Help me select a tripod

[Spooky]

I currently have a velbon aluminum tripod that has generally done the
job for my D70 and small lenses.

However for my South American/Antarctica trip I think I need something that can mount a D200 with my 70-200 VR attached perhaps even with a TC as well.

I find all the bits needed a bit hard to visualise despite my research
over the net and so I am still unsure what I need to purchase.

I think I need the tripod, a ball head and some way of connecting the
camera and/or lens to the ballhead (brackets of some sort).

I want a setup that can:
- be used with the D200 with the 70-200 VR attached both portrait and landscape
- be used with the D200 with smaller lenses attached both portrait and landscape
- is as light as possible for carrying while trekking
- folds up as small as possible for transporting
- is a decent height so I don't have to bend over all the time when
using it (I am a bit over 6'tall)

I realise it is something of a compromise to include all these features.

Could people recommend the parts I need to achieve my goal?

Thanks

[dooda]

I think that stating it's a bit of a compromise is an understatement. Perhaps launch an engineering firm? Might be a starting point...

Okay I keed I keed. I actually know very little about tripods, I'd say buy the lightest one you can get away with, and manage from there, but that's a lot of camera you're putting on there, therefore lightness is a relative term.

What are your pictures going to be for? Are you hoping to get them published? Are they for your personal enjoyment? Are you planning on selling the prints? It seems like one hell of a set-up to be taking on that kind of trip. I hope you don't spend the entire time worrying and lugging about your equipment while forgettin to enjoy yourself!

[losfp]

I can't remember if the 70-200VR has a lens collar? If so, then that will sort you out for landscape/portrait using that lens. If you want to use landscape/portrait with smaller lenses, then you're looking at an L-plate. The popular choices around these parts are Manfrotto, Gitzo and Benro. In fact, I am going to laugh in the face of (fiancee-related) death by shopping for a Benro at this weekend's mini-meet

IIRC you were going to be backpacking in Sth Am, so I reckon as light as possible. Consider one of the carbon-fibre tripods, they are lighter, but more expensive.

[MattC]

Spooky,

I remember the original thread. I was going to make a suggestion then that you get the cheapest tripod that you can stand using for the Antarctica leg, so that when you actually start trekking you can leave it behind (or you could freight a tripod and other excess gear home after Antartica but... it is South America). You would probably miss it, but I think an appropriate monopod (there are monopods made for hiking) will be far less painful if you are spending a lot of time walking (6 days iirc) - it can be used as assistance instead of being an encumberance.
Even a really light tripod, say 1.2kg sans head, is going to be substantial (read painful) given all of the other gear you will need to carry - I am not just talking photographic stuff.
Maybe give some consideration to one of those feather weight folding table-top tripods for longer exposures. BTW, I assume that the photos are for your own enjoyment.

Cheers

[MCWB]

losfp: yes, the 70-200 VR has a rotating tripod collar, so no worries there. L-plates certainly make vertical shots a lot easier, but any ballhead worth its salt can rotate into such a position. Of course you sacrifice some stability in doing so, but you gain some $$. One of many compromises.

Spooky, I had similar requirements to you before my trip to Europe last year: wieght was my primary concern given that it was going to be in my backpack all over Europe.

I bought the Feisol CT3401 tripod. It's CF, so it's light. It's not as stable as the Gitzo/Benro equivalents, but it's lighter, and that's the price you pay for the light weight. I never use the center column, so I removed it, removing some extra weight. The 3401N seems slightly improved: lighter and extends slightly higher. I'm 6" tall, and don't have to bend over at all using the 3401 which is 134 cm tall (with centre column removed), so look for anything at or over this height. It doesn't seem to make sense, but to that 134 cm add your head and plate of choice, plus the distance from the bottom of the camera to the viewfinder, and add the distance from your eyes to the top of your head. Cost me ~A$300 shipped, and their monopod cost me ~$100 shipped, but the prices and shipping are all on their website.

Given that you're after something very light, CF is pretty much a must. If your budget extends, the Benro/Manfrotto/Gitzo ones are better.

Low price, solid, light weight. Pick any two.

[birddog114]

spooky,
There're many options and all depend on how your budget is.

[xerubus]

what's your $$ budget?

cheers

[Spooky]

Thanks guys I will do more research and look at the prices and get back to you in a day or so.

[Steffen]

The Gitzo's and especially their cheaper clones, the Benro's seem to be very popular around here.

I've got a Benro C227 (middle-shelf, 3 leg segments, carbon fibre), but sometimes wish I had a) bought the top-shelf one (C32x) and b) the one with 4 segments (C328). The C2xx is still a bit twisty, and sometimes I'd appreciate the shorter travel size of the 4 segment ones.

The other night in Brighton-Le-Sands was a good demonstration of the limits of the C227. It was rather windy, and the tripod had a hard time keeping my 300mm lens still. The C328's and Gitzo's I've fumbled at Birdy's place felt quite a bit more solid.

But hey, it all comes down to money. In the end (as the years go by), you'll find yourself owning several tripods, since there is no single model that's ideal for every occasion.

Cheers
Steffen.

[big pix]

manfrotto make an ultra small tripod {table top} which is very good, but not cheep....... I used to put a Mamyia 645 camera with power winder and 50mm shift lens on said tripod...... so a D70 would be very OK....... I still have and use the tripod........

[big pix]

here are some pix of manfrotto small tripod, good for table against a wall or just down very low........
full height bottom to top of tripod 36cm

half height 27cm..... without extension 12cm

ready to pack 20 cm

[birddog114]

But hey, it all comes down to money. In the end (as the years go by), you'll find yourself owning several tripods, since there is no single model that's ideal for every occasion.

Cheers
Steffen.

This exactly what I want to echo, same as bag:, carry bag, backpack, shoulder bag etc.....

[Spooky]

appreciate the input guys.