Please recommend a tripod/head

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oymd

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Hi

new here, and generally new to photography...

I got interested a month ago, and bought in to Panasonic's G m4/3rd system.

I would like some recommendations on a tripod/head that is not overkill for my gear, yet very good quality and sturdy.

Since m4/3rd compared to established gear from the likes of Canon/Nikon etc is still niche, most of the recommendations and reviews I see online and on different forums are for those HEAVIER bodies and LARGE tele zoom lenses.

My equipment will be a Panasonic G2 and will pair it with a 45-200mm on the tripod, and maybe in the near future a 100-300mm.

so in total the gear will be well under a KILO...

i am hoping for a quality option, sturdy, light, and portable.

I was checking out the Manfrotto 055XBPro/190XProB with the 804RC2 head or the 460MG 3D Magnesium heads, but something is telling me these are for MUCH HEAVIER setups than mine?

On the other hand, I don't want to buy a HAMA flimsy tripod?

Any advice would be much appreciated..

Thanks
 
Hi

What you havn't mentioned is where and what you want a tripod for (he says trying to be helpful). If you need one for countryside walks then a sturdy but light tripod which folds down very small is the answer. However if its for studio work and not being moved much then the tripod you need will be entirely different as in heavier and less lightly to move due to shutter slap and the like.

One thing you don't want a tripod to do is move under any circumstances, be it indoors or out on a windy moor. Therefore if for outside can you anchor it down? normally done by hanging a weight from a hook and suspended from underneath. Even if used indoors you need to extend the tripod to its max and see how much movement there is with a camera on it, Shutter slap can move an unstable one. Next do you want a tripod to work at ground level as well? worth checking to make sure a tripod can do this. Also tripods extend to different heights, something to watch out for.

I have a manfrotto 055XPROB and its far far too heavy for a days trek, better for fixed place to work from, on top of this I have put a manfrotto 804RC2 head. Why? well I have tried the Pistol grip manfrotto head and it doesn't let the camera get into every position due to design. The 804RC2 is far better in my opinion as it not only allows complete camera positioning but has a calibrated scale ( needed for panoramic shoot with equal picture overlap) also a built in level.

My walkabout tripod I have had for years its a Velbon CX300, possibly not the best walkabout tripod but it suits my purposes. I then have 2 monopods, A manfrotto 679b and a Velbon UP-4000 (ideal for scaring away those jobs worth people ;);). ):lol::lol::lol:

Choosing the right tripod and head is about as difficult as choosing a camera, there are so many different makes and head combinations that to find the ideal needs time in a photographic shop to see what suits best. I don't think any member can give you a definate buy this with that head, but what I would say is spend out on a good make that can cope with a heavier load than you are using at the moment, and this will save on getting another later.

Realspeed
 
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thanks for your reply..

Its mainly for countryside treks...NO STUDIO WORK...

And also would like to use it on walks in London, on the bridges, Thames etc....

In your suggestions, have you considered that I will be using a micro 4/3rd system?

A G2 + a 45-200mm lens, in total about 800 grams?

Thanks
 
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Maybe a monopod would be a better option as London as well as other places from what I have read on here can be a bit funny about tripods on their streets they can take up a lot of pavement room . To be honest I don't think a tripod is actually necessary in London or any town come to that as there are plenty of supports already in place. You can wedge yourself against a piller box-lampost -building corner ,or support your camera on a railing -fence and the like. They will enable you to hold a camera just as steady. There is also the option of using a bean bag incase you havn't given that a thought.

One thing to remember that when taking a photo changing your position slightly,even a few steps to the left/right,can produce a completely different picture of the same subject,so don't anchor yourself to one spot only

For countryside I think I have already covered that in my previous post .

Realspeed
 
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Could always go for a Benbo.

They are maybe an acquired taste but I like mine and the advantage is that you can get them in virtually any shooting position which makes them great for out and about shooting. If you do go for one (or similar Uniloc) it's probably a good idea to get the additional centre column bracket as once it's fitted you avoid the drunken Octopus effect that some complain of.

I bought mine used and it's been great and is more stable than my previous Manfrotto 055 and it inspires confidence as it seems to be made from real metal, not some plastic lookalike alloy like many, including my previous Manfrotto.

PS. Heads... I went from pan and tilt to ball and now also have a geared head.

Many people seem to go for ball but they frustrate the hell out of me as it seems to be impossible to get an exact position and avoid a drop, I had to anticipate and compensate for the drop.... not great. With the geared head it's possible to get fine and accurate placement.
 
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The weight of the camera helps a bit, but more significant is the degree of magnification and 200mm on 4/3rds is a lot. 300mm is massive. And having a small camera doesn't make you any shorter so height is just as important.

But the biggest thing missing from your list is the budget. A good quality carbon jobbie with a decent head will cost from a couple of hundred quid upwards. Personally, I'd probably look at a Benro (not Benbo) Travel Angel from here http://stores.ebay.com/DCs-Photogra...03382018&_sid=896782438&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322
 
HoppyUK said:
The weight of the camera helps a bit, but more significant is the degree of magnification and 200mm on 4/3rds is a lot. 300mm is massive. And having a small camera doesn't make you any shorter so height is just as important.

But the biggest thing missing from your list is the budget. A good quality carbon jobbie with a decent head will cost from a couple of hundred quid upwards. Personally, I'd probably look at a Benro (not Benbo) Travel Angel from here http://stores.ebay.com/DCs-Photogra...03382018&_sid=896782438&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322
Click to expand...

My budget is around £100-£120, and I'm also happy to buy used....
 
That budget should get you a Benbo, head, centre bracket and bag and for landscape and nature shooting I don't think you'll get anything as flexible, stable, robust and long lasting for the money.
 
Bit over budget for around £130 you can get a Giottos Vitruvian VGR9255, very light, and folds to a measly 40cm (inc head!). Max load is 4kg
 
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