Still tripod shopping at DVinfo.net

Keith Loh · December 8th, 2004, 12:56 PM

I'm off to shop for a tripod for my DSLR (alike). Currently I have a Fuji Finepix S7000 (less than 2lbs - 600g) but eventually I will upgrade to a full DSLR.

I just want one that is fairly light. it doesn't have to have great height. Just durability. I already have a head.

I took an earlier look at some Manfrotto's (my video tripod is a Manfrottos) and the ones they had were fairly heavy. I was considering this spring to do some biking and carrying a camera + tripod. Then I learned that the lighter ones were up in the mid to high hundreds! (yikes) whereas the normal ones were less than 200.

Anyone have any favourites?

Dylan Couper · December 13th, 2004, 03:57 PM

If anyone has feedback for Keith, I need some too.

I've got a Canon 10d and 28-135mm lens, and will be using the tripod for portrait use, and possibly outdoor landscapes too. I'm looking for something very compact, because I hate carrying stuff. Lightweight isn't as important as compactness. Also, I'm guessing I want a ball head, one that's easy to adjust, and will take the weight, switching from horizontal to vertical aspects.

Plus, I want it as cheap as possible. :)

Boyd Ostroff · December 14th, 2004, 09:12 AM

I use two Manfrotto tripods for my still camera. For small and light I have a Digi 719B. It came with a nice little nylon backpack style carrying case. Has a small ball head (non levelling). It works fine with my Nikon CoolPix 5700, except when I add the WA lens which is a BIG HEAVY hunk of glass then it seems a little light duty, although it is OK if not taking time exposures.

But I really like my Manfrotto 3221WN "Wilderness" tripod when doing serious stuff. I originally got this as a kit with a 501 head for video, but later upgraded to a Miller. So I put a Manfrotto "3D" head on it and now use for still photos. This makes a nice setup for shooting panoramic shots which I enjoy doing sometimes.

It is relatively heavy, but very sturdy for a small camera. It has a nice nylon carrying bag with shoulder strap and I've hiked pretty far carrying it. Not lightweight, not sure whether you'd consider it "compact."

Ken Tanaka · December 14th, 2004, 10:28 AM

I really like carbon fiber legs (on tripods, that is), particularly for still photography outdoors. Very stiff and sturdy, very light. I will soon be offering a good Bogen/Manfrotto cf rig for sale, the 3443 legs with a 3D head. It's terrific for lightweight cameras.

Mark Williams · December 14th, 2004, 05:42 PM

Here's something that I am looking at doing. I also have a Manfrotto 3221WN "Wilderness" tripod like Boyd with a 501 video head. There is a little plastic acessory head plate that snaps into the tripod. I am going to buy another one, about $15.00, then fix a "Wimberley Head" to it.

http://www.buytelescopes.com/product.asp?m=&pid=3567&display=desc

This will hold my Nikon D70 and Sigma 100-300 lens.

Regards,

Mark

Keith Loh · December 16th, 2004, 09:38 AM

I ended up getting an 055CL.

http://db.manfrotto.com/product/temp...d=2&itemid=765

It was light enough that I didn't really think about the weight as I was going through the woods. I had a 3D head on top of it.

Jeff Toogood · December 16th, 2004, 10:33 AM

I have the same tripod with a 488RC2 ball head and love it. Very sturdy and stable and doesn't weight that much.

Steven Digges · December 19th, 2004, 01:24 PM

Do a B&H search for “Canon Tripod” at the bottom you will see several mini-tripods that range from $15.00- $25.00. I have one of these in my photo backpack at all times. When I don’t want to pack the big ones I always have the mini with me if I need it. I have even mounted an XL1 on it in a pinch (not recommending that). For $20.00 it’s easy to add to the order when you decide on the big one.

Steve

December 8th, 2004, 12:56 PM	#1
Keith Loh Air China Pilot Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Posts: 2,389	Still tripod shopping I'm off to shop for a tripod for my DSLR (alike). Currently I have a Fuji Finepix S7000 (less than 2lbs - 600g) but eventually I will upgrade to a full DSLR. I just want one that is fairly light. it doesn't have to have great height. Just durability. I already have a head. I took an earlier look at some Manfrotto's (my video tripod is a Manfrottos) and the ones they had were fairly heavy. I was considering this spring to do some biking and carrying a camera + tripod. Then I learned that the lighter ones were up in the mid to high hundreds! (yikes) whereas the normal ones were less than 200. Anyone have any favourites? __________________ -- Visit http://www.KeithLoh.com \| stuff about living in Vancouver \| My Flickr photo gallery

December 13th, 2004, 03:57 PM	#2
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	If anyone has feedback for Keith, I need some too. I've got a Canon 10d and 28-135mm lens, and will be using the tripod for portrait use, and possibly outdoor landscapes too. I'm looking for something very compact, because I hate carrying stuff. Lightweight isn't as important as compactness. Also, I'm guessing I want a ball head, one that's easy to adjust, and will take the weight, switching from horizontal to vertical aspects. Plus, I want it as cheap as possible. :) __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

December 14th, 2004, 10:28 AM	#4
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	I really like carbon fiber legs (on tripods, that is), particularly for still photography outdoors. Very stiff and sturdy, very light. I will soon be offering a good Bogen/Manfrotto cf rig for sale, the 3443 legs with a 3D head. It's terrific for lightweight cameras. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

December 16th, 2004, 09:38 AM	#6
Keith Loh Air China Pilot Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Posts: 2,389	I ended up getting an 055CL. http://db.manfrotto.com/product/temp...d=2&itemid=765 It was light enough that I didn't really think about the weight as I was going through the woods. I had a 3D head on top of it. __________________ -- Visit http://www.KeithLoh.com \| stuff about living in Vancouver \| My Flickr photo gallery

December 16th, 2004, 10:33 AM	#7
Jeff Toogood Major Player Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: St.Thomas, Ontario, CANADA Posts: 428	I have the same tripod with a 488RC2 ball head and love it. Very sturdy and stable and doesn't weight that much. __________________ Toogood Studios

December 14th, 2004, 09:12 AM	#3
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	I use two Manfrotto tripods for my still camera. For small and light I have a Digi 719B. It came with a nice little nylon backpack style carrying case. Has a small ball head (non levelling). It works fine with my Nikon CoolPix 5700, except when I add the WA lens which is a BIG HEAVY hunk of glass then it seems a little light duty, although it is OK if not taking time exposures. But I really like my Manfrotto 3221WN "Wilderness" tripod when doing serious stuff. I originally got this as a kit with a 501 head for video, but later upgraded to a Miller. So I put a Manfrotto "3D" head on it and now use for still photos. This makes a nice setup for shooting panoramic shots which I enjoy doing sometimes. It is relatively heavy, but very sturdy for a small camera. It has a nice nylon carrying bag with shoulder strap and I've hiked pretty far carrying it. Not lightweight, not sure whether you'd consider it "compact."

December 14th, 2004, 05:42 PM	#5
Mark Williams Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Deep South, U.S. Posts: 1,526	Here's something that I am looking at doing. I also have a Manfrotto 3221WN "Wilderness" tripod like Boyd with a 501 video head. There is a little plastic acessory head plate that snaps into the tripod. I am going to buy another one, about $15.00, then fix a "Wimberley Head" to it. http://www.buytelescopes.com/product.asp?m=&pid=3567&display=desc This will hold my Nikon D70 and Sigma 100-300 lens. Regards, Mark

December 19th, 2004, 01:24 PM	#8
Steven Digges Trustee Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,828	Do a B&H search for “Canon Tripod” at the bottom you will see several mini-tripods that range from $15.00- $25.00. I have one of these in my photo backpack at all times. When I don’t want to pack the big ones I always have the mini with me if I need it. I have even mounted an XL1 on it in a pinch (not recommending that). For $20.00 it’s easy to add to the order when you decide on the big one. Steve __________________ www.CorporateShow.com Been at this so long I'm rounding my years of experience down...not up!