Lighter Weight Tripod Recommendation? Gitzo/Manfrotto/Induro

<p>Hi there,<br>

This is yet another tripod question.... <br>

I am a amateur photographer, purchased a DSLR a few months ago and am slowly adding gear - my wife claims all my hobbies are pretty gear intensive :) I have done a ton of looking around on this site and the internet for reviews and tripods that might fit my needs. At this point, I think I have it narrowed down to a few models and will provide my thinking and would like feedback.</p>

<ul>

<li><strong>Camera</strong> : Nikon D60 and usually shoot with a Sigma 30/1.4 or Sigma 18-50/2.8 lens. Probably will look to add a 50-150 at some point down the road once my wallet recovers a little bit. Current set-up weighs in at under 3 lbs. </li>

<li><strong>Me</strong> : I'm 5'6". So, a little shorter tripod is ok. Pretty minimal on gear. No camera bag etc... just shove my camera in a backpack with a Zing cover if it's not out. </li>

<li><strong>Price</strong> : I'm looking for a complete set-up for around $200, definitely under $300. So, $600 Gitzos, amd $300 RRS & Arca heads etc are out...</li>

<li><strong>Uses</strong> : Outdoors, night photos/longer exposures, shooting around town and on vacations.</li>

<li>I recognize that there is a trade off between Price - Weight - Quality and am willing to sacrifice some on the quality end. </li>

</ul>

<p>I think I've narrowed it down to a few choices, but the crappy camera shop near my office only has Manfrottos and I don't have time to trek out to a better camera store. Hoping some folks might have some 1st hand experience regarding some of the tripod options listed following.</p>

<ul>

<li><strong>Manfrotto 7302YB</strong> (M-Y series): $125 / 3.2lbs / 20.1" folded / Max Height 56.7" / Min Height 14.2 / Max Load 7.7 lbs<br /> I liked this one a lot. It has a built in/ non-removable head. Relatively light and a good length including Unfortunately, I can't find it in stock anywhere, only the older version which has some things that I don't like. </li>

<li><strong>Induro Adventure AB0:</strong> $135 / 2.6 lbs / 20.5" folded / Max Height 56.9" / Min Height 17.1" / Max Load 10.4 lbs<br /> I've read a lot of the Benro/Induro reviews (I think these are the same company?) It sounds like there have been improvements in the newer models. I liked this one because it is the lightest and relatively well priced all-in.</li>

<li><strong>Manfrotto 190XB + 484RC2 Ball Head: </strong> $185 / 4.7 lbs / 21.1+" folded / Max Height 57.5" / Min Height 3.1" / Max Load 8.8 lbs with the 484 head<br /> This set-up had a good solid feel to me, but weighs too much and is a little long with the head on it. I have a feeling that if I buy this, I'm going to tire of schlepping it around pretty quickly and it will end up staying in the closet most of the time.</li>

<li><strong>Gitzo Weekend Basalt GT-0932 + Manfrotto 484RC2 Ball Head</strong> : $310 / 2.6 lbs / 25.4" folded / Max Height 52.4" / Min Height 10.6" / Max Load 8.8 lbs<br /> This seems like a nice set-up, but out of the range that I was hoping to spend</li>

</ul>

<p>Anyone have any experience with these tripods? In particular, has anyone used any of the Induro tripods? I know they're not Gitzo, but I can't afford to go super high end. Thanks in advance!</p>

<p>From the specs Indura looks good. If the ball head is not fixed, you should wait for someone who used it to help you out. I have a slik 700DX which is everything but a little heavy. I have carried it 4-5 hours and then it becomes a burden. for short shootings it is very sturdy. But Indura looks good at 2.6 pound</p>

<p>Thanks. The ball head is not fixed. I actually found a link with a review of the tripod:<br>

http://www.camandcheese.com/index.php/accessories/37-accessories/203-induro-abo-adventure-series-tripod-review<br>

It seemed to indicate the screw was attached to the head, not the tripod. Not sure if anyone else is able to validate this or has experience with the head.</p>

<p>That review is a joke IMHO. He is using it with a D700 + 80-200 lens.<br>

What is your purpose for getting a tripod?</p>

 

<p>Looking to use it for outdoors, night photos/longer exposures, shooting around town and on vacations as mentioned above. thanks</p>

<p>Sorry, I missed that information. I don't believe any of those tripods setup will do decent job for outdoors and long exposure mode.<br>

You will need to get a heavier set up because of your budget.<br>

I've started from $29 walmart tripod to my current multi Gitzo CF tripods setup there is other way around tradeoff is mentioned in your post.<br>

For tripod, you will want to get at least Manfrotto 055XDB, the 190XDB might be used if you don't fully extend the lower legs.<br>

For ballhead I would recommend trying Cullmann Magnesit 25 or 30 ballhead.<br>

I have tried may ballheads under $120 like Kaiser, Giottos and Gitzo and returned all of them.<br>

I haven't tried the Cullmann's but I've read lot of positive reviews from individuals who have compared them with Arca Swiss, Kirk or Markins ballheads.<br>

I also recommend using Arca style clamp and plates but these will add a fortune to the cost.<br>

My current 3lb tripod travel setup cost over $800 and I still think it could be studier...</p>

 

<p>The 7302YB looks similar to the 725b (which I have, btw). That's a light tripod, not poorly suited to many general uses but not really a great tripod if one only has one tripod. As noted there are some things it doesn't do, or doesn't do well. I "love" mine! Very handy when I don't want to carry or pack the big one. The 190 series is too short for me. Yes it's heavier but it's a more generally useful tripod, leg adjustment features, stability, capacity, etc.</p>

<p>The head (on the 725b, maybe the new one) is similar if not the same as the 484rc2. It's a small diameter ballhead, they've saved size and weight by using a small ball. One of the factores in how well a ballhead works is the size of the ball. Smaller "working" surface requires more effort to snug up the head, etc.But clearly less than optimal for any kind of wind or getting above the lighter/shorter lenses. Especially if in "portrait." For a primary tripod, I wouldn't go to the 484, wouldn't go smaller than the 486 and for me, the 488 to get the panning base.</p>

<p>I have a heavy Giottos tripod, use Bogen heads. I've read very little on the Giottos/Benro/Induro heads - much of that wasn't inspiring. The legs have improved over time, keeping up with functionality if not necessarily over-all build quality of the more expensive brands. Can't comment on the CF pods as I haven't tried them. They aren't the known quantitiy that Manfrotto or Gitzo are, depending on model and "brand," they are still somewhat new and less common out there. May be a good value, just can't tell.</p>

<p>Of your choices, can't tell on the Induro type CF and Gitzo is probably out of budget. I guess of the ones you list, I'd suggest the 190, if you think you won't carry it due to sze, then you have to accept the functionality compromises of something like the 7302.</p>

<p>Thanks all for the answers. <br>

Adam, I think the 055XDB probably would never leave my closet (5 lbs before adding a head). So, I think the 190 would probably be the heaviest that I would go. I'll take a look at the Cullman heads for comparison. Does hanging a bag from the tripod add to the stability when going with lighter duty tripods? I'm just a amateur/recreational photographer...<br>

Craig, thanks for the feedback on the tripod that you have. A question about the 725b. Does the lever for the center column support hold up? It looked "plasticy" when I saw it in the store which is why I would hold out for the newer model if I went that route (the newer model looks like it has a sturdier lever) Also, thanks for weighing in on the tradeoffs as well.</p>

<p>It's plastic but I haven't had any trouble with it. I seldom extend the center post so it doesn't get much use on mine. It is kind of exposed so could be damaged if dropped I'd think. I treat the tripod with some care, expecting that there are some trade-offs and a $120 tripod may not be as rugged as a $500 tripod.</p>