Tripod... which one?
- Thread starter nsinggih
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smallaperture
Senior Member
I strongly recommend the 055. Think of the times you you have to tilt the camera into portrait format, the height is so much reduced. With a 055 there is no problem for tall chaps.
There are quite a few version of the 055. Black/green/silver. Then, there is a simple version without variable angle and without the horizontal column mount. Then, there is the different legs lock - quick lever type or the wing nut. I prefer the lever type, which is faster, turning only 45 degrees. With the wing nut, you're never sure how much to tighten - over tightening might damage the thing, as the thing is aluminum and not steel.
Difference in weight is marginal, between the 055 and the 190, after adding the head, and if you have a good wide strap, the combo weighs less than your M16 rifle!
There are quite a few version of the 055. Black/green/silver. Then, there is a simple version without variable angle and without the horizontal column mount. Then, there is the different legs lock - quick lever type or the wing nut. I prefer the lever type, which is faster, turning only 45 degrees. With the wing nut, you're never sure how much to tighten - over tightening might damage the thing, as the thing is aluminum and not steel.
Difference in weight is marginal, between the 055 and the 190, after adding the head, and if you have a good wide strap, the combo weighs less than your M16 rifle!
likefunyouare
New Member
WideZoom said:
better look for the one without the need to extend the center column. the 119cm is the max height w/o extension of center column n not inclusive of ball head. the specs on the website refers only to the legs.
Try not to use the centre column on a tripod unless absolutely necessary. Extending the central column gives you a monopod on 3 legs. Don't think you will be taking >1secs shots on a monopod with great success.
As for height, try to go for a tripod with reaches your eye level without extending the central column for your own comfort. Do remember that you need to factor in the height of the camera as well as the height of the head you use.
And I would get the 190 over the 719 anyday. Read some reviews about it which isn't very reassuring. The ballhead ain't very good and the legs isn't very steady. No point forking out so much for a tripod with unsteady legs and a unsteady ballhead. It's more suitable for lightweight digital point and shoots (hence the DIGI prefix).
As for height, try to go for a tripod with reaches your eye level without extending the central column for your own comfort. Do remember that you need to factor in the height of the camera as well as the height of the head you use.
And I would get the 190 over the 719 anyday. Read some reviews about it which isn't very reassuring. The ballhead ain't very good and the legs isn't very steady. No point forking out so much for a tripod with unsteady legs and a unsteady ballhead. It's more suitable for lightweight digital point and shoots (hence the DIGI prefix).
unless you have a vehicle.smallaperture
Senior Member
Yeah, if you're 178cm tall, and I am also exactly that tall, do not hesitate to go for the Manfrotto 055. That is the most suitable model for you. The additional weight is marginal, after adding the ballhead. There are a few sub-models like colour (black, green, silver), Pro version, or some simpler version. I prefer the one with the 45 deg lever locking version, which is faster to open and close. I got mine a few months ago at $175.nsinggih said:
smallaperture
Senior Member
The difference in weight between the 055 and the 190 is marginal. But the difference in height and performance is BiG. and do remember that a tripod like this last a lifetime, unless you throw it around alot.
For head, recommend the Manfrotto 486RC2 which is big enough for the camera and biggest lens around without tripod collar, which tends to sag downwards due to the unbalanced weight in front. For those with tripod collar, most of the time, the lens+camera is already more or less balanced, so no problem. Here again, Manfrotto stuff are pretty robust, so that it practically last a lifetime, or much longer than you can expect, so better to spend a little bit more. In fact, I wanted to get a bigger ballhead, but it is not the cost, it is the excessive weight that is the overriding and determining factor.
For head, recommend the Manfrotto 486RC2 which is big enough for the camera and biggest lens around without tripod collar, which tends to sag downwards due to the unbalanced weight in front. For those with tripod collar, most of the time, the lens+camera is already more or less balanced, so no problem. Here again, Manfrotto stuff are pretty robust, so that it practically last a lifetime, or much longer than you can expect, so better to spend a little bit more. In fact, I wanted to get a bigger ballhead, but it is not the cost, it is the excessive weight that is the overriding and determining factor.
Logan said:
I use this with a markins m10. It's a great tripod if you are doing closeup macro work. It's infinitely flexible, and can go into all sorts of positions imaginable. It's solid and comes to a nice height (for me at 170). The leglocks might take some getting used to, but once you get the hang of it, setting up is very fast. It a bit hefty though, and I'm not sure it would make a good travelling tripod but I carry this with a Optech strap, so the weight isn't too bad.
calvin3983
New Member
Slik 330DX can liao ....about $115
Logan said:thanks justarius....that sorta clears my head.... I am getting a tripod mainly for macro shots, and am thinking of either the Gitzo 2220 or the Manfrotto 190PROB... guess its decision time soon...
I too was debating between the 190prob and the gitzo explorer. I wasn't sure how fast can you set the horizontal column on the 190pro, and how steady it would be or how useful. The gitzo's central column can take any position (not just horizontal) and it's rock steady as long as you extend the column over one of the tripod legs. The 190 is a little bit shorter and lighter though.
However, the decision was taken up of my hands when I came across a second hand g2220 on ebay for about the price of a new 190prob..
calvin3983
New Member
betazone said:
I use it on my old nikon F4S and 80 -200mm F2.8..vey good. Is a light tripod that support heay weight SLR with lens. Easy to travel with it .10/10.
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