Manfrotto Tripod - which model ?

[JerseyJay]

Next on the list is decent tripod. I have two "low tech" tripods made by Giottos but those will not hold 200mm lens. I was looking into Manfrotto combo. What are your thoughts.

3021Pro legs
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Images/Display/Bogen-Manfrotto-3021B-Pro-Tripod.jpg

486RC2 head
http://www.photoplus-uk.co.uk/access/Manfrotto/heads/486RC2.jpg

Or

488RC2 head
http://www.cyberphoto.se/stativ/manfrotto/488.gif

[DarthV]

How are you intending on using it? Hiking? Or studio? Or a little of both? I have the 3001PRO + 486-rc2 head and it seems pretty sturdy I think the max weight is somewhere around 10-11lbs...so that should handle a body + 70-200 f/2.8 + flash. I thought about going with the 3021PRO, but since I hoof it everywhere, the extra pound of weight was the deciding factor in going with the lighter 3001PRO.

[ccplim]

I second DarthV on that. What do you plan to use it for? The weight of 3021Pro is slightly on the heavy side but that is okay for me (I am actually planning to get it sometime this week).

If you are a tall guy, 3001Pro might not be high enough for you. IMO, 3021Pro and 486RC2 makes a good combo. Do let us know your need and we will try to get the 'best' combo for you :)

Btw, the one you posted is a 3021BPro. 3021Pro are silver in color :cheesy:

[DarthV]

Actually that's probably the 3021PROB..they do make a model with black legs... I had thought about going black, but figured the tripod would get scratched eventually...so I went silver :)

I'm around 6'1" or 6'2" and with the center column mostly extended, the camer will be at eye level... but I usually just leave the column low and bend down a little.

[JerseyJay]

I'm 6'1" and I need something tall. If I'm not mistaken 3001 is ~ 5'8" and I don't want to have neck pains.

I will be using it mostly for landscape/nature photography but "studio" setup is possible as well. I prefer to have something more stable and couple pounds this way or that way shouldn't make a difference. At least I hope so. I'm going to the store on Friday again to exchange my bag so I will actually try few of them on my back.

Btw, the one you posted is a 3021BPro. 3021Pro are silver in color

Not true !. They make them black as well.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=284784&is=REG

Silver legs - Canon Rebel
Black legs - Nikon

:cheesy:

[ccplim]

Actually that's probably the 3021PROB..they do make a model with black legs... I had thought about going black, but figured the tripod would get scratched eventually...so I went silver :)

I'm around 6'1" or 6'2" and with the center column mostly extended, the camer will be at eye level... but I usually just leave the column low and bend down a little.

You are right. The additional B actually means 'Black' :cheesy: You can see it here (http://www.manfrotto.com/product/itemlist.php3?begincount=20&sectionid=2&manufid=1).

I usually don't recommand extending the center column as that highly reduce the stablility of the setup.

[ccplim]

I'm 6'1" and I need something tall. If I'm not mistaken 3001 is ~ 5'8" and I don't want to have neck pains.

I will be using it mostly for landscape/nature photography but "studio" setup is possible as well. I prefer to have something more stable and couple pounds this way or that way shouldn't make a difference. At least I hope so. I'm going to the store on Friday again to exchange my bag so I will actually try few of them on my back.

Btw, the one you posted is a 3021BPro. 3021Pro are silver in color

Not true !. They make them black as well.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=284784&is=REG

Silver legs - Canon Rebel
Black legs - Nikon

:cheesy:

Jay, the height of the tripod might be ~ 5'8" but you will need to add in the height of the ballhead and your camera when everything is setup.

While you are at the store, you might want to consider getting this (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=5400&is=REG) too.

[DarthV]

I don't use it fully extended...but it can be used that way if absolutely needed... and yep, with the ball head and camera, it's pretty easy to use without having to get all bent out of shape. I really like being able to set the ballhead to put the camera into portrait stance...it's come in handy a few times :)

Like this one at the local fair:

http://executor.hil.unb.ca/craig/images/SLR_Course/assignment6/frex/zipper01.jpg

[Roy W.]

I just got the Velbon CX686 and its a really nice tripod.
Tall to, it brings the camera rigth up to my eyes and i`m 192cm tall!!
Steadyest i`ve ever seen!

And the PAN head is great, with adjustable tension knobs..
its really a video tripod but it fits real good
http://www.velbon-tripod.com/products/cx-686.gif
[/img]

[meriadoc]

i tend to avoid pods with the leg supports - because i manage to contort my 'frotto in really weird ways. I'm eventually gonna upgrade to a CF tripod.. lightweight and sturdy.

the general rule of thumb is to get somthing that sits about 5 inches from top of your head at full height.. thats generally around eye level.

I've got both frotto tri and monos, the monos double great as a walking stick ;) i don't have any ball heads for mine, rather pan/tilt heads - easier for landscapes.

[ccplim]

I don't use it fully extended...but it can be used that way if absolutely needed... and yep, with the ball head and camera, it's pretty easy to use without having to get all bent out of shape. I really like being able to set the ballhead to put the camera into portrait stance...it's come in handy a few times :)

Like this one at the local fair:

http://executor.hil.unb.ca/craig/images/SLR_Course/assignment6/frex/zipper01.jpg

My god! After looking at that pic, I became @_@ :cheesy:

[ccplim]

I just got the Velbon CX686 and its a really nice tripod.
Tall to, it brings the camera rigth up to my eyes and i`m 192cm tall!!
Steadyest i`ve ever seen!

And the PAN head is great, with adjustable tension knobs..
its really a video tripod but it fits real good
http://www.velbon-tripod.com/products/cx-686.gif
[/img]

Gosh! You are tall! :shock:

I agreed with meriadoc on the leg support thingy as I usually need to go low while taking nature shots at close distance.

[meriadoc]

My god! After looking at that pic, I became @_@ :cheesy:

lol i have a photo very similar to that taken about 6 years ago!

[DarthV]

My god! After looking at that pic, I became @_@ :cheesy:

lol i have a photo very similar to that taken about 6 years ago!

I have a few that were taken from angles and distances that most people wouldn't think of... I was out of the fair area and attached a 100-300mm telephoto zoom and captured some really crazy patterns. Or one of the rides that had a strobe light... you can see ghostly screaming faces from the strobe... lots of fun to be had!

http://executor.hil.unb.ca/craig/images/SLR_Course/assignment6/frex/gravitron02.jpg

[meriadoc]

I'd get the one with the quick release plate on the bottom - that way you don't have to worry about screwing the camera on all the time, just keep the plate attached to the camera

[Roy W.]

Yup, mine has got that.
Just a quick move on a handle and the camera`s loose.
You can also spread the legs completely so that you get closer to the ground.

Like this...
http://www.velbon-tripod.com/pict/pict-CX-686.gif

[ccplim]

Yup, mine has got that.
Just a quick move on a handle and the camera`s loose.
You can also spread the legs completely so that you get closer to the ground.

Like this...
http://www.velbon-tripod.com/pict/pict-CX-686.gif

How low can it go actually? From the picture, it seems like the lowest it can go is 60cm.

[Roy W.]

i havent tried it myself yet, but i can do that later today and post back to you :)

[ccplim]

i havent tried it myself yet, but i can do that later today and post back to you :)

Thanks Roy! :)

[Roy W.]

Hey.
I tried it now but i cant make it for some reason.

The lowest i can get is 63cm but that is with legs in normal position.