The husband of a woman who works for me is getting into photography. He got a Nikon N40x (or something like that) with some zooms. She wants to get him a tripod and ballhead, but does not want to spend a whole lot. He is over 6 feet tall, so he needs something reasonably tall.
I was thinking of a Bogen 3021. No ideas on a ballhead, though. A ballhead with a QR would probably be the way to go.
If he's not going over the weight of a 300 f/2.8 a Kirk BH-3 on the Bogen 3021 is an excellent choice. The head is about $250 and the legs about $170. To go a little less expensive, the FLM Center Ball 38 is well under $200 and supports up to 20 pounds if I recall correctly.
For strict economy he could use the 'Action Grip' ball head by Bogen/Manfrotto. I have one and I wish that it was a bit heavier duty for my sigma 180 macro, but it has done the job fine. I am holding out for an Acratech Ultimate personally.
I have a 3021 and replaced my bogen ballhead with the Kirk BH-3 when the bogen started going belly-up. After a couple years it became spongy and almost impossible to tighten the thing adequately. Except for that problem, I actually preferred the bogen QR system. Cheaper plates, easier release and snap-in, and no knob sticking out to hit my chin (only a problem when the camera, not the lens, is attached). I don't use the center column at all, and at 6' I definitely have to bend over, but I don't have a bad back or anything so it's not a problem. The 3021 weighs 5 lbs. A really nice wife would get a comparable Gitzo CF that's only 3 lbs.
I use the Bogen 3021 Pro and Bogen 488RC2 ballhead. I've been extremely happy with both. I would prefer a lighter tripod for backpacking, but it works great nonetheless. This combo has held up nicely for a number of years. There is definitely better equipment out there, but you'll pay a lot. My Bogen tripod and ballhead are a great value.
I use the same tripod as Brent, and the 488RC4 ballhead. My shooting partner uses the RC2 and he's been complaing lately that it's not quite up to holding his longer lenses steady enough.
My RC4 saggs a bit with my 70-200F4L lens. Kind of annoying, so I've been thinking of getting something different.
As for the tripod, it's a tad heavy but it's nice and stable and very durable. I don't treat it with very much TLC. hmmm... maybe that's what's wrong with my ballhead!
Discussion
7 repliesI was thinking of a Bogen 3021. No ideas on a ballhead, though. A ballhead with a QR would probably be the way to go.
Any suggestions for tripods and ballheads?
As for the ballhead, it's hard to go wrong with Kirk, RRS or Markins. Pick your load capacity and price point.
Cheers,
Nathan
My RC4 saggs a bit with my 70-200F4L lens. Kind of annoying, so I've been thinking of getting something different.
As for the tripod, it's a tad heavy but it's nice and stable and very durable. I don't treat it with very much TLC. hmmm... maybe that's what's wrong with my ballhead!