I have poured over the past tripod posts and am still not sure.
Am 6' tall and don't want the same issues I've had w/my telescope on current tripod-wrenched back.
Using a Rebel, 100-400, 10-22 and 100mm macro. Will not be getting heavier lenses in the forseeable future.
Landscapes, BIF and macro
Weight not too much of an issue; just want something sturdy, TALL ENOUGH and easy to set up for close to ground macro shots. Something maybe in the $100-300 range.
I'm 6'2" and I feel your pain. I just purchased a SLIK Pro 500 AMT. It comes with a nice pan head that is replaceable with a ball head if you so desire. It's tall enough for me and after spending hours at the two stores looking at tripods it fell to this one and a Manfrotto. It has a reversible center column , that can also be shortened, it will get you down to 6" without resorting to reversing the column. The AMT part of the name stands for the type of alloy that Slik uses and for what you get it's quite acceptable as far as weight is concerned. It has served quite well for my 40D and any lens I've put on it. I've used it with the 10-22, 28-135 IS, 75-300 IS and a 60 Macro and have been pleased with exposures over 15 seconds. It's at the bottom end of your price range and IMHO as good as a Manfrotto that was going to cost twice as much.
My round number, off the cuff, guestimation technique is to match the leg height to my own height. It's always worked well enough. I'm 6'4", so that's not an idle calculation.
In fact, it works out pretty well. By the time you spread the legs, that drops the platform to just below eye level. Add the height of the tripod head and that of your camera, and you'll actually have to shorten the legs slightly to see through the viewfinder without doing a toe stand.
If "too long" sounds awkward and troublesome to be shortening the legs all the time, consider this: You won't be shooting on level ground all the time, so that little bit of extra leg will help you level the tripod without returning to the stoop shoot boogie you hate now.
In fact, for ease of use in the field I usually adjust the lower leg sections so the tripod is the right height, then leave them extended when I collapse the other sections for moving. That makes it really easy to return the tripod to the right height at the next stops.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on January 27, 2008 at 5:00 PM
I think Hank's advice is probably pretty good.
Some things to consider. Different tripod heads have different heights, so that could affect what fits and what doesn't.
I'm 6'2" and I find that a tripod with a height of 55" with all legs extended but center column down will generally work well for me with a 35mm camera on a normal ballhead. I wouldn't complain about a longer tripod, but this is a comfortable height. My tripods are 51" and 53" and work OK, but a couple extra inches would be really nice.
Some examples of tripods that meet these criteria would be the Gitzo 1540. There is a long legged Gitzo 2540 version but I don't remember which it is. At a lower price point, the Manfrotto 3021 or 055 tripods are about 53". One of my tripods is the 3021 BN.
Posted by Bill Fach on January 27, 2008 at 7:27 PM
Lisa: Not sure if you're looking for legs only or a complete kit. I'm 6'4" and have a Bogen 3221 with a Kirk BH-1 on top of it. I have the standard long column which I do extend despite everyone advising against it and I have the short column which I keep on 75% of the time because most of my shooting is flora and relatively close to the ground. The 3221 has served me very well for many years and handles my 300 f2.8 with ease. Its aluminum so not the lightest horse in the stall but I'll trade that for not having to stoop. >=))>
Bruce, I'd never heard of SLIK (I'm a newbie), but checked out your recommedation and I think I'll go w/the 700, since I really don't care about the weight.
Bruce, I'd never heard of SLIK (I'm a newbie), but checked out your recommedation and I think I'll go w/the 700, since I really don't care about the weight.
Thanks so much for your help
Posted by Mitch Erwin on January 28, 2008 at 1:03 PM
Lisa,
Take a look at the giottos 9180 which is what I currently have and actually have it for sale, as I'm splurging on a CF gitzo. If you like what you see in the reviews and specs then send me an email and I can give you more specifics.
Discussion
7 repliesAm 6' tall and don't want the same issues I've had w/my telescope on current tripod-wrenched back.
Using a Rebel, 100-400, 10-22 and 100mm macro. Will not be getting heavier lenses in the forseeable future.
Landscapes, BIF and macro
Weight not too much of an issue; just want something sturdy, TALL ENOUGH and easy to set up for close to ground macro shots. Something maybe in the $100-300 range.
Thanks again,
Lisa
In fact, it works out pretty well. By the time you spread the legs, that drops the platform to just below eye level. Add the height of the tripod head and that of your camera, and you'll actually have to shorten the legs slightly to see through the viewfinder without doing a toe stand.
If "too long" sounds awkward and troublesome to be shortening the legs all the time, consider this: You won't be shooting on level ground all the time, so that little bit of extra leg will help you level the tripod without returning to the stoop shoot boogie you hate now.
In fact, for ease of use in the field I usually adjust the lower leg sections so the tripod is the right height, then leave them extended when I collapse the other sections for moving. That makes it really easy to return the tripod to the right height at the next stops.
Some things to consider. Different tripod heads have different heights, so that could affect what fits and what doesn't.
I'm 6'2" and I find that a tripod with a height of 55" with all legs extended but center column down will generally work well for me with a 35mm camera on a normal ballhead. I wouldn't complain about a longer tripod, but this is a comfortable height. My tripods are 51" and 53" and work OK, but a couple extra inches would be really nice.
Some examples of tripods that meet these criteria would be the Gitzo 1540. There is a long legged Gitzo 2540 version but I don't remember which it is. At a lower price point, the Manfrotto 3021 or 055 tripods are about 53". One of my tripods is the 3021 BN.
Bruce, I'd never heard of SLIK (I'm a newbie), but checked out your recommedation and I think I'll go w/the 700, since I really don't care about the weight.
Thanks so much for your help
Bruce, I'd never heard of SLIK (I'm a newbie), but checked out your recommedation and I think I'll go w/the 700, since I really don't care about the weight.
Thanks so much for your help
Take a look at the giottos 9180 which is what I currently have and actually have it for sale, as I'm splurging on a CF gitzo. If you like what you see in the reviews and specs then send me an email and I can give you more specifics.