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Ending up ordering the MT190CXPRO3 with a Feisol CB-40D head. Had to keep reminding myself it'd be a (hopefully) life long investment to get over the cost. Would have bought it in the US but thanks to those drat Scots the pound is in the shitter. After seeing the Manfrotto BeFree carbon in store, it felt really unstable extended compared to the 190, which felt rock solid. Seems like around 1.6kg is the sweet spot for lightness and stability. Its a shame none of the big-name brands are readily available in the UK for me to have tried. Just £1,500 Gitzos as far as the eye can see. ijyt fucked around with this message at 15:59 on Sep 9, 2014 |
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Sep 8, 2014 14:57
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I've never used one, but the Gitzos seem really overpriced. I have a carbon Feisol that I really like that was a lot cheaper.
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Sep 9, 2014 19:52
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I was considering the feisol, but the price difference wasn't too great, and I feel like the super low ground clearance and easy horizontal column might come in handy at least once in a while. Either way I really don't want to spend any more money. Thankfully the new iPhone looks a bit crap. 
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Sep 9, 2014 23:56
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I have a carbon fibre Giottos that's served me well. Actually, I overtightened the Manfrotto bullhead I had on it, was stuck on for a few years (not really an issue since it's my only tripod and only head ). Finally got around to taking the top of the central column off, putting the head + top piece in the freezer for a few hours, and voila, thing came right off!I am probably gonna sell the legs (and likely the head) soonish, as I no longer shoot large format and am thinking about getting rid of my Hassie system too, leaving me with just mirrorless. I've kinda turned my nose up at Gorillapods before, but one came with my GoPro and when I used it for the first time last month on my A7, it acquitted itself surprisingly well for my uses.
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Sep 10, 2014 18:16
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Ugh, I was so concerned about price/weight I forgot to check if the bloody thing fits in my backpack. It doesn't. I have an option of strapping it to the side but it doesn't feel very secure. Guess I'll have to eat the return shipping and get something like the Feisol 3441S instead.
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Sep 11, 2014 14:26
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edit: nevermind
BANME.sh fucked around with this message at 16:51 on Sep 18, 2014 |
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Sep 18, 2014 16:41
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ijyt posted:Ugh, I was so concerned about price/weight I forgot to check if the bloody thing fits in my backpack. It doesn't. I have an option of strapping it to the side but it doesn't feel very secure. Guess I'll have to eat the return shipping and get something like the Feisol 3441S instead. Wouldn't this be a preferred way of carrying a tripod anyways? Seems like it'd be a colossal pain in the rear end to extract a tripod from the insides of a backpack. Most modern packs have external tie downs to be used for stuff like that too. I prefer mine vertical because it gets snagged on foliage less, but horizontal works too.
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Sep 18, 2014 16:59
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xzzy posted:Wouldn't this be a preferred way of carrying a tripod anyways? Seems like it'd be a colossal pain in the rear end to extract a tripod from the insides of a backpack. It's more for transport when on a plane, I'd like to be able to put it inside the backpack rather than dangling off the side. My Kata backpack strap just didn't feel secure with the tall Manfrotto.
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Sep 19, 2014 22:25
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Is there any downside to using a video head for still photos? I'm looking at this one tripod that I saw in store and it had a head and legs that I really liked, I just want to make sure there's nothing I'm overlooking that would make me regret this. Here's the one I was looking at: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/896847-REG/Benro_a1573fs2_A1573F_SERS_1_AL.html
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Nov 9, 2014 00:18
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piratepilates posted:Is there any downside to using a video head for still photos? Edit: well, you could put the camera on sideways to shoot vertical, but then you'd lose the pitch adjustment. Edward IV posted:I also noticed that the X-T1's grip plate has a smaller threaded hole near the open end. ... Any idea what the hole is actually for? In line with the tripod-mount hole? That's for a set screw to keep video cameras from twisting on their mounts. I have a Manfrotto 3221WN with 3030 head; it's way overbuilt for a consumer-grade DSLR, holds a 10-pound Speed Graphic with lightsaber flash, 4x5 monorail, or pro DSLR with big lens just fine. The "WN" means it has foam on the upper parts of the legs to carry it on your shoulder; I'd recommend getting the naked version (something like $20-$30 cheaper when I got it, now discontinued but surely they have something similar) and spending $5 for six feet of pipe insulation -- the foam on the WN isn't much softer than the aluminum; Armaflex is nice and squishy, and cheap enough to replace when it wears out. And/or just cover it in gaffer tape so it doesn't wear out. It's very much a "short hike from the car" or "moving around a lot but not far" rig, it's pretty heavy, but solid. It's a great lightweight studio or close-to-the-car landscape rig, but not for backpacking. In other news, I can get all the 1/4"-20 bolts I want for free from my day job; any suggestions on DIY camera mounts? I'm thinking of welding a bunch of them to a C-clamp at different angles to make a sturdier poor man's version of this for use when I can't be arsed to carry the big tripod, and have windowsills/fences/trees/car luggage racks handy. It would fit inside or hang on the strap of the camera bag. And or course put threaded stubs on the clamping bits so I could swap between carious jaws -- flat plates with padding for flat things, angle iron for pipe handrails, one flat and one angle for car roof racks, &c. I suppose I could get by with one, maybe two bolts on the C-clamp and put the tripod head on them, but tripod heads have a bigger thread than cameras, don't they? On the other hand, there are thread adapters/helicoils for that, right? Or with a few bits of wood and some hinges, I could build a thing -- too tired to fully engineer it right now, but basically a Z-shaped arrangement -- that sits on a flat surface and allows for altitude adjustment via wingnuts, and azimuth by just turning the whole thing, and folds flat. Glue some of that grippy toolbox-drawer lining stuff to the bottom so it can sit on slightly angled surfaces. Basically a video head on a plank. Chillbro Baggins fucked around with this message at 10:44 on Nov 15, 2014 |
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Nov 15, 2014 10:41
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Bad Angus! Bad!
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I ordered a Manfrotto BeFree on Amazon Warehouse for $185, new but damaged box. I do a lot of travelling, did I get the right thing?
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Dec 14, 2014 22:36
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I found someone selling a Manfrotto 058B for 100 euros.  It's the same tripod that I get when I borrow Sinars from school and usually my experience involves a lot of swearing but still, for that price I'm willing to drive an hour or two to check it out.
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Feb 5, 2015 09:48
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Stuck between a MeFoto Globetrotter and Roadtrip. Globetrotter is only $20 more and 1 lb heavier than the Roadtrip, but I was leaning towards the Roadtrip mainly because I'd probably carry it on hikes, but I'm worried about it's stability. Is it pretty sturdy, or should I just deal with an extra pound of weight and go with the Globetrotter? How do they compare, considering the price gap is relatively small?
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Feb 18, 2015 20:17
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Have you guys ever tried or heard about some of the cheap carbon fibre travel tripods off aliexpress - like this one? I'm sorely tempted to try it out since you just can't get lightweight stuff at that price elsewhere, but obviously it's cheap Chinese stuff so I'm slightly wary. On the other hand, everything's cheap Chinese stuff and for all I know they're out of the same factory as Giotto or whatever, so I really have no clue what to think.
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Feb 18, 2015 21:29
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Jimlad posted:Have you guys ever tried or heard about some of the cheap carbon fibre travel tripods off aliexpress - like this one? I'm sorely tempted to try it out since you just can't get lightweight stuff at that price elsewhere, but obviously it's cheap Chinese stuff so I'm slightly wary. On the other hand, everything's cheap Chinese stuff and for all I know they're out of the same factory as Giotto or whatever, so I really have no clue what to think. I use a very similar tripod - shady Chinese poo poo from eBay - and it's fine for shooting my 4x5 on. Just replace the stock ballhead with something nicer, the legs should be fine.
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Feb 18, 2015 21:44
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Geoff Zahn posted:Stuck between a MeFoto Globetrotter and Roadtrip. Globetrotter is only $20 more and 1 lb heavier than the Roadtrip, but I was leaning towards the Roadtrip mainly because I'd probably carry it on hikes, but I'm worried about it's stability. Is it pretty sturdy, or should I just deal with an extra pound of weight and go with the Globetrotter? How do they compare, considering the price gap is relatively small? I have the globetrotter and it isn't actually that stable compared to a real tripod. The legs are pretty spindly. I'd imagine the roadtrip is even worse. the twist lock leg system is also stupid and kind of slow. Quick releases or even screw locks work better. The globetrotter though is pretty compact and light (which is why I keep it around), a pound isn't that much. The extra height is nice as all these tripods are pretty short and I'm tall. It does get much more stable if you hang some weight off the hook. nm fucked around with this message at 07:41 on Feb 21, 2015 |
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Feb 21, 2015 07:38
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Jimlad posted:Have you guys ever tried or heard about some of the cheap carbon fibre travel tripods off aliexpress - like this one? I'm sorely tempted to try it out since you just can't get lightweight stuff at that price elsewhere, but obviously it's cheap Chinese stuff so I'm slightly wary. On the other hand, everything's cheap Chinese stuff and for all I know they're out of the same factory as Giotto or whatever, so I really have no clue what to think. The chinese seem to have carbon fiber figured out fairly well if you get it from the right people. A lot of people have no issue buying chinese made carbon stuff for bicycles these days as it's way cheaper and fairly well made. Do some research first obviously as the quality can vary wildly between different manufacturers.
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Feb 21, 2015 17:55
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I need a good, new, light, easy, heavy-duty tripod for my Sinar F. What should I get? I have one already but it's busted. Also a stand to put my Canon 600 flash on and a stand for holding my reflector with
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Feb 21, 2015 21:25
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Geoff Zahn posted:Stuck between a MeFoto Globetrotter and Roadtrip. Globetrotter is only $20 more and 1 lb heavier than the Roadtrip, but I was leaning towards the Roadtrip mainly because I'd probably carry it on hikes, but I'm worried about it's stability. Is it pretty sturdy, or should I just deal with an extra pound of weight and go with the Globetrotter? How do they compare, considering the price gap is relatively small? I bought a Roadtrip as a first tripod, but returned it because it's really short. I'd go for the Globetrotter if you can swing the extra 1lb.
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Feb 22, 2015 00:14
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Would a Gorillapod be sturdy enough for a X-E1 and a 35mm? E: I see pictures with DSLRs and huge L-lenses so I suppose so.
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Feb 26, 2015 08:20
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widunder posted:Would a Gorillapod be sturdy enough for a X-E1 and a 35mm? May I recommend my favorite pocket tripod?
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Feb 26, 2015 08:39
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8th-snype posted:May I recommend my favorite pocket tripod?
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Feb 28, 2015 19:01
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idk how I posted in this thread
Fart Amplifier fucked around with this message at 04:05 on Mar 3, 2015 |
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Mar 3, 2015 01:19
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Just picked up a Gorillapod SLR Zoom with the ballhead as a last minute purchase before going on a trip, and not wanting to miss opportunities because I have nothing to put my camera no to keep it stable. It seems super fun (I'll check out that pocket one 8th-snype recommended too, it looks useful too!) but I'm intrigued to know how long it takes until you set the Gorillapod on a tree or something without the absolute fear of god that your expensive camera is about to meet it's end when it slips off. It never goes away, does it. EL BROMANCE fucked around with this message at 17:57 on Apr 14, 2015 |
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Apr 14, 2015 17:45
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8th-snype posted:May I recommend my favorite pocket tripod? These things are stupidly useful. I hunt a lot and have been filming them as well and these things are great for GoPros or other action cams, especially since you can strap it to a tree at odd angles, stick it on the ground, or place it just about anywhere else. I use one with my GoPro or VIRB and use the other to strap my digital audio recorder (DR 40) to my DSLR tripod so it's right there. Between my hunting partner and I we've got 4 of them I think.
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Apr 19, 2015 20:17
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EL BROMANCE posted:Just picked up a Gorillapod SLR Zoom with the ballhead as a last minute purchase before going on a trip, and not wanting to miss opportunities because I have nothing to put my camera no to keep it stable. It seems super fun (I'll check out that pocket one 8th-snype recommended too, it looks useful too!) but I'm intrigued to know how long it takes until you set the Gorillapod on a tree or something without the absolute fear of god that your expensive camera is about to meet it's end when it slips off. Front leg fell off before I even got ten shots. It seems joby are pretty good about fixes but I can't trust $2,000 of gear hanging on something that broke so easily - no impact or anything like that. Pissed because I'm here for 10 more days without reliable stability.
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Apr 20, 2015 01:30
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EL BROMANCE posted:Front leg fell off before I even got ten shots. It seems joby are pretty good about fixes but I can't trust $2,000 of gear hanging on something that broke so easily - no impact or anything like that. Pissed because I'm here for 10 more days without reliable stability. Get a Ziploc bag and fill it with sand or beans. Not as versatile as a Gorillapod but it'll work for some situations better than nothing at all.
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Apr 20, 2015 02:44
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As luck would have it, I was given a ziplock the other day. Might have to give that a shot! The pod still seems usable for mini tripod use if I'm careful and near it, but no chance am I wrapping it around anything.
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Apr 20, 2015 03:55
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You can always loop some twine or something through the strap attachment points on the camera for some backup security.
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Apr 21, 2015 03:48
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Another useful tip, appreciated. I'm kind of hoping to have it set up somewhere to be a catch all video at my friends wedding in a few days, but I've not seen the venue yet (it's a beach, so mount points gonna be limited). Will definitely note those down to possibly eek a stable way of getting the vows recorded.
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Apr 21, 2015 06:58
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Today I picked up a Manfrotto XPROL190 with a 496RC2 ballhead on sale for about $240 CDN - Western Canada goons, this was a "manager's special" at London Drugs. It wasn't available without the head, but so far I'm enjoying the actually-quick-release of the Manfrotto QR plate and I'm not sure what I'll do when my cheap-Chinese Arca-Swiss compatible ballhead gets here in the shipment of research stuff I'm expecting next week. This seems to be the updated version, possibly by several model iterations, of the tripod I bought in the buy/sell thread about 6 years ago and promptly started damaging. The owner's manual is very clear about warning me not to exceed the 5kg-or-so weight limit; what happens if you overload a tripod? Does it just increase the risk it will fall over and break the camera, or could it collapse the legs or something?
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May 10, 2015 05:45
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I found this slightly used cheap and nasty fluid head for 20 bucks and I'm enjoying making smooth pans of my room   It looks pretty comical on my tiny Sprint 150 e: it will never replace my ballhead for photography but for someone who only occasionally dabbles in video it's perfect. I honestly expected it to be way shittier for the price (it's like $44 new @ B&H) d0s fucked around with this message at 08:43 on Jun 2, 2015 |
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Jun 2, 2015 08:39
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So I think my Manfrotto 3401B tripod legs are finally biting the dust. It's not that horrible since they're probably 15+ years old and I paid $20 for them at a garage sale a couple years ago. Two of the lower legs no longer clamp shut and no tighting of bolts/nuts seems to help. I have a new tripod coming from B&H on Thursday so it's not the end of the world, but if anyone knows of a fix I'd be curious to hear it. New tripod is this Vanguard tripod/head combo. I use my tripod 99% of the time with a spotting scope so a more stable platform with purpose built legs appealed to me. It's going to be sad to actually gain a pound, but it if helps keep the things steady when I'm standing out on a pier trying to ID an eight inch bird flying by 500 yards away then it'll be worth it I guess. Anyone use Vanguard tripods?
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Aug 4, 2015 05:12
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So is the tripod thread consensus that the best tripod for carrying around is the Manfrotto Befree Carbon Fiber Tripod? It seems super light and compact
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Aug 7, 2015 10:12
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KinkyJohn posted:So is the tripod thread consensus that the best tripod for carrying around is the Manfrotto Befree Carbon Fiber Tripod? It seems super light and compact I prefer my 3LT 'Brian' personally... Didn't like the adjustments on the Befree. Really happy with the 3LT.
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Aug 7, 2015 22:40
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nummy posted:I prefer my 3LT 'Brian' personally... Didn't like the adjustments on the Befree. Really happy with the 3LT. 3LT seconded, I have an alloy 'Dave" and it's quite nice.
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Aug 8, 2015 01:47
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KinkyJohn posted:So is the tripod thread consensus that the best tripod for carrying around is the Manfrotto Befree Carbon Fiber Tripod? It seems super light and compact After doing a lot of research myself, I decided on the Sirui t-025x. Haven't got a chance to use it yet, but it seems really good so far.
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Aug 8, 2015 16:37
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nummy posted:I prefer my 3LT 'Brian' personally... Really happy with the 3LT. I second this exact statement.
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Aug 9, 2015 10:54
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nummy posted:I prefer my 3LT 'Brian' personally... Didn't like the adjustments on the Befree. Really happy with the 3LT. Just got my 3LT Brian in preparation for our trip to Italy starting Thursday. It is actually WAY heavier than I pictured. I have an aluminum tripod that folds up to the same size (it is less tall when set up and way flimsier) so I just assumed the 3LT would have been lighter than it. Just not at all how I pictured a travel tripod. I'm sure I'm going to love it as a tripod in general, but I'm not even sure I'm going to bring it on the trip. My fault for unrealistic expectations, I guess.
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Sep 2, 2015 02:22
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EL BROMANCE posted:Front leg fell off before I even got ten shots. It seems joby are pretty good about fixes but I can't trust $2,000 of gear hanging on something that broke so easily - no impact or anything like that. Pissed because I'm here for 10 more days without reliable stability. man you just gotta think outside the box  e. snow doesn't work as well though if you're doing more than a minute or two, melts too fast  e2. yeah I'm replying to 4 month old posts, deal with it Dr. Despair fucked around with this message at 04:45 on Sep 2, 2015 |
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Sep 2, 2015 04:43
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