View Full Version : Which tripod to buy ?
anants_550
10-24-2011, 05:49 PM
Hello,
I just broke me Croma tripod. Got it free with my Canon. Pretty cheap quality. For 999 in India, and saw the same in Hong Kong for 450 something.
I have narrowed down to two choices, major factor being budget :
http://www.letsbuy.com/sony-vctr640-p-20713
or
http://www.letsbuy.com/vanguard-mak-233-tripod-aluminum-p-21641
My use is more for portraits. I click indoors without too much lighting so I need to use a tripod and use longer shutter speeds.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Thank you.
KrishnenduKes
10-25-2011, 12:43 PM
Query Approved
You can also have a look here (http://www.thephotographer.in/darkroom/showthread.php?t=839&highlight=tripods) and this thread (http://www.thephotographer.in/darkroom/showthread.php?t=725&highlight=tripods).
Neither. Get something with sturdy legs and a ballhead+quick release. You'll thank me later.
Some cheap manfrottos are a good place to start looking at. Dunno the prices in India, but they start off at $90 here which is approx. INR3k. Try Amazon/ Adorama if local prices are overblown.
KrishnenduKes
10-25-2011, 01:17 PM
Cheapest Lester Bogens in India are for double that price! No Manfrottos for less than 8K INR.
Why do you talk about a ballhead?
Because Pan/ tilts are horrible for photography IMO. Ballheads are the most versatile of the lot. With a quick release, that is.
powerslave
10-25-2011, 07:06 PM
I would highly recommend spending that extra bit and getting a solid one with a ballhead as synn mentioned. It is going to be with you for a long long time and will pay itself over many times over.
anants_550
10-26-2011, 03:13 AM
Thank you for your valuable input. I did know which ones were the best, but right now I can only afford either of these two. Have been addicted to ebay for a cpl of weeks now and have gone bankrupt.
So any help in choosing between these 2 would be great !
I don't wanna sound like an elitist, but I'd use someone else's gear for the time being, save up until I can afford a good tripod and then make the purchase.
I'm telling you so because I've done the same thing when I was new to the art, cutting corners to save a buck or two. Sooner or later it will frustrate you and even throw you off photography altogether. Good gear however, is an investment as powerslave said.
But if you insist, get the Vanguard because it offers a central hook where you can hang something heavy and make the tripod more stable. The Sony doesn't.
Out in the field though, you'd eventually be wishing for something that's stable from the word go rather than go through "Hanging-unhanging-move to another location-hanging-unhanging"...
Trust me.
anants_550
10-26-2011, 03:24 PM
I don't wanna sound like an elitist, but I'd use someone else's gear for the time being, save up until I can afford a good tripod and then make the purchase.
I'm telling you so because I've done the same thing when I was new to the art, cutting corners to save a buck or two. Sooner or later it will frustrate you and even throw you off photography altogether. Good gear however, is an investment as powerslave said.
But if you insist, get the Vanguard because it offers a central hook where you can hang something heavy and make the tripod more stable. The Sony doesn't.
Out in the field though, you'd eventually be wishing for something that's stable from the word go rather than go through "Hanging-unhanging-move to another location-hanging-unhanging"...
Trust me.
Just ordered the Vanguard. Thanks man !
I know what you mean, but I'd rather save up for a lens than a tripod really. I have also bought cheap ND filters. As of now, I don't look for a lil irregularity in my pictures unless they are jarring to the eye. Getting there.
The Sony does have a max load capacity of 3Kg compared to 2 on a Vanguard. But the Vanguard is 3 inches taller. I need that for portraits I click in office.
KrishnenduKes
10-27-2011, 02:15 PM
Because Pan/ tilts are horrible for photography IMO. Ballheads are the most versatile of the lot. With a quick release, that is.
I would highly recommend spending that extra bit and getting a solid one with a ballhead as synn mentioned. It is going to be with you for a long long time and will pay itself over many times over.
Why do you guys insist on the ballhead other than the versatility factor?
I assumed that ballheads wore off easier than pan-tilts.
Good ballheads don't.
Pan/tilts are meant for videography, where the camera's supposed to track motion in one axis at a time. The handle that comes with them is for that. A photographer can save precious seconds by not having to deal with one axis at a time, if he uses a ballhead.
Moreover, these pan/tilts are meant for camcorders, with none of the vibration dampening that good ballheads or even pro pan/tilts have. Long exposures are not gonna turn out so well on an aluminum pan/tilt, in my experience.
KrishnenduKes
10-27-2011, 02:44 PM
Good ballheads don't.
Moreover, these pan/tilts are meant for camcorders, with none of the vibration dampening that good ballheads or even pro pan/tilts have. Long exposures are not gonna turn out so well on an aluminum pan/tilt, in my experience.
Really? I thought the opposite. I mean opposite of the underlined part. Which is why I went out and bought me a pan-tilt. 3 years ago. And I am quite happy with it. And I really did not want to go and buy the ballhead. But now you have planted the seed of doubt and I would like to check it out.
Info: I have been happily using the 804RC2 (http://www.letsgodigital.org/en/13327/manfrotto_804rc2/) for the past 3 years without complaint.
The key is the "Aluminium" part. Your Pan/Tilt is a heavy duty, pro head with a quick release. It's gonna be loads better than the ones listed in this thread, although I still maintain that a similarly priced ballhead would be loads better for a photographer.
I used to use a Gitzo ballhead with Slik(I think) carbon legs for my 360 degree HDR panoramas and they handled the long exposure shots like a charm. That's with a 5D Mk II and a heavy UWA on top!
KrishnenduKes
10-27-2011, 03:21 PM
The key is the "Aluminium" part. Your Pan/Tilt is a heavy duty, pro head with a quick release. It's gonna be loads better than the ones listed in this thread, although I still maintain that a similarly priced ballhead would be loads better for a photographer.
I used to use a Gitzo ballhead with Slik(I think) carbon legs for my 360 degree HDR panoramas and they handled the long exposure shots like a charm. That's with a 5D Mk II and a heavy UWA on top!
Gitzo and Slik!!! For me they are two ends of the quality spectrum. But then you said carbon. That is face saving for your Slik.
Vicky
10-27-2011, 03:53 PM
Gitzo and Slik!!! For me they are two ends of the quality spectrum.
While the Gitzo is definitely a more superior brand and a favorite among Pros, I wouldn't completely discount the Slik either...
I think its got decent product quality and some great prices. One of the best VFM tripod brands available in India for sure.
Perfect for armatures or people on a limited budget!
KrishnenduKes
10-27-2011, 04:55 PM
I think its got decent product quality and some great prices. One of the best VFM tripod brands available in India for sure.
Perfect for armatures or people on a limited budget!
In that case where would rate the Slik compared to the Vanguard?
I am not really sure what brand it was, honestly. I think it was Slik. The entire range of kit for that shoot was borrowed in form different sources. The one thing I didn't compromise on was the big ass ballhead with accurate degree markings coz that makes or breaks a panorama shoot.
anants_550
10-29-2011, 10:08 PM
In that case where would rate the Slik compared to the Vanguard?
I have received the Vanguard today morning, and compared to the inferior grade Croma tripod which they sell for Rs 999, this one is SUPER good. Slightly heavier, but much more sturdy, the Croma tripod was once kept on a table without a camera, a little bit wind and it had blown off. Tomorrow, I'll post pictures of the Vanguard showing key elements.
Also, I checked their website, and they have been making tripods for a while now. I saw some Slik tripods as well, but wasn't sure about how good they were.
Though I do wonder, if they have service centres here in India, they have dealers so I am hoping.
And as for pan n tilt, what bad is it to have a tripod that helps in stills and videography, considering the 550D and a lot other cameras now come with HD video recording. IMO, doesn't make sense to keep two tripods if you are an amateur.
Panning with DSLRs WRT videos opens up a whole different Pandora's box. But going into that would take this thread completely OT. :)
anants_550
10-30-2011, 01:04 AM
Panning with DSLRs WRT videos opens up a whole different Pandora's box. But going into that would take this thread completely OT. :)
Haha I am sure !
Thanks for the help once again. Shall write to you once I use a ballhead tripod.
From what I know,if you invest in some quality tripod/monopod,it'll last you for decades even generations
May I suggest Manfrotto,Gitzo
KrishnenduKes
11-02-2011, 01:50 PM
From what I know,if you invest in some quality tripod/monopod,it'll last you for decades even generations
May I suggest Manfrotto,Gitzo
Welcome back! :)
Welcome back! :)
:),the forum seems to become little inactive,with only a bunch of active people,facebook killing every forum :/
KrishnenduKes
11-02-2011, 03:48 PM
:),the forum seems to become little inactive,with only a bunch of active people,facebook killing every forum :/
Serious people would always be around.
Besides yes... Facebook does have a world domination programme. There is no escaping that.
Bibudesh
11-02-2011, 05:46 PM
Because Pan/ tilts are horrible for photography IMO. Ballheads are the most versatile of the lot. With a quick release, that is.
Why do you guys insist on the ballhead other than the versatility factor?
I assumed that ballheads wore off easier than pan-tilts.
Agree and disagree. I have a manfrotto 055xprob and 804RC2 pan and tilt. I made a choice of pan and tilt over ballhead bcoz I somehow feel 3-way is better and easier to use. You dont easily get loose of the setting you have made. Ballhead somehow makes me crazy.
But I think if you spend good moolah on ballhead then you find a durable one.
It gets loose because you used a small, non-damped ballhead. Trust me when I say this, a proper Gitzo/Arca-swiss/Bogen/Manfrotto etc. (And even some good chinese copies) with a giant ass, damped ball would be as precise as you want it to be.
So which tripod you bought?
anvancy-(macro analyst)
11-04-2011, 10:13 PM
Weight is a critical factor.Atleast to me.
I am a part time trekker. To my recent trip I had to haul up the tripod for many hrs straight on many days and occasions. that said it stood like a rock.
If all buy a cheap one, not necessary you buy that only. Check weight before you buy.
Budget second. If it permits, ill say always the big companies.
If "On" a Budget Benro is one good option.so is Vanguard.
Anvancy
anirban
11-07-2011, 11:52 PM
I checked out two tripods at Croma today (not the flimsy ones)
One extends about 5ft, tilt and pan head, max load 4kg, MRP 1990INR
The other upto eye height (5ft 6in at least), ballhead, max load 3kg, MRP 2490INR.
The legs look and feel sturdy, and have rubber feet.
Both are in my budget. For my P&S camera. A DSLR maybe 2 or 3 years later.
Which one??
Bibudesh
11-08-2011, 11:49 AM
It gets loose because you used a small, non-damped ballhead. Trust me when I say this, a proper Gitzo/Arca-swiss/Bogen/Manfrotto ....
That will cost like a Nikon 85mm f/1.8 LOL!..
One correction, I have a 804RC4 pan and tilt and not the 804RC2. Though I dont have a plate still it worked like a charm with the Nikkor 200-400 mm during ranganthittu trip.
But yes, like anavancy said about his travel reqmnts, my tripod comes with a big disadvantage of heavy weight.
I had a huge setback when I was uanble to carry it in flight, it cannot fit into my check-in suitcase. You need to devise a strategy to carry the tripod ;-P in cabin ..
That will cost like a Nikon 85mm f/1.8 LOL!..
It's no laughing matter, actually. I was reading Thom Hogan's site the other day and guess what the number one item in his list of things needed to get a razor sharp shot? It was a sturdy tripod.
...and the last item was the lens.
Bibudesh
11-08-2011, 09:38 PM
It's no laughing matter, actually. I was reading Thom Hogan's site the other day and guess what the number one item in his list of things needed to get a razor sharp shot? It was a sturdy tripod.
...and the last item was the lens.
I have to agree on this. I have felt a sudden spike in the quality of my shots after buying and using my tripod.
anvancy-(macro analyst)
11-08-2011, 10:28 PM
Now look at the reverse.
Why not to buy a "Light" Tripod.
Suppose we took the light weight ones, went to a beach, rocky mountain, windy day, blah blah..and you shoot long exposures(which many have in mind) then your cam IS going to shake.
Balance it out. the 055XPROB is one awesome piece of tripod.it is that way heavy.you can feel the weight on your back.
Cost also is not pocket friendly. 12k when I bought it.
I started off with those cheapo vivitar ones. the current situation of that tripod is, the joint where the legs attach to the head broke. so its that way rendered useless.
some may want to follow what I follow. Invest one time and forget for years. the 055XPROB falls in that category.
Anvancy
So last weekend, I defied my own rules and went shooting with a cheapo tripod. It had a ballhead, no quick release and was meant for low end DSLRs (500D/ D5100 etc.). It didn't have a snowballs chance in hell of containing the mirror slap of an old school film SLR and it showed. Perfectly composed shots were ruined and guess what, it's a very costly mistake on film!
Having previously had access to some very sturdy tripods at work, I never really bothered to buy one myself after I misplaced my last tripod (A chinese make with a pretty decent ballhead, but no quick release. I shot videos with it and they turned out to be fine). After this mishap, i decided to fill that void.
Got myself a brand new Manfrotto MT293A3 and a 494RC2 head for a bargain price of SGD 149. Yes, it's not a monster like the 055XPROB, but it's also way lighter. The 5KG load capacity is fine for my needs and every inch oozes quality like only a Manfrotto does. Of course, you get additional Manfrotto niceties like a 10 year warranty and maintenance free joints. It can't go near-flat like the costlier models do, but the center column is reversible for low camera mounting and some (Rather weird) creative possibilities.
I looked at some of the cheaper items on display even though I had my mind set on this, tried them out just for kicks. Take my advise, spend that extra dough and get yourself the real deal. Compared side by side, it's very easy to see why the poor man pays twice.
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