currently, i'm in the market for a tripod. i already own a bogen monopod with a pivoting head, but that doesn't cut it for long exposure shots.

so far, i'm considering the bogen 3021pro with the 488cr2 head. i've also read great reviews about dynatran tripods (the lesser known brand). i keep on hearing people saying "you get what you pay for" with regards to tripods so i'm doing quite a bit of research on this matter.

so i was curious to see what you all are using (tripod and head if applicable).

 

Well, I followed Dan Martin and got a Feisol CT-3342 (it just arrived today) and the Acartech V2. From looking at everything including what you're looking at, this hit me as perfect when I saw Dan's post.

 

that looks expensive....

 

I <3 my Fiesol/Acratech combo

 

Yes, it is a few$$$$, but it weighs less than 4 lbs (tripod and head).

 

i bought a tripod from wal-mart for $25 and it works great!

 

Under ideal conditions, three sticks and some duct tape will work too.

You don't have to go crazy with a tripod setup, but you'll probably want to upgrade sooner than later. If you're shooting with longer lenses or in adverse conditions, you'll quickly understand the limitations of a cheap pod.

 

Gitzo 1257 legs
Really Right Stuff BH40 ball head

 

Bogen 3001 with a Bogen 3160 head. It's nice and reasonably lightweight.

 

Manfrotto 3001 Pro legs and Manfrotto 3265 pistol grip ballhead. I've been very happy with this set-up.

 

If you all don't mind, would you all post approximate costs for your tripod setups?

 

Right around $1k.

 

For the tripod set up and shipping $410.00
For the ballhead and QR plates for both my film and digital camera and shipping $420.00

 

IIRC, I got the legs for around $110 and the ballhead for $90 or so. The whole set-up was ~$200 + Uncle Sam's cut.

 

Ooof!

 

Seeing as jupe and I have the same setup, I'm in for the same ~$850 also...

 

I probably have $1,200 - $1,400 sunk into my tripod stuff.

Gitzo 1227 legs
Kirk BH-3 ball head
Shorty CF center column
Various Kirk quick release plates

 

Well, I have the same setup as you.

edit to below...I give you the credit of this, I'm just glad you told us.

 

I think there's an echo in here....

Are you enjoying the new setup as much as me? I can't believe how light and stable the setup is. There's a disconnect in my brain when I shoot with it for a while then pick it up to move to another location. It just feels like something that stable should weigh a ton, but it doesn't.

 

Wow. Thanks for the info. I knew the setups weren't cheap, but I wasn't expecting them to be quite that high. You've given me some things to think about...

 

I haven't completely put it together yet (I'm going to try and do it tonight, I need to get it set up and practice with the TC-80N3), but holding both items in my hand, I can't believe how light it is. I'll remember to make sure I'll be careful with it when using it, I can see me thinking it weighs a ton, then shooting it over my shoulder when I do pick it up.

I have something in mind for the first set of pictures with it, I hope I can do it soon.

The carry bag for it has one of the zippers stuck, it takes great force to get it to move, I e-mailed them, they said they'll shoot me another one.

 

Feisol's customer service has been great for me. I don't have any issues with my tripod but they've been fast to answer my questions.

The bag they provide is a nice touch, since some brands don't even include one. I'm glad they're sending you another one to fix your problem.

 

Manfrotto 190xprob with Markins Q3 Emille ball head. Just like Dan's suggestion in this post.
https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...16&postcount=7

Thanks Dan!

 

That's another great setup.

 

I've got the Bogen/manfroto 3021bn with a 488 ball head.

It's very stable, and feels like very good quality. But it's also quite heavy.

I have had them for a couple years and I really love the legs, but I think I would have opted for a head with quick release (which the 488rcII has) and possibly a built in level. There are many times in the dark where I can't make out the horizon and have to fiddle about with a small level on top of the head before I even mount the camera (without a quick release that means twisting it on). If I accidentally kick the legs, well I have to start all over again. Also panorama's can be kind of a pain.

 

thats what i have. it works really well.

 

That's what I currently have too. Picked up one when I was in Maui last month. MX2000 or some ridiculous model number like that, lol. Works okay, would like to upgrade one of these days to something a bit lighter and more versatile.

 

so i decided on my setup. it's a cheap tripod with mid-level head.

dynatran tripod-
http://cgi.ebay.com/DYNATRAN-PROFESS...QQcmdZViewItem
after reading through POTN and FM, i found out this is comparable to the bogen 3021pro. the bogen retails for ~$150. i don't know which tripod fits me well yet, and both will be quite humongous, so this will help direct me to the tripod i want w/o spending a lot of money initially. i paid 11 + 14 s&h for this tripod so i can't complain if it's that crappy.

then i bought the bogen 488rc2 ball head:
http://www.amazon.com/Bogen-Manfrott...5072240&sr=8-1
i read this is a good all around head that can handle nearly any setup and shoot anything i want while not move much. this was $106 from amazon. i'm also hoping the rapid connect also works with my current swivel head (bogen 3229 i think) currently on my monopod.

 

Since I was so impressed by the Acratech GV2 I received a few weeks ago, I ordered and received their leveling base this week.





It's another great piece of kit from Acratech. It has the same excellent build quality that their ballheads have and it weighs less than a half pound. I bought it specifically for panoramas, but it's light enough that I might just leave it on the tripod all the time.

 

iv'e got an old skool VELBON given to me by my dad..works well...i think i'm gonna replace the head though since it doesn't have a quick release...
i'm also trying to inherit his old skool CANON AE-1 in mint condition with a bunch of different lens'...

 

I' like to know if others have found a solution to the problem of finding a tripod that can collapse sufficiently to be carried in carryon luggage - but be able, with the head, to have the camera at eye level (I'm 6'-2"). This probably means carbonfiber, and certainly means a four-section leg (with some risk of loss of stability) but my camera is a Nikon D40, and is relatively light, even with the telephoto. Any suggestions? At this point, price is not the issue.

carryon means a rough max length to the bag of 22'; I can pack a tripod on the diagonal to squeeze a few more inches out of the deal....

 

I've got a Gitzo GT3540LS with Really Right Stuff BH-55 Ballhead. That purchase hurt (~$1300 with L-plate), but once it arrived I loved it. Came from an ancient pan head tripod, so I literally went from one extreme to the other.

 

There are quite a few options on the market today. Feisol has a couple great pods to choose from: the CT-3442 (four segment version of my pod) folds down to just 18.9" and has a max height of 54.3" without the column. With the column, you can add about 10-12".

The legs on the new CT-3x42 pods can flip over a small tripod head so the folded length is the same with or without a head mounted.

The CT-3341 is designated as a "traveler tripod" so it's also able to be carried on the plane with you. It's a very lightweight solution to your problem and it includes the tiny CB-30 ballhead. If you want the lightest weight tripod/head combo for your travels, this is the way to go. Otherwise, I'd recommend the CT-3442 because it's much sturdier and not much heavier.

Gitzo also has a traveler tripod in their lineup called the GT-1550T that you might want to check out.

 

hey thanks, I will check these out. I had looked at the Feisol, but was unsure of what the total height was. With the Fiesol CT-3442 And the column And a head, I should be able to get the camera at my eye height, the challenge I have had to date with the 'starter' tripods that I bought with my first point and shoot. Moverover, the Fiesols seem to have the same rep (based on online commentary) for durability as the Gitzos without the staggering bottom line. The 19" collapsed works for me. I hate checking luggage, and checking camera gear is just a frightening concept to me.......

This will have to wait a bit; I took my hard drive in for RAM and hard drive upgrades to support my expanded needs with my Nikon D40, and discovered that my hard drive has black holes. I am replacing the entire system with either a new HP small office drive or a Lenovo office workstation, looking at either 2 or 2.5 RAM for ease of managing multiple open programs and RAW files.

 

Dan/Jupiter - Where did you order the Feisol tripods from? Direct from Feisol or a retailer?

 

You have to order directly from them and pay with paypal. I took less than a week to get it. I'm on the East Coast. If you do order from them make sure you add the shipping charges to your cart, if not they won't ship. You'll see what I mean.


www.feisol.com

 

I'll say the Feisol customer service is pretty good. The tripod I order comes with a bag, most other companies charge $40 or so. The bag arrived with a problem zipper, I e-mailed them about it, they said no problem and BOOM got new bag today.

 

i heard benro tripods are a good cf alternative to gitzo.

apparently, it's the chinese version. anyone try out this tripods?

 

I had a C328n6 and it was a good tripod but my Feisol is better made and lighter.

 

Dan/JS - what made you chose the 3342 over the 3442? Was it because it's just easier setting up a 3-section vs a 4-section? I'm wondering if the slightly smaller folder dimension of the 3442 would warrant the extra "hassle" of an additional section.