New tripod/head/levelling base

Uneducated_Rick

Uneducated_Rick

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I'm planning to travel to South America as soon as I can realistically afford to go for about 6 months.

I think that when I'm there I'll be doing quite a bit of landscape work so I'll need a decent tripod and head, and possibly a levelling base and something like a nodal ninja to allow me to produce panoramas more accurately.

So I'm wondering what people recommend mainly in terms of legs and head. The heaviest combo it will need to take, I think, is my 30D gripped (1kg), 70-200mm 2.8 (2.5kg), and some filters on the front (<0.5kg) so only about 4-5kg


Also is it worth getting a levelling base such as the Manfrotto 338 and 438, or is it better to get a levelling head such as the Gitzo G2270M, G2271M or G2272M? Does anyone know of levelling bases/heads from any other manufacturer?
 
Uneducated_Rick said:
I'm planning to
Also is it worth getting a levelling base such as the Manfrotto 338 and 438, or is it better to get a levelling head such as the Gitzo G2270M, G2271M or G2272M? Does anyone know of levelling bases/heads from any other manufacturer?
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Hi, sorry I can't answer your question but can I take the occasion to ask what is the difference between leveling base and levelling head?
thank you
 
Just a couple of comments really.

You only need a Nodal Ninja type thing for close range panos, like interiors, for which it's pretty much essential, or for very complex patchwork panos, with multiple images horizontally and vertically. It makes life very much easier.

Most of the time, I shoot simple panos hand-held. Just make sure the horizon is level. Software is really good at matching them up ;)

I would go for a levelling base, simply because you are then free to choose the head.
 
I use a feisol http://www.feisol.com/english/CT-3441.htm 3441B.

It was the smallest lightest travel tripod I could find, I think the exchange rate may have made it a bit expensive now though.

I use it with a NN3 with no problems.

Although I am considering something like http://bophoto.com/bracket/bracket-SIGMA-8mm.html
When money is more plentiful.
I know of people who use these on a pole, fitted into some sort of anchor on a belt and just rotate the pole - takes some practise I suspect.
 
If you like that Feisol, you'll love this carbon/titanium Gitzo - only £1,400 :eek:
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Lovely. :love:
Looks amazing, couldn't find a weight though, but I'm not going to buy one so I wont be asking.
 
john-oh said:
Lovely. :love:
Looks amazing, couldn't find a weight though, but I'm not going to buy one so I wont be asking.
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No wonder they hide the weight. Google found this for me :lol:

"From Gitzo's site:

Weight: Standard traveler: 1 kg Ti traveler: 1.18 kg
max heights for both = 140cm
Closed length: Standard traveler: 39 cm Ti traveler: 41 cm

They gave the Ti traveler twice the load rating of the standard traveler. But it is heavier, less compact and way more expensive. Not clear that there is a big benifit here unless it really is twice as stable."

Then of course you have the additional weight of your name engraved on the leg ;) Doesn't stop me wanting one though.
 
Cheers for the advice so far guys, I might be doing some multiple vertical as well as multiple horizontal panos which is why I was thinking about the Ninja.

No levelling heads/bases out there other than the Manfrotto or Gitzo options? I've looked at Hama, Giottos and Velbon but cannot find their equivalents if they do make them
 
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