Tripod/Monopod Recommendation

[Hacker]

Hi @:

Need some help here. I would like to get a tripod and a monopod and would need some recommendation. The tripod should take the weight of a 300mm lens plus the body (E1). What are the brands out there that I should be looking at (Gitzo, Manfrotto)? Sepcific models?

[noelleong]

Hi Hacker,

Try the carbon Gitzo with Markins ballhead or Acratech. I have both the carbon tripod and monopod with Gitzo ballhead. But my ballhead is not that good. Gitzo is light and easy to carry around. What you need it a good ballhead to carry the load of the 150mm F2.

So I see that you are planning to get the 35-100. It is a gigantic and heavy lens. I have tried it and the build is exactly the same as the 150mm but longer. For a walk around lens, I think it is just way too big. Anyway the range is too short for my shoot preference.

[hammer_400]

wah someone gettin 300mm?!?! :drool:

[wind30]

Hacker,

300mm... after reading all your posts, I am REALLY curious as to what you do with your gear... R U a professional photographer? Just curious

[KrY0LiT3]

hey stephen,

i second noel's gitzo recommendation. take a look at wat's around and wat you need. if you do lotsa landscape/hiking (few places in spore though.) a light cf one is good for general purposes. i think gitzo revised their cf series tripods. the old ones doesnt have an anti-twist leg which is a small irritation for me. if u like macro or odd angles go for the explorer series. i'll recommend the aluminium one over the cf one for that as it's cheaper, has exchangable foots and the price difference for that small amount of weight? pengs. i cant remember the prices though. note that that some tripods do not "click" to specific angles when opening (like the explorer), which is useful if u want a fast setup. cf is not really needed if you dun need to carry around for tripod much.

it essentially bores down to wat u use it for. i'm not promoting gitzo over manfrotto, slik, feisol or any other brands. take a look at other offerings and play around with the tripods at CP. they're the only place in spore wif such a large selection of gitzos. dun paiseh to fumble with the display sets. if you're paying such a premium u'd better take your time and buy something you like. not something after sometime can find in the buy and sell section of CS.

if you're thinking of investing in arca-swiss heads like acratech, markins or RRS, be prepared to spend more on the plates as well. they're not cheap lor. especially for pieces of metal.

anyway while i agree with noel that the 35-100 is very heavy and big, i dun find the range too short for me. it's a personal preference anyway. i'll forgo zoom range for superior optics and results anytime. but size and weight i'm not sure lah. havent tried it b4 so cant comment much.

i do suggest before u even go to CP to see the tripods, (see already sure gian one so better not), go spend a few weeks with your camera and lenses. take lotsa photos in different places and settings and ask yourself when a tripod will really help, and will you mind carrying a tripod in that setting. it'll give u an idea of wat kind of tripod suits you best.

hope that helps.

btw, you're building up quite a collection eh? lol.

[Hacker]

Originally Posted by wind30 Hacker, 300mm... after reading all your posts, I am REALLY curious as to what you do with your gear... R U a professional photographer? Just curious

No, I am a hobbyist from the old school of 35mm (Leicas Rx, Nikons Fx, etc). Just beginning to switch to digital after a long hiatus. I have a long way to go in terms of Photoshop and editing.

[Hacker]

Originally Posted by noelleong Hi Hacker, Try the carbon Gitzo with Markins ballhead or Acratech. I have both the carbon tripod and monopod with Gitzo ballhead. But my ballhead is not that good. Gitzo is light and easy to carry around. What you need it a good ballhead to carry the load of the 150mm F2. So I see that you are planning to get the 35-100. It is a gigantic and heavy lens. I have tried it and the build is exactly the same as the 150mm but longer. For a walk around lens, I think it is just way too big. Anyway the range is too short for my shoot preference.

Where can I get the 35-100? Been asking around but have no luck...

[Hacker]

Thanks for the advice. Will go down later and see what CP has. What about monopods?

Originally Posted by KrY0LiT3 hey stephen, i second noel's gitzo recommendation. take a look at wat's around and wat you need. if you do lotsa landscape/hiking (few places in spore though.) a light cf one is good for general purposes. i think gitzo revised their cf series tripods. the old ones doesnt have an anti-twist leg which is a small irritation for me. if u like macro or odd angles go for the explorer series. i'll recommend the aluminium one over the cf one for that as it's cheaper, has exchangable foots and the price difference for that small amount of weight? pengs. i cant remember the prices though. note that that some tripods do not "click" to specific angles when opening (like the explorer), which is useful if u want a fast setup. cf is not really needed if you dun need to carry around for tripod much. it essentially bores down to wat u use it for. i'm not promoting gitzo over manfrotto, slik, feisol or any other brands. take a look at other offerings and play around with the tripods at CP. they're the only place in spore wif such a large selection of gitzos. dun paiseh to fumble with the display sets. if you're paying such a premium u'd better take your time and buy something you like. not something after sometime can find in the buy and sell section of CS. if you're thinking of investing in arca-swiss heads like acratech, markins or RRS, be prepared to spend more on the plates as well. they're not cheap lor. especially for pieces of metal. anyway while i agree with noel that the 35-100 is very heavy and big, i dun find the range too short for me. it's a personal preference anyway. i'll forgo zoom range for superior optics and results anytime. but size and weight i'm not sure lah. havent tried it b4 so cant comment much. i do suggest before u even go to CP to see the tripods, (see already sure gian one so better not), go spend a few weeks with your camera and lenses. take lotsa photos in different places and settings and ask yourself when a tripod will really help, and will you mind carrying a tripod in that setting. it'll give u an idea of wat kind of tripod suits you best. hope that helps. btw, you're building up quite a collection eh? lol.

[Raptor1]

Hi, looking for a monopod too.. haha.. my setup not really that heavy la.. just an e500 + 50mm =X
Had soo much trouble just now trying to take red ants =X Always running here n there, hand shaking due to strained poistions (for me.. haha)

[Hacker]

Thanks for everyone's advice. I got the Gitzo 1157 and the 1178. Just nice as I do not wish to lug around some big tripod.

[NMSS_2]

Originally Posted by Hacker Where can I get the 35-100? Been asking around but have no luck...

what about nice lady in AMK to order for you? maybe put some deposit to secure the order.

[KrY0LiT3]

Originally Posted by NMSS_2 what about nice lady in AMK to order for you? maybe put some deposit to secure the order.

do u mean mscolor? they're friendly people there. i've been a long time supporter of mscolour. or is there another shop at amk?

hacker: you got your tripod already? wow u're fast man. lol.

[Hacker]

Originally Posted by KrY0LiT3 do u mean mscolor? they're friendly people there. i've been a long time supporter of mscolour. or is there another shop at amk? hacker: you got your tripod already? wow u're fast man. lol.

Now looking at the Series 2 .

[major_tom]

Originally Posted by Hacker Thanks for everyone's advice. I got the Gitzo 1157 and the 1178. Just nice as I do not wish to lug around some big tripod.

how much did u pay for it btw?

[KrY0LiT3]

Originally Posted by Hacker Now looking at the Series 2 .

the G1227/8 is a tried and tested tripod alot of pple swear by. i think it's replaced already. a different model number now i think.

btw, you're builing quite a collection i must say. do u do lotsa travelling? i plan to take my camera to europe next year. hope to take some great shots home.

[Hacker]

I can travel if I want, but try not to as I'm a new dad. BTW, saw the 90-250mm lens today. Very tempted. But not sure it would be useful for me. Where is the 35-100mm!!

[KrY0LiT3]

haha. i see i see. i love babies. take your child go travelling lah! lol. after a few years is a gd idea. haha. btw i'm back in s'pore. i'm game for a shoot anywhere anytime after xmas if you are

[Hacker]

Originally Posted by KrY0LiT3 haha. i see i see. i love babies. take your child go travelling lah! lol. after a few years is a gd idea. haha. btw i'm back in s'pore. i'm game for a shoot anywhere anytime after xmas if you are

Let's go!! But the weather today is raining. MERRY CHRISTMAS.

[KrY0LiT3]

merry xmas to you too! and happy new year! any type of shoot you like? nature (amk park, sbg?) street (chinatown, little india...town?) landscape, night?