Need Tirpod Suggestions

I was hoping that there might be some good suggestions for a new tripod.

 

I would like to use it for a Nikon D70s & D300 with lens as large as 70-200 /2.8, and also for a small video camera. I

would like to keep the price below $200 USD, under $150 would be even better. I don't need it to be taller than eye

level. I guess best product for the money is what I'm looking for.

 

Is a detachable monopod center a good idea?

 

Any suggestions would be much appreciated, so thank you in advance.

 

-Chris

You might look for a used Bogen 3021 for that little amount of money. It's heavy, but stable. I use a D300 and 70-200mm VR lens, and the lowest amount of money I thought I could get away with on a tripod/head was about $900, if that gives you a clue. Weight is a factor for me though.

 

 

Kent in SD

I agree, the Bogen 3021 is just great for the money. Mine is over 10 years old and going strong. The Bogen medium ball head

would fit your budget, and it's serviceable. But, if you can swing more for the head, do so.

Here is my 3221 (black version) with a Kirk BH-3 ball head. Add the ARCA plate to you camera and tele-zoom, and this would be a

very satisfactory set-up.<div></div>

The Slik 700DX and a few other Slik models would fit your budget. Most include decent tilt/pan heads; these kits (legset and head) rarely include a ballhead at under $200.

I have a slik 700DX and quaite happy with it. I bought it with the pan and tilt head, but later added a 25 Nm cullman

ball head. My set up is 7 lbs and working well so far for 1.5 years. People have talked about its weight issue, but its

fine with me. I suugest taking slik 700 dx legs and cullman ballhead. both will be under $200. After changing to the

ball head its become lighter. It was 7.00 lbs with the pan yilt head and now 5.5 lbs with the cullman head. I borrowed

a 4 lbs tripod one day and didn't feel much difference carrying it.. YMMV

I have the Velbon EL Carmagne 530 Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs with pan & tilt head. This cost is around $275 and holds my D3 with an 80-400 or a 400mm lens with no problems yet. The weight is 3 - 3 1/2 lbs. Velbon makes a lot of tripods and you can Google it for locations and price.

BTW, if you want one tripod to serve for both still and video photography, a ballhead is seldom the best choice.

For video cameras you want a way to smoothly pan and tilt. Video cameras are rarely tipped for vertical

orientation.

 

You can use a "fluid" motion panning head from a video tripod for still photography, altho' video heads seldom

offer a way to flip the camera for vertical ("portrait") orientation. There are other ways to get around this.

Slik and Manfrotto both offer fairly good, affordable fluid motion video heads. But you'll need to decide which

use you'll need a tripod for most often: still or video use.

 

A good value in a tripod with a head suitable for still and video is the Slik U212 Deluxe. However, it is not

rigid enough to steadily support something like the D300 and 70-200/2.8 AF-S VR Nikkor. The weight is not a

problem, it's strong enough to support the weight. But it can't do so without some slight vibration that will

probably become annoying.

I have had great service with my Manfrotto 055 pro B legs shooting very similar camera and lens weight / length combinations. These legs are heavy, too heavy to climb to the top of the mountain with but I've never lost a shot to vibration from the legs when I have used them. I believe these particular legs are still current model and fall into your budget.

 

I use a Manfrotto 488 RC4 mid sized ball head with these legs, plenty adequate for a D700 + AF-S 300mm f/4. The ballhead / tilt pan head you use plays a vital role in keeping the whole outfit stable, don't underestimate the force a long lens / heavy camera combo will place upon the head.

 

I'd avoid any gimmicks like detachable this or that or built in / un-removable ball heads. The legs I use have a simple raised / reversible centre pole - no other features apart from doing their intended job very well. Go for a set of legs with the minimal number of leg folds ie. three sets of leg tubes will be more stable than 4 sets of leg tubes etc.

 

Save your money and buy a decent tri-pod, too often people agonise over the latest and greatest bodies / lenses and fail to secure themselves a decent tripod, treating the tri-pod as an afterthought. More often than not you get what you pay for.

I have a bogan 3001 with medium ball head 486RC2. It holds everything fine. It is shorter than the 3221 pod. It has features like the legs will go flat out or the extension can go in sideways or upside down. Useful stuff actually. It is not a current model. The tripod was replaced buy the link below. You can get this model with a panhead or ballhead as you want..For vidio I think the panhead would be better and for still photography I like the ballhead..

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/480279-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_190XB_804RC2_190XB_Tripod_Legs_Black_.html#features

Sorry about the link. Hopefully this one will work out.

 

 

 

 

 

<a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/480279-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_190XB_804RC2_190XB_Tripod_Legs_Black_.html">"TRIPOD"</a>

Thank you all for the helpful information!!!

 

-Chris

What is a tirpod? :)

The Tiltall I bought used about 35 years ago is still going strong. It's been used with with up to 500mm lenses on 35mm cameras, and up to 5x7 view cameras. I have no experience with the new Tiltalls imported into the USA.