Tripod and L-Bracket Question.

[martyp]

Unfortunately I need a new tripod.

I had a RedSnapper 283C however, one of the legs came right out and attempting to repair it failed and it is now completely broken. :bang:

So I have decided to go for a Manfrotto one this time due to the leg release system and have come to the conclusion the Manfrotto 055CXPRO3 is possibly the best one to go for within my £200-300 budget.

I'd love to go and buy a Gitzo but £600+ is impossible at this time of year and I am hoping the above Manfrotto will do me for at least a decade.

My redsnapper ball head is still working great and although I will upgrade to a RRS BH-40 or BH-55 next year, I'm just going to use it for the time being. However, I'd love to get an L-bracket for it to keep permanently attached to my 1D.

If you know what system it uses or where I can get hold of one of these, please let me know. It'd be really appricated.


Thanks in advance!

 

[EdBray]

The Benro tripods are Gitzo copies and very well made and thought of, still not cheap but about 1/3rd the price of a Gitzo.

L brackets are also not cheap, I ended up buying a universal one from here as the kirk one for the 1dsMk3 is out of stock.

Downside is that I have to undo it to change the battery, I will be buying a Kirk one when they become available.

Your Redsnapper ball head should take the brackets oay as long as it is the version that takes sliding plates, if not you will require something like this.

 

[martyp]

Thanks for the info Ed.

I think I'm just going to order the Manfrotto tripod I listed above. After seeing the Benro C-168M8 which is £260 has the same style of leg release mechinism as the Redsnapper I am somewhat worried the same thing may happen again. Silly perhaps, but after using my works Manfrotto I felt more confident with it.

Kirk... That was the name I remember seeing ages ago that do fit the RS heads. I think I will wait until the Kirk version becomes available again as £75 is fairly pricy considering the battery issue. Although the battery does last a really long time on these cameras. Where do you recommend getting one from over here, or do you order from the US site?