Tripod advice

[back alley]

what's a tripod?

 

[divewizard]

After looking at a lot of tripods in stores and checking out what other people were using I recently bought a Really Right Stuff BH-55, and an Induro AT313.

From what I could tell from playing with them is that the Induro legs are as good as the more expensive brands, however their ball heads are not of the same quality as RRS.

This is not a light rig, but it worked outstandingly well for seascapes in high winds.

I am using Henjar D-004 plates on the Fuji 6x9s and a Henjar B-001 on the GA645zi

So far I have been very happy with this set up.

 

[imush]

Ok, now I came across a free Stitz C550, which seems sturdy enough for starters. But the head is missing parts and seems unusable.

So now please tell me about reasonable, simple ball heads to hold a smallish camera. I do not mind to spend 25 seconds bolting the camera to it or turning the thing around, so no need for any quick release things or 360 degree turns.

 

[whitecat]

I still use my trusty Gitzo Monopod also.

 

[back alley]

i bought a small leica ball head a few years ago and that thing is amazing...and was not expensive at all.

 

[MCTuomey]

Mike mine is a 4-section traveler with a "rapid" center column. Link from the Benro Chinese web site. I bought mine without the ballhead, it has a Markins Q3T bh on it.

Very similar to what I bought, Peter. We're aligned: I put a Markins Q3 too on mine, sold the BH-1 head that came with the Benro. I plan to use it for some night shooting in New Orleans in March.

 

[SteveM]

I still use my trusty Gitzo Monopod also.

Same here, when I need a bit more stability I turn to my Gitzo monopod. Light, and can be surprisingly rigid if braced on something, easy to carry. For heavier duty I use a Manfrotto 055ProB; heavy but stable. Flip tab leg clamps are really nice. Gitzo quality is amazing, but I've heard good things about Benro too.

Steve

 

[NLewis]

I would look into the Benro or Induro lines. I got a Benro 3-series tripod, and it is stellar. If you want something lighter and more portable, I'd look into their 1-series lines. I haven't compared to Gitzo but I have no complaints, I'd expect it is near-Gitzo quality for half price or less. Look around for something on sale. Amazon.com sometimes has listings for sale tripods.

I would also consider aluminum tripods -- sometimes heavier is better. Cheaper, too.

 

[peter_n]

Induro is made by Benro. It's an upscale label that Benro uses for the US and European markets. Both are good products. Good point about Amazon sales; here's last year's C-358 M8 at an absolute bargain price, this tripod now has a new label but the specs are virtually the same.

 

[Pablito]

Marconi Bros. Tiltall - they originated the design and their original tripods are the best-machined and smoothest. Made in New Jersey.

Leitz Tiltall is 2nd choice, not as nicely machined so it requires more elbow grease to clamp down.

 

[MCTuomey]

I agree about Tiltall, but only the original Marcione bros products. Current Tiltalls are now made in China (wouldn't be surprised if it was the same manufacturer that makes Benro, Induro, and other OEMs). Since the demise of the original operation, excluding the current maker, there may have been 3-4 different producers of tiltalls, any of which I'd be wary to buy. But if you can find an original Marcione Tiltall on the 'Bay or elsewhere, you won't be disappointed. Here's one over at p.net:

http://photo.net/gc/view-one?classified_ad_id=1261850