Advice on Tripod.

[AlvinOMG]

Hi guys,

For the past few days I'd been looking around for a decent tripod+ball head and couldn't really make up my mind..
I was just wondering how Benro fairs with other brands like Manfrotto or even Gitzo as from Mass sales, the Benro carbon fibre tripods are easily available at ~$350.

My budget is around $300-$400 and It will be great if you guys can advice me on what to get.

Besides that, I had used my friend's tripod with a ball head similar to the 488rc2 from Manfrotto. I always have problem trying to make the head align with the ground so I was wondering if those kind of midi ball heads are a good choice.

Thanks in advance

 

[heshanj]

i use the manfrotto 190xProb + 486RC2 - should fit ur budget, and i really recommend it. i hear benro is pretty good. and if u can get a carbon fibre one for the price, i guess its worth it. but the 190Xprob is not that heavy, i find it quite a comfortable weight.

im not sure wat u mean aligning the head with the ground.. but i think the manfrotto ballhead is very secure, and easy to use

 

[AlvinOMG]

i use the manfrotto 190xProb + 486RC2 - should fit ur budget, and i really recommend it. i hear benro is pretty good. and if u can get a carbon fibre one for the price, i guess its worth it. but the 190Xprob is not that heavy, i find it quite a comfortable weight.

im not sure wat u mean aligning the head with the ground.. but i think the manfrotto ballhead is very secure, and easy to use

Thanks for the advice
Well, what I am trying to say is...adjust the 'ball" head so the camera will be parallel to the ground. Well it's really hard to explain :O

 

[diver-hloc]

I use Benro.... find it affordable and good. Why not take a look at the Mass Order section and see thread on Benro tripod.... :thumbsup:

 

[scubagolfer]

For that budget go for Sirui ... saw a thread with long discussion on it ...

 

[watchthewaves]

Hi guys,

Besides that, I had used my friend's tripod with a ball head similar to the 488rc2 from Manfrotto. I always have problem trying to make the head align with the ground so I was wondering if those kind of midi ball heads are a good choice.

Thanks in advance

Then make sure that either the tripod, head, or plate has a bubble level.

Or get this to attach to your hotshoe:
http://www.amazon.com/Opteka-Double-Bubble-Digital-Cameras/dp/B000YJ2Q9U/ref=dp_cp_ob_p_title_3

 

[night86mare]

do note that the manfrotto 190s are a tad short for the rare situation where you need something higher.

but well, of course the weight is much more handle-able than the 055s for most people..

 

[sherchoo]

My suggestion is using the Benro Legs and Manfotto ballhead.

 

[denniskee]

My personal opinion,

Manfrotto tripod head with RC0 (hexgonal quick release plate) system is a very good design, though abit bulky & heavy. Reasons :

1) There are 2 separate bubble leveler for landscape & portrait orientation.
2) Both the levelers are located where the photog can see them even with the camera mounted to the head.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B000FFMBQG/ref=dp_image_text_0?ie=UTF8&n=502394&s=photo

Most heads has only 1 lever for landscape orientation. Also, the leveler is located at the slot in the head where the quick release plate sits, meaning once the camera is mounted, the photog can see the leveler at all.
http://www.markinsamerica.com/MA5/Q3.php

Else just get a hot shoe mount leveler lor.


For ur reading :

Basic guidelines on selection of tripod and tripod head
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=384016

 

[An drew]

These are levelling tripods.

http://www.gitzo.com/cms/site/gitzo/cache/offonce/home/products/tripods/leveling;jsessionid=F0990925CFD3477015CD3407379B3F2A.worker1