I think I need a new tripod

andrewc said:
I prefer the lever lock type of leg lock rather than the twist. I had a heart in mouth moment once when a twist lock leg collapsed but thankfully caught the camera. I had good service from a Manfrotto 190XPROB that I probably bought from this forum and more recently upgraded to a set of 055 carbon fibre legs also from here. Wife commandeered the 190 for herself.
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I had the carbon fibre Manfrotto 190, great tripod imo.
 
snerkler said:
I'm not 100% sure we're talking about the same thing here? Back button focus (BBF) and the shutter release are two different things. When set up with BBF the BBF button focuses, and all the shutter button does is release the shutter, it won't re-focus.

If using BBF the preferred method (imo) when using the 10s timer would be use the BBF to focus, press the shutter to take the shot and then don't touch the camera again during the 10s delay or whilst the shutter is open. The same applies using a remote shutter, the whole point is that you don't touch the camera whilst the shutter is open, or immediately prior to the shutter being open so that camera shake is minimised.

Of course if you're not using BBF or manual focus then every time you press the shutter then it will re-focus and of course introduce a risk of poor focus.
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Sorry for the confusion, snerkler. Yep, I believe we're talking about the same thing. My concern before you cleared it up for me was that just the action of pressing the back focus button to focus might alone have induced camera shake and introduced blur.

But as you explained to me, blur can only be introduced if I touched the camera when, or a moment before, the shutter actually opens. I think I've got that right? :)
 
As far as leg locking, I think lever lock would be better as I've watched some videos and several people say the screw type doesn't give 100% confidence. But I'm not overly fussed to be honest, I'm pretty obsessive about making sure things are tightened down. Weight I'm not too worried about. My cheap one is 1.3kg and feels pretty light to me. I can't imagine a tripod around 1.9kg is going to feel that much heavier is it?

I've seen some videos where there's some concern about the three legged thing tripod ball head not staying fully tight and slightly drooping.

I want the legs to be able to stretch out almost flat and I also want to be able to go to about 4.5/5 foot high preferably without extending a central column.

How about this one, good? I think I'd need to buy a quick release plate for it?
www.ebay.co.uk

Tripod Manfrotto 190XPROB & BallHead 486RC2 + Carry Bag | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Tripod Manfrotto 190XPROB & BallHead 486RC2 + Carry Bag at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!
www.ebay.co.uk
 
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5' is approx 150cm. The 190 legs go up to about 4 1/2 feet. 055 legs go a little higher. Both will go low and can often reverse the centre column to go ultra low.

Heads - I have a ball head and a pan/tilt head. Both have their places. I tried the joystick version and didn't like it myself. I have the same QR plate system on monopods, tripods, cameras and long lenses so I don't need to faff with QR plates, they're just there ready for action.
 
Merlin5 said:
As far as leg locking, I think lever lock would be better as I've watched some videos and several people say the screw type doesn't give 100% confidence. But I'm not overly fussed to be honest.

I've seen some videos where there's some concern about the three legged thing tripod ball head.not staying fully tight.

I want the legs to be able to go almost flat and I want to be able to go to about 5 foot high preferably without exrending a central column.

How about this one, good? I think I'd need to buy a quick release plate for it?
www.ebay.co.uk

Tripod Manfrotto 190XPROB & BallHead 486RC2 + Carry Bag | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Tripod Manfrotto 190XPROB & BallHead 486RC2 + Carry Bag at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!
www.ebay.co.uk
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Good tripod and head I have had one for years without any problem.
The nice thing about it is the centre column can be swung out the side and also reversed so you can get very low level shots in addition you can also get it virtually flat
BTW as far as BBF is concerned on the canon you can program one of the C modes so it does not BBF. I did that all the time with a TS-E lens on a 5Dmk2.
 
troutfisher said:
Good tripod and head I have had one for years without any problem.
The nice thing about it is the centre column can be swung out the side and also reversed so you can get very low level shots in addition you can also get it virtually flat
BTW as far as BBF is concerned on the canon you can program one of the C modes so it does not BBF. I did that all the time with a TS-E lens on a 5Dmk2.
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Thanks. If I buy that ebay one I linked, does it look like I'll need to buy a quick release plate and do I need a specific one for that 486RC2 ballhead? But I guess I can message the seller to see if he has one.

About the BBF, I've gotten used to it and like it. What would be the reasoning for programming a C mode so it doesn't BBF?
 
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Merlin5 said:
Thanks. If I buy that ebay one I linked, does it look like I'll need to buy a quick release plate and do I need a specific one for that 486RC2 ballhead? But I guess I can message the seller to see if he has one.

About the BBF, I've gotten used to it and like it. What would be the reasoning for programming a C mode so it doesn't BBF?
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Looks very expensive to me for an Alu tripod and very average head with no plate, much better deals than that about
Can get better new for a quid less https://carmarthencameras.com/tripo...ripod-with-xpro-ball-head-w-200-pl-plate.html
 
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Merlin5 said:
Thanks. If I buy that ebay one I linked, does it look like I'll need to buy a quick release plate and do I need a specific one for that 486RC2 ballhead? But I guess I can message the seller to see if he has one.

About the BBF, I've gotten used to it and like it. What would be the reasoning for programming a C mode so it doesn't BBF?
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When I used Canon gear I always used BBF, in fact the only dislike with my Fuji gear is I can't do it ( or can't find out how.)
When I used the TS-E (which is MF only) manually focussed I did not want the focus to change so I set C1 just to release the shutter and set the aperture and ISO when using a cable release and live view I just found it easier
 
Everyone has their own preferences. IMO it's not possible to make a tripod that's both light and stable because weight provides resistance to movement and damping of vibration. A light tripod with a bag of sugar hung below the centre column will offer better stability and resistance to vibration than one without, but a tripod designed heavy will be better still.

My favourite and most stable tripod is a Benbo - heavy, and designed for both stability and flexibility. They are available used at sensible prices, and would allow you to budget for a decent ball head.

I also have a Red snapper like Lee - great budget Ali tripod - and a lightweight carbon job that is portable but too light to offer serious stability in anything but calm conditions.
 
troutfisher said:
When I used Canon gear I always used BBF, in fact the only dislike with my Fuji gear is I can't do it ( or can't find out how.)
When I used the TS-E (which is MF only) manually focussed I did not want the focus to change so I set C1 just to release the shutter and set the aperture and ISO when using a cable release and live view I just found it easier
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You can use BBF on Fuji, google will be your friend (y)
 
Fuji is the simplest camera for BBF!

Don't discount buying used tripods. I got a bargain on a used Gitzo that gave me a much better tripod than my budget would have got new. In mint condition too.

As for leg lock style, make yourselves own mnd up, as many people prefer twists as do levers. For me I prefer twists.
 
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The main problems with twists I find.

1 - I can't visually see whether it is locked tight
2 - Get sand in it....good luck!

Clips/levers is slower to lock and unlock but it's not THAT slow. You can trap your fingers but none of these downsides can cause your camera fall over or break the lock (sand).
 
Thanks guys for your help. Raymond, yeah, my cheap tripod has clip locks so I'm used to them. I like the aesthetic look of screw locks better, but secureness is far more important to me than looks.
tijuana taxi said:
Looks very expensive to me for an Alu tripod and very average head with no plate, much better deals than that about
Can get better new for a quid less https://carmarthencameras.com/tripo...ripod-with-xpro-ball-head-w-200-pl-plate.html
Click to expand...

Awesome find and £189! I just checked the Manfrotto 190X aluminium 3 section with xpro w/200 PL plate on Amazon, and it's over £300 on there! Apparently it weighs 2.5kg. I'm assuming that would be regarded as heavy and I imagine what ancient mariner Toni would say is good in terms of resistance to movement and damping of vibrations. I just put a full 2 litre bottle of tesco's thick bleach plus a couple of bananas on the scales :p and it weighs just under that. That seems fine to me and I don't think I'm going to be walking particularly long distances with it anyway.

I just added it to the basket on camarthencameras but I hadn't really considered the closed length that I wanted. It's 70cm, that's longer than mine which is about 61cm and I think I'd prefer something more compact like 40 to 50cm long. I'll look back through this thread to see if any tripod has been mentioned that is shorter when closed.
 
tijuana taxi said:
Here's one Lee, I reckon its a real bargain https://www.parkcameras.com/p/93700...MIsLyVnYqC7AIVT-btCh3J5AUYEAQYBCABEgJ7wvD_BwE
Even if you wanted a different plate ( can't see why it matters) it would still be really cheap
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Thanks, Rich, now that's even better, only 43cm closed and it's taller than mine when opened and taller again than mine with the centre pole extended!
Here's a comparison of 43cm against my two old cheapo tripods.

20200924_162806.jpg

I found it on Amazon as well for the same price, £229 with free shipping. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Manfrotto-Mirrorless-Lightweight-Payload-MKBFRTC4GTA-BH/dp/B07M6HMZTB?th=1

I think that tripod's got my name on it, and I don't mind it being screw locks. Just a couple of concerns I wanted to mention. It says

'Ideal match: The plate is designed to match Sony α7 and Sony α9 camera bodies, to ensure perfect grip, even in the most angled camera shots, always keeping the camera stuck to the head plate'
I assume it's not limited to those because I'll be wanting to mount a Sony a6600 and a Canon 5D2?

And there was one comment on the amazon page which says this, just wondering if I should be worried about it or not.

"On the product listing, one of the key features says "The plate is designed to match Sony α7 and Sony α9 camera bodies, to ensure perfect grip, even in the most angled camera shots."
Instead of the usual Manfrotto connector, it is now one that also supports both Manfrotto RC2 and Arca-swiss style. Having used Manfrotto heads for years, I have never had a camera fall out until I used this new head. When using my old Manfrotto head, you knew when the camera connected to it - as there was a noticeable click when it went in. This new style head does not have this. After about a minute of being angled up, the camera just popped right out. Luckily my camera and lens took most of the impact onto my foot and the lens hood - but not something I was exactly happy about with my new 16-35 lens."
 
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Merlin5 said:
Thanks, Rich, now that's even better, only 43cm closed and it's taller than mine when opened and taller again than mine with the centre pole extended!
Here's a comparison of 43cm against my two old cheapo tripods.

View attachment 293548

I found it on Amazon as well for the same price, £229 with free shipping. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Manfrotto-Mirrorless-Lightweight-Payload-MKBFRTC4GTA-BH/dp/B07M6HMZTB?th=1

I think that tripod's got my name on it, and I don't mind it being screw locks. Just a couple of concerns I wanted to mention. It says

'Ideal match: The plate is designed to match Sony α7 and Sony α9 camera bodies, to ensure perfect grip, even in the most angled camera shots, always keeping the camera stuck to the head plate'
I assume it's not limited to those because I'll be wanting to mount a Sony a6600 and a Canon 5D2?

And there was one comment on the amazon page which says this, just wondering if I should be worried about it or not.

"On the product listing, one of the key features says "The plate is designed to match Sony α7 and Sony α9 camera bodies, to ensure perfect grip, even in the most angled camera shots."
Instead of the usual Manfrotto connector, it is now one that also supports both Manfrotto RC2 and Arca-swiss style. Having used Manfrotto heads for years, I have never had a camera fall out until I used this new head. When using my old Manfrotto head, you knew when the camera connected to it - as there was a noticeable click when it went in. This new style head does not have this. After about a minute of being angled up, the camera just popped right out. Luckily my camera and lens took most of the impact onto my foot and the lens hood - but not something I was exactly happy about with my new 16-35 lens."
Click to expand...

What the reviewer said is completely wrong. The new plate is designed to fit in Manfrotto or Arca clamps, not the other way round.
I know because as I mentioned earlier I have a Befree GT, paid a fair bit more for it than this price too.
Easy enough to change the clamp, in fact I have the bits you need to convert it to Arca Swiss laying around somewhere.

In the description it says and I quote
The plate is also fully compatible with the world's most widespread standard head attachments: Manfrotto RC2and Arca-swiss style
 
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tijuana taxi said:
What the reviewer said is completely wrong. The new plate is designed to fit in Manfrotto or Arca clamps, not the other way round.
I know because as I mentioned earlier I have a Befree GT, paid a fair bit more for it than this price too.
Easy enough to change the clamp, in fact I have the bits you need to convert it to Arca Swiss laying around somewhere.

In the description it says and I quote
The plate is also fully compatible with the world's most widespread standard head attachments: Manfrotto RC2and Arca-swiss style
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Thanks Rich. Bought! And I just remembered I have a £75 Amazon gift voucher so it only cost me £154. :)
Thanks to everyone who posted, all of your input helped me make my decision.

Oh, I just got a trophy for my 100th post, lol.

Tripod.jpg
 
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Merlin5 said:
Thanks Rich. Bought! And I just remembered I have a £75 Amazon gift voucher so it only cost me £154. :)

View attachment 293549
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Can't be bad Lee, leg locks are very positive and you can feel when they bite.
Head isn't bad either with the friction control combined with the locking knob.
No it isn't as solid as the Gitzo Series 3 Systematic I had, but its half the price and more portable too.
Hope you are happy with it, be surprised if you wasn't. I did change the clamp on mine to this https://www.parkcameras.com/p/93700...MI5dTKvZmC7AIVAentCh1_yQY9EAQYBCABEgI1gvD_BwE
Mainly because all my plates are Arca type so seemed crazy not to. I have this little set should you wish to convert the clamp type

IMG_1027 1.jpg
 
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tijuana taxi said:
Can't be bad Lee, leg locks are very positive and you can feel when they bite.
Head isn't bad either with the friction control combined with the locking knob.
No it isn't as solid as the Gitzo Series 3 Systematic I had, but its half the price and more portable too.
Hope you are happy with it, be surprised if you wasn't. I did change the clamp on mine to this https://www.parkcameras.com/p/93700...MI5dTKvZmC7AIVAentCh1_yQY9EAQYBCABEgI1gvD_BwE
Mainly because all my plates are Arca type so seemed crazy not to. I have this little set should you wish to convert the clamp type

View attachment 293550
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Thanks Rich. I would have liked the 2.5kg weight of the 190X just for the feeling of more resistance to movement, but hopefully this one at 1.5kg will be sufficient.

Good to know about your bits to convert to Arca type plates. I don't really know anything about Arca type plates or if it's something I'll want. What does it do that's different?
 
Merlin5 said:
Thanks Rich. I would have liked the 2.5kg weight of the 190X just for the feeling of more resistance to movement, but hopefully this one at 1.5kg will be sufficient.

Good to know about your bits to convert to Arca type plates. I don't really know anything about Arca type plates or if it's something I'll want. What does it do that's different?
Click to expand...

Carbon absorbs vibration much better than Alu, no complaints with stability when I use mine.
When you are carrying it about all day or travelling lighter and smaller has its advantages.

Most q/r plates and L brackets are Arca Swiss compatible, its just the type of clamp they fit into.
Manfrotto have their own design as do or at least did Gitzo and some other manufacturers
This is a Manfrotto plate https://www.vikingopticalcentres.co...MIgaD0oJ-C7AIVj7d3Ch3OUArtEAQYBCABEgJkv_D_BwE
This is an Arca type https://www.cameracentreuk.com/benr...MIoPnZxp-C7AIVS-btCh3ycwhZEAQYDyABEgLON_D_BwE
The clamps are obviously different, I prefer the Arca screw up type like the one shown in my photo above
Others prefer the click in Manfrotto design, all comes down to personal preference.
 
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Thanks for the info, and I wasn't aware that carbon fibre is more absorbent to vibration. (y)
In that sense, I guess it should get me as clean focus photos as when I tested the camera plonked on a tabletop and concrete window sill.
 
tijuana taxi said:
Why?
If its in the retracted position makes no difference.
Can also come in handy when you need an off centre angle or that extra bit of elevation.
The loss in stability would be offset by the ability to get the photo.

Have you owned both types to compare in use?
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Yes I have.
 
tijuana taxi said:
I have owned Manfrotto, Gitzo and my personal favourite FLM
Read an article yesterday about Charlie Waite and he uses a FLM tripod, decent enough recommendation

Buy a decent tripod and head, waste of time and money if you skimp on either component.
I do have a 3LT tripod that stays in the car, its a Punks Corey, only used it once very briefly though.
Other tripod I own is a Manfrotto Carbon Befree GT, not bad for the money and the head it comes with is ok too.

My daughter uses a tripod much more than me and now has the FLM tripod and head
Just been up in the Dales with it and Sony FF gear, supports that fine so would do you I'm sure
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Just to hijack this thread. I was considering the Corey as a travel tripod for cityscapes can you elaborate what you did like about it please . Currently my shortlist was the Corey or the Manfrotto Befree advance. - I have a full size Feisol carbon fibre for landscapes and nature so not looking to spend a fortune on something that will see limited use.

I don't necessarily need a tripod with a head as I have a Sunwayfoto one but most travel tripods see to come with one attached. Just need to take a Canon 7Dii with either 10-22 or 17-50
 
taxboy said:
Just to hijack this thread. I was considering the Corey as a travel tripod for cityscapes can you elaborate what you did like about it please . Currently my shortlist was the Corey or the Manfrotto Befree advance. - I have a full size Feisol carbon fibre for landscapes and nature so not looking to spend a fortune on something that will see limited use.

I don't necessarily need a tripod with a head as I have a Sunwayfoto one but most travel tripods see to come with one attached. Just need to take a Canon 7Dii with either 10-22 or 17-50
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Sturdy and leg locks worked nicely, build quality seems decent too.
Ball head locked up solid, but I use m4/3 gear which isnt very heavy.
Not keen on the two piece central column although it can be removed, thinking of doing that despite the lower height.
Most of the time it will just provide a bit more support for longer exposures in low light
I'm usually in cities or towns in relatively calm conditions, folds down nice and small for travel.
I did buy the less garish Black and Grey model to keep attention to a minimum
Hope that helps, anything specific ask away, easy enough to get from the car
 
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By the way guys, is it just me or does Flickr downgrade the quality? The original photo above is crisper/sharper on my original but looks softer when uploaded.
 
Merlin5 said:
By the way guys, is it just me or does Flickr downgrade the quality? The original photo above is crisper/sharper on my original but looks softer when uploaded.
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You need a tripod to make sure it isn't camera shake

Yes it does downgrade when you save on Flickr and then post on here
 
tijuana taxi said:
You need a tripod to make sure it isn't camera shake

Yes it does downgrade when you save on Flickr and then post on here
Click to expand...

Yeah it was handheld so definitely not perfect, but the outputted photo from Lightroom is crisper. I wish there was a way to upload photos with no degradation.
 
Merlin5 said:
Yeah it was handheld so definitely not perfect, but the outputted photo from Lightroom is crisper. I wish there was a way to upload photos with no degradation.
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Link to them on Flickr from here and we can see the higher resolution images on there...
 
Bobsyeruncle said:
Link to them on Flickr from here and we can see the higher resolution images on there...
Click to expand...

Yeah the image I posted is clickable and goes to Flickr. Well it is a bit crisper on Flickr. I think the TP page softens images, it must be compressing it slightly.
 
Oh dear, I seem to have buggered up the quick release, it's jammed. :rolleyes: I must have put it on wrong. I can't move the grey lever whatsoever, I can only push the black lever down. Any idea how to get it off?

20200928_130931.jpg
 
Merlin5 said:
Oh dear, I seem to have buggered up the quick release, it's jammed. :rolleyes: I must have put it on wrong. I can't move the grey lever whatsoever, I can only push the black lever down. Any idea how to get it off?

View attachment 293930
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Had been a while since I used my Manfrotto qr head......but as I recall there was on some a detente stop i.e. a half stop position that for removal required a lever to be held down that allows for the (grey) release lever to be turned the extra/needed 90degrees.

What does the BeFree manual have to say on the matter???
 
Box Brownie said:
Had been a while since I used my Manfrotto qr head......but as I recall there was on some a detente stop i.e. a half stop position that for removal required a lever to be held down that allows for the (grey) release lever to be turned the extra/needed 90degrees.

What does the BeFree manual have to say on the matter???
Click to expand...

Yeah I've tried by holding that spring loaded black lever down and trying to turn the grey one horizontally but it won't budge. The manual just has drawings which aren't that clear to me. Is the rounded part of the grey lever meant to be against the orange plate, or a flat part of the grey lever? I mounted my 5D2 and wondering if that messed it up as the tripod is meant for Sony cameras.

Also, I thought there'd be spikes provided. Very nice solid tripod though.
 
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Ill go look at the clamp I have like that, no plate to mess with though, I gave that away
 
That is in the locked position, press the black lever down and turn the grey bit anticlockwise until the flat section is parallel to the plate
 
tijuana taxi said:
That is in the locked position, press the black lever down and turn the grey bit anticlockwise until the flat section is parallel to the plate
Click to expand...

Thanks for checking yours, Rich. Will try that when I get home. Though I couldn't budge it in either direction when I tried earlier.
 
Ignore the foreign language but here (though briefly) is someone releasing the head.................as I hope you can see it is a two step 'press' action to fully remove it and without the 'secondary' press it (AFAIK) will remain in the semi-locked position. NB no need to watch more than 10 seconds ;)

View: https://youtu.be/IxT__U6jy9k?t=308
 
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Thanks for the video. I just can't budge it, it's like it's been welded in. I've just done a live chat with a Manfrotto helpdesk. I showed him the photo and he said the plate is in correctly but the lever has gone too far round, so it's just a case of more force required. He said if I can't remove it, Amazon can replace it as faulty. Also, it's not meant for Canon cameras which is no good.
I actually put my Canon on it earlier and that probably caused this, lol.

My fault for buying the wrong one. So I need to get a different tripod that has a more universal head for both cameras. I'd like another Befree carbon GT, so now I need to find one that's suitable.
 
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