Thinking about upgrading my tripod, few question's

tingting44

tingting44

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Martin
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Hi guys, i cant put it off any longer, ive been using a £7 tripod with my 7d and its just an accident waiting to happen,

so what im thinking of getting is the manfrotto 055xprob
http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-manfrotto-055xprob-tripod/p1019760

but just like to check with actual 7d users as the guy in LCE told me that this would not be suitable for the 7d's weight....

and one more question, the head... would the cheap manfrotto joystick head be suitable here...
http://www.wexphotographic.com/search/?q=manfrotto joystick head

as it does not really say much in differences apart from the cheaper one saying for photographers who are improving their skills, and the more expensive one saying for advanced photographers who require high-end performance

but i have no clue as this will be my 1st proper tripod so any feedback will be most grateful

all the best

martin
 
I used to have a 055, which frustrated the hell out of me as I just couldn't get the positioning I wanted. That 055XPro looks better as at least you can get the centre column into a horizontal position but that still wouldn't be enough for me. I went for a Benbo with centre column bracket instead. It allows me to more easily get the positioning I want and as a happy coincidence I also find that the Benbo is more stable than my 055 was.

The only advice I can give is that you think long and hard about the use and positioning you want to achieve and try and make sure that the tripod and head that you go for will enable you to get the shots you want.

I've never used a trigger head. Balll heads seem to be popular and although I have one I can really say too many good things about them. The dreaded drop is just so annoying and precise positioning is simply impossible... without a lot of fiddling and luck. I went for a ball head for compactness and very rough and ready use and a geared head for better positioning. I have to say that probably the best compromise I've had was with a three way pan and tilt.

Good luck choosing.
 
FWIW, I have an old model 055 bought in the last Century and its still going strong, though to be honest cant remember what decade I last used a tripod!
At the time I was using a lot of roll film gear and its been perfect, but have always regretted not choosing the 074 with centre bracing for its extra hight.

Tried an ordinary Benbo (Or UniLoc), POS! Inch or two off centre and was so light as to ALWAYS tip over. That or splay the legs enough and have to use it at ground level with the bad back that induces! Solution was a model number one. Its about 5 foot retracted and goes up to 8 or 9 feet or more. Great for embankments and stepladders. But it is heavy.

For heads its Ball for stills. I use second hand black and silver chequered rotating base ones with hexagonal quick release plates. (Sorry don't know the number). Good enough for all the roll film gear and 300mm f2.8's I've used. What ever you choose DO get a quick release head. Makes all the difference.

An old photographer told me years ago; "If its light enough to carry most of the time, then its not heavy enough to do its job". Never yet been proved wrong. :rules:
 
The 055xprob is rated for 7kg, so it shoudl be fine for a 7d I'd have thought (unless you've got a Sigma 200-500 f/2.8 attached :D )

Which head you opt for is a combination of what you are shooting and personal preference.

I have recently switched to a Manfrotto 410 Junior Geared head, as I wanted to be able to make precise adjustments (and was not worried about positioning in the shortest time), not had an opportunity to really use it 'in the field' but happy with it when just testing it all worked .
 
Stumpy said:
Tried an ordinary Benbo (Or UniLoc), POS! Inch or two off centre and was so light as to ALWAYS tip over. That or splay the legs enough and have to use it at ground level with the bad back that induces! Solution was a model number one. Its about 5 foot retracted and goes up to 8 or 9 feet or more. Great for embankments and stepladders. But it is heavy.
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I suspect you were doing something wrong. Many people don't / can't get on with them and thats something that the additional centre column bracket helps with. If you can get on with them they're good and mine is more stable than my 055 was.
 
Ive got a 055xprob and it holds my 5DMKIII with 100-400 fine. As pointed out, its more the head you use. Ive just got the cheapish 496RC2 ball head but its ok for the above equipment.
I dont like the RC" system so im going to change it soon but thats just a personal thing.

My mate has one of those heads in the first post. Its a great idea but it does seem to have a bit of sag. He finds it can be frustrating to use with his 5DMKIII.
 
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thanks guys for all the info!!! ive snapped up the 055xprob from over in the FS section here for £85.

glad its man enough for my 7d and kit 55-250mm lens (im not using the sigma bazooka lol)

now its just the head i need to source as the tripod is not much use without one lol, i have my heart set on a manfrotto joystick, i just love the design and look of them mostly, if i can get a 2nd hand 327 from here i will be able to afford one, if not i will need to get the 324 from london camera exchange for £79.99, cant wait to test it all out when it comes, will be a HUGE jump for me coming from my £7 tripod which is rated to carry about 3grams loool :D
 
tingting44 said:
thanks guys for all the info!!! ive snapped up the 055xprob from over in the FS section here for £85.

glad its man enough for my 7d and kit 55-250mm lens (im not using the sigma bazooka lol)

now its just the head i need to source as the tripod is not much use without one lol, i have my heart set on a manfrotto joystick, i just love the design and look of them mostly, if i can get a 2nd hand 327 from here i will be able to afford one, if not i will need to get the 324 from london camera exchange for £79.99, cant wait to test it all out when it comes, will be a HUGE jump for me coming from my £7 tripod which is rated to carry about 3grams loool :D
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I know your feeling mate I had a cheap £6 one which was fine for my 1100d and a 18-55 but got the 7d and it couldn't hold it I ended up getting a red snapper tripod with a ball head hold my gripped 7d and my 70-200 without any sign of movement this is a great head if your looking for great value for money it's rated for 10kg very very sturdy how are you anyway?

http://www.redsnapperuk.com/camera-accessories/RSH-12_Ball_head.html#nogo
 
Hey rob!!!! how u been mate! u still active over on MSUK ! :D

yes ive heard lots of good reviews about ball heads and red snapper products and very competitve pricing, ive just got my heart set on a manfrotto joystick lol ever since i saw my friends joystick i wanted one lol, how u getting on with your 7d buddy? got any top end glass yet? (dont mind i see your sig!!! U JAMMY GIT!) lol think my 1st entry into top end glass is going to be the 17-40 f4 L, the only thing putting me off as a walkabout is no IS :(
 
tingting44 said:
Hey rob!!!! how u been mate! u still active over on MSUK ! :D

yes ive heard lots of good reviews about ball heads and red snapper products and very competitve pricing, ive just got my heart set on a manfrotto joystick lol ever since i saw my friends joystick i wanted one lol, how u getting on with your 7d buddy? got any top end glass yet? (dont mind i see your sig!!! U JAMMY GIT!) lol think my 1st entry into top end glass is going to be the 17-40 f4 L, the only thing putting me off as a walkabout is no IS :(
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Yeh still active on msuk but no rc's all sold. Not into it anymore. Yeh been a while since we last chatted. Good luck with the manfrotto lovely bit of kit along with that joystick. Love the 7d amazing camera. Also yeh you saw the new gear I got. The 70-200 is SOOO sharp love it. Also the 50 1.4 comes in so handy for the gig I shoot I don't get paid as I do for the experience but I do get paid in drinks lol. Will show you some of the photos I got later
 
daugirdas said:
It's a nonsense that 055 won't support 7D, unless it has 600mm f/4 mounted on it (and a seagull sitting on it)

It's a nice solid tripod but it doesn't take sea salt too well.
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thanks mate, great to hear!!! lol :) i dont know what that guy is blooming on about in london camera exchange!! probably just wants me to spend more money, im veryyy excited, cant wait to get it now :) think im just going to get the 327 joystick from LCE @ £118 if a 2nd hand one does not pop up
 
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