Tripod for mainly landscapes.

Raptor Mike

Raptor Mike

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So my trusty Velbon CX-440 is giving up the ghost after many years of service, and I had it second hand, so I need a new tripod. I'm after something thats quite light and gets very low. I'd like quick lock legs too. The main thing is that I am on a bit of a budget and wouldn't want to go higher that £200 including a head.

I'm using a Canon 60D (0.676kg) and my heaviest lens is a Sigma 150-500 (2.7kg). I've been looking at some used ones on here. A manfrotto 055pro and a manfrotto 190XPROB. They both look good but the 190 is quite heavy at 1.8kg. I've looked for the 055pro but I can't find any with just that description, only ones with more letters/numbers.

Anyway, that's the sort of thing I'm after. What are your recommendations please? I don't mind second hand for better quality for the same money.

Thanks in advance, Mike
 
^^^ What Jake said, with a Manfrotto 410 Geared Head. Not light, but I find there's a certain comfort in something that's supporting £1,000's of camera equipment being heavy and sturdy. (It also makes for a good weapon, should you find yourself out alone in remote places!)
 
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I've got a Manfrotto 055DB (with a couple of heads including a 222 and a 322 and some sort of ball thing (I got the latter from my father in law and havent played with it yet). As you are just down the road if you'd like to make a time to meet up on location you'd be welcome to play with the tripod and see what you think.
 
Not massively - though i'm a big bloke so my usual issie is 'pods not being tall enough - this was why i put a 222 on it as that adds about 8 inches. For those need to be lower shots the legs can be spead wider than standard - although i wouldnt try to use it prone ( I have beanbags etc for that)
 
I guess it depends what you're used to. It's all I've ever had so it doesn't bother me to be honest. I normally carry camera etc in a rucksack and tripod by hand.
 
How small do you need it to be when folded ? (if you are thinking of putting it in bike paniers you may have a problem with either thre 055 or the 190 tbh) - my 055 goes on the back of my camera rucksack without a problem

these are fairly weighty being steel - they do do a carbon fibre 190 but thats a lot more cash
 
Thanks Pete, that has answered my dilemma, it goes on the rucksack. Thanks to all for you advice.

And if you're still up for meeting for a shoot Pete I'd be up for it. :)
 
cool - pm me when and where would be good for you - i'm pretty busy in the next week or so but freer after that
 
I have a couple of 190 Manfrotto tripods and assorted heads. Just put a tape measure on them and weighed them as well.
The older, Aluminium 190PROB is a 3 section (2 clamp) one and weighs 2.15kg (legs only). Folded, it's 56.5cm long and fully extended (including centre column) 147cm.
The newer, CF 190CXPRO4 is a 4 section (3 clamp) version and weighs 1.38kg (legs only). Folded, it's 52cm long and fully extended, it's 148cm tall (inc column).
The 322 head weighs 650g (+QR plate) and the 410 geared head weighs 1.24kg.
In use, once you've faffed with the 322 (or any ball head) to compensate for droop etc., the 410 is as fast to set up accurately since the geared part can be bypassed with a clutch system for gross adjustment before fine tuning with the gears. Once set, the 410 is rock solid while most balls can wander a little. The 322 can be configured to be adjusted with either hand or, like the 222, with the camera at the end of the grip rather than atop it. With the 322 configured like the 222 (and indeed the 222 as fixed) you're pretty much stuck to staying in landscape format since turning the head to put the camera in portrait format sets the weight well off axis and will cause creep.
For weight reasons, I keep the 322 head on the CF tripod and the geared 410 on the alloy one. Very little difference between the 2 in terms of stability at all lengths, despite the apparent flimsiness of the CF one's lower leg sections.
I also have a CF Giottos Vitruvian tripod which can be converted to a monopod and that is what gets taken on holiday since it's significantly lighter than either of my Manfrotto options. I'm afraid that's in the loft, packed ready for next month's holiday! Almost as solid as the heavier tripods but not as tall when extended.
 
I recently bought one of the new Manfrotto mt055xpro3 tripods. 2.5kg which is a lot heavier than my old tripod but that is what I wanted. So much sturdier, I love it. I figured if I wanted to cut down on weight I could go on a diet and still have a good tripod. I regularly carry it on the back of my rucksack in the mountains with no problems.
 
Nod said:
I have a couple of 190 Manfrotto tripods and assorted heads. Just put a tape measure on them and weighed them as well.
The older, Aluminium 190PROB is a 3 section (2 clamp) one and weighs 2.15kg (legs only). Folded, it's 56.5cm long and fully extended (including centre column) 147cm.
The newer, CF 190CXPRO4 is a 4 section (3 clamp) version and weighs 1.38kg (legs only). Folded, it's 52cm long and fully extended, it's 148cm tall (inc column).
The 322 head weighs 650g (+QR plate) and the 410 geared head weighs 1.24kg.
In use, once you've faffed with the 322 (or any ball head) to compensate for droop etc., the 410 is as fast to set up accurately since the geared part can be bypassed with a clutch system for gross adjustment before fine tuning with the gears. Once set, the 410 is rock solid while most balls can wander a little. The 322 can be configured to be adjusted with either hand or, like the 222, with the camera at the end of the grip rather than atop it. With the 322 configured like the 222 (and indeed the 222 as fixed) you're pretty much stuck to staying in landscape format since turning the head to put the camera in portrait format sets the weight well off axis and will cause creep.
For weight reasons, I keep the 322 head on the CF tripod and the geared 410 on the alloy one. Very little difference between the 2 in terms of stability at all lengths, despite the apparent flimsiness of the CF one's lower leg sections.
I also have a CF Giottos Vitruvian tripod which can be converted to a monopod and that is what gets taken on holiday since it's significantly lighter than either of my Manfrotto options. I'm afraid that's in the loft, packed ready for next month's holiday! Almost as solid as the heavier tripods but not as tall when extended.
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phil_b said:
I recently bought one of the new Manfrotto mt055xpro3 tripods. 2.5kg which is a lot heavier than my old tripod but that is what I wanted. So much sturdier, I love it. I figured if I wanted to cut down on weight I could go on a diet and still have a good tripod. I regularly carry it on the back of my rucksack in the mountains with no problems.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I've decided to go for the one mike_6480 is selling.

Thanks for the write up Nod, both heads are out of my price range though. At the momnet I'm thinking of going for this one: http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-manfrotto-804rc2-tripod-head/p1012868#details
 
After much reading I've had a change of mind about the head and just ordered a ball head http://www.parkcameras.com/13000/Manfrotto-MN498RC2-Midi-Ball-Head.html
Although I got it from Amazon because of Park and Wex's postage... grrr

t320x320_2225d7e54aabe632b4a733da0a620589.jpg
 
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