What Tripod should I buy

marklarry28 · August 31, 2006

Hi guys,

I need a tripod and head too. What are you guys recommend?:scratch
I don't want spend more than $300.

HELP>>>>>>:thumb

Thanks a million

Andy · August 31, 2006

Sticky thread in this forum is a good place to start.
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=6884

BUT

We are not mind readers

Maybe you could tell us:

* what you shoot,
* where you shoot

and do you have a tripod now you are replacing?

.....

marklarry28 · August 31, 2006

Sorry Andy.:D

I am a newbie with photography, so I am trying landscape, portrait, sports and macros. I also take shoots during the day and night.

I'd certainly go to Portrait and landscape when I get more experience.

I do have a 14 bucks tripod.

ian408 · September 2, 2006

marklarry28 wrote:

Hi guys,

Hi, and welcome!

In the menu bar is a great tool. It's title is "Search". If you give it a twirl,
it will give you a nice set of results.

I think you'll find the results give you a whole lot to pick from (including
the ball head and plates too).

marklarry28 · September 2, 2006

I just found the answer on Manfrotto website

http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/offonce/pid/4482

Thanks anyway

douglas · September 2, 2006

458b Neotec Pro Photo Tripod
If i was in the market for a tripod I would seriously consider the 458B NEOTEC PRO PHOTO TRIPOD. Its ease of use sounds REALLY nice, push a button to extend the legs! It can also get extremely low and the center column can be positioned horizontily. Its a bit more than you wish to pay though its $330 at B&H

http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/pid/2280

cut and pasted from manfrotto site:
The fastest tripod in the world! Awesomely fast and easy to use, the 458B has the innovative Neotec rapid opening and closing mechanism-just pull each leg downwards to open and automatically lock it in any position, with no screws, knobs or levers to tighten or loosen. Then to fold it back up again, press the mechanism release button and push the leg closed. Combined with the 458B's high load capacity, great min-max height range and its full range of professional features, this makes it the ideal tripod for location work under pressure. The 458B has a built in carrying handle; a two-section centre column for low angle or normal shooting and four set leg angle positions. "Upside down" leg construction also stops the worst of the mud you're standing in from ending up inside the tripod.

wxwax · September 2, 2006

marklarry28 wrote:

I just found the answer on Manfrotto website

http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/offonce/pid/4482

Thanks anyway

Well done, I'm glad your search found useful info. That's the way to do it!

dbd · September 2, 2006

Get hands on
marklarry28

It's alway good to try the "feel" of something as hands on as a tripod. It's great to get the best internet price on some thing, but not so nice if it turns out unworkable. That's the value of local dealers.

A case in point:
I lusted over the Manfrotto Neotec tripod in the catalog for weeks when planning a tripod purchase. In the store I tried the same operations I use when shooting the panoramas which comsume most of my efforts. I use one hand to hold a (large enough to read) level against the center column opposite the leg I am adjusting. Then with the other hand I extend/contract that leg and tighten it. With the Neotec I needed one hand to hold the level/support the camera, one hand to press the button, and one hand to push/pull the bottom section of the leg to the proper length. Standing on rough mountain slopes adjusting the tripod and trying to keep my balance I just don't have three hands to spare for the tripod. But in the store the Neotec looked cool, it's a great concept, but I couldn't use it for my process.

When you have had time develop your own process, getting hands on will mean something to you.

Dale B. Dalrymple
dbdimages.com

pathfinder · September 2, 2006

dbd,

You might be interested in the Levelling base for Gitzo tripods theat let you level the tripod after it is set up without shifting the legs.

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/tutorials/on_the_level/index.html

Acratech makes a similar levelling device ow also

http://acratech.net/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AOS&Product_Code=LB&Category_Code=Ballheads

When shooting panoramas it is nice to start with a level tripod head, and a levelling base makes it duck soup. I would not leave home without mine

marklarry28 · September 3, 2006

thanks guys!!!

Right now I am trying the Manfrotto 055CL w/ 229 Head. Really too, little bit heavy.

dbd · September 3, 2006

Hands On and On the Back

pathfinder wrote:

dbd,

You might be interested in the Levelling base for Gitzo tripods theat let you level the tripod after it is set up without shifting the legs.

Thanks for the suggestions.

My critical tripod application also has severe weight limitations. I don't often have a sherpa:
http://dbdimages.smugmug.com/photos/82879407-L.jpg
to help me. (He only carried my tripod part way up.) And he doesn't do my off trail trips.

I selected a Manfrotto 3025 head on a Gitzo G1028 tripod. On days that can run over 20 miles, 6000 feet of climb, 14498 feet elevation, or all of the above, I need minimum weight.

Check the results:
http://dbdimages.smugmug.com/gallery/1622676/2/82879275

Dale B. Dalrymple
dbdimages.com

What Tripod should I buy

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