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Archive 2013 · Need Tripod / Monopod / Head Advice

  
 
WorldBuilder
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Need Tripod / Monopod / Head Advice


Hi all,

I have an old Canon 5D with the battery grip and only two remaining lenses: a 28-135mm Canon and an 80-400mm Sigma.

Recently, my employer asked me to shoot some photographs that will require long exposures so I know I need a tripod (of which I have never owned anything better than a 50 year-old beast inherited from Granddad). So I'm by no means an expert...

I'd like a good, solid tripod that doesn't break the bank. And I'm not really sure what I would need as a "complete" solution.

This looks good. Little short, but OK. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/753992-REG/Manfrotto_190CXPRO4_M0Q2B_Kit_with_190CXPRO4_Tripod.html

This one, perhaps? Little heavier, but it's taller and $200 less... http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1004346-REG/manfrotto_055xprob_322k_055xpro_black_tripod_with.html

And are these things going to fit my 5D? Is there anything else I would need?

And a monopod. Been thinking about one because I use the Sigma to shoot my daughter's gymnastics and it gets damn heavy after a while. I don't think I need anything fancy here. This?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/861043-REG/Oben_ACM_2400_4_Section_Aluminum_Monopod.html

I notice that B&H seems to include this with Mark III's in kits so it must be decent, eh?

Help would be appreciated! Thanks!

Chris



Oct 21, 2013 at 09:36 AM
sjms
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Need Tripod / Monopod / Head Advice


I notice that B&H seems to include this with Mark III's in kits so it must be decent, eh?

no, actually because they bought it at a deal and its great looking kit filler.



Oct 21, 2013 at 10:18 AM
OBXGuide
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Need Tripod / Monopod / Head Advice


Ditto on the Oben monopod. I would get something a little better. As far as the Manfrotto tripods they make good quality stuff at a good price point. Either would serve you well. However, I would not get the "kit" deal of tripod with head. I don't care for quick grip ballheads or the style of clamp and plate on the 190CXPRO4 kit you selected. Those are a royal pain to deal with. I would recommend looking at the same tripods, but without the kit heads. You would be better served getting a separate ballhead and clamp/plate combo. For a mere $100 you can get the Vanguard SBH-300 which has a very safe and easy to use clamp/plate combo. I have a review on it here- http://www.carolinawildphoto.com/Vanguard-Acratech.htm I use this ballhead with a 5DmkII or 7D with up to 300mm f/4 and am quite happy with it. You can get an extra QS-45 plate (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/811164-REG/Vanguard_QS_45_QS_45_Quick_Release_Plate.html)for that Vanguard ballhead for $18 to use on your long lens too.

The 190 tripod with the Vanguard ballhead would be $80 cheaper and serve you much better. You could invest that $80 into a better monopod, or a tilt head for your monopod. Likewise, the 055X Tripod with the Vanguard head would be $70 cheaper and serve you much better.

In fact, that $80 savings would actually buy you a better monopod like this Manfrotto monopod

I'm sure you'd be happier with something like these instead of the Oben and the tripod kits. Lots of other tripods out there, and carbon fiber models should be lighter to carry than the aluminum ones. Tripods without the center column will be more solid, but for non-Pro use, I don't think you'd be that critical with using a center column for additional height. I won't use them myself, but I shoot long mm heavy lenses requiring more stability.

Hope this helps.



Oct 21, 2013 at 11:22 AM
sjms
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Need Tripod / Monopod / Head Advice


when you get to this small a device the difference in weight is rather minimal between CF and aluminum alloy. what maybe 10-20% is just a few ounces.

my preferred stick is the feisol CM1471rapid.



Oct 21, 2013 at 02:54 PM
WorldBuilder
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Need Tripod / Monopod / Head Advice


Thanks, OBX! Great info. I appreciate the info, everyone.

Chris



Oct 21, 2013 at 06:14 PM
OBXGuide
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Need Tripod / Monopod / Head Advice


sjms wrote:
when you get to this small a device the difference in weight is rather minimal between CF and aluminum alloy. what maybe 10-20% is just a few ounces.

my preferred stick is the feisol CM1471rapid.


Good advice. That Feisol looks like a nice compact monopod.



Oct 21, 2013 at 07:17 PM
dgdg
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Need Tripod / Monopod / Head Advice


have you read tom hogans tripod article?
http://www.bythom.com/support.htm
It seems many like the read and agree. Make sure this a the tripod you'll keep for a while.



Oct 21, 2013 at 09:23 PM
craig_k
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Need Tripod / Monopod / Head Advice


a nice monopod head is the sirui L-10
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/892554-REG/Sirui_bsrl10_L_Series_Monopod_Tilt.html
I followed this setup w\sirui L10 head and a benro pc clamp I got here for a friend of mine......... .http://enthusiastphotographer.com/2012/07/22/sunwayfoto-ddh-02-and-dt-01-review/
I have the rrs mh-02 and this above described set up backdoors the rrs device for a lot less...too bad sirui discontinued the 424 monopod rated 55# for about 100 used, I got it for the clamp setup..rivals my complete rrs setup for the price of my rrs head alone

the feisol monopod suggested above and the sirui L-10 w\discal clamp will fix you for good as far as I know http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/848842-REG/FEISOL_CM_1471_CM_1471_Rapid_Monopod.html

I prefer any 3 (preferably) or 4 section monopod as the section with ground contact will have the thickest possible diameter for solid support, over any 5-6 section option, if the section against the ground has about the diameter of a pencil, where's the support in that? and twist knobs never pinch your fingers like tab closures is another thing I learned along the way
anyway, good luck sir



Oct 21, 2013 at 11:09 PM
sjms
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Need Tripod / Monopod / Head Advice


OBXGuide wrote:
Good advice. That Feisol looks like a nice compact monopod.


oh there are more compact models but they are generally more money and add to the complexity
by being as much as 6 or so sections



Oct 22, 2013 at 06:17 AM
WorldBuilder
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Need Tripod / Monopod / Head Advice


OBX,

I think I will go with your suggestion of the 055X tripod and Vanguard Ballhead. Seems as though it includes the QS-45 as well. Also gonna pick up the monopod you referenced.

Will this ballhead/plate work on the monpod as well? Never owned a monopod in my life...

And will this tripod/head/shoe combo include everything necessary to post the 5D beasty on it? I've never owned a system this complex (for me, not you guys) before and wanna make sure I get what is needed. My old tripod, I actually had to screw (and unscrew) the camera to the tripod each time...



Oct 23, 2013 at 10:39 AM
OBXGuide
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Need Tripod / Monopod / Head Advice


The ballhead does include one QS-45 plate. If you want to put a plate on the bottom of the 5D for use with the small lens, AND have an extra plate to put on the big zoom (I presume it has a tripod mounting ring) then you'll want a extra plate. Or you could just swap out the plate from the body to the zoom according to which you're using at the time. If that lens is heavy enough, you don't want to use it with the plate on the 5D clamped to the head. It would be too much front heavy and always be trying to droop. Small lenses are okay like that, but a heavy big zoom should be balanced using the plate on the lens tripod ring and sliding the plate back and forth in the clamp to find the balance point.

Also with one ballhead and using on the tripod and monopod, it would mean unscrewing the ballhead from the tripod and screwing it onto the monopod when using it. For me that's a time hassle, but if you're not doing a lot of shooting, and don't plan to swap between the tripod and monopod during a particular event, then the time spent unscrewing and screwing on the ballhead may be less of a problem than spending money for a second head for just the monopod.

As a rule, I don't recommend using a ballhead on a monopod..... BUT, so long as you use the ballhead laid over into the side slot when on the monopod, then it will act like a "gimbel" head. It won't be as likely to "flop" if you don't have the ball tension set right. See this photo if you're not familiar with what I mean "In the side slot" - http://www.carolinawildphoto.com/images/ballheads/Acratech-Vanguard_90degreeComparison.jpg .

Essentially the tripod, monopod and one ballhead with the included clamp and QS-45 plate will be all you need. Having a second plate would be handy (only $18) and having a second head of some sort on the monopod would save you having to swap the ballhead back and forth. But you can certainly manage without the second plate and head. I guess mainly it's just a matter of budget.

I hope this answers everything. Best of luck with your new toys.



Oct 23, 2013 at 11:44 AM
OBXGuide
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Need Tripod / Monopod / Head Advice


Here's a photo showing a lens with mounting ring on the ballhead. This is what I'm talking about. Note the camera also has a plate on the bottom of it for use when using a lens that has no mounting ring. You can see here that the body weight helps counterbalance the lens weight so it's more stable.
http://www.carolinawildphoto.com/images/ballheads/Vanguard-with7D-300mm.jpg

But I would really use it in the side slot like this. It would be infinitley better and safer than like the upper photo.

http://www.carolinawildphoto.com/images/ballheads/ClampKnobClearsPan-and-tripod.jpg


Hope that helps.



Oct 23, 2013 at 11:53 AM
nma
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Need Tripod / Monopod / Head Advice


I think you should reconsider the OX55 legs. First, their minimum folded height is ~ 26;" They will not fit in a standard roll-on suitcase for air travel. 2nd it weighs more than 5 lb; third the center column is likely to be a negative for really steady shooting. You should consider the Feisol 3442, an excellent lightweight tripod leg set. It is somewhat more expensive, but worth it. Also, mounting plates seem like a trivial items but the wrong one will be a critical point of instability. Kirk and RRS make plates that are custom designed for popular brands of dSLRs. If you get one that merely screws on, the camera mounted to the plate tends to rotate around the screw when tilted.


Oct 23, 2013 at 12:45 PM





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