I need to replace my tripod/head. Been looking at Gitzo GT3340L - anyone got one - or recommend? Also looked at Manfrotto 055CXPro3 (where do they get these catchy names?). Also need suggestions for a ball & socket head. I'm 6'3" so want something that will open to around 160 - 175cm.
Tripod recommendations?
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Depends what your looking for but take a look at Refsnapper excellent value
and excellent quality.
and excellent quality.
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i use redsnapper alot, ive got the tri-283 tripod and ball head its top gear and i would say its better value for money than the manfrotto's and gitzo's, for a £100 you can get the tripod, ballhead and bag, bargain i would say...
http://www1.clikpic.com/Redsnapper/gallery_103792.html:thumbs:
http://www1.clikpic.com/Redsnapper/gallery_103792.html:thumbs:
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I have a Manfrotto 055XPROB with a Manfrotto 322RC2 head. The total height to the quick release plate is 6 ft (1803 cm) well within your requirements. Without the centre column extended the height is 5ft (1503 cm approx). Add to that another 10 cm on the camera to the viewfinder.
Just a suggestion as this setup is rock solid in any position and will support a heavy load.
Realspeed
Just a suggestion as this setup is rock solid in any position and will support a heavy load.
Realspeed
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I swear redsnapper must get most of there buisness from the huge amount of recomendations that we get here on TP 
still... thanks to you guys, Im getting one soon so...
still... thanks to you guys, Im getting one soon so...I swear redsnapper must get most of there buisness from the huge amount of recomendations that we get here on TP
And the 10% they offer TP members...
Money is not the main concern - although I don't have unlimited quantities! - but fitness for purpose and reliability is. It needs to support my bodies with a lens up to 300mm + teleconverter (1.4 or 1.7) and still be rock steady. Head needs to be easy to adjust - safe - and support the weight. The more I look at different models the more confusing it becomes. My current (Manfrotto) tripod has lasted over twenty years! - so it's a long time since I've even looked at them! Thanks for all the suggestions so far.
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top stuff....but maybe getting a lttle pricey...head looks fantastic...but over £300!
Head should be around £250, Sidekick around £235, Tripod £450 approx, you did say "money is not the main concern".
My last Gitzo tripod lasted 30 years, and in fact is still going strong as I gave it away when I got a carbon one.
...and I appreciate the suggestion - nothing is ruled out at this stage. When you consider the value of the kit it will support - puts it into perspective. Last thing I want to do is have to buy another one next year! Thanks - I'll let you know the outcome.
stan the man
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although i'm a manfrotto user,i was well impressed by the quality of the redsnapper tripods after seeing gandhi's last saturday...very good value for money 
Whatever I buy - I'm going to have to buy 'blind' - so reputation as well as spec is important. Redsnapper are so much cheaper than others it's hard to believe to long term durability can possibly be as good. I may be completely wrong about that.
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I used a redsnapper day to day bit it really was not for me.
I liked the quality of the tripod and it was nearly as good as manfrotto for a much better price. The weight wasn't bad for the size either.
I liked the fact that you get a long and a short column supplied and for a small fee Joe can supply a second set of column acessories so you have two complete usable columns. I didn't like the fact the top of the centre column is plastic - not in keeping with the quality from the rest of the product.
I also didn't get on with the legs.
Maybe personal opinion but twist lock seemed slow and clumsy compared to a well implemented flip lock - it was taking a long time to extend the legs compared to my old manfrotto (And my new velbon sherpa carbon is incredibly quick!)
All in all redsnapper are a very good tripod for the money - you get a lot more than many other manufacturers who are charging much more. But there are a few failings that put me of (I must emphasize the put me off - if you don't care about what I mentioned then you will be fine)
I got a Redsnapper aluminium with the ball head initially and was really impressed. Then upgraded to Redsnapper carbon fiber (with Redsnapper ballhead again) and still am impressed. I use it quite often now (in fact was using it this foggy morning at a local pond) and it is very well made. I'm sure that best Gitzo's are unrivalled but for the price/quality Redsnappers are unbeatable. It also expands quite high - I am 176 cm tall and never ever used it with expanded center column - with the camera mounted on fully extended tripod (no center column) the viewfinder in my Nikon D200 reaches right up my eye level.
interesting - anyone used one of these? comments?
http://www.speedgraphic.co.uk/prod.asp?i=8440&1=Novoflex+MB50+Universal+MagicBall
http://www.speedgraphic.co.uk/prod.asp?i=8440&1=Novoflex+MB50+Universal+MagicBall
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I have a Giottos MTL8360B Pro MT Carbon Fibre tripod that I bought about a month ago and a Manfrotto 322RC2 head which I have had a little while now.
But you could try the Manfrotto 393 Gimble type head attached to the giottos's built in 3 way head would be all you need
The Giottos's built in head is also handy if you can only afford the tripod to get you going
But you could try the Manfrotto 393 Gimble type head attached to the giottos's built in 3 way head would be all you need
The Giottos's built in head is also handy if you can only afford the tripod to get you going
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I have a Giottos MTL8360B Pro MT Carbon Fibre tripod that I bought about a month ago and a Manfrotto 322RC2 head which I have had a little while now.
But you could try the Manfrotto 393 Gimble type head attached to the giottos's built in 3 way head would be all you need
The Giottos's built in head is also handy if you can only afford the tripod to get you going
Oh and I'm 6'3" and this tripod is great
I'd like to comment on a few things here:
I just checked mine and I am not sure what you mean exactly - mine is fully metal (aluminium I guess) and there is no plastic. Both camera mounting platform and top of the column screwing in insert are fully aluminium alloy. Camera mounting platform is a 2 parts metal (screw and a platform itself) - don't see any plastic here either. The only plastic there is the carbon fiber material of the column in my case but aluminium version of the tripod won't have even that.
I'd say that this is really a matter of personal preference - I, for example, have yet to find a flip lock mechanism I would like at least remotely and generally I really hate them. I find it is much easier for me to twist and adjust the leg than fiddling with the flip locks. Again in my view this is a personal preference and should not be considered a drawback
I just checked mine and I am not sure what you mean exactly - mine is fully metal (aluminium I guess) and there is no plastic. Both camera mounting platform and top of the column screwing in insert are fully aluminium alloy. Camera mounting platform is a 2 parts metal (screw and a platform itself) - don't see any plastic here either. The only plastic there is the carbon fiber material of the column in my case but aluminium version of the tripod won't have even that.
I'd say that this is really a matter of personal preference - I, for example, have yet to find a flip lock mechanism I would like at least remotely and generally I really hate them. I find it is much easier for me to twist and adjust the leg than fiddling with the flip locks. Again in my view this is a personal preference and should not be considered a drawback
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I would certainly upgrade to the Carbon Fibre Redsnapper now that I have seen the quality of aluminum one,
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Maybe they have changed since I purchased (About 4 months ago) but the top of the column that you screw the tripod head too was definitly plastic. When you talk about the camera mounting platform are you referring to the head not the tripod?
Yep, preceicely why I pointed out on more than one occasion that is was my opinion and what I found - a drawback for meI'd say that this is really a matter of personal preference - I, for example, have yet to find a flip lock mechanism I would like at least remotely and generally I really hate them. I find it is much easier for me to twist and adjust the leg than fiddling with the flip locks. Again in my view this is a personal preference and should not be considered a drawback
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The Manfrotto 055cxpro you mentioned is a joy to use. The brand quality is tried and tested. Yep, it was a bit costly but hopefully I won't need another for 10-20 years. Have to admit that I was tempted by a Redsnapper as they do get very good feedback on price/performance, but how they fare in the long term.. I don't know.
I'm referring to the platform that you screw ballhead or camera to - I guess I should have called it mounting platform. I screwed my own platform to the column too tight and could not get it off so got a second platform from Joe to have as a spare - both seems to be metal. The reason I mentioned it is because I scratched one when tried to unscrew it and it seemed metal to me. I'll check it this evening again just in case I am talking rubbish. I got my first Redsnapper about 4-5 months ago as well.
Update: checked my mounting platform this morning - seems to be fully metallic just as I said.
ok - purchase now made!
I got a Gitzo GT2351LVL with an Acratech GV2 head and Kirk D3 QR plate (all from Warehouse Express) - should last me forever! More plates required though....soon! Not a cheap option but I hope the right one for me - arrives tomorrow! Thanks all again for the input.
I got a Gitzo GT2351LVL with an Acratech GV2 head and Kirk D3 QR plate (all from Warehouse Express) - should last me forever! More plates required though....soon! Not a cheap option but I hope the right one for me - arrives tomorrow! Thanks all again for the input.