please help me choose out of these couple of pods and heads

[shockadelica-]

hello, i was recently directed to this site from a user at dpreview.com
and it seems a perfect site
same camera, same location ...GREAT
will definately stick around and one day even love to join the group for a photo trip

just got my nikon d70s this week and i cant wait to get started
ive only ever shot with compacts even while i was holidaying in the greek islands
but luckily still managed a few really great shots with good composition and clarity and the play of photoshop

ive been reading a fair few threads on tripods and heads
and am currently looking to buy my 1st (im a total know nothing beginner with them)
im looking at a manfrotto setup
it seems i would rather a markins m10 preferably partnered with a gitzo
..but i dont think i can afford 400'ish? for the head and over 1gran on a tripod
so i cant go there

from looking at http://www.manfrotto.com/product/search.php3 and
typing random numbers that i have scene mentioned in past threads
then gone through an elimination process.... this is what im left with
this is what i wanted help with

ok legs

443
444

from what i read on manfrottos site these seem to be the cheaper carbon fiber tripods

then i have interest in the

055prob
055ab
055clb

but im unclear of the differences and what they will do for me
so out of these any info and guidance will be greatly appreciatted

then we have the heads
currently im looking at
488rc4
490rc4

dont know if this fits onto them or if you just use it on its own
but the 300n pan head

and the 322 head sparks some interest

all i really need is an experienced persons push in the right direction

probably get the 166 Apron support also
any idea how much a 3044QA QUICK ACTION STRAP would cost?


thanks a heap for taking the time to read or look into this for me

Art-

[Onyx]

It is my belief that the 443 and 444 legs will be or are already superceeded by the newly introduced Magfiber range. If you can find an end of line sale, you might be able to grab a good deal. However, I would point you in the direction of the Magfiber range - 055MF3 and 055MF4 depending on how many leg sections you want (choice will depend on portability/stability compromise).

Also, if you want to get away from Manfrotto brand - Gitzo recently released a new Basalt line made from extruded basalt fibers (a volcanic rock). These are cheaper than their carbon range, and puts it comparable to Magfibers' prices.

The heads you're looking at seems to be seriously beefy. What are your performance requirements? A standard D70 with lens (say 18-70), this setup will be overkill. However if you're future proofing (ie you see a 200-400VR in your future) this may not be enough. For that kind of cash outlay you're considering, I would suggest you invest in the Arca-Swiss system. Markins M10, Arcratech Ultimate Ballhead, BH-25 are in amongst the more affordable end.

Specialty heads like pano stuff - alls I knows is, Killakoala has one. He might be able to shed more light.

[birddog114]

The best things are come along to the mini meet and explore the whole range of tripods and heads from members (Gitzo, Manfrotto, Feisol, RRS, AUB, Markins etc...) from there you'll find out what exactly what's your needs and can afford, look thru the web or manufacturer sites, it won't give you the real feeling when you're mounting your camera & lenses on them.
Many tripods & heads are in your range and some are not, depend on your budgetary.

[gstark]

shockadelica-

Welcome.

What Birddog said: come to the minimeet this Saturday and all will be revealed in a way that no store can begin to hope to match.

[shockadelica-]

-Onyx
i looked at the manfrotto 055MF3.... its only .4 of a kilo lighter than the 055proB
and its 1 cm shorter so for the extra $$$$ for me i dont think its really worth it..im not sure

the reason i chose manfrotto is because someone i went to school with is now managing a camera store, and he said to pick one from the site and he'll get it in for me

just out of curiosity what would gitzos cheapest tripod?
wondering maybe if i put a m10 onto it
if theres a chance it'll be in my budget

about the tripod heads..right now i only have a 18-70mm from the kit and a 70-300 G which is crappy and really light, eventually id like to get a top wide,mid and tele but im only new to this SLR thing so thats going to be way down the track

and onyx those brands that you mentioned
Arca-Swiss ..Markins, Arcratech.....
are these available in stores in australia?
as i dont have a credit card

thanks

[shockadelica-]

-birddog..gstark
about the mini meet id love to but...
this may seem silly but im so new to SLRS and everything that comes with them..including tripods
that i dont really feel up to it

even if i were there i would have no idea
what to look at on the pods+heads

thanks so much though
i really appreciatte the invitation

[shockadelica-]

i will be back online tomorrow after 1am because i work late so i thought i better ask before i go to bed

if i was to buy the manfrotto 055PROB with a 488RC4 head
wont this do me for a little bit of time considering im an absolute beginner
that is still at the basics

if this will do me for 12 months or somewhere near that i'll be happy
then i'll sell them on ebay and buy something GreaT and more specific to what im shooting

i read http://www.bythom.com/support.htm by Thom Hogan
and yes it makes alot of sense..i understand what he is saying
but buying only twice seems ok i think
maybe once i do a course on photography i'll learn what kind of photography i find alot of interest in and i can base my next tripod descision on first hand experience

im just thinking out loud
but feel free to reply haha

goodnight


*******************************
if anyone knows any shops in sydney that sell markins heads
or acratech id love to know..even lower range gitzo tripods

its just the hassle thats keeping me away from brands that arent manfrotto..
"there is a store in parramatta..10 minutes away from my house that can order any manfrotto tripod or head i want"
....i think it maybe just the convenience that is making me stay with the manfrotto
i cant buy online as i dont have credit cards and things like that
so if you know 'real' stores that arent online..please give me names and adresses..thankyouu
*******************************

[gstark]

-birddog..gstark
about the mini meet id love to but...
this may seem silly but im so new to SLRS and everything that comes with them..including tripods
that i dont really feel up to it

even if i were there i would have no idea
what to look at on the pods+heads

That's exactly why we have the minimeets. There will be a variety of people, with a variety of equipment, and that's on top of the simply awesome collection that Birddog has.

You mentioned that a freind of yours has a photographic shop; let me assure you that no shop in Oz has in stock the sort of gear we're discussing, and you'll b able to, for instance, put some big, heavy glass (of exactly the sort you're thinking of buying) onto your body, and then put it on a variety of pods and heads.

You can then evaluate how each of the various combos handle - because that's the only thing that matters - and make judgements based upon your own observations. The ability to do this in any store in Oz is severly compromised because ythey (a) don't carry the range of legs and heads, (b) don't carry the lenses that you want to evalute, and (c) even if they did, they wouldn't let you play with them because of the $$$$ involved.

And the best part is that we're a friendly bunch, with a range of ages from late teens through to the grumpy old men stages of life.

You'll probably learn more about your D70 in one minimeet than you would in a month with just your manual. btw.

[mickwhit]

Hi Shockadelica,

Firstly, welcome to D70 users.com

To answer your question, choosing a tripod combination is a little like buying a Holden or a Ford, or for that matter, a Nikon over a Canon people have their own preferences and recommendations. Given that you are unable to go so Birddogs mini meet and try out several brands of tripods (Manfrotto, Gitzo etc) and you are leaning towards purchasing a Manfrotto setup, I have and can only speak positively of my Manfrotto 155CLB tripod with 141RC head.

Hope that helps and good luck.

Mick.

[birddog114]

As Gary and Mickwhit mentioned, a pop in at the mini meet will help you more than you thought and there's a huge crowd of D70 gurus so your questions and queries can be solved in a tic, put your hesitation away and sign in then there you go.

[shockadelica-]

ahh i should be in bed but ive been here surfing the d70users.com forums!
i'd love to come to a mini meet, and when i first saw this site i thought itd be great to share these kinds of things with people that have the same interests.. just want to feel more at home here
i still feel too much like a newcommer.. after this saturdays mini meet when will the next one be?


and if the stores in australia dont stock these brands then i probably cant buy them because i dont have credit cards to buy things online..so what are my options then?

[Nnnnsic]

After this Saturday, there probably won't be one for at least another one or two weeks... one at the least... two at the most.

Keep in mind, because you get a whole bunch of D70 users in the one place there, you also get the benefit of our "expertise" if you need it.

And being new to a single-lens reflex (SLR) system, you might just.

[MCWB]

i still feel too much like a newcommer..

No such thing, just come along! We're a very welcoming bunch, and are happy to show people the ropes.

For what it's worth, I have the Feisol 3401 legs (~$300) and Manfrotto 488RC2 head (~$166). The RC4 quick release plate (QRP) is bloody huge, and IMO unnecessary for the D70. It does have a couple of small spirit level things in it which is nice, but the QRP itself sticks out when attached to the bottom of the camera, so I couldn't see it living on the bottom of my camera much... which kinda defeats the point of a QRP! I'm happy with the RC2 plate, but you're more than welcome to come to the minimeet, stick some heavy glass on it and have a play.

Do you get the feeling you should come to the minimeet on Saturday? hehe

[shockadelica-]

ive decided i will come along to a mini meet
i just got home from work so i dont know about tomorrow
but i'll put off buying a tripod for a couple of weeks
and hopefully join the group at the next one
thanks guys