chupacabra31 wrote:
I find myself doing more photography from a blind and also of sleeping owls. Usually the subjects are in low light so a tripod is a must. Right now I use a benro Leg C-228 + Induro SA-12. My camera is the 1dII. This combo that I have right now really sucks. It's not nearly tall enough for a 6' 4" man and it does not adjust easily. I am not real happy about the twist releases on the legs, there are 3 of them on each leg, kind of a pita to quickly get setup. The head is not nearly robust enough for this combo. I am on a real budget here though so the cheaper the better, hopefully without sacrificing quality but perhaps something a leap above what I have now. Thanks in advance for any kind of advice!...Show more →
guess it all depends on your definition of Budget. I have a Feisol Carbon tripod, which cost me about 500 EUR including quite a good ball head a couple years ago. I see in their homepage they have increased their product range quite a bit - which only speaks to their success as a company with their products.
J.D. and brucem48 I have a Vanguard SBH 300 on order from
Adorama and will post my impressions upon receipt. Not a whole
lotta noney and I hope it'll satisfy my limited needs. Thanks again
for the tip
Until recently I was using an old Velbon video tripod legset and fluid pan head. They worked wonderfully with my 100-400, and are even good enough with my 300/2.8IS (with TC's) to give pixel-sharp moon shots.
The leg set is a "Stratos 440" aluminum with a spreader to stabilize them. It's solid as a rock with a nice geared center column and excellent flip locks (I hate twist locks, too). It weighs about 5lbs, IIRC, and I've seen them for as little as $40 on eBay. I bought one recently, but unfortunately its pan head has lost enough clamping force that it's not usable for anything heavier than my 70-300. Consider used equipment a crap shoot.
I replaced them with a Velbon El Carmagne 530. It's a CF leg set with no spreader and weighs only 3lbs, but it's as stable as my old legs. It was about $300. I previously tried a Manfrotto 055MF3, but found it less stable with my 100-400.
You might consider the Velbon 630, as it's taller than the 530.
Beyond these relatively cheap legs you can add weight to add stability (check out video legs) or add cost to get something high-end and light yet stable. Gitzo is the mainstay here.
For heads, if you want to save as much money as possible it's tough to beat the stability versus cost ratio that pan heads give. I still use my 20-year-old Velbon PH-166 fluid pan head. It's about 1lbs, but handles my 300/2.8 with ease. Check out video heads, as there aren't a lot of good photo pan heads anymore now that ball heads are all the rage. One thing is for sure: a cheap pan head will be much more stable than a cheap ball head.
If you want a ball head, there are a lot of great heads out there that can handle the 100-400, but you'll end up spending $300 or more.
I remember a great article I saw on the internet (can't find it) which went along the lines of "You can either spend $1,000 or $1,500 on a good tripod. The way you spend $1,500 is first you buy a $500 dollar one..."
jaclarkaus wrote:
I remember a great article I saw on the internet (can't find it) which went along the lines of "You can either spend $1,000 or $1,500 on a good tripod. The way you spend $1,500 is first you buy a $500 dollar one..."
I remember this article too. However I must say that doesnt seem the case to hold true for the feisol ones. they are as good as any high priced carbon one, just no big brand and made in taiwan I think.
jaclarkaus wrote:
I remember a great article I saw on the internet (can't find it) which went along the lines of "You can either spend $1,000 or $1,500 on a good tripod. The way you spend $1,500 is first you buy a $500 dollar one..."
Again, what do I do about the once in a life time owl opportunities (while I am waiting to afford that $1000 tripod), just miss them?
My Vanguard SBH 300 arrived today and I've mounted it to my El Carmagne
540 Tripod replacing the very decent Pan & Tilt Head the Velbon came with. This Ballhead is a ROCK, certainly all I'll ever need and I'm EXTREMELY PLEASED with everything about it. There are greater ballheads out there without doubt but at $75 total this can't ever be a wrong move. It's so beefy and I'm thinking that the smaller SBH 200 might have been okay too but I'll stick with the bigger one. Locks and adjusts easily and smoothly and the QR plate is very wide, locks securely, has two bubble levels and an additional safety lock. WHAT A DEAL!!! Thanks guys for bringing this to my attention.
Lance Couture wrote:
I bought the Manfrotto 055XProB 'pod and 488RC4 head for around 500, and find it very good for the price.
Not great for backpacking though...
I also bought the 055X but went for a more $$ head. The legs are good and stable and pretty tall even without the centre column. Downside is weight but not bad.
chupacabra31 wrote:
Again, what do I do about the once in a life time owl opportunities (while I am waiting to afford that $1000 tripod), just miss them?
Well I ended up getting a Feisol CT-3471 CF Tripod! $319 direct from Feisol! I am totally impressed with this thing! It is VERY well built! It is leaps and bounds above what the benro is in construction and quality! Subtle differences are the solid twist section clips they open and close very smoothly unlike the benro that I consistently have to struggle with! It is very tall and perfect for my height without the need to extend the center column. The thing is just solid! Now for the ball head!
Another satisfied Vanguard Ballhead here! This thing is great for my needs. Very solid. It is very smooth in operation. Very happy! This will do nicely for now (who knows maybe forever). Thanks for the ideas chaps.
the vanguard sbh 300 also comes in a little smaller combo called a sbh200. i tried these at my local camera store in ohio. the ballheads are very smooth and sturdy. the legs have lever locks if you like them. very impressive for the money.. or just plain impressive.. called their home office in mich. for extra quick release plates.. very good customer service and a good and friendly response. the 300 is about $175 online.. tall tripod .. well worth more dollars.. i've been a manfrotto man always.. till now.
hextor wrote:
I remember this article too. However I must say that doesnt seem the case to hold true for the feisol ones. they are as good as any high priced carbon one, just no big brand and made in taiwan I think.
