Yes, another tripod post asking for advice. However, I've got a bit of a unique requirement. I need stability, small size, and light weight. I know, it's usually pick 2 of the three, but since I already walk with a cane, I need to get as close as I can to having all three. This would be strictly for night long exposure work. I need a large amount of stability not only for the camera, but for me as well, as I tend to lean on things slightly for balance (of course not while actually taking the pic). I've looked at the Velbon a lot of people here swear by, but I don't think it's stable enough for my purposes. I think I've narrowed my search down to the Manfrotto 322RC2 grip head with the Manfrotto 055CXPRO4 tripod. However, when I go to the Manfrotto webpage and use their tripod system configurator, it says I would have an unbalanced system with my D90 and either my 17-55mm or 70-200mm lenses. Either combo is only half the weight limit of the head and a lot less than the limit of the tripod, so I'm not sure what to think. Any other suggestions? Erich
Budget? You should probably look at a 3 section Gitzo; it'll be longer but more stable than a 4 section one like the Manfrotto. I've got a Benro now, seems to be okay. ; The carbon fiber likes to flex more than aluminum though. Now, Bogen/Manfrotto has an old style carbon fiber which may be good, you can't buy it new now, but I have the monopod in the series, and it's really sturdy....I looked at the tripod but couldn't pass up the Benro's length.
The Manfrotto 055CXPRO comes in a 3 or 4 section version, with the 4 of course having a smaller folded length. All else being the same, would it make a difference in stability? I'm surprised you say the carbon flexes more than the aluminum. Everything I've read led me to believe the opposite. That's why I have been looking at CF tripods, that and the weight. I need to keep that reasonably low too. As for budget, well, I realized that if I'm going to get a quality tripod that will do everything I need, it'll come at the expense of cost. I might as well get something now that'll last a LONG time. Erich
Each section adds a flex point. Which is odd, yes, but it seems that the latest generation of CF is using stronger but thinner fibers to reduce weight, so it has the added flex. ; Granted, there is a reason why many have a hook to put weights on it underneath the center column - I haven't used that yet! ; Perhaps this summer! Don't be afraid of the Manfrotto. ; I love my tripod. ; Who knows, they may be using a thicker fiber in their latest version, like their older ones.
Interesting. I wonder if that is part of the problem with the Manfrotto tripod configuration webpage. It may be saying my chosen configuration is unbalanced because my camera/lens combo is too light! It may need more weight to be more stable. When I pick another tripod, say the 190CX3, which supports 11lb vs 17.6lb for the 055CXPRO3, it says that combo is balanced. Strange. Erich
consider one of the gitzo basalt line, i have and very much like the gt 1930, combined with the acratech ballhead, it's a very nice stable platform, it's not as light as my velbon, and does not fold down as small, but it also does not seem to have the leg collapse issue i occasionally run into with the lighter tripod and i think if you know anyone in leathercraft you could have them make a custom quiver that you could buckle across your chest with it behind you, that might fit your particular needs
I'm going to have to find a brick and mortar store that has all these and give them a shake test. Reading about them online just isn't going to cut it in this case. I like the idea of a custom quiver. Right now, I just take off the strap from a luggage carryon and use that to carry my current tripod quiver style. Erich
I have an Optech tripod strap that I use with my old Focal (K-Mart) tripod. ; It has straps that wrap around the top and bottom of the tripod and make it easy to carry over the shoulder.
Well, I went to a local store last week and ended up walking out with the 055CXPro4 and 322RC2. They had them both new in the box for slightly less than B&H is selling them for. I looked at a few Gitzos they had, but for the price difference, I didn't see much difference in stability. The clincher for me was the shorter folded length of the 4 section Manfrotto. I've only used it twice now, but I tried a number of night long exposure shots, and with the last section left folded up, it's incredibly stable, and still a good height for me to work with. Overall, I couldn't be more happy with the tripod or the head. Erich
good to here you have met your needs, now get out there and bring us some nightime long exposure downtown shots
