Get the right tripod for dSLR with 300/4 lens

Hi folks,

 

I suppose similar questions have been asked a lot, but still I didn't

find the full answer ...

 

I want to buy a sturdy tripod for my Canon EOS 300D, mainly for macro

(EF 100/2.8 Macro) and sometimes portrait or nature photography etc.

(the longest lens I own is the EF 300/4L).

 

I took the very lightweight Manfrotto 714 SHB on a trip, but it is not

sturdy enough, especially the integrated "ball head" is to crappy (at

least for a SLR camera).

 

So now I am considering a more heavier Manfrotto/Bogen, but can't

decide between the 190 (Bogen 3001) and the 055 (Bogen 3021) series.

The 055 seems quite heavy and bulky for travel (who wants more weight

than necessary?), but the 190 may not be stable enough for the 300/4L

lens. For the ballhead, I am thinking of the 486RC2 (Bogen 3413QR).

 

Or should I abandon this ideas all together and save money for a

carbon tripod?

 

It would be really nice if you could give some advice. Thanks.

Yes. I would suggest either the Gitzo 1227 or 1228 for your gear together with a quality ballhead like a Kirk or equivalent brand. Also take a look at Robert Segal's excellent tripod survey:<br><br>

 

<a href="http://members.bellatlantic.net/~vze2gkrc/Tripod-Test.html" target="_blank">Lighter-Weight Tripods for Travel: A Suitability Survey</a>

I've used both the 3001 and 3021 with lenses out to 300mm and much prefer the 3021. The stability is not as much of an issue as height, in which the 3021 far surpasses the 3001. Being able to use it standing straight up without the center column extended is a lot easier. Also, in windy situations the 3021 performs better.

An old answer I gave to another person on this subject follows. It's not *all* pertinent but mostly.

 

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I got the 3021B PRO with the 490RC4 head. The 490RC4 is big, but I wanted it for the adjustable tension so I could track with my 100-400. I needed a head that could "do everything" for now. Ideally I would have gotten a gimbal type and a pan & tilt and a gear-head, but...

 

The 490 is great though. I definitely like it. The 488 is 3/4 lb lighter, a smaller ball which shouldn't mean anything, and doesn't have adjustable tension. I *really* like the adjustable tension. Otherwise they're the same head. Oh, the pan swivel is a little too stiff, but livable.

 

The 3021B PRO I'm not so enamored with. The center column only goes 90-degrees, ie; parallel to the ground. When at 90 it's connection to the rest of the tripod is kind of hokey - hard to explain. After seeing the Gitzo G-2220 I started kicking myself. I now wish that I had spent the extra $50 - if only. I really don't find the center column on the 3021B PRO that useful - it's more of a pain.

 

The 3021 is also very tall. With my head on it it's just about the perfect height for me at 6' - if I'm shooting straight ahead. But I'd love if it was 3 inches shorter, so then the center column could come up a few inches when I needed it. The Gitzo is several inches shorter - I'd probably find something in the middle to be ideal, but I'd take too short over too tall.

 

Lastly I don't like the way the legs angle out on the 3021. You get the "normal" stance then the next stop is way too far out. In the normal stance the top of my quick-release plate is 61" from the ground, and the legs are 45" apart. Angling the legs to the next notch makes it 48" tall with the legs 78" apart. Too much in my opinion. I definitely would have liked something in between.

 

If I did it again I'd keep the 490RC4 but I'd get the Gitzo G-2220. But the combo you're looking at is very good and will last a lifetime.

 

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If you like the movable center post for macro then think elsewhere for the 3021B PRO, IMHO. The G-2220 looks great. But for big glass the 3021 is excellent. A little heavy, but so is your lens.

 

Also, as to ballhead, I *really* like the fact that I got the 490 with adjustable tension. It's not as good as a gimbal for tracking but it's a lot better than a non-adjustable ballhead. Something to think about.

The 3021, or its equivalents, like the 3221, will work fine. I am 5ft 11in and use a 300mm f 4.0 lens with a Kirk BH-1 ballhead all the time on this tripod. If you want to spend the extra money for a Gitzo get the CF 1227 of 1228 or get the Gitzo Explorer, metal version, G2220 about $200 and much more for the CF version, G2227 and G2228. If you can afford the $200, definitely check out the Explorer, model G2220. The only negative is the "click" when you set the legs. Other than that it is a great metal tripod, and what I would be buying if I were starting out from scratch. Check out any tripod first before you buy it. Your needs and desires are not the same as mine or anyone else. Joe smith

About Scott's comment on the leg spread stops being too far apart, the legs aren't really intended to be spread past the normal position unless it's close to the ground. It wouldn't make much sense to splay them out when fully extended, if you want it lower, just retract leg segments. As for angling the legs out when they are all fully retracted, I've always found the increments acceptable.

"About Scott's comment on the leg spread stops being too far apart, the legs aren't really intended to be spread past the normal position unless it's close to the ground."

 

Yep, I understand that, but when it's up and ready it's a lot easier just to splay one leg out than to retract them with big glass balanced on top. It's certainly not a killer, but I'd just love a stop in between.

 

Current intensions aside, it seems that this could be pretty simple to add another stop in between, thus making a more versatile, more adjustable tripod.

I have the 3001 and I regularly use it with a 70-200 zoom without problems. I think it

could hanfle a 300mm lens too, as long as you take proper precautions and (a) don't raise

the center column and (b) weight it (with camera bag, etc).

 

A carbon fiber tripod is a good choice if you can afford it. You'll get the height of the 3021

at the weight of the 3001 ... for a few hundred dollars more than the 3001.