Manfrotto 055xb tripod and 804 RC2 3 way head

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by colincurry

I have looked long and hard now at tripods and have come to the conclusion that I will, for the time being at least, stick with my bog standard monopod. Most of my birding is done on the hoof and I usually walk between 5 and 6 miles on a circular route. Even the Manfrotto cf tripods weigh under a pound less than the aluminium ones. They are much too heavy to lug around. I have been given an old fairly primitive tripod that will do on the odd occasion when I feel one is necessary. I did see a lovely Gitzmo carbon fibre tripod that I could pick up with my little finger - but what a price.

I think that I will invest in a Tamron 28-75 or similar as a walk around lens instead.

Thanks for all the kind help.

Colin

This is always my problem Colin, I've got a decent tripod, it stays at home 99% of the time for my close up work.
I've got so used to the monopod, I find I can respond to sightings so much faster and I manage to get shots with suprisingly low shutter speeds. I'm sure many of my shots would have been missed if I'd have had to set up a tripod every time.

[colincurry]

Next instalment

My wife has given me a Manfrotto 055xpro tripod for Christmas. I have also bought a Manfrotto ball and socket head. I used at with my scope for the first time yesterday. Pretty amazing and rock steady.

Possible next instalment

?Sigma 150mm macro.

Thanks for all the suggestions

Colin

[AndyA]

For macro work I always use the 410 geared head on a 055ProB pod - the geared head lets you precisely align the subject plane with your sensor plane, that way you get your maximum depth of field for the aperture you are using - if you get one I can promise you you won't be disappointed

[pressld2]

I have a Velbon Ultra Lux i-F tripod and it too has a central column that is removable allowing you to get quite low. However I regularly find that "quite low" is not low enough, especially for macro shots of fungi, and I end up with the camera on the ground with twigs/lens caps/anything else that comes to hand wedged underneath it to try and get the shot I want.

I've just measured it and with my Sigma 150 macro attached via its mounting collar, the centre of the lens is a wopping 10 inches (25cm) off the ground! So I think I need to investigate the ones where the central column swings for low-level work.

But first things first - I'm still saving hard for my D300!

Dave P.

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

I recently got a tripod for christmas in the end my brother got me a decent 2nd hand one rather than a lower range one for the same money, and i'm glad he did, it's a really nice stable piece of kit.

Got a Slik Pro 700DX with a Manfrotto 701RC2 head, all for £90 and in great condition to

[matt_xyz]

Originally Posted by pressld2

I've just measured it and with my Sigma 150 macro attached via its mounting collar, the centre of the lens is a wopping 10 inches (25cm) off the ground! So I think I need to investigate the ones where the central column swings for low-level work.

I have the same problem with my Velbon Sherpa 600R. The centre column is removable but the lens is still 10-12" from the ground. I'd be interested to know whether any other tripods can get much lower than this.

Matt

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by matt_xyz

I have the same problem with my Velbon Sherpa 600R. The centre column is removable but the lens is still 10-12" from the ground. I'd be interested to know whether any other tripods can get much lower than this.

Matt

I've got the Manfrotto 190Pro. You remove the centre column and mount it horizontally. The measurement to the centre of the head mounting plate is 2.1/2" from the ground.

[nightshade]

I like the Benbo and use this and a Monopod but have been playing about with shoulder pods,you pays (not too much)money and takes yer choice