ZerocoolAstra
Senior Member
I myself am using a cheapo small ballhead... poison him with what? :bsmilie:
tripod recommendation
- Thread starter ducky88
- Start date
Actually dude, with $300 budget, you can already get a very good tripod setup. I got my Manfrotto 190xprob with 488rc2 head used for around 270. No complaints so far.
Dude, you need to include a ballhead attachment. If you want travel tripod, probably go for Carbon fiber type, the above brands listed here are quite familar with many CSers.
Personally using Sirui T-2204X + G-20 ballhead, was almost getting Manfrotto one but the budget only sets me for Aluminium alloy material tripod, to me is quite heavy if you're going to travel with it. get a CF tripod (save 30-40% weight).
1. Go to TK Foto and have a look and feel of the tripods, they have Gitzo as well for you to compare.
2. Manfrotto distributed by Cathay Photo, go check them out as well.
Personally using Sirui T-2204X + G-20 ballhead, was almost getting Manfrotto one but the budget only sets me for Aluminium alloy material tripod, to me is quite heavy if you're going to travel with it. get a CF tripod (save 30-40% weight).
1. Go to TK Foto and have a look and feel of the tripods, they have Gitzo as well for you to compare.
2. Manfrotto distributed by Cathay Photo, go check them out as well.
Second this recommendation. Sirui is a good brand and value for money. Really appreciate the intro from this forum. For myself, I went for an even lighter set-up, T1204 + G10.
Cheers
Hi guys,
Was pretty interested in the Sirui tripod as it can be folded invertedly which saves a lot of space and is so much easier to carry.
However, when i surf the Sirui webby, they state that although the load of the 1204 can support up to a max of 10kg... it is suitable only for lens which are 200mm and below.
Mine is a 18-250 lens... Does it means that i'm not suitable to be carrying this tripod?
Anyway, anybody knows the price range for this 1204?
Was pretty interested in the Sirui tripod as it can be folded invertedly which saves a lot of space and is so much easier to carry.
However, when i surf the Sirui webby, they state that although the load of the 1204 can support up to a max of 10kg... it is suitable only for lens which are 200mm and below.
Mine is a 18-250 lens... Does it means that i'm not suitable to be carrying this tripod?
Anyway, anybody knows the price range for this 1204?
I 2nd that as well, Take it that your setup cost 2 grands and paying 350 is merely 1/6 of the full set up of what u had... Never risk with filmsy trippy
Some reality checks ...
A tripod, when fully extended, will NOT be very stable.
A 3 or 4 section tripod, weighing only 1-2kgs, reaching up to 1.8meters, could be very flimsy, because the legs' OD has to be thin, and those have to be thin-walled. Locking mechanisms might be compromised, especially at the lower price-points.
Don't think any reputable manufacturer would offer something they know will be shaky because their reputation is at stake. Also, the more sections a tripod has, the less structurally stable it becomes, especially when fully deployed/extended.
Ideally, you want a support system (including the head) to be capable of taking at least 2 - 3 times the manufacturer stated max loads, and also be able to reach a desired working height WITHOUT being fully extended. Margins of what is ideal would vary greatly with individual tripod design and actual construction, but my guess is (with good designs and stable engineering) I would max a tripod to between 50% and 75% of its extension capabilities without raising the center column.
In your case, that would mean a system with a max load of 6 - 9kg, and a max height of more than 2meters.
Also bear in mind, especially if you shoot in windy conditions like atop the Pinnacle or the new MBS skybridge, the higher any tripod is, it's far more susceptible to a multitude of movement and vibrations.
Might have to re-evaluate your requirements. I may be wrong, but I don't think you will find a 1-2kg tripod with head fully extended that meets those requirements even if you were willing to pay $3000 instead of $300.
This assumes a premise that you want a stable tripod support system, and not just something to plonk your camera on.
Hi,
I think ZerocoolAstra's points are good. I would also like to add another 2 factors:
3a. Min height (lowest the tripod can go).
4a. Ball head quality.
My experience from Dec last year to date:
1. 1st tripod: Sirui T-1205X with G-10 head = $330.00
Sold after 3 months. Problem: Max height too low (my height 1.76M)- get tired,
hunch backed after an afternoon out shooting; Ball head creep with overhang
extended zoom lens.
2. 2nd tripod: Sirui R-2204 with G-20 head = $310.00
Sold after 3 months. Problem: Min height not low enough - for WA very low shots.
3. 3rd tripod: Sirui N-2204 with G-20 head = $500.00. Bought two days ago. Hopefully
I do not have to sell again!!
Moral of the story:
As you get more discerning in your quest to get that perfect shot, you do not mind to
invest/spent more bucks to get better equipment.
My advise: Bring your camera and lenses (especially those lenses that overhang from the camera's tripod mounting point to the front end) to the shop and try out the tripod.
You must feel comfortable (standing straight) when using the tripod.
You may have to compromise folded length for travelling. Those that are short when folded for travelling inevitably are those with 5 sections which means they are not sturdy, or they are 4-sections but extended height is too low.
Cheers.
LEW
khiunngiap
New Member
Hi all , is there any recommendation for a fast release tripod ?? I feel that it is too troublesome to clip\tighten the tripod when I want to release the legs or put it back
price wise TK Foto is quite transparent about it, you can check out their Facebook, they posted the pricing here.
You need a ballhead to support your dSLR body. Or else you can only mount the body directly to the tripod.
you can bring your camera + 18-250 lens to test on the spot.
dleugene
New Member
The ball head creep change ball head (markin, gitzo, manfrotto, benro). You doing landscape in the afternoon?
What kind of WA shoots u taking? How low is low?
Hope u won't search for another tripod again. If not i would recommend gitzo explorer or Manfrotto 055XPRO series.
i agreed on the point that bring ur gear to test the tripod. Please also find out from sale person all the special position that ur new tripod can do.
As for travel, you have to compromise between the maximum height and comfort. Do you want a non sturdy tripod that move when u take long exposure? I would recommend get the 4 section for travel only, the thinnest section more than 15mm in diameter. The tripod must give you the confidence to place ur thousands $ gear on it without fear.:devil:
Hi bro dleugene,
"You doing landscape in the afternoon?"
No, I was shooting wildlife in Kubah National Park in Kuching in May a few days,
and came back hunch-back because the tripod was too low.
"How low is low?"
As low as possible in WA so that a small puddle of water will look like a lake.
And taking children at their eye level. And shooting frogs at night.
My camera has a swivel and rotate LCD.
Don't ask the saleman to recommend. They do not know what you want. That's
why I ended up buying 3 tripods from Richard of TK!!!! He was very, very happy!!!!.
Write down all the points mentioned by so many bros in this thread and cross out
those that you think is not important to you. Bring the list to the shop and request
the salesperson to sell you a tripod with the list of what you want. Prepare to pay more to get the correct tripod rather than end up like me wasting money to learn.
Cheers.
LEW
"You doing landscape in the afternoon?"
No, I was shooting wildlife in Kubah National Park in Kuching in May a few days,
and came back hunch-back because the tripod was too low.
"How low is low?"
As low as possible in WA so that a small puddle of water will look like a lake.
And taking children at their eye level. And shooting frogs at night.
My camera has a swivel and rotate LCD.
Don't ask the saleman to recommend. They do not know what you want. That's
why I ended up buying 3 tripods from Richard of TK!!!! He was very, very happy!!!!.
Write down all the points mentioned by so many bros in this thread and cross out
those that you think is not important to you. Bring the list to the shop and request
the salesperson to sell you a tripod with the list of what you want. Prepare to pay more to get the correct tripod rather than end up like me wasting money to learn.
Cheers.
LEW
It can take the load of your lens lah.Price wise not too sure...
I don't think there's any tripod where you do not need to clip/twist the legs...
I mentioned this before
erson A says Manfrotto good.Person B says Benro good.Person C says Sirui good.Person D says Gitzo good.Person E says Fancier good.How?Go down to stores(Search if you don't know)and do your own homework...
dleugene
New Member
Thanks for clearing my doubts
No offend.:cheers:
No bro, no offence. Sometimes what we are trying to say is not clear to others,
so it is always good to clarify.
Will be seeing you in Francis' group on Saturday. Although I am in the reserve,
I shall go as well. Even to watch and learn some portrait shooting is better than idling at home..
Cheers.
LEW
dleugene
New Member
Hey, dleugene. Are you the same Eugene i spoke to yesterday at fullerton? Im the guy who spoke to you asking about the 450D liveview issue.
Anyway, i like the Sirui cause of the folding options. It can be folded until pretty compact. Any other tripod with this function as well?
Is a secondhand manfrotto 190xprob and 486ballhead @ 250 worth it?
Anyway, i like the Sirui cause of the folding options. It can be folded until pretty compact. Any other tripod with this function as well?
Is a secondhand manfrotto 190xprob and 486ballhead @ 250 worth it?
Similar threads
