Buying Advice for 5DMKII Setup.

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jpwild

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I am about to receive a Canon 5D MK II (moving up from a 450D) with 17-40 and 24-70 lens. I currently own a 70-200 f4-L IS. I also have ordered a 580EXII as I want to try and learn flash photography, and wow that looks technical, but interesting at same time. I also own a Vertex 200 bag and Redsnapper 284 tripod and rsh12 ball head.

I mainly do landscape stuff, so that involves a lot of walking. I am also over 6 foot tall.

Okay, questions:

1) With regards to flash I would like to try to use it off camera. I.e on a table lighting up an object. What's the best way to go about this. I know of Youngho(sp?) transmitters/receiver combo. However, if I was to use them is it just a case of setting the transmitter and receiver up, setup the flash to relevant settings and same with the camera and then press the shutter to take image?

Also could I stil use a Canon remote control shutter whilst wireless flash transmitters are attached to Canon 5D Mk II. Is it a big deal to lose the TTL if I use these transmitters as well? This area is totally new to me.

2) I am still looking for a lighter tripod / head combo. The one I have is pretty weighty and been looking at CF alternatives and there's not a massive difference in weight. 100g or 200g. However, I do go trekking into the Peak District and I suppose the 200G less could be felt after a days walking. I can't afford Gitzo tripod, and the manfrotto gear head sounds lovely but just too much weight to lug it around all day.

Redsnapper tripod weight = 1970 G
Redsnapper head = 670G

I have finally limited it down to the following tripods:
1) Giottos MTL8361B
2) Manfrotto 055CXPRO3
3) Redsnapper 283 carbon fibre version.(1600g - wow)

I would also need a head, and again not too sure. I have looked at a 'Frotto' gear head, but too weighty to lug around all day and would want something that doesn't weigh too much than my existing bullhead. It isn't a issue if the thing takes longer to setup than a ballhead. Of course it would need to hold my setup and be stable for long exposures.

Just wondered if any one could give me some advice with some of the questions above.

Thanks!

 
Hi
Most of the cheap flash triggers only work in manual mode on the flash.It's a bit of trial and error on what power setting to use on the flash.You do get better with practice.
You could also invest in the Canon transmitter.This would allow you to still use ettl.
That's a few basic bits of info to get you started.

Re tripods.I've just changed from a Manfrotto 055XPROB to one of these
http://www.3leggedthing.com/carbon-fiber-tripod-systems/eddie-blue.html

Really nice tripod.It feels sturdy enough and folds down really small.Really light too.Definitely a lot better than the Manfrotto for carrying about.

Cheers
Gary
 
Yeah, I not sure whether to buy the Canon transmitters. Don't think I will for what it is at that price. Maybe better to learn manual? Thus understand how the whole flash thing works.
 
Don't forget Manfrotto 190XPROB - lighter and cheaper than 055. Chances are you won't need the extra height.

You could get another Canon flash or two and trigger them with 580. That's what I do and it works really well
 
I could do with the extra heigh, or at least higher than my current Redsnapper even if it's a few CM.

With regards to the wireless flash transmitters Yonghou. If I put one on the hotshoe transmitters, one receive on the flash itself is it then a case of just presing the camera shutter button to take the image (of course the flash settings have to be setup prior).

Also, can I do that and usea wired Canon remote control to fire the shutter with the transmitter on the hotshoe?

With regards to the tripod. Very tempted by the Redsnapper as it looks a good 370G lighter than my alloy version.
 
I've been looking on a weblink seen via search function of the Dcstuff on the bay, by HoppyUk?. Been looking at the Benro C-257 EX with B-2 ballhead for $400 dollars - which equates to just under £250 delivered from Hong Kong. I think that's a brilliant price, and the weight of both the tripod and head is much less than my current setup and other alternatives. I'd love to get the 'Frotto geared head for precission, but it's so much weight to carry. It's also a bit taller than my existing tripod too.

Just wondered if anyone has this tripod or head and are they any good compared to my existing Redsnapper in terms of stability and reliability?

Also is there any mega difference between the EX and m8 versions? I was thinking of the EX.
 
jpwild said:
I am about to receive a Canon 5D MK II (moving up from a 450D) with 17-40 and 24-70 lens. I currently own a 70-200 f4-L IS.

2) I am still looking for a lighter tripod / head combo. The one I have is pretty weighty and been looking at CF alternatives and there's not a massive difference in weight. 100g or 200g. However, I do go trekking into the Peak District and I suppose the 200G less could be felt after a days walking. I can't afford Gitzo tripod, and the manfrotto gear head sounds lovely but just too much weight to lug it around all day.
Click to expand...


200g is the weight of a bar of chocolate. Do you want to justify the pricey purchase of a CF tripod on the back of a bar of chocolate? Come on fella, you're not a steeplechase jockey. :bonk: Actually you could knock far more mud off your boots that 200g!!
Or you buy the new toy, buy the chocolate bar and eat it between frames. That way you're no longer lumping a bar of goodness round in your gear bag and you can admire the "ooh don't scratch me or crush me" of your new CF toy.
Price of a CF tripod? The world's your oyster.
Price of a choccy bar? About a quid.
Get my drift?:naughty:

Now, lenses: I know nowt of the 24-70 but I have owned the 17-40 (which I gave up for a 16-35) and own the same 70-200 as you. Both these 2 will give you sterling service on your new FF 5DII. Do not bother replacing the 17-40 with the 16-35 unless you actually need the faster lens. If you were doing low light or indoor architecture you might want it for "no flash" venues but for outdoors and as you start to investigate flash stay with the lens you've got.
 
jpwild said:
I've been looking on a weblink seen via search function of the Dcstuff on the bay, by HoppyUk?. Been looking at the Benro C-257 EX with B-2 ballhead for $400 dollars - which equates to just under £250 delivered from Hong Kong. I think that's a brilliant price, and the weight of both the tripod and head is much less than my current setup and other alternatives. I'd love to get the 'Frotto geared head for precission, but it's so much weight to carry. It's also a bit taller than my existing tripod too.

Just wondered if anyone has this tripod or head and are they any good compared to my existing Redsnapper in terms of stability and reliability?

Also is there any mega difference between the EX and m8 versions? I was thinking of the EX.
Click to expand...

Yes, I have the Benro C-257 M8 with J-2 head. Benro changed their model designations which has confused everybody, but I believe the tripods are the same. It's explained on the DC Stuffs site - good supplier BTW.

Compared to a RedSnapper, there is no comparison. Completely different league, as you would expect for the price difference. And 200g is a huge bar of chocolate, and in relative tripods terms that's half a ton. There are pros and cons to weight either way, and different opinions. I think light weight is the way to go, and if you want extra weight stability, then take that massive bar of chocolate out of your pocket and sling it on the hook underneath! I prefer to use my camera bag instead, with a bungee cord.

I rate Benro highly, and there's nothing to touch them for the price on ebay - they're much more expensive from Warehouse Express, but still far less than Gitzo (also check out Feisol and Triopo, v similar, great quality and value). Put it this way, if I was buying a tripod again, I'd get exactly the same. Travel Angels are well nice too.

If you like geared heads, there's a rather nice (and light) Arca-Swiss D4 just out http://www.ephotozine.com/article/arca-swiss-d4-and-d4m-gearheads-15522 Unfortunately, that link fails to mention that a) you can't buy one yet, and b) it's a grand :eek:
 
vulcan2912 said:
Hi
Most of the cheap flash triggers only work in manual mode on the flash.It's a bit of trial and error on what power setting to use on the flash.You do get better with practice.
You could also invest in the Canon transmitter.This would allow you to still use ettl.
That's a few basic bits of info to get you started.

Re tripods.I've just changed from a Manfrotto 055XPROB to one of these
http://www.3leggedthing.com/carbon-fiber-tripod-systems/eddie-blue.html

Really nice tripod.It feels sturdy enough and folds down really small.Really light too.Definitely a lot better than the Manfrotto for carrying about.

Cheers
Gary
Click to expand...


I'm in the market for a tripod and looking at these I'm impressed with the design and quality. They also have a 5 year guarantee which is good peace of mind.

Can I ask you why you went for it over the more established brands Gary?
 
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jpwild said:
I've been looking on a weblink seen via search function of the Dcstuff on the bay, by HoppyUk?. Been looking at the Benro C-257 EX with B-2 ballhead for $400 dollars - which equates to just under £250 delivered from Hong Kong. I think that's a brilliant price, and the weight of both the tripod and head is much less than my current setup and other alternatives. I'd love to get the 'Frotto geared head for precission, but it's so much weight to carry. It's also a bit taller than my existing tripod too.

Just wondered if anyone has this tripod or head and are they any good compared to my existing Redsnapper in terms of stability and reliability?

Also is there any mega difference between the EX and m8 versions? I was thinking of the EX.
Click to expand...

I purchased a Benro travel angel C-269 tripod a few weeks back from dc-stuffs, cost me £250 including a B1 ball head. While not the same as the 257, it's fairly similar but with a few omissions to make it more portable and obviously smaller when fully extended.

All I can say is that it's of outstanding quality! The ball head is of decent qualiy and easily holds my 100-400 L. The tripod is amazingly stable for its size. I bought it as it's handy to take along with me in my rucksack wherever I go.

The combination of the 257 and the B2 will easily hold either of your lens selections and will extend to a decent height and be extremely sturdy while still remaining fairly portable.
 
Hi Ed

It was the folded down size that got me really interested.Just over 40cm but still using 28mm carbon fibre tubing.Most of the frottos are way bigger than this without even taking into consideration the head.
I did look at a Giottos Vitruvian but that didn't feel very stable.
I looked at the Benro travel angels which are similar to the 3LT but they were coming in at well over £200 from Hong Kong and that doesn't inc any possible import duty etc.
Being a rocker at heart I also like having a tripod named after Eddie Van Halen!
The different coloured heads are also a nice touch on the 3LT.

Cheers
Gary
 
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