bogen 190xdb (3001) + 486rc2 combo, is this any good?

yes, another tripod question!

ok, I've been reading a lot about tripods.. yes, I know - get a good one, spend $, its worth it, etc....

I've been using my $40 walmart tripod (mx-2000), I actually think its a pretty good value for what you pay.

but I am looking to upgrade - I'm looking at these two options:

- bogen 190xdb (replaces the 3001) + 486rc2 ballhead, $166, marketing material says it supports 10lbs, 46.6inch height without raising the column, total weight 4.5lbs

- bogen 055xprob (replaced the 3021) + 488rc2 ballhead, $274, marketing material says it supports 15lbs, 56inch height without raising the column, total weight 6.8lbs

The most weight I would put on this tripod is 5lbs (d300 + 80-400mm VR lens), I'm not planning on getting heavier lenses. ok, maybe the 70-200mm VR someday. that would make the total weight 6lbs.

but usually it would be something like the d300 + 18-200mm VR - under 4lbs total weight.

this would mainly be for landscapes.

since I mainly do a lot of hiking and moving around, total weight is important to me, that's why I'm leaning towards the lighter setup. It's been really nice walking around with a 2 1/2lb tripod!

I realize you need to take those bogen "weight supported" figures with a grain of salt, that's why I wanted to get some feedback here before I made my final purchase.

thanks alot!
scott

Scott, the 190/055 are bomb-proof tripods - you could possibly plant a truck on top of those. I've used one for a long time, but the weight does get to you afterall. On multi-day treks, you just wish you didn't have all the 5lb weight of the tripod.

Although both are very good tripods, I'd suggest lighter tripods if you are doing extensive multi-day overnight backpacking.

Ashutosh,

the bogen 190xdb tripod is 3.5lbs, and the 486RC2 ballhead is 1lb (total of 4.5lbs), how much lighter can I go? I think my wallet is not yet ready for carbon-fiber tripods :) but I'm trying to be open to all suggestions...

I don't really do multi-day treks (yet!), its really just for day hikes.

the new carbon-fiber bogen 190CXPRO3 is 2.85lbs and has a street price of $300.00, and that only saves me .65lbs :(

thanks alot for the advice, keep it coming!

Scott, I recently bought a Feisol CT-3442 carbon fiber tripod from the American distributor. It's about 2lbs total. Almost exactly similar to the Gitzo GT-1540 (not 1540T), but a bit lighter and about half the price at about $300. I use the Manfrotto 486RC2 tripod head with it, and a center column ($40 more).

I couldn't be happier. I agree it is a bit more expensive than the aluminium ones, but seriously, I wish I had the option to buy a Feisol earlier.

Here's a small review I posted earlier about the Feisol: http://tinyurl.com/2t4h92 And here's the tripod: http://www.feisol.net/feisol-tournament-class-foursection-tripod-ct3442-with-tripod-p-31.html

And Center column: http://www.feisol.net/feisol-center-column-ct3442-cckit-p-54.html

Hi Scott,

My only comment is for me Carbon Fibre out weights Aluminium tripods for both strength and weight. I've not personally used Bogen but my CF Gitzo's have been a God sent! especially in the cold a few bucks more for CF IMHO is worth it!

Hi Scott--
For what it's worth,
I also recently upgraded from a "cheaper, but all I could afford" tripod and here's what I purchased last week: Bogen 190X Pro an Bogen 486RC2 head. I have only used it on one shoot for about 4 hours Saturday at the Carolina Raptor Center in Charlotte and so far I don't think I made a mistake.

Good Luck....

Cindy, that's great to hear, so it is fair to say you liked it?

which camera/lens did you use on it? (or what was the total weight?). did you feel like your camera & lens were rock solid on it? I read somewhere there can be a little lens "creep" with that head, but once it creeps, it stays in the same spot.


thanks alot!
scott

I used it with the Canon 40D and Canon 70-200L. I also had a Canon 1.4 teleconverter for the shoot on Saturday. I didn't notice any "creep", but mine is still new. I like the leg locks as opposed to the "twist type" lock. I had absolutely no issues with the set up not feeling solid. This particular tripod also goes really low and you can extend the center all the way up and tip it over horizontially. Now I didn't have the need to do a lot of that while shooting birds on Saturday, so if I will try a test this weekend to see how stable the set up is with my equipment on there. And yes, I would use my 70-200L if I was doing close up/macro work and needed to set it up that way because I also purchased a Canon 500D dipoter to use so that I wouldn't have to be changing lenses in the field. I have had to purchase these things over the last several months as I could save the money because I refuse to buy on credit. However, my last car payment is this month so things are looking promising!

thanks again cindy... just curious, 70-200mm F2.8 or 70-200mm F4? I'm just asking because the 2.8 is twice as heavy! :)

yeah, I'm very use to the flip-locks, I don't think I could switch to the twist type..

paying cash is always nice! better than debt..

scott

70-200mm 2.8 and yes, I was surprised at just how heavy it was. But after seeing the results, it is soooo worth it!