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Still images make me happy!!

I've finally got enough for a great tripod, but nothing as expensive as some have suggested for a tripod. just a standard slightly more advanced one that will last and show reliability when needed.

I'm planning on getting the Manfrotto Tripod 190PRO, any experiences with this one, has a grip trigger release function also.



http://www.manfrottoshop.com.au

I had the 190CL - bought as an alternative to an entry level fixed head tripod (Manf. 724B/728B, etc), but now in BBJ's posession. Good stable set of legs, if mated to a nice head it should give you good service. At the time, I got a cheap head with it and it annoyed me to no end.

Twas a bit lacking in height for me too.

Onyx wrote:Twas a bit lacking in height for me too.

Stop wearing the stilletos and you'll be fine.

gstark wrote:

Onyx wrote:Twas a bit lacking in height for me too.

Stop wearing the stilletos and you'll be fine.

Yeah, that Hong Kong air seems to have improved his complexion (and gender)

Below-0, I've also got a 190CL. Quite sturdy, but also quite hefty, however a good tripod for the money.

johndec wrote:

gstark wrote:

Onyx wrote:Twas a bit lacking in height for me too.

Stop wearing the stilletos and you'll be fine.

Yeah, that Hong Kong air seems to have improved his complexion (and gender)

Below-0, I've also got a 190CL. Quite sturdy, but also quite hefty, however a good tripod for the money.

And can use one of its leg as a walking stick

The 190 pro is the model that I have although there are several versions. I match it with the 322rc2 head which is fabulous. Love the whole setup.

I also have the 190pro and have teamed it with a #222 pistol-grip ball head. When the need arises, I'll swap this out for my pano head based on a #300N.

Alistair

I have the 190D matched with the 488RC4, whilst no match for Birdys carbon fibre beasts I find the price and quality is great for my needs right now.
The weight of the legs can be a back breaker even on small trips, you'll be surprised how much extra your carrying on top of your own camera gear.

thnks for your suggestions and good experiences! -- 2 heads are better than 1 --

I had a good physical look at the tripod the other day in the city. It's quite a good quality build and fairly heavy, suites me because it will help against camera shake during wind etc.

The pistol head grip is very interesting, do you think it holds the camera very firmly at any angle? because sometimes the shutter speed on a week base can give a bit of shake on a stressed camera angle (eg; pointing down on a 45' side). Also I like to take precise angular shots eg; architecture. doesn't look like anybodies interested in the 3-way heads ??

#3030


Grip Action Ball Head w/ Quick Release 3265

Being a Manfrotto man meslef, i'd agree that Manfrotto makes great tripods. The upper-pro level tripods are best, but you'd expect that. The cheaper ones are crap, but you'd expect that too, but still better than anything SLIK can make. I had a SLIK but my D70 broke it.

I would recommend a ball-head though, rather than the three-way thingy.

Have you checked out a Benbo?
I have a Benbo trekker with ball head.
I find it EXCELLENT - normal tripods are great for level ground, the Benbo can be used in just about any location - great if you are hanging off a mountain or setting up in a rocky creek bed....
I'm sure they make bigger versions, I have carried the trekker all over the world and love it.

Cheers
Gecko

Check out the 322 head it is also a trigger type grip but better than the one above.

gecko wrote:Have you checked out a Benbo?
I have a Benbo trekker with ball head.
I find it EXCELLENT - normal tripods are great for level ground, the Benbo can be used in just about any location - great if you are hanging off a mountain or setting up in a rocky creek bed....
I'm sure they make bigger versions, I have carried the trekker all over the world and love it.

Cheers
Gecko

can u buy benbo in AU, i wanna check the benbo out!

EDIT..Vanbar in melb have them, type 1 & 2

Hi Genji,

I first purchased a Velbon Sherpa tripod and I was very disappointed with it. There was far too much movement in the platform plate which in turn created images with the dreaded effects of camera shake. I then upgraded to a Manfrotto 055CLB tripod with a 141RC head and I am exceptionally happy with it and would recommend it to anyone.

Here are the links:

Tripod:
http://www.manfrotto.com/product/templa ... itemid=811

Head:
http://www.manfrotto.com/product/templa ... itemid=273

Good luck.

Cheers,

Mick.

There seems to be quite a strong Manfrotto theme here! I will stir the pot a bit and again recommend Benbo...

I have had a Benbo Trekker tripod for a couple of years now. Most of my photography is landscapes - I am a keen bushwalker etc I have only just got a D70 and am on a very steep learning curve with it.

Anyway, the Benbo is great. Other tripods are OK if you want to shoot on level ground in a conventional position (standing with the camera between waist and eye height for example). The Benbo design is MUCH more flexible. The camera can be positioned upside down between the legs (which can independedtly swing through a very wide angle), or counterbalanced off to one side.


I did a quick google search and found a review on this site, which I pretty much agree with. There are a couple of photos of the tripod in action to give you an idea of its versitility.

http://burren.cx/photo/trekker.html

This site also has some info and images

http://www.patersonphotographic.com/tripods/benbo.html

I got mine at Photocontinental in Brisbane. Not sure who is stocking them now. I have trashed mine all over the place - it often gets strapped to the back of my mountaineering pack with ice-axes and all sorts of nasty sharp things and it is still going like a trooper.

Hope this helps

Cheers
Gecko

gecko wrote:Other tripods are OK if you want to shoot on level ground in a conventional position (standing with the camera between waist and eye height for example). The Benbo design is MUCH more flexible. The camera can be positioned upside down between the legs (which can independedtly swing through a very wide angle), or counterbalanced off to one side.

As can even the "lowly" Manfrotto 190.

So please explain, precisely, how the Benbo is MUCH more flexible?

I'm just asking, but have you actually had a play with a 190? What about other Manfrotti?

What about Gitzos? How many have you had a chance to test for yourself?

I'm not knocking Benbos, as I have no experience with them, but you have not only yet to point out any advantages that they possess when compared with the others, with all due respect, you're sound as though you've never even had a serious play with any of the other brands that you're comparing them with.

Hello
OK humble pie time...

I've been out of the photographic gear loop for a while and have not played with these other brands recently, though I do have a very old Manfrotto kicking around somewhere...

I have just had a very very quick look on the internet... Can the current Manfrotto/Gitzos etc have their legs independently rotated into any direction? This unrestricted movement very useful for setting up in really rough terrain.

Each leg can be independently positioned, made possible by the tripods unique, highly flexible main joint, which enables each leg to swing through a complete 360 degrees. The centre column can also be swung through 360 degrees, producing a combination that allows the camera to be positioned at almost any point.

Whether used in the standard configuration with a vertical centre column, down at ground level with legs splayed out, or with one of the legs pointing upward finding support from a tree or wall, Benbo tripods can always be relied upon to give complete stability.

I honestly thought Benbo was the only tripod that would do this....

This comes from http://www.patersonphotographic.com/tripods/benbo.html

Manfrotto or Gitzo owners might be able to set me straight on this!
I still think the Benbo is a great design ...

Gecko

gecko wrote:I have just had a very very quick look on the internet... Can the current Manfrotto/Gitzos etc have their legs independently rotated into any direction? This unrestricted movement very useful for setting up in really rough terrain.

I'm not sure what you mean by "rotated" here, and the reference you've given is unclear - by full 360 degrees, are they saying through the vertical axis, meaning that you can have the legs positioned above the head, or are they saying through a horizontal axis, meaning that you could possible have all three legs adjacent to one another?

Certainly, you can set up the legs at various angles (to a vertical axis) independant of and unrelated to the angles that the other legs may be set to, but in the 190 that's limited to about 85 degrees (almost horizontal legs) IIRC.

But this is hardly a new feature; 20 years ago I had an old Manfrotto that did this as well ...


If you mean can the legs be set to angles other than 120 to one another, then no, not the 190 (I can't talk about other models of Manfrotti 'cos I've simply not looked that closely) but given the flexibility that you have in the other adjustments, I'm not sure that, for most people's requirements, I'd see that as a disadvantage.

I do accept that that might be an advantage under some special circumstances though, although (a) I can't see what it might be beyond what the Mannies already offer, and (b) I therefore can't really see myself needing quite that facility.

Yes the Benbo's legs can be rotated/positioned so that one or more is above the head or at any angle completely independent of the others. It is hard to describe - it has a nifty joint/hub at the centre that allows all of this movement to occur and then be locked in place. It is a very flexible beast, and is really nothing like a traditional tripod (other than it has three legs and a thread for a camera). I take your point that this flexibility feature may not be really important for most people, but it has got me out of trouble when setting up in restricted positions (think tiny little ledge on side of very big mountain).

In no way am I setting out to offend any one here, we all choose the gear that suits the need/desire/budget. I have absolutely nothing against Manfrotto's or any other brand or style at all. I am offering a different perspective and drawing attention to what I thought was an unusual and useful product....

I think I've had my two bobs worth on this topic. I hope that all of this has been read with good spirits

Gecko

Or you could always buy a good Gitzo or Manfrotto AS WELL as the Benbo, for when you need the freaky legs stuff

You can never have too many tripods.

Killakoala wrote:You can never have too many tripods.

Try telling my missus that..

I've seen some 'Benro' tripods for $50 at the imitation markets here - I wonder how good of a job they do.

Just for sake of clarity, I too have seen the Benbo tripod recommended by many outdoor photographers, Heather Angel being one, often in older books. It looks like they were first with this design. I know Gitzo has a similar one, the Explorer, I considered it when I bought my Gitzo. I assume Manfrotto has one too. The Gitzo site is http://www.Gitzo.com , look for explorer. I chose a std Gitzo for quicker set up.

Here is a photo of the Gitzo mechanism which looks similar to the Benbo, one big lever controls all (on the left in this image)

The 190 tripod as onyx said i got it off him is a good tripod very sturdy , not that i use it much at all only mounted to clean sensor but very heavy as well. i would hate to have it trapped to my back and carry it around for a few hrs. But yes a better head would be good. Anyhow not that i use onea lot, hell i dont even use my monopod much now days i seem to walk around with the 80-400 VR all day.

gstark wrote: What about other Manfrotti?

Greg will be pleased at you pluralisation of Manfrotto

P.S. Is "pluralisation" a word? I hope so, otherwise Greg will be most annoyed

johndec wrote:

gstark wrote: What about other Manfrotti?

Greg will be pleased at you pluralisation of Manfrotto

P.S. Is "pluralisation" a word? I hope so, otherwise Greg will be most annoyed

I think it is, and the pluralisation I used is probably correct ...

uno cappucino,
due cappucini ...

uno Manfrotto
due Manfrotti

and so on.

Andy ... care to add something to this ?

I'll have to pull rank with you on this one Gary.

Una Alfa Romeo
Due Alfa Romei

... I don't think so.

Not to mention Una Ferrari

Manfrotto is a brand name, Cappuccino isn't.

[quote="BBJ"]The 190 tripod as onyx said i got it off him is a good tripod very sturdy , not that i use it much at all only mounted to clean sensor quote]

John,

Why do you need to mount a camera on a tripod to clean the sensor? I just hold mine. Just curious. Is it Ok to just hold it? I've recently become an owner of 190 and wonder if I now should use it when cleaning sensor...

Alex

phillipb wrote:I'll have to pull rank with you on this one Gary.

Una Alfa Romeo
Due Alfa Romei

... I don't think so.

Not to mention Una Ferrari

Manfrotto is a brand name, Cappuccino isn't.

I was wondering when somebody would notice that.  btw, the plural of Ferrari is ...




















Someone has too much money!

Alex, never use a tripod leg to clean the sensor, use a spatula or the tool you get from copperhill wrapped in pec pads

Glen wrote:Alex, never use a tripod leg to clean the sensor, use a spatula or the tool you get from copperhill wrapped in pec pads

I thought I was on the wrong forum there for a minute.

I knew someone would bring it up That's why I said 'using a tripod' not "with a tripod'

Alex

Alex, never heard of anyone using a tripod before, I just lay mine on the table, will be interesting to hear how it is used

I use a tripod to mount the camera facing down about 45º. This means that dust is unlikely to reenter the sensor chamber after I've cleaned, and also gives a firm position to work against - no need to hold the camera, or worry about it moving.

Logical thinking Nick

pippin88 wrote:I use a tripod to mount the camera facing down about 45º. This means that dust is unlikely to reenter the sensor chamber after I've cleaned, and also gives a firm position to work against - no need to hold the camera, or worry about it moving.

Ok, makes sense, but you need a clear view of the sensor at the same time (not to mention a good lighting conditions on the sensor to see what you are doing). Do you just sit on your knees looking up and work from below the camera?

Thanks
Alex

Glen wrote:Alex, never heard of anyone using a tripod before, I just lay mine on the table, will be interesting to hear how it is used

I find that the table, like a tripod leg, is too big.

Alex,

Alex wrote:

pippin88 wrote:I use a tripod to mount the camera facing down about 45º. This means that dust is unlikely to reenter the sensor chamber after I've cleaned, and also gives a firm position to work against - no need to hold the camera, or worry about it moving.

Ok, makes sense, but you need a clear view of the sensor at the same time (not to mention a good lighting conditions on the sensor to see what you are doing). Do you just sit on your knees looking up and work from below the camera?

Ever been inside your mechanic's workshop?

Some have hydraulic stands which lift your car to an overhead location so that you can work underneat the car, say, on the exhaust or transmission.

Others have a pit area where they place the car over the pit, and you just walk down a few stairs and presto! you have an under-car vantage point.

Pippin uses a large tripod (one of the big Gitzos or Manfrottos) raised to full height, and a mechanic's inspection lamp, and the works from underneath as if it's a car in your mechanic's workshop.

Thanks Gary,

Will give it a try with my Manfrotto 190 extended to full (oe near full) length with a light source directed at the lens mount, next time I am due for a sensor clean.


Alex

gecko wrote:There seems to be quite a strong Manfrotto theme here! I will stir the pot a bit and again recommend Benbo...

I have had a Benbo Trekker tripod for a couple of years now. Most of my photography is landscapes - I am a keen bushwalker etc I have only just got a D70 and am on a very steep learning curve with it.

I'm looking at getting a tripod for the same sort of thing. Just wondering how heavy it is and how much it cost you?

James