]

I am currently looking at the manfrotto 055XPROB tripod + 322RC2 head. I've left a message with my JB accounts guy so hopefully he will get back to me today.

In the meantime, you could drop into a camera store and try a tripod to see if it's the one for you.

[Frenchie]

I've just been offered the famous MANFROTTO 055XPROB EASTON CHANG 'edition'!!! Woohoo!

Pics pls - is this the cream of crops of Manfretto range?? I want one - sounds good.


So is a tripod something that you would want to go out and try for yourself? I am just looking for something to keep in the boot of the car for those car park/night shots where my hands aren't steady enough for long exposure shots. Still interested if you have heard back from JB on a price/spec for the Manfrotto. If I have time this week I will probably have a look myself at some.


Prob would help your quest to have a general idea what you're looking at, many factors come in to play.
Something around the 50-100 mark should be more than enough for us amateurs...

[Pharkus]

I walked into a Ted's at Knox on the weekend, didn't get a peep from the sales people, even though we were the only ones in the store. Will try Elizabeth St strip of camera shops tomorrow.

And yeah...budget is a bit tight this month:

2 x shoes $200
Books & collectibles $350
Roofseal $3k!!!!! (There goes my wheels)
Ikea $300 (WTF!! that place is a money sick trap!) Most went to replacement toys for the pup seeing as he killed Octopus.
Fence quote $5k (There goes my Capristo/Kreisseg Exhaust)

*sigh at house stuff.

Guess I can get some sturdy tree branches and fashion something up for cheaper if all else fails.

@Howie - will definitely do tomorrow. I just probably need something to hold the camera still at the moment with slight adjustments to height and pan ability.

[Howie]

OKAY guys / girls

I got pricing for volume quantities for a Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod. Price $220 including GST!!! Here's a picture:

http://members.optushome.com.au/~zimmy_jones/055XPROB.jpg

[Pharkus]

I'm in Howie. Did you get a price on the head as well?

If it's no problem can I trouble you to send it down to Melbourne? Unless I can just put the hard word on a JB store down here for the same price.

PM me and we can sort out payment if thats the way to go. Thanks for looking into this!

[Howie]

Well I got a price for a 322RC2 which is $157 but they don't have any in stock. Ordering will take several weeks.

No need with sending down to Melbourne. The way it works is that head-office will advise you a JB store in Melbourne to go pick it up after you have paid.

[Pharkus]

Howie

Sweet. So all up $377. I can live with that. PM me once you are ready to make an order and I will discuss payment with you then. In no rush so willing to wait for the stock to come in. Once again, thanks for looking into this, much appreciated. Would rather spend a little more now and get a decent tripod/head than find further down the track I need to upgrade.

[Howie]

If you do a quick search on eBay, a South Korean seller offers the 322RC2 head for $130 including shipping. So far the JB's price for the tripod is the best I've seen.

[Pharkus]

That's fine Howie, I'm sure that the price you got is a good one. Not really interested in a couple of dollars if it's going to have to be from e-bay.

[burgs]

Strongly recomend getting the manfrotto tripod, ive been using one for 18 months now and I cant fault it. Ive previously tried the $20.00 ebay specials and they can really kill a night shot with their flimsy legs.


I've just been offered the famous MANFROTTO 055XPROB EASTON CHANG 'edition'!!! Woohoo!

I thought the porsche on Eastons facebook looked familiar

[10d]

How come Gitzo got no love from this forum? :-(

[Howie]

I thought the porsche on Eastons facebook looked familiar

Yeah we had a good time with a couple of friends up at Newcastle visiting Easton.... He did a night shot of the car, which is yet to be completely processed, that looks very promising! He's finished this interior shot:

http://gallery.me.com/howier32/100025/porsche1/web.jpg?ver=12598466260001

[Capercat]

Night shot looks good Howie.

[burgs]

Ah nice, i knew id seen the car before. He is a very talented man, one of my mates up this way knows him fairly well.

[Frenchie]

Very nice Howie !

Now can someone give me opinions on this Manfrodo (http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/digital-cameras/camera-accessories/manfrotto-mf-785b-modo-tall-tripod/272631)

[Howie]

Very nice Howie !

Now can someone give me opinions on this Manfrodo (http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/digital-cameras/camera-accessories/manfrotto-mf-785b-modo-tall-tripod/272631)

It has a BUILT IN head which means it's not for 'quick' release of the camera. But most importantly, it only allows for a 1.0 Kg LOAD. So pretty much useless for alloy bodied digital SLRs with a decent lens.

The Load rating is the most important number to consider as you have to think how much the camera will weigh with the lenses it will carry. Of course I'm speaking about SLRs so it may not apply if you have a fixed integrated lens / point-shoot type camera.

What camera are you using?

H

[Frenchie]

Thanks Howie.

Shooting with D90 and my biggest lens is 18-200mm so it may be a little heavy yes ?

[Frenchie]

Thanks Howie.

Shooting with D90 and my biggest lens is 18-200mm so it may be a little heavy yes ?

[Howie]

Thanks Howie.

Shooting with D90 and my biggest lens is 18-200mm so it may be a little heavy yes ?

The D90 body with battery is already 709g so with big lens like the 18-200 which is 560g you can be pretty sure it'll be over 1000g. Too heavy for that particular tripod you're looking at.

[Frenchie]

Ok thanks Howie - will look around and if I don't find anything I will just get the same tripod as you and Pharkus.

[S&H]

How come Gitzo got no love from this forum? :-(

While Gitzo's are great they are unfortunately expensive for what they offer. Manfrottos are good value for money as they work just as well for half as much.

[10d]

While Gitzo's are great they are unfortunately expensive for what they offer. Manfrottos are good value for money as they work just as well for half as much.

Sadly, that is true.

[Pharkus]

http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/9730/picture043ru.jpg

So look what came in today! More awesome night shots incoming this weekend!!!

[S&H]

http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/9730/picture043ru.jpg

So look what came in today! More awesome night shots incoming this weekend!!!

Cool!
What model of tripod and head is it?

[Pharkus]

055XPROB/322RC2

[S&H]

055XPROB/322RC2

Sweet, I have the exact same setup except that my 055PROB is a 10 yr old model.

[Pharkus]

Going to be no excuses, but I will probably blame my lack of photography/photoshop skills now. I plan on taking another trip to Ikea in the early hours this weekend for a proper shot with those pipes. If anyone is crazy enough to come join we can go for a mini cruise/pancakes after.

I was planning on leaving the tripod and head in the boot, but they are quite heavy so I don't think I will in the end.

[Howie]

Glad to be of service ;)

[Cam]

Sorry for the thread revival, but I just wanted to ask you Pharkus how is the tripod going?
Are you happy with your 055XPROB/322RC2 combination?

I'm looking at buying them soon.
The cheapest I can find is around $460.

[DEMIGODGTI]

This is what I use.

Really Right Stuff BH-55 Ballhead.
Gitzo 3541 Systematic Tripod.

Its certainly overkill for my needs at this stage, but I like the fact I won't need to upgrade in a long time. I've dunked it in saltwater, sand, mud and just a hose off after and its good as new. The quick release feature is a blessing too, as its paired with a matching bracket for easy portrait/landscape switching.

http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af53/Mio-Images/IMG_2459_7D_C-Edit.jpg

[fungry]

Can't go wrong with the Gitzo and RRS ballheads, rock solid stuff!

[Androo]

Im using a Manfrotto 190XPRO w/804rc2 3 way tilt, ball heads are good but 3 way tilt is far more accurate i find but a bit slower to setup. 190XPRO is a fraction smaller than the 055 but its very sturdy and feels solid too. It's also lighter and smaller than the 055.

Im 6ft and it can do eye level if needed. It can hold up to 4-5kg... 055 can hold 1-2kg more afaik.

Hope this helps others!

Canon 60D w/ battery grip + 2 batts, 15-85mm lens. I could put a speedlight and should be able to hold it still, otherwise take the battery grip off.

[Cam]

I picked up a Manfrotto 190XDB with 804RC2 head today from Camerahouse.
http://www.camerahouse.com.au/products/Tripods/190XDB.aspx

Havent had a chance to use it yet but it feels very solid and has a nice finish.