Tripod advice
 

Hi Gals and guys,
After nearly 15years of abuse my Manfrotto ali Tripod broke (yes right in the middle of a shot and shoot. :(:funmeterno:). So now i need a new one.. but have not kept on top of the "advancements". It used to be heavy was good. Now every one is talking light weight, Carbon fibre even. My shooting is predominantly feild based wildlife and travel. So the idea of light sounds great to my back, but will this be steady enough for a pro-dslr and big lens? I hate hanging the bag off the centre column as I have found that in the field this can cause swing. I would like to stay with Bogen/Manfrotto so that all the bits and bobs that i have are still useable.

Right now the one that seems to keep coming up on top is the Manfrotto 190CXPro3 (or 4). Any one with experience of this pod? Any good? Is light any good?
Help!
Cheers
Xander

Yes, carbon fibre is the way to go if you're a pro and experienced tripod shooter looking for a lightweight and compact size per performance. Testing them in the shop I found aluminium and magnesium much less dampens the vibration as the carbon fibre versions of the tripods do.

I looked into Gitzo and Manfrotto carbon fibre line too, but the clip-tensions seem to be fragile for a robust adventure-travel use, they can break, clothes can stuck on it etc. I prefer "screw" type of tensioners that can take beating on the long term.

My wallet wasn't exaxly deep, while I needed a tripod for medium-format equipment (has to carry at least 4kg, stable!), so after a long search I landed on Velbon Sherpa Pro CF-640. 640 is a 4-section version of it, meaning the tripod is shorter than the 3-section version (630) - so it sits on or under the pannier lenght wise or even fits into my bike's pannier OK.

On all tripods a good head is another issue. With my heavy equipment most of the heads aren't suited and "liqufy" under huge stress, and those that are suited cost awful lot of money. I'm using tripod for very wide and creative use so I ended up with a ball-head, Gitzo G1177M magnesium head which is (was) simply superb till I got 400mm f4 lens (2.6kg) so together with my camera it's around 4kg and the head is not up for it - I got to get a better (=more expensive) head for longer tele shots...

IMO the best way to test your individual requirements is in a BIG photogear shop having dozens of tripods to touch and test yourself - try how compact they are, how light, fully extend them and shake them etc with your hands, put your camera onto it with the heavyest lens try all again etc. And you'll IMMEDIATLY distinguish between a bad tripod and a good tripod. And another trend you'll see is the price that is precisely equal to the stability and build quality of the tripod - so you must find your own budget vs "what you'll get" balance :) The same goes for tripod heads.

Happy testing, Margus

I have Manfrotto Carbon One 440 and satisfied with.

It has a not nice center column which the holders around comes out.

Can have a look.

I know Gitzo Carbon (I guess mountaineer model has carbon too) worth to look at..

Flashpoint Carbon Fiber
 

Adorama is selling a carbon fiber tripod that is actually affordable. It is made by Flashpoint and sells for roughly $200US + head. I amd going to get one in a few months and will report back!

I looked in to carbon fiber tripods and for light and strong Gitzo are the way to go but the price put me off. I have a old Bogen (Manfrotto) in Al. from my film shooting days and went with it. I cant see spend that much unless your going ultra light and packing it with you for miles. I know im gust too dam cheap and one day will regret it draging that thing up some mounten but till then I will save my penies till go mad and try shooting 4x5 on trips and try sraping a wood tripod down.

Mmmmm large format huge negitive goodness. Now if can find a labs on the way I will all good.

gitzo 0530
 

I've been using a gitzo 0530 carbon fiber tripod with a q-ball mini head, and I think its ideal. Easily carries a Canon 5D+70-200mm 2.8IS lens, and can probably put a few additional kilos onto it without needing to bag support it. very light and compact. It is a pricey set up, but well worth it in my mind.

for extra weight, you can up to the 0540 or the 1530.
gluck!

Do you really need one?

Digital Killed My Tripod

These days I just carry my gorilla pod for the odd self portrait and leave the big 'un at home.

I use a benbo MK1[ its the one that looks like a squid and the largest] weighs a ton but very secure and once you get the hang of it u can get into amazing positions great for macro. Wouldnt recommend it for travelling.
I also use a cheapo one which was under 20 quid which if your travelling you could always dump it if its not in use unlike the 100 quid expensive ones. Think its an old velbon model but holds my 5d plus 100-400m without too much probs and doesnt weigh too much.
If your travelling on a bike what it folds down too is probably more important than weight.
Other things to consider are
- monopods[ tried a jesops one again for around 20 quid] they are pretty handy but not for taking pictures of yourself and also fold down really small. Although you do get ones with a mini tripod at the bottom which may hold a short lens+ camera or a compact with the help of some weight on the little feet.
you get shoulder braces as well which fit on your shoulder like the rigs for movie cameras.

and theres always the bit of string one end on your foot the other on your camera and keep tension trick[ Dont use elastic it will ping up and hit your face, and remember to take it off your foot before walking off]
-

Tip: Let the strap out a little more, until the bag nicely drags on the ground and can't swing - but holds the tripod with most of it's weight. My strap is quickly set to the right length by slipping the adjuster to a pre-positioned buckle. Easy, and works well.

I do that as a matter of course.. but as I am mainly a wildlife shooter and the conditions have way to often been in windy conditions (e.g. Antarctica) the bag then acts like sail and you end up having 2/3+ of the bag on the ground and this just don't work as a counter weight. :helpsmilie:

So do I. Since I got my Gorilla I have hardly touched my Manfrotto. I have the larger Gorilla capable of steadying my Nikon D200/300's with battery pack and pretty sizeable lenses. I use VR though. Only too happy to have no need of carrying the large tripod anymore.

Maybe a lighter tripod isn't the answer.

Suspect you're thinking that already.

I notice Lidl have one at the moment for under £7!! That's disposable, almost.

Lidl Online

Hence the origional posting.:thumbup1:..my manfrotto was a pig! But all the new reviews talk about Carbon Fibre... I am out of date and know it....

A friend of mine's got one. I'm gonna ask if I can 'borrow' it next time I see her, just out of curiosity. I do like the idea of them, but they'll have to be bloody amazing for the price they're asking. I reckon most reviews get done in an office.

I Googled a link to possible spare parts(?)MANFROTTO PHOTO

Good luck with it all.