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Post by mick on Apr 6, 2023 8:48:28 GMT
My tripod has died (maybe! - repair attempts are ongoing). If I need a new one what would you recommend?
Here are the 'must haves'.
1. Centre column removable with horizontal reinstallation. 2. Legs 'splay' so that tripod sits on the ground and gets the camera as close to ground level as possible.
3. Obviously strong and sturdy. Must be able to properly support a 'proper' SLR with a 200-500 (heavy) lens fitted.
4. Strong leg locks that are easily operated.
5. Preferably shouldn't break the bank.
There are probably other things that I've temporarily forgotten.
Any advice please?
Mick
PS I reckon that more than 90% of my pics are with a tripod so it's a very important bit of kit for me.
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Post by squeamishossifrage on Apr 6, 2023 9:08:22 GMT
Key question - does the 200-500mm have a tripod mount collar? I have a Manfrotto MT190CXPRO4 for my full-frame Sonys with grip, and it has coped perfectly adequately up to 500mm, but not so well if mounting the camera to the tripod, not the lens, at that focal length. It meets all your other requirements, except I have replaced the standard column with a levelling column, which I find far more useful than the possibility of going horizontal.
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Post by mick on Apr 6, 2023 9:14:47 GMT
Yes the lens has a tripod collar.
Mick
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Post by squeamishossifrage on Apr 6, 2023 10:45:26 GMT
Phew - I just noticed that zou moved this down here! I started to reply when the thread was in the lounge, but when I posted, I found myself down here. It was as bad as waking up in some ladies bed with no clear recollection of how you got there!  |
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Post by squeamishossifrage on Apr 6, 2023 10:50:14 GMT
Yes the lens has a tripod collar. Mick So the Manfrotto MT190CXPRO4 would definitely do the job, if you can find one at the right price. Mine is about twelve years old and shows not sign of wear despite extensive use - I am a supportaholic, and just about everything I take is either via tripod or monopod. |
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Post by zou on Apr 6, 2023 11:33:06 GMT
Phew - I just noticed that zou moved this down here! I started to reply when the thread was in the lounge, but when I posted, I found myself down here. It was as bad as waking up in some ladies bed with no clear recollection of how you got there! You rotter, doing my best not to link that with 3rd leg image.  |
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Post by peterob on Apr 6, 2023 15:30:19 GMT
My tripod has died (maybe! - repair attempts are ongoing). If I need a new one what would you recommend?
Here are the 'must haves'.
1. Centre column removable with horizontal reinstallation. 2. Legs 'splay' so that tripod sits on the ground and gets the camera as close to ground level as possible.
3. Obviously strong and sturdy. Must be able to properly support a 'proper' SLR with a 200-500 (heavy) lens fitted.
4. Strong leg locks that are easily operated.
5. Preferably shouldn't break the bank.
There are probably other things that I've temporarily forgotten.
Any advice please?
Mick
PS I reckon that more than 90% of my pics are with a tripod so it's a very important bit of kit for me.
You use one more than me so my offering advice feels a bit lame. For a big telephoto lens with mount I'd look at a gimbal head rather than anything else. The lens "hangs" from the pivot and is very stable as well as manoeuvrable. I use the cheapest Manfrotto head. It was advertised as a monopod head [in someone's dreams] and is extremely solid and heavy. When I bought it the only alternative was Wimberly (very expensive). For the legs - fewer sections = more stable and it is important to be able to reach and do/undo the furthest bottom section which will always have been forgotten when you are setting/packing up in a howling gale and horizontal wind. I never really got on with the fastenings on my Manfrotto 055 (probably 40 years old) and prefer the twist fastenings on my Velbon Sherpa pro legs (probably 20 years old). |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2023 20:54:55 GMT
Try a Gitzo, used or new when they sell off end of range models. I have one which I do not use that often but when I do it just works. Not sure about the centre column, I don’t use one.
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Post by mick on Apr 7, 2023 7:41:41 GMT
Update!!
The problem was with the knurled 'thing' at the top of the leg which, when pushed, allows the leg to splay. One of them was completely locked. In desperation, and apparently with nothing to lose, I unleashed my ultimate engineering skill and delivered a few blows with my 'persuader'! Oh joy it now works. How long for I don't know but it allowed a trip. See the dreams thread.
Mick
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