I bought the new 5D mark II and the kit lens + 16-35. I noticed I need a new tripod now, as this camera weighs twice as much as my previous 350D. I am mostly interested in wild and landscape photography, so I thought I would ask for some advice here: what tripods do you have? What do you suggest, what should I look for?
Hi Ramunas,
Frankly, I think it's a bit paradoxal to spend so much on camera and lens and skimp on what will ultimately allow you to take full advantage of your camera's capabilities. Good tripods and ballhead setups are likely to cost you at least 600-700 euros, but unlike cameras they are long-term investments that could last you a lifetime.
In general, I recommend Gitzo carbon fiber tripods, the are light, rock solid and sturdy, widely recognized as the best out there. Manfrotto, Induro and to a lesser extent Feisol (much cheaper) get very decent reviews. As far as ballhead setups, any of these manufacturers will not disappoint: Kirk, ArcaSwiss, Really Right Stuff, Markins, Acratech. I personally have a Kirk Ballhead, but have my eyes on the RRS BH-1...a thing of beauty.
One thing I would recommend is looking at used tripods and ballheads, you can find some really good deals if you are patient.
Hope this helps.
They don't get much press on this board, but I've been using a Velbon El Carmagne 530 combined with a gitzo ball head for a couple of years with excellent results.
I see that BH Photo lists it to hold 8 pounds or so, but I believe this is a mistake as the manufacturer lists it with a capacity of 25 pounds. I just got the 5D MK2 and haven't had any problems there either.
Younes said it very well indeed. Do, though, also read what Thom Hogan says here: http://www.bythom.com/support.htm.
Also Younes you said: "I personally have a Kirk Ballhead, but have my eyes on the RRS BH-1...a thing of beauty."
Oh yeah, I completely agree! I have the Markins full size head and it is very nice. But, I saw a very of the RRS BH-1 heads when i was travelling last year. It is definitely near the top of my purchase list.
Funny Ian that you gave the link to Thom's site, I always do and forgot to include it this time. Very good read. Isn't that RRS ballhead something else!
I'll play devil's advocate here a little....there are cheaper tripods that will work for you every bit as well as the 600 Euro Gitzo. But in order to get one, you are giving something up - usually you're giving up weight and size. It's easier/cheaper to make a big, clunky, heavy rock solid tripod, than a light, smaller, rock solid tripod. That's where the ones mentioned above shine - they offer outstanding load carrying and stability for their size and weight. (A similar thing goes for ballheads - with the addition that more expensive ballheads tend to have better tensioning and smoother movement.)
If you are willing to get a bigger/heavier tripod, you can probably go cheaper and look toward the aluminum models. I have a Manfrotto 3021 that pretty rock solid (and very popular). I think it's been replaced, but the current like of Manfrotto's are about the same. My setup cost about $200. I DO wish I'd gotten a little more robust ballhead, but I don't plan on upgrading any time soon - my setup works great for me, for the amount and way that I use it.
So Thom Hogan's advice is great - depending on how serious a photographer you are, and what your particular usage is.
Many thanks for the replies, I will look into all suggestions. :)
The thing with this for me is that I am not really made of money hehe. So I guess I need to prioritize certain parts like a tripod less. I am photographing pretty varying locations, as Norway provides with everything for plains to huge mountainscapes and slippery swampy unstable places, just to name a few hehe.
I will second the comment on the Velbon El Carmigne series. I drag mine all over the place. My old tripod was a "heavy metal" version that I hardly carried anywhere, but this Velbon is superlight and easy to set up with the "flip" leg locks.
I think I first saw it mentioned on Luminous Landscape a couple years ago, and it's worked great for me with the Acratech ball head.
I've been carrying my Bogen 3021BPro with either the 3055 Ball Head or 3030 Pan Tilt Head depending on my mood for at least 4 years now and it is holding up fine, is moderately light but rugged enough to go backpacking through some pretty tough stuff and back.
I find you need to forget Brand name for the most part and look at the tripod for it's best and worst charactoristics. Find one that covers everything you know you need and a few you are not too sure you will need then start nit picking it and see if it remains on your list. Camera stores, Not Mall or Department Store Camera centers are great at showing all the possibilities of any well made tripod and they understand photography well enough in most cases to sell you what you need over what the price tag dictates. I know I used to work in a REAL camera Shop and I've talked to enough Camera Counter Jockies from Electronic Superstores, WalTarMarts and such to know when a salesman is selling or helping me.
I've gone through many tripods, including Leica, Linhof and Manfrotto. Eventually I replaced them all with a Gitzo 1228 CF and Kirk BH-1. It has been giving me yeoman service for many years, and traveled with me all over the world. I hang my Nikons and 500 f/4 lens on it with no stability problems. While some people will claim that the 1200 series Gitzos are not strong, or stable enough for a 500, I'd beg to differ. I even use it with the 1.4X TC and the Wimberley Sidekick. I cannot figure how manufacturers calculate a load limit for their product, but from what I have seen, it bears little resemblance to the real world.
If you want to save a few Euros, check out KEH and some of the used listings for camera stores like B&H and Adorama.
I got a Feisol CT-3402 after my Manfrotto got too heavy for my mountain hikes. It's made from carbon fiber as so pretty light. The price is very reasonable too. You might look into their product. Two things to mention. You should take care that you always place it very stable - due to the light weight is can tip over easier than heavy ones. The rubber feet of the tripod were gone after 3 tours, but I got a free replacement together with some screwable spikes - I only use the spikes now for my outdoor shootings.
Discussion
13 repliesFrankly, I think it's a bit paradoxal to spend so much on camera and lens and skimp on what will ultimately allow you to take full advantage of your camera's capabilities. Good tripods and ballhead setups are likely to cost you at least 600-700 euros, but unlike cameras they are long-term investments that could last you a lifetime.
In general, I recommend Gitzo carbon fiber tripods, the are light, rock solid and sturdy, widely recognized as the best out there. Manfrotto, Induro and to a lesser extent Feisol (much cheaper) get very decent reviews. As far as ballhead setups, any of these manufacturers will not disappoint: Kirk, ArcaSwiss, Really Right Stuff, Markins, Acratech. I personally have a Kirk Ballhead, but have my eyes on the RRS BH-1...a thing of beauty.
One thing I would recommend is looking at used tripods and ballheads, you can find some really good deals if you are patient.
Hope this helps.
I see that BH Photo lists it to hold 8 pounds or so, but I believe this is a mistake as the manufacturer lists it with a capacity of 25 pounds. I just got the 5D MK2 and haven't had any problems there either.
Also Younes you said: "I personally have a Kirk Ballhead, but have my eyes on the RRS BH-1...a thing of beauty."
Oh yeah, I completely agree! I have the Markins full size head and it is very nice. But, I saw a very of the RRS BH-1 heads when i was travelling last year. It is definitely near the top of my purchase list.
If you are willing to get a bigger/heavier tripod, you can probably go cheaper and look toward the aluminum models. I have a Manfrotto 3021 that pretty rock solid (and very popular). I think it's been replaced, but the current like of Manfrotto's are about the same. My setup cost about $200. I DO wish I'd gotten a little more robust ballhead, but I don't plan on upgrading any time soon - my setup works great for me, for the amount and way that I use it.
So Thom Hogan's advice is great - depending on how serious a photographer you are, and what your particular usage is.
The thing with this for me is that I am not really made of money hehe. So I guess I need to prioritize certain parts like a tripod less. I am photographing pretty varying locations, as Norway provides with everything for plains to huge mountainscapes and slippery swampy unstable places, just to name a few hehe.
I think I first saw it mentioned on Luminous Landscape a couple years ago, and it's worked great for me with the Acratech ball head.
I find you need to forget Brand name for the most part and look at the tripod for it's best and worst charactoristics. Find one that covers everything you know you need and a few you are not too sure you will need then start nit picking it and see if it remains on your list. Camera stores, Not Mall or Department Store Camera centers are great at showing all the possibilities of any well made tripod and they understand photography well enough in most cases to sell you what you need over what the price tag dictates. I know I used to work in a REAL camera Shop and I've talked to enough Camera Counter Jockies from Electronic Superstores, WalTarMarts and such to know when a salesman is selling or helping me.
If you want to save a few Euros, check out KEH and some of the used listings for camera stores like B&H and Adorama.