overwhelmed by tripods choices

i am now getting to the point where i want to almost always shoot

with a tripod. but i am overwhelmed by the choices.

 

my main camera i will be using is a 35mm sometimes and either a 645

or a 6x6 MF.

 

i am looking for a tripod that has a quick release head of some

sort, not super heavy (maybe 5-6 lbs?) and hopefully not more than

300$. i am not sure if aluminum or carbon fiber would be a better

choice?

 

 

any suggestions on model number for the head/legs?

I would suggest the Bogen/Manfrotto 3021BPRO legs. This leg set is versatile, medium weight, and very sturdy. I have added leg "warmers" (padded tubes around the upper legs) for more comfort in carrying across my back and handling in very cold winter weather, and I replaced the push-on feet with the type that can be changed from a rubber end to a pointed steel spike by screwing the rubber part to reveal the spike.

 

There are a number of heads to choose from, based on your needs. I like the ones with the ...RC2 quick release system. For a moderately priced ball head you can't go wrong with the Bogen/Manfrotto 488RC2.

Well, I don't think that you actually have many choices.

 

A tripod that can properly hold a MF camera and weighs less than 6 lbs pretty much has to be carbon fiber. There aren't many carbon fiber tripods under $300. If I'm not mistaken there are exactly 3 of them at adorama.

 

That being said, if your MF equipment is light enough, there are other options. I personally prefer ball heads, and I like Bogen's RC0 quick-release system, so I'll say that Bogen's 488RC0 is a good choice, although certainly the 486RC2 is lighter. My favorite legs are the Gitzo ones without a center column, but that's going to be beyond your budget (both in terms of money and weight). I'll guess that Bogen legs in the 3001/3011/3021 range should do just fine, even though they won't quite be solid enough to be weighed down after you attach a head and a camera.

thanks for the advice, im just not a big fan of the number systems used for these tripods.

The Bogen/Manfrotto 3021 setup recommendation is a good one. It's probably the best

set of compromises (size, weight, steadiness, ease of use) for the price.

The decision points (not all-inclusive) are:

 

* Cost

* Materials

* Weight

* Supported Weight

* Number of Sections

* Leg Clamp Type

* Extended Height

* Closed Height

* ...

 

Then, you can decide on Head configuration:

 

* Ball

* Pan/Tilt

* Gimbal

* ...

 

You say you almost always want to shoot with a tripod? What do you like/dislike about what you are/have been using?

I'm with Skip, I use this for 35mm, and have seen it used for largish MF setups

DN gives a list of tripod attributes that, while true, is still a bit overwhelming! In making my own purchase choice, I concluded that there are three degrees of freedom in tripod selection:<P>

<OL><LI>STRENGTH<BR><LI>WEIGHT<BR><LI>COST</OL><P>

In selecting a tripod, you can choose for only two of the above, with the third variable determined by what you choose for the other two. Your ceiling on cost will pretty much eliminate carbon fibre from serious consideration. A Bogen 3021Pro legset with either a 3030 or 3047 head (both pan/tilt) will suffice for the cameras you mention.

Take a look at Slik tripods. There is (or was?) one that meets your specs. I know because I own one. It has a quick release and is about the weight you need. It handles 35mm and 6x6 cameras very well. Don't know the model name or number as its not marked on the tripod but the names and numbers change from time to time anyway. I'm not a fan of Bogen tripods, they are big, heavy and very crude compared to the Slik tripods.

The Slik Pro 700 DX weighs 4.85 lbs without head and is more than capable of supporting a 6x6 camera. It uses an Aluminum-Magnesium-Manganese alloy (AL/JIS 5813) that enables the tubes to be thinner than conventional Aluminum with the same strength rating. The Slik marketing emphasizes the titanium in it, but it is in fact just about 0.15% titanium. Still a great choice as it is only a little bit heavier than carbon fiber tripods of similar strength. I would rate it sturdier than Gitzo series 2 tripods and less sturdy than gitzo series 3 which is great for a tripod under 5 lbs.

<p>

I sold a Gitzo G1227 carbon fiber and replaced it with this tripod. the Slik is about 1.5 lbs heavier, but it is also taller and sturdier, so the extra weight gives you more than extra cash in your wallet.

<p>

Best of all it only costs $85. It is probably the best value in a tripod available today. Add an acratech head and you are under 6 lbs, and only a little over $300 total.