Time to Upgrade Tripod

[Gianna'sPapa]

I think its about time to upgrade my around home tripod. This means that weight is not an issue. I'm looking for sturdy legs and a decent ballhead. Just so I have a little overkill, I would like it to support about 15-17 lbs. I would like to keep it around $400 or less. I would like flip lock legs. Anyone have any ideas or recommendations? Also, since weight is not an issue, can someone sell me on the idea of carbon fiber over aluminum? I've only owned aluminum and I know that CF is lighter and stronger, but are there any more advantages I am missing. Since CF is lighter does that add anything to instability?

Any help will be greatly appreciated!! Thanks.

 

[SrisonS]

I'd recommend my current setup: Manfrotto 055XPROB with the 496RC2 ball head. This is my only tripod, and not very travel friendly. But it's solid, and meets what you're looking for. And it's great that you can set it up in a ton of different ways. The center column does more than just move up and down. So you can go super high... super low.... hang past railings... Etc...

There could be updated versions of what I listed. I bought my gear a few years ago.

 

[wbeem]

Carbon Fiber is very stable. You won't sacrifice stability by using it, despite being a lower weight material.

Everything you want is easily attainable, but your price point is unrealistic for what you want. Triple it. Go to Really Right Stuff and get a TVC-33 tripod with a BH-40 ballhead. It will last you for years and year, and you will never regret paying for the quality product.

Otherwise, you can keep buying cheaper products that disappoint you.

Nobody likes to hear how much it costs, but that's the going rate. They do have smaller, slightly less expensive tripods than the one I mentioned. However, getting thinner legs and more sections, not to mention a center column, all reduce stability.

 

[wiigirl]

Carbon Fiber is very stable. You won't sacrifice stability by using it, despite being a lower weight material.

Everything you want is easily attainable, but your price point is unrealistic for what you want. Triple it. Go to Really Right Stuff and get a TVC-33 tripod with a BH-40 ballhead. It will last you for years and year, and you will never regret paying for the quality product.

Otherwise, you can keep buying cheaper products that disappoint you.

Nobody likes to hear how much it costs, but that's the going rate. They do have smaller, slightly less expensive tripods than the one I mentioned. However, getting thinner legs and more sections, not to mention a center column, all reduce stability.

x2....carbon fiber it the best way to go.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I'd recommend my current setup: Manfrotto 055XPROB with the 496RC2 ball head. This is my only tripod, and not very travel friendly. But it's solid, and meets what you're looking for. And it's great that you can set it up in a ton of different ways. The center column does more than just move up and down. So you can go super high... super low.... hang past railings... Etc...

There could be updated versions of what I listed. I bought my gear a few years ago.

Thanks Scott. I'll look at that.

Carbon Fiber is very stable. You won't sacrifice stability by using it, despite being a lower weight material.

Everything you want is easily attainable, but your price point is unrealistic for what you want. Triple it. Go to Really Right Stuff and get a TVC-33 tripod with a BH-40 ballhead. It will last you for years and year, and you will never regret paying for the quality product.

Otherwise, you can keep buying cheaper products that disappoint you.

Nobody likes to hear how much it costs, but that's the going rate. They do have smaller, slightly less expensive tripods than the one I mentioned. However, getting thinner legs and more sections, not to mention a center column, all reduce stability.

I know what you're saying. The price I just looked at was over $1,300. With the current funding availability, if I paid that, I wouldn't have anything left for the divorce lawyer I would need! I really love the RRS stuff, but its currently outside my budget. I just need to upgrade over my old Slik that I'm using now, even if its only for a couple years. Besides the tripod, I'm hoping to convince the DW I need a better second (or first with my current one becoming the second) camera. My manufacturer is rumored to be introducing some new models, with the very outside possibility of a FF.

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

I bought this one
http://www.henrys.com/64584-VANGUARD-ALTA-PRO-263AT-3SECT-TPOD-BHEAD.aspx

because I was on a budget, it does some cool stuff and does NOT pack well, which is sucky. I'm pretty happy with it. I did dent one of the legs in DC, but it was only $25 to replace that section...

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I bought this one
http://www.henrys.com/64584-VANGUARD-ALTA-PRO-263AT-3SECT-TPOD-BHEAD.aspx

because I was on a budget, it does some cool stuff and does NOT pack well, which is sucky. I'm pretty happy with it. I did dent one of the legs in DC, but it was only $25 to replace that section...

Thanks, I will check it out. Packing is not one of the requirements. I have my travel tripod. I want to upgrade my old Slik that I have been using around the homestead.

 

[wbeem]

I know what you're saying. The price I just looked at was over $1,300. With the current funding availability, if I paid that, I wouldn't have anything left for the divorce lawyer I would need! I really love the RRS stuff, but its currently outside my budget. I just need to upgrade over my old Slik that I'm using now, even if its only for a couple years. Besides the tripod, I'm hoping to convince the DW I need a better second (or first with my current one becoming the second) camera. My manufacturer is rumored to be introducing some new models, with the very outside possibility of a FF.

I know a model going through a divorce who is checking to see how much she can get for her hand in marriage on eBay (I think she's kidding, but you never know).

Maybe instead of getting a divorce, you can sell your wife on the used market. Sorta kill two birds with one stone.

If the RRS is just not in the cards, I've heard relatively good things about the Oben brand.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I know a model going through a divorce who is checking to see how much she can get for her hand in marriage on eBay (I think she's kidding, but you never know).

Maybe instead of getting a divorce, you can sell your wife on the used market. Sorta kill two birds with one stone.

If the RRS is just not in the cards, I've heard relatively good things about the Oben brand.

I saw the Oben brand on the B & H website, but hadn't heard about before. I'll have to do some research on it.

 

[wbeem]

I saw the Oben brand on the B & H website, but hadn't heard about before. I'll have to do some research on it.

I only heard of it because Kelby mentioned/recommended it once before. Don't have any first-hand experience with it. You may want to search his site for mention to get more info.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I only heard of it because Kelby mentioned/recommended it once before. Don't have any first-hand experience with it. You may want to search his site for mention to get more info.

Thanks, I will.

 

[Shutterbug]

I too need to update my tripod. Though I am looking for hiking with and one that is stable enough for my 100-400 lens.
I cant go all crazy on the money either.

 

[YesDear]

First let me say that I totally agree with William about RRS. You cannot go wrong.

I would also suggest you look at Benro. I have two or their tripods and they have held up well.

 

[jimim]

I saw the Oben brand on the B & H website, but hadn't heard about before. I'll have to do some research on it.

I saw them last week cause B&H has a really nice separate display of them. I checked out the heads real quick. They seem rock solid. The tripods are real nice too and are a good price. It was really snowing so we wanted to get going but next time I'm there I'm going to play with them a bit. All I'm saying is from first glance they seem like a nice product.

jim

 

[jimim]

I know a model going through a divorce who is checking to see how much she can get for her hand in marriage on eBay (I think she's kidding, but you never know).

Maybe instead of getting a divorce, you can sell your wife on the used market. Sorta kill two birds with one stone.

If the RRS is just not in the cards, I've heard relatively good things about the Oben brand.

RRS are real nice! Very expensive but the reviews are all awesome it seems.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

The Oben's are real interesting and B & H sells them as kits with different ballheads. Here is a video with a link to a blog.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xr8nOqt1zMA

This is the one that pique's my interest.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/909171-REG/oben_ac_2310la_3_section_aluminum_lateral.html

Its a little heavy at over 6 lbs., but that is okay for my use. They do make travel ones as explained in the above video.