Tripod Dilemma

[Pops]

[bigbob]

[Archangel]

Re: Tripod Dilemma

Hi Pops,

I do have 2 tripods. They are both for midsized, big digital cameras and camcoders.
I've got the:

1. Velbon CX 560
2. Unomat SVA 8000

You might want to take a look at their websites and their models:

http://www.velbon-tripod.com/

http://www.unomat.de/en/sub-produkte.asp?cat=82&PAGE=1

Whichever brand you buy finally, I would personally suggest to be a 3-way panhead.

Though with the 250BP budget you have, you buy a camera and a tripod together!
For those I have, I paid around 50 Euros (around 37BP) for each.


George

[Tom]

[DTD]

Re: Tripod Dilemma

I had a Benbo Mk I and ball and socket head, which was ingenious and was good if you had to get into awkward positions, but to be honest I found it difficult to set up.

In the end I flogged it and bought a Manfrotto.

In the past I've had a couple of cheap tripods and wished I'd paid more and got a good one.

[cowcrzy06]

Re: Tripod Dilemma

Pops,

Just this morning I was having problems with having a long panning handle! And told my hubby that I was going to have to find something different. I was in a situation where there was a small amount of room for me to work. I had to fight that thing the whole time I was working!IMO avoid the long panning handle!

[Tom]

Re: Tripod Dilemma

I had a Benbo Mk I and ball and socket head, which was ingenious and was good if you had to get into awkward positions, but to be honest I found it difficult to set up.

In the end I flogged it and bought a Manfrotto.

In the past I've had a couple of cheap tripods and wished I'd paid more and got a good one.

I remember having a play with the Benbo many moons age and I felt I was dealing with a set of bag pipes trying to set it up.

[Stephen]

Re: Tripod Dilemma

Pops, take my advice and don't buy a cheap tripod

[Tom]

Pops, take my advice and don't buy a cheap tripod

[Pops]

Re: Tripod Dilemma

Thanks guys and gals.

bob...I also looked at the 190 pro, I was concerned about the weight. My big lens is rather heavy.
Tom...thanks for the price advice
DTD...my prob was buying cheap hence the faults. 1 has a creeping leg and the other has a creeping platform.
Coecrzy...thanks for mentioning that. It did concern me.
Stephen ..will go look at your recc. I do have 2 shutter release cable already. 1 Normal length and 1 30 foot one.

Just in case I missed anyone, thanks to all.
Will let you know what I get.

[Stephen]

Re: Tripod Dilemma

In actual fact Stephen that is very the combination I have; the 055Pro and the 322RC2 which I referred to as the pistol grip. The pistol grip is a novel but brilliant head.

Seems like you have the ideal setup then Tom. The only other tripod I'd go for, and I shall be buying one next time round, is the Neotec version. I have the Monopod version and Tim has the tripod, they really are cracking tools, but rather pricey

[Pol]

Re: Tripod Dilemma

Seems like you have the ideal setup then Tom. The only other tripod I'd go for, and I shall be buying one next time round, is the Neotec version. I have the Monopod version and Tim has the tripod, they really are cracking tools, but rather pricey

I'll second that re: the Neotec Monopod! It's superb!

Pops .... I also have the Manfrotto 055ProB along with the 222 'joystick' ballhead. It's superb, very easy to swing the lens around quickly with the ballhead and it hold everything very securely once you release the grip to lock it. I also have a 141RC pan/tilt head for it, but it's no use for wildlife - the 222 or 322 ballheads are better.

Pol

[StuartR]

Re: Tripod Dilemma

Hi Pops,

When I broke the centre column on my Benbo Trekker Mk 2 (it got caught by my car's boot-lid as it was being closed ) I decided to replace it with a Manfrotto. Nothing wrong the Benbo, it's very versatile, but it was a bit like wrestling with an octopus when setting it up and I thought it was a little lightweight for my 350D + battery grip + flash + 70-300mm zoom. As you're using a Canon 100-400 (on my wish list!) I'd say the Trekker is probably not quitealmost as much flexibility as the Benbo.

The head is also a pleasure to use, definitely the best I've ever owned and the above kit is kept rock solid after positioning. I did think about the "grip-action" ball heads but read a couple of negative reviews and decided against it. However, a friend of mine bought one (the 222 model I think) and he swears by it. Perhaps I'll borrow it for a weekend and and give it a go; I can imagine they'd be a real god-send for wildlife photography.

Build quality on both the tripod & the head is superb.

[StuartR]

[StuartR]

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/?binsandscopes/tripods/manfrotto3.html?utm_source=WEM206&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Manfrotto055PROB#055