Tripod..

[ExplorerZ]

HIee Pals...

The Slik 330dx range and the 190B Manfrot is of the came class. Build is about the same. How ever, there was once i tired out my 300DX(same joint type as the DX Slik series) vs the 190B in the Markins Ballhead facility in Korea and it was proven by the wind test(side vibration)....by the way the wind test uses teh normal home fan.... that the Slik version performed better then the manfrotto. They both performed on par for fast shutter ra..tat...tat..tat..tat type of shoot . Both can damp vertical vibration well.

My advice...get the best that you can afford.
The problem is many of us get the tripod as th elast item in the shoppin glist and after you got all the Cam,flash and lens.....youe end up only have a small budget for tripod.
Its best to get a good tripod right after you get the body and 1st lens....then you can see how a one-thought lousy lens csn give you really sharp outputs...heheh

Here is my past experience:
Slik 300DX Able series ---> Velbon 530 Series(current)
Markins M10 Ballhead-----> Benro KB-1 (Current)

A downgrade for the ball head as you can see as i do not use large load lens any more(400mm f4.5+1.4xTC). The Benro KB-1 really does its job and I personally find it smoother to operate as the
tension control is a separate knob. Its a breeze using with my D7D+@00mmF4Macro+Flash+Cable+Bracket.
Surprisingly better feel and easier tension control versus the Markins.

If you use a Heavier load (300mmf2.8,400mm f4/4.5,600mm etc) then Markins is the way to go.

haha i tried to tap on my frend 190prob and my 330dx (mabe 300dx have thicker leg :dunno: ), 190 is slightly more steady but not by much. guess its becos of manfrotto heavier and thicker leg.

personally i would recommand 330dx + manfrotto 486 ballhead. gd enuff for load up to 4kg iirc (both will cost you about <$250, very value for $$). any heavier it would be advised to get a carbon fibre and better ballhead of cos at higher cost

 

[tankm]

Good advise from everyone here....save $$$ to buy once and for all the best tripod and tripod head you need. No point keep changing tripod and tripod head cause in the long run you actually spent more.

If you need sturdy and light, carbon is the best option. Another advantage of carbon is it's ability to dampen vibration better than aluminium. Similarly buy a tripod head that meets your need now and future need.

Agetan metioned Manfrotto 468RC2, it's a good ballhead weight 1kg and rated for 10kg. For lighter ball head with similar load rating, but cost more it's worth looking at 468MGRC2. It weights 0.65 kg and rated for 10.00 kg.

 

[GENO]

slik U9000 is good, been using it for 4 years. then change to the smaller slik sprint pro( does not look strong enough)...just got another strong one few days ago

 

[Agetan]

Good advise from everyone here....save $$$ to buy once and for all the best tripod and tripod head you need. No point keep changing tripod and tripod head cause in the long run you actually spent more.

If you need sturdy and light, carbon is the best option. Another advantage of carbon is it's ability to dampen vibration better than aluminium. Similarly buy a tripod head that meets your need now and future need.

Agetan metioned Manfrotto 468RC2, it's a good ballhead weight 1kg and rated for 10kg. For lighter ball head with similar load rating, but cost more it's worth looking at 468MGRC2. It weights 0.65 kg and rated for 10.00 kg.

Yes, I did mentioned about 468RC2 but it is not as good as Markin M10 or M20... M20 is about 0.65kg and can hold 45kg (or 55kg??).

I sold my 468RC2 because it is not quite precise as Markins...

Hart

 

[Trigger Happy]

i use both an old minolta mx900 (aluminium, came with my old 505si) and manfrotto 055. the minolta's used if i have lots of walking to do, and the manfrotto only to shoot birds in nature, where the ground may be softer and less stable... but the manfrotto is really heavy! not recommended for treks...

 

[funhur]

how much is it??

hi that was quite some time back, in 2003 ! cant remember how much liao, bought it at MS CP. tripod is still with me though :thumbsup: