Right now I have a Slik tripod (can't remember the model) with a ballhead that I paid about $120 or so for a few years ago. It works ok with my 35-80, 10-22 & macro lens, but when I use my 70-300 lens, there is visible shake in my shots. I love that it is super light but its limitations when using my 300 lens are frustrating and I've been thinking about buying a new one. While out shooting last night, the tripod shot craps so the decision was made for me - I need a new one. We're going to Utah in late May so I need to move pretty fast so I'll be sure to have it by then.
I mostly shoot landscapes and macro. Since I do a lot of floral shots, I need to be able to spread the legs out and get low. I also want a ballhead and very light weight for hiking, but I need something strong enough to support my one big lens. Due to budget constraints, I don't want to have to spend my life savings to get a good tripod. That's a pretty tall order, huh?
Any recommendations or advice any of you have would be greatly appreciated!
Posted by Wayne Rhodus on April 22, 2009 at 11:02 AM
I'll tell you what I use but even though it's still available, it's an older model. I have been using the Manfrotto 3021 BPRO for about 6 years. It has a longish center column that can be removed and then inserted horizontally for low angle, unusual shooting positions. It's not carbon fiber or graphite so it's not light.
It works well for macro, landscape and most recently I have been using it with my 100-400 zoom. I have no issues with the stability for the long lens shooting and attribute the lack of sharpness in my long lens images to my technique and ablility more than to any shortcomings of the tripod.
I'm sure there are better models out there but for what it's worth, I use the 3021 BPRO.
The one criteria that might be tough is getting what you want inexpensively. Light, versatile, stable and durable will generally be pretty expensive. Here is a great article by Thom Hogan about tripods.
Gitzo makes reat tripods and Really Right Stuff ball heads are excellent, but both are expensive. Bogen has some less expensive tripods but can still get up there in price.
In looking at ball heads I would recommend getting something with an "Arca Swiss" standard quick release plate. That way, you get a super stable connection(should help with the shakes) and a plate that can work across many tripod heads from many brands, so if you upgrade later you don't have to replace everything.
If you can afford it, carbon fiber is the way to go for lightweight and stable. It has other benefits, too. Doesn't get as cold when working in winter, dampens vibration better. You can hang weight off of them to get extra stability.
Knowing your budget range might help in suggesting specific models, but I recommend reading the Thom Hogan article. It has pretty good advice in it.
If you don't mind a little extra weight, go with something like Wayne has suggested and you can save a lot of money, but get a good head. It makes a huge difference.
It is going to be tough stabilizing at 300mm especially for your macro shots. More important with the 300mm is using mirror lockup and waiting several (read 5-6) seconds after raising the mirror before placing the shutter. You might be surprised by this little test:
Tape or rubberband a laser pointer to your lens and watch how long it takes from the time you raise the mirror until the laser light stops vibrating. A real eye opener when I tried it.
I agree with Dominic on Gitzo and RRS heads. I use that configuration 99% of the time but they get heavy. Hard core hikers like the Acratech heads because they weigh almost nothing. I was hiking through Utah with Gay Tal and my Gitzo/RRS weighed a ton compared to his tripod and head. The difference was amazing.
I also have had good luck with a Manfrotto 055MF4 which has a center column that can be placed in a horizontal position making macro work a lot easier. Again, mirror lockup and waiting a must.
There probably won't be too many that would agree with me about my choice, because I never see anyone else using one. But I've always liked my German-made Berlebach tripods, which are made from wood (ash) and are solid as a rock. Maybe a little heavier to lug around, but worth it to me in terms of stability. The 3032 model has a leveling ball that really comes in handy when shooting panos. No center column (a waste anyway). I also have a mini tripod (model 50031) for shooting wildflowers close to the ground. Both of these tripods can be had for less than 400 bucks. More infohere.
Only one ballhead that I would ever use - the Arca Swiss B1. They are well-built, and the Arca customer service is great. They cleaned mine last summer for free!
Out of curiosity, Bill, do you ever find the 56" max height to be limiting? I do like the idea of the ground level pod.
Posted by Daniel Loomis on April 22, 2009 at 1:54 PM
I use a Gitzo 3531 LVL carbon fiber tripod with either an Acratech ball head for most lenses or a Wimberly Gimbal II for use with a 500mm f/4. The tripod is both light and strong, but not inexpensive. I bought the LVL model because it takes a 75mm half-ball leveling base that can mount a ball head for still photography or a fluid head for video equipment.
Posted by Brad Mangas on April 22, 2009 at 2:05 PM
Here's my 2 cents worth Angela. I use a Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod with a Manfrotto 488RC2 ballhead. I have had it for about 2 years and have to say, it's the best money I have ever spent towards my photography. The best camera, lens in the world would do me no a good without a quality tripod/head setup, and I don't know maybe it still wouldn't but that's beside the point. Any quality setup will be worth the cost. I don't think I paid much over $300 for it at the time.
One thing I have always heard it to not scrimp on the tripod. We spend lots of money on equipment it's just not worth setting it on anything less than a quality tripod/head setup.
Dominic, I can't say I've ever missed a shot because the 3032 was not tall enough. The only situation I've encountered that I couldn't solve was at Buzzard's Roost last December, when I really needed a shorter leg to brace against the rock.
I might also mention that the main reason I like wood so much is it's damping ability. Vibrations simply do not resonate up a wooden leg like a carbon or metal one - important if you do much standing around in running water. And with only three screws to lock down, set up is pretty quick. And last, but not least, I never have to worry about mud and sand getting in the legs and jamming.
Posted by Wayne Rhodus on April 22, 2009 at 3:12 PM
Bill, no problem with the wood weathering over time? Especially since you are shooting with it in water?
Daniel, are you using the GV2 Acratech ballhead?
Posted by Randy Wilson on April 22, 2009 at 4:16 PM
I've been happy for several years now with a Velbon Carmagne 630. The center post has two sections, the larger of which I've put away somewhere since I don't raise the center post anyway. The flip locks on the legs snap open and closed easily, and the leg sections slide smoothly. I believe the carbon fiber legs transmit vibrations much less readily than my old aluminum Manfrotto.
Since I've always used a pan/tilt head, I don't have any recommendations for a ball head.
I don't know your usual technique, and you may already do this, but the longer the focal length, the more sub-optimal technique can affect image quality. So in addition to the suggestions mentioned above about mirror lockup, I would add that a remote shutter release is critical especially for telephoto tripod shots.
Wayne, the wood is coated with, I'm guessing, several coats of polyurethane. The finish is pretty durable stuff. The only breaks in the finish are where I've scraped it on rocks, or dropped it. Water really doesn't hurt it.
Posted by Larry Daniel on April 22, 2009 at 5:11 PM
Angela,
www.kirkphoto.com has a short tripod that works really well for low macro shooting, and it is light. I use one with the small Kirk ballhead. May not be very useful for landscapes unless you can find something to set it on. For multipurpose work I use Sachtler tripods (they are not inexpensive unfortunately) as they set up quicker than anything else I have seen.
Posted by Darren Huski on April 22, 2009 at 5:50 PM
Angela-
Generally speaking Gitzo is the best (and about the most expensive) tripod. I have a carbon fiber 1325 that is very heavy duty and I can use it with my 4x5 and it will handle 500 and 600mm lenses with a DSLR. A good Gitzo will run $400-600.
Manfrotto (Bogen) has some nice models. The aluminum 3021 is a good reasonably priced stable tripod. These run $140 or so.
A decent carbon fiber tripod is Feisol. Alot of the large format folks started to get them and I picked up a lightweight 3401 last spring that is awesome. It is my default hiking tripod. Folds small. Very light. Fairly rigid. Does the full splits. I am 6'4" and it just a smidge short on me and perfect height for most folks. About $210. There are some other models a bit more heavy weight but still alot less than a comparable Gitzo. I know several other photogs in the area who did a group order and they have all been pleased with the legs.
After a good set of legs you will need a ballhead. If you have not gotten a good Arca-Swiss style clamp ballhead, you should add that to your list. Kirk, Arca-Swiss, and Really Right stuff are the brands I am most familar with and trust.
Lastly, if you do not have dedicated Arca-style plates get those too from Kirk or RRS.
I lightweight Feisol CF with a Kirk BH-3 and a dedicated camera plate will total about $500. It will be light enough to hike with and stable with a 70-200 or 70-300 type lens.
Now for more heavy duty use I'd moved to a bigger tripod. For a birder with a 500mm lens your costs will go over a grand for the right set up.
Bill,
You probably have us all beat with your wooden tripod. Is it a carry over from your large format days?
He is right about the damping but you have to be hard core to use that guy. The whole idea behind the carbon fiber tripods is to get closer to wood models without the weight.
While your on RRS and Kirk websites be sure to check out the levered quick release clamp and an L-bracket. It is so handy for switching SLR cameras from landscape to portrait. Every professional I have had the opportunity to photograph with has that setup because it works so well.
Thanks for all the info & suggestions, everyone. Looks like I'll be doing some hardcore research the next couple weeks!
I have a dumb question about ball heads. I looked at the Manfrotto RC488 head and they have a version with and without a quick release plate. Never having used a quick release plate, what is the advantage?
Posted by Darren Huski on April 23, 2009 at 6:29 AM
Angela-
I would avoid Manfrotto ballheads and the Manfrotto quick release system. They make very good legs but their ballheads are lacking. Same with their quick release-there are just much better alternatives.
What you want is an Arca-Swiss style clamp system. These are so much better than Manfrotto that you cannot even compare them.
Several companies make Arca style gear and they are all head and shoulders above the Manfrotto system.
Seriously.
A Manfrotto plate screws into your tripod socket but easily works loose. Plus when you flip the camera into vertical it tends to get loose and droop. But a custom Arca style plate is made for your camera body and once on is locked in. No twists. No movement. Rock Solid.
Those plates then slide into a Arca style clamp and it is so solid I can hold up a large format camera in a funky angle like it is nothing.
Check out Arca-Swiss, Kirk and Really Right Stuff for ballheads and then Really Right Stuff or Kirk for a custom camera plate.
It is money well spent. You can find Arca-Swiss gear at B+H but Kirk and Really Right Stuff is on their own sites.
Windy days? We NEVER have windy days in Kansas. Shooting on windy days just doesn't happen here.
Again, thanks for all the advice and suggestions. Right at this moment I'm leaning toward either Gitzo or Manfrotto legs of some type & the Kirk BH-1. Of course, as I do more research that might change! I intended to spend only around $300 but may just bite the bullet and spend a little more to get something better that I can keep long-term.
I agree with Wayne on the tripod. The old Mafrotto 3021 is what I've been using for years and have never had a problem with it in terms of durability or stability. It's not the lightest but it does a great job. Not only can the center column be reversed, it can be totally removed, and with the provided insert, you can mount your head directly to the legs if you choose. This will get you very close to the ground and maintain stability as well.
When it comes to heads there are LOTS of choices in lots of price ranges. Most of the big names will set you back 400-500 bucks or more. Before you plop down your hard earned money, check out the following link:
I've been using this Cullmann head for about two years now and I am more impressed with it every time I use it, especially when you look at the $158 price! It holds up to 66 pounds, has independent panning locks, double levels on the head, and an excellent quick release system. I don't think it can be beat. I use it with my D300/Nikkor 200-400/1.4 teleconverter combo and it's rock solid. It won't have any trouble handling your 300!
Have a great day!
Dave Hatfield
Posted by Scott Bean on April 24, 2009 at 12:28 AM
Angela,
I'm a little late replying on this, but I have been very happy with my Manfrotto/Bogen 3221WN and my Kirk BH-1 ballhead.
Discussion
20 repliesI mostly shoot landscapes and macro. Since I do a lot of floral shots, I need to be able to spread the legs out and get low. I also want a ballhead and very light weight for hiking, but I need something strong enough to support my one big lens. Due to budget constraints, I don't want to have to spend my life savings to get a good tripod. That's a pretty tall order, huh?
Any recommendations or advice any of you have would be greatly appreciated!
It works well for macro, landscape and most recently I have been using it with my 100-400 zoom. I have no issues with the stability for the long lens shooting and attribute the lack of sharpness in my long lens images to my technique and ablility more than to any shortcomings of the tripod.
I'm sure there are better models out there but for what it's worth, I use the 3021 BPRO.
Good luck with your search.
Tripods
Gitzo makes reat tripods and Really Right Stuff ball heads are excellent, but both are expensive. Bogen has some less expensive tripods but can still get up there in price.
In looking at ball heads I would recommend getting something with an "Arca Swiss" standard quick release plate. That way, you get a super stable connection(should help with the shakes) and a plate that can work across many tripod heads from many brands, so if you upgrade later you don't have to replace everything.
If you can afford it, carbon fiber is the way to go for lightweight and stable. It has other benefits, too. Doesn't get as cold when working in winter, dampens vibration better. You can hang weight off of them to get extra stability.
Knowing your budget range might help in suggesting specific models, but I recommend reading the Thom Hogan article. It has pretty good advice in it.
If you don't mind a little extra weight, go with something like Wayne has suggested and you can save a lot of money, but get a good head. It makes a huge difference.
Tape or rubberband a laser pointer to your lens and watch how long it takes from the time you raise the mirror until the laser light stops vibrating. A real eye opener when I tried it.
I agree with Dominic on Gitzo and RRS heads. I use that configuration 99% of the time but they get heavy. Hard core hikers like the Acratech heads because they weigh almost nothing. I was hiking through Utah with Gay Tal and my Gitzo/RRS weighed a ton compared to his tripod and head. The difference was amazing.
I also have had good luck with a Manfrotto 055MF4 which has a center column that can be placed in a horizontal position making macro work a lot easier. Again, mirror lockup and waiting a must.
Only one ballhead that I would ever use - the Arca Swiss B1. They are well-built, and the Arca customer service is great. They cleaned mine last summer for free!
One thing I have always heard it to not scrimp on the tripod. We spend lots of money on equipment it's just not worth setting it on anything less than a quality tripod/head setup.
Happy Shopping!
I might also mention that the main reason I like wood so much is it's damping ability. Vibrations simply do not resonate up a wooden leg like a carbon or metal one - important if you do much standing around in running water. And with only three screws to lock down, set up is pretty quick. And last, but not least, I never have to worry about mud and sand getting in the legs and jamming.
Daniel, are you using the GV2 Acratech ballhead?
Since I've always used a pan/tilt head, I don't have any recommendations for a ball head.
I don't know your usual technique, and you may already do this, but the longer the focal length, the more sub-optimal technique can affect image quality. So in addition to the suggestions mentioned above about mirror lockup, I would add that a remote shutter release is critical especially for telephoto tripod shots.
www.kirkphoto.com has a short tripod that works really well for low macro shooting, and it is light. I use one with the small Kirk ballhead. May not be very useful for landscapes unless you can find something to set it on. For multipurpose work I use Sachtler tripods (they are not inexpensive unfortunately) as they set up quicker than anything else I have seen.
Generally speaking Gitzo is the best (and about the most expensive) tripod. I have a carbon fiber 1325 that is very heavy duty and I can use it with my 4x5 and it will handle 500 and 600mm lenses with a DSLR. A good Gitzo will run $400-600.
Manfrotto (Bogen) has some nice models. The aluminum 3021 is a good reasonably priced stable tripod. These run $140 or so.
A decent carbon fiber tripod is Feisol. Alot of the large format folks started to get them and I picked up a lightweight 3401 last spring that is awesome. It is my default hiking tripod. Folds small. Very light. Fairly rigid. Does the full splits. I am 6'4" and it just a smidge short on me and perfect height for most folks. About $210. There are some other models a bit more heavy weight but still alot less than a comparable Gitzo. I know several other photogs in the area who did a group order and they have all been pleased with the legs.
After a good set of legs you will need a ballhead. If you have not gotten a good Arca-Swiss style clamp ballhead, you should add that to your list. Kirk, Arca-Swiss, and Really Right stuff are the brands I am most familar with and trust.
Lastly, if you do not have dedicated Arca-style plates get those too from Kirk or RRS.
I lightweight Feisol CF with a Kirk BH-3 and a dedicated camera plate will total about $500. It will be light enough to hike with and stable with a 70-200 or 70-300 type lens.
Now for more heavy duty use I'd moved to a bigger tripod. For a birder with a 500mm lens your costs will go over a grand for the right set up.
Hope that helps.
You probably have us all beat with your wooden tripod.
He is right about the damping but you have to be hard core to use that guy. The whole idea behind the carbon fiber tripods is to get closer to wood models without the weight.
While your on RRS and Kirk websites be sure to check out the levered quick release clamp and an L-bracket. It is so handy for switching SLR cameras from landscape to portrait. Every professional I have had the opportunity to photograph with has that setup because it works so well.
Let us know what you end up with.
I have a dumb question about ball heads. I looked at the Manfrotto RC488 head and they have a version with and without a quick release plate. Never having used a quick release plate, what is the advantage?
I would avoid Manfrotto ballheads and the Manfrotto quick release system. They make very good legs but their ballheads are lacking. Same with their quick release-there are just much better alternatives.
What you want is an Arca-Swiss style clamp system. These are so much better than Manfrotto that you cannot even compare them.
Several companies make Arca style gear and they are all head and shoulders above the Manfrotto system.
Seriously.
A Manfrotto plate screws into your tripod socket but easily works loose. Plus when you flip the camera into vertical it tends to get loose and droop. But a custom Arca style plate is made for your camera body and once on is locked in. No twists. No movement. Rock Solid.
Those plates then slide into a Arca style clamp and it is so solid I can hold up a large format camera in a funky angle like it is nothing.
Check out Arca-Swiss, Kirk and Really Right Stuff for ballheads and then Really Right Stuff or Kirk for a custom camera plate.
It is money well spent. You can find Arca-Swiss gear at B+H but Kirk and Really Right Stuff is on their own sites.
Again, thanks for all the advice and suggestions. Right at this moment I'm leaning toward either Gitzo or Manfrotto legs of some type & the Kirk BH-1. Of course, as I do more research that might change! I intended to spend only around $300 but may just bite the bullet and spend a little more to get something better that I can keep long-term.
I agree with Wayne on the tripod. The old Mafrotto 3021 is what I've been using for years and have never had a problem with it in terms of durability or stability. It's not the lightest but it does a great job. Not only can the center column be reversed, it can be totally removed, and with the provided insert, you can mount your head directly to the legs if you choose. This will get you very close to the ground and maintain stability as well.
When it comes to heads there are LOTS of choices in lots of price ranges. Most of the big names will set you back 400-500 bucks or more. Before you plop down your hard earned money, check out the following link:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/511750-REG/Cullmann_CU_40200_Magnesit_35_Nm_Ballhead.html
I've been using this Cullmann head for about two years now and I am more impressed with it every time I use it, especially when you look at the $158 price! It holds up to 66 pounds, has independent panning locks, double levels on the head, and an excellent quick release system. I don't think it can be beat. I use it with my D300/Nikkor 200-400/1.4 teleconverter combo and it's rock solid. It won't have any trouble handling your 300!
Have a great day!
Dave Hatfield
I'm a little late replying on this, but I have been very happy with my Manfrotto/Bogen 3221WN and my Kirk BH-1 ballhead.