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i'm looking to get a tripod and head and know nothing about whats available (i.e. models numbers). i'm interested in the ones where the centre column can be inverted or repositioned horizontally. also needs to be able to support the weight of 1d with 2.8L lenses and a bronica MF system. any advice on legs and head would be greatly appreciated. tia

Jerry,
where are you looking at using the pod? Field, studio or both?

This will help us figure out a suggestion as to what might be a good choice (weight, portability, stability)

D.

Try Manfrotto here

and here


heads can be found here

I'd also suggest you use the Search facility here as there has been lots of discussion on this. Use words like Benro and Manfrotto and Gitzo for tripods and throw in RRS and Acratech and Markins and Arca Swiss for heads and you'll be on your way

will be using this both out in the field and in the studio. sturdiness and ease of use would be more important than weight.

i'm thinking maybe the 190prob,055prob or the 055 mf3. i've never heard of benro and had a quick look on their website. what are their equivalents to the manfrottos i previously mentioned? couldn't really find any where the centre columns could be mounted horizontally.

can a benro head be mounted on manfrotto legs?

Jerry, Benro is a chinese copy of Gitzo. Yes, Benro heads can be mounted on Manfrotto legs. Most heads have a 3/8 inch female thread and can be mounted on most legs which have a 3/8 male thread

the Manfrotto 055PRO B will probably suit your needs. A few members here have them, and seem pleased. I've got one and love it (with a manfrotto 322RC2 head). You may want a different head though (the Benro ball heads will work fine) as the 222/322 isn't to everyone's taste.

Teds usually keep stock on hand of the 055PRO and it's usually around $280 or so. Vanbar.com.au have it for around $290 shipped.

Killakoala (Steve) has a decent review here: http://www.dslrusers.net/viewtopic.php?t=1761

It aint as flash as the Gitzo's, but then again it doesn't cost as nearly much.

As for simplicity and sturdyness - the 055 is great value for money. Simple but tough leg clamps, can get very close to the ground, decent sturdyness for the weight.

If you're after outright sturdyness, look at something like the 058 PRO. It's definitely heavy for field use though. If you're doing a lot of nature work, the extra features of the 055NAT might be handy.

If you're after Carbon Fibre, the Benro C227/327 will compare favourably price wise against the Manfrotto Magfibre range.

Cenre Columns mounted horizontally - the PRO designation on the Manfrotto range denotes this feature - available in the 190/055 and Magfibre range.

Other thing I like - if something goes wrong / need a spare part (they are tough, but) it's easy to get stock in at most camera stores anywhere.

Useful link: http://ilikecameras.com/equipment/going-steady/

Good luck!

Daniel - Thanks for those great words. I am about to upgrade my S*** tripod, and am looking at the 055ProB, with a 488RC2 head. You have just confirmed my decision on the tripod.

*S*** = Slik

If you're looking at a new pod once back in CBR, let me know. I can drop round with the 055 for a test run to see if that Canon looks as good

Daniel,

I am hoping to purchase it either on eBay, or in person at Vanbar in Sydney (Is that possible?) the week before O-week. - Do you have any complaints about the legs? Any reason I shouldn't buy em? BTW - you mightn't want to see my Canon on ure tripod anyway, might convince you to buy one.

Thanks
Tristan

only one complaint that is so trivial that it's not worth whining about, and is easily solved:

When you have the centre support in horizontal mode, and the horizontal clamp rotated into a particular position, you cannot easily unlock/lock the wingnut that controls the 360 degree rotation friction of the horizontal clamp. You'll see what I mean if you get one

Solution: don't rotate the horizontal centre support so that the horizontal bar is directly over the wingnut. Duh!.

Other than that: none.

Canon... come now, I already have one of those

How do you find the portability of it? I realise it is a heavy set of legs, but is it a major problem? (In your opinion?)

Tristan

I actually purchased mine because of the weight. It's strong enough to support the head, D70, 80-400VR & SB-800 without worrying about total collapse.

It's also heavy enough not to get blown around when windy, but not a back breaker either. I'm fine with it. I think I'd just get frustrated with anything lighter duty. For the ultra-light travel stuff, I still have a 718B (not safe for use with the 80-400 though )

OK - valid point.

I am hoping to get down to Brisbane in the next couple weeks to "play"
with the gear, and then will hopefully purchase on eBay.

Thanks
Tristan

OK so I am also in the position of looking to retire my old tripod, particularly for something more stable.

Weight is an issue for me as we do a lot of bushwalking.

Here is a shot of my old tripod. The things I like most about it are -
Panning / tilt handle
Quick release mount that stays on the camera even in the bag
Light weight (but this one is too flimsy)
Something else that would be important to me would be the ability to get a second camera mount for the other body.
It seems the most cost effective solution is the Benro C227, and possibly the KB-2 mount. I still have to read up on the mount re weight, and I cannot see anywhere whether it has the panning / tilt handle like my old one.
Perhaps the C228 would be an option too. Does the 4 section legs weaken / destabilize it at all? I like it because it's fold up length is less - easier to put on the side of the pack and in the givi box on the back of the bike.

Would anyone have advice regarding what they think would suit my needs? Particularly what head should I be looking at?

In Tassie and no chance to play / see any of this stuff until I spend...