Which Tripod to Buy?

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Photography Singapore : One Thread

Hi! I'm an aspiring amateur photographer who is currently looking for a reasonablly priced tripod with a smooth three way head. I own a Nikon F90X with a Tokina 20-35mm, Nokkor D 24-120mm and also a Sigma 70=300mm APO. I currently have a cheap Velbon CX-660 which doesn't perform up to expectations especially when i use my 75-300mm zoom lense. Could anyone tell me what a reasonably good tripod costs and what the brand and model numbers are? I have seen some Gitzo's but they seem to be way beyond my budget. Are the Manfrotto's any good?

Thank you for all replies!

Jason

-- Jason Quek (jquek1@singnet.com.sg), December 30, 2000

Answers

If u can't afford Gitzo and the carbon fibre tripods, the almost equally stable and sturdy tripod would be Manfrotto 190. Manfrotto head is also relatively affordable.

-- Wee Keng Hor (weekh@singnet.com.sg), December 31, 2000.

Jason, remember to check out the Manfrotto 055 and 074 models. These tripods will hold the 300mm easily. IMO, the 190 is still a little too light and flimsy for heavy lenses.

I have the Manfrotto 190, 055, 074 and Gitzo Reporter Performance. The 055 is best inbetween. Not too heavy but strong enough to hold huge lenses.

-- Paul Chuah (tlrcams@yahoo.com), January 03, 2001.


For your needs, I'd recommend the Manfrotto 190 or 190B. The 055 will be an overkill and unnecessarily big and heavy. Manfrotto has come out with a new version of the 190 which is really good. I use a 300 f/4 L lens on this tripod with my EOS-1N, and it is extremely sturdy.

Also make sure you get a good head. The 141RC is a stable 3-way head costing around $30 used and $50 new. The 468RC which I use is a lovely ball head, but costs $250.

-- Vincent (Vincent@hotmail.com), September 28, 2001.


How much is Manfrotto 190 or 190B?

-- cmmwong (cmmwong@pd.jaring.my), October 01, 2001.

Manfrotto Tripod

The Italian manufacturer has proven in the last two decades that they want to be the leading camera support company that caters to the need of photographers alike.

You can browse the latest model at their website: www.manfrotto.com for the 190Pro and the 055Pro. The O55Pro takes on the field camera Toyo45C with ease when you use the Gear head 410 along with it.

For travelling the 190PRO is best, just tuck it in your suitcase. It has the extra height that the older 190 is found lacking.

Both the models allow the centre column to be mounted horizonally - a very useful feature when you want an overhead view such as in on location copying work or in nature photography.

Warmest regards,

Patrick Lee ippl@pacific.net.sg

-- (ippl@pacific.net.sg), October 12, 2001.



Hi Jason, I am reasonably new at photography too, like you I got sick of my camera moving on the lighter Velbon tripods. I have spent the last couple of months checking out all the tripods I could find. I just purchased a manfrotto 190D tripod & a heavy duty #168 ball head.($NZ325 total) I am really pleased with it. I have a nikon F60 with nikkor 28 - 80, nikkor 75 -240mm & a Vitacon 100 - 400mm lenses. The tripod has had no problems holding these lenses steady!! The tripod goes quite low as well as quite high. The difference between the 190pro & 190D was about $NZ50 & the centre pole could be moved horizontally as well. The 190D max weight to hold is 5Kg, The #168 head is 7Kg. The ball head is heaps easier to use than the pan head. Good luck.

-- Sharleen Campbell (sharleen.campbell@xtra.co.nz), May 07, 2002.

Moderation questions? read the FAQ