S0reye
(Post Master Supreme)
03/05/15 03:03 PM
Sturdy tripod under $500 w/ballmount?

My cheapie tripod can't cut it anymore. Looking for some sturdy (ie: don't really care too much about weight so I don't need any fancy carbon fiber or anything). Something that can get low to the ground but high enough to be eye-level (I'm 6'4"). More importantly something that wont shake to much with the shutter should I go that route if I don't set the mirror up.

Something ball mount would be nice. Does such a thing exist for under $500 (maybe $600)?

tylerdurden
(Post Master Supreme)
03/05/15 04:02 PM
Re: Sturdy tripod under $500 w/ballmount?

For sure.

Legs: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1034139-REG/manfrotto_mt055xpro3_aluminum_tripod.html

Head: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/554685-REG/Kirk_BH_3_BH_3_Ballhead_with_Quick.html

I have the old version of that head, still going strong after 15 years. Nice that they've added a bubble level though.

busfare
(Post Master Supreme)
03/05/15 04:57 PM
Re: Sturdy tripod under $500 w/ballmount?

if you don't care about weight, get this for a head...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/124665-REG/Manfrotto_410_410_Junior_Geared_Head.html

b/c ballheads suck for anything other than being light to carry

Kierf
(Post Master Supreme)
03/05/15 08:51 PM
Re: Sturdy tripod under $500 w/ballmount?

I got the previous generation (or two) of this model. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1034141-REG/manfrotto_mt055cxpro4_carbon_fiber_tripod.html

This is technically it, but is out of production: http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-055MF4-4-Section-Tripod/dp/B0009HJ65O

I figured I'd rather buy one and be pretty much done. I'm not a big fan of having to replace stuff that works perfectly fine. The head I got sucks, but that's another thread.

flyEX #1
(Post Master Supreme)
03/08/15 06:09 AM
Re: Sturdy tripod under $500 w/ballmount?

 Originally Posted By: S0reye
My cheapie tripod can't cut it anymore. Looking for some sturdy (ie: don't really care too much about weight so I don't need any fancy carbon fiber or anything). Something that can get low to the ground but high enough to be eye-level (I'm 6'4"). More importantly something that wont shake to much with the shutter should I go that route if I don't set the mirror up.

Something ball mount would be nice. Does such a thing exist for under $500 (maybe $600)?

Carbon fiber is waaaaaayyyy more sturdy than aluminum. Although legs that big made out of cf start out over 500.


The 410 geared head is a good one despite bad past experience with Manfrotto heads.




flyEX #1
(Post Master Supreme)
03/11/15 07:01 AM
Re: Sturdy tripod under $500 w/ballmount?

Speaking of geared Manfrotto heads... There's a new one that's supposed to be as good as or smoother than the 410 for $200:

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/6036430...-with-heavy-kit

busfare
(Post Master Supreme)
03/11/15 01:18 PM
Re: Sturdy tripod under $500 w/ballmount?

 Originally Posted By: flyEX #1
Speaking of geared Manfrotto heads... There's a new one that's supposed to be as good as or smoother than the 410 for $200:

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/6036430...-with-heavy-kit

nice! but that stupid plate is a deal killer

Skizzz
(Post Master Sr)
03/11/15 02:01 PM
Re: Sturdy tripod under $500 w/ballmount?

Woot has the vanguards back on sale

http://electronics.woot.com/plus/vanguard-camera-tripods-gear?ref=cnt_wp_6

On a earlier woot sale I got a Vanguard Alta Pro 283CP Carbon Fiber Tripod with PH-23 Panhead and i absolutely love it.

A quick look, even if you go w Vanguard top of the line:
Vanguard Abeo Plus 323CB Tripod With BBH-200 Ballhead included, will set you back 320 and should be enough for all your needs.
http://electronics.woot.com/offers/vangu...?ref=cnt_wp_6_1

LNXGUY
(Post Master Supreme)
03/12/15 09:41 AM
Re: Sturdy tripod under $500 w/ballmount?

So stupid question, a gear head is exactly that? The adjustments I make are gear driven instead of what I'm using now (loosening the adjustment, making the change and tightening it back up?)

Kierf
(Post Master Supreme)
03/12/15 09:45 AM
Re: Sturdy tripod under $500 w/ballmount?

 Originally Posted By: LNXGUY
So stupid question, a gear head is exactly that? The adjustments I make are gear driven instead of what I'm using now (loosening the adjustment, making the change and tightening it back up?)
Yup, gear driven. Very precise movement.
Here's an example. There are two knobs for each axis. One is for large movement, the other is for precise.
http://youtu.be/ArXAgG7JAhs

LNXGUY
(Post Master Supreme)
03/12/15 09:47 AM
Re: Sturdy tripod under $500 w/ballmount?

Thank you sir.

chef
(Post Master Supreme)
03/13/15 11:22 AM
Re: Sturdy tripod under $500 w/ballmount?

The only one I have first hand experience is this, I think. I'd have to look at the model number at home. It's tall, and sturdy, but heavy. It's shit for hiking, but on tile indoors, or car camping, or something similar, it's a solid choice. I replaced the head right away with a BH0 from Induro though, I wanted to use an arca style plate, not the weird round thing. I intended to sell it but never listed it, and have now used it a couple of times for random shit.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1029080-REG/slik_613_700_sbh_808dq_ball_head.html

S0reye
(Post Master Supreme)
04/02/15 11:17 PM
Re: Sturdy tripod under $500 w/ballmount?

Thanks all! Ended up going with a Manfrotto setup and huge ball mount which worked perfectly. Got a great deal to because someone just brought one in used and didn't have a scratch on it. Was about $400 out the door which was a few hundred less than new.

My gratuitous shot from this last week:

Skizzz
(Post Master Sr)
04/03/15 06:34 AM
Re: Sturdy tripod under $500 w/ballmount?

Pimps gonna pimp \:\)

Nice wheels!