After a tripod

petrolhead · 10-11-2006, 8:57 AM

Was thinking about the Manfrotto 190PROB with either the 460MG or 804RC2 head

Was looking at the 055 range of tripods but need to think about the weight

What do you think about the above

Would you suggest and other combination.

Budget is £150 max

Will use for all maner of photography, night, portrait etc etc

redmax · 10-11-2006, 10:32 AM

I have the 190PROB and 460MG

I am very happy with the combo.

Its not particurly light but I wanted stability and relability over weight.
In fact when it is strapped to my Tamrac Expedition 5 you wouldn't know it was there.
The build quality and attention to detail is ....well...........Manfrotto....need I say more?

Cheers

Kaoshan · 10-11-2006, 11:40 AM

For me the deciding factor was the stability a tripod would provide with a 30D, 2x extender and the 100-400 L mounted. I tried several Manfrottos in Jessops and ended up with the 055prob. Now that I've got a 5D and battery grip I'm glad I made that choice. The manfrottos are extremely versatile and can get into some contorted positions

Don't forget to add a remote switch to your shopping list!

Canon EF 28-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS USM lens for sale.

petrolhead · 10-11-2006, 1:12 PM

Already have the remote

steve.o · 10-11-2006, 1:30 PM

IIRC you've got a 30D, whats the biggest lens you will be using with it (present and near future)?

I've got the 190MF3 with 460MG head. Im more than happy with that setup and the 190PROB would only make it more sturdy. Weight was a big factor for me hence I chose the magfibre. Again the 804RC2 head will be stronger than the 460MG (but a little heavier and bulkier). It's really down to what gear you'll be using.

To reiterate redmax's point, if you go for a Manfrotto you won't be disapointed.

petrolhead · 10-11-2006, 2:38 PM

Currently the 30D with Grip and a 300 /4 with 1.4 tcon

steve.o · 11-11-2006, 7:19 PM

Funnily enough I had a bloke come into work today after a new tripod for his 30D + 100-400 (a tad heavier than the 300/4). We tried the 055PRO with the 804RC2 and it was pretty solid. There was a very slight bit of play in the head when releasing the shutter but this is easily overcome by using the remote. I didn't have the remote to try this but I doubt you would need to use mirror lock up too often.

With your 30D + grip + 300/4 weighing in at around 2kg the 055PRO + 804RC2 seems like an ideal solution to me.

HTH

petrolhead · 12-11-2006, 10:02 PM

the 055pro is starting to get out of my price range and a tad heavier and longer

petrolhead · 12-11-2006, 10:06 PM

Its seems a bit of a toss up between the two heads I suggested.

One thing about the 460MG which seems to have been mentioned more is that its a plastic head whereas the other is metal

Is this a problem

Still not sure which to get

steve.o · 13-11-2006, 1:10 AM

The 460MG is made out of cast magnesium and is built pretty solidly. It can't take as much weight as the 804RC2 and is a bit more fiddley to make adjustments quickly, but it's a great compact 3-way head. Another thing to condsider is your height. Going for the 055 over the 190 gives you an extra ~6 inches. Depending on your height will effect how much of the centre column you will need to raise to ensure comfortable use. Raising the centre column a significant amount dramatically decreases the tripods stability.

Take a look on manfrotto's website for the different measurements of each. And if your still not sure head down to a local shop (maybe even with your gear) and try 'em out!

Kaoshan · 13-11-2006, 10:17 AM

I'd endorse steve.o's comment about trying some out!

If you are tall, you will find a shorter tripod with the centre extension tube raised less stable than a taller tripod with tube fully home. You also need to factor in the addition to height made by the head. If you are under six foot there is probably need for a taller model.

I played with quite a few heads before settling on the Manfrotto standard three way.

petrolhead · 13-11-2006, 11:09 AM

Is the 804RC2 more fiddly or the 460MG, was not sure which you meant

I am 5' 10"

Kaoshan · 13-11-2006, 11:45 AM

Sorry, didn't mean to confuse the issue on heads and was not specifically referring to either of those models.

I tried ball heads and three way heads and eventually preferred the latter. I decided on the standard head because the control grips were a bit larger, felt more comfortable and I thought gave me more control over my heavy body/lens setup.

The standard head is a very solid casting and adds just over 6" to the height of my 055.

petrolhead · 13-11-2006, 12:40 PM

So which one do you use?

Kaoshan · 13-11-2006, 2:51 PM

I use this guy. I got mine fom Jessops.

BTW I think that model has been superceeded by this one.

steve.o · 15-11-2006, 12:00 AM

Sorry petrolhead, reading it back it doesn't make much sense does it?! The 460MG is more fiddley than the 804RC2. Firstly (but no biggy) manfrotto have redesigned the 'locking' quick release plate, it is much easier IMO to remove the plate from the 804RC2. Secondly the adjustment knobs on the 460MG are small little things butted up againt the joints of the head. They do work it's just that on the 804RC2 the knobs are extended out by metal rods and are larger in size. It just feels easier to adjust to me. Like I said I have the 460MG. When I bought this it was between that and the old 141RC2 which is over twice the weight and a lot larger in size. The 804RC2 is much lighter than the 141RC2 and is a little bit more compact. If I was making my purchase today it would be the 804RC2.

Going back to Kaoshan's comment about plastic heads, infact the 804RC2 is actually made of plastic. It's made of a new polymer called Adapto:

"Adapto is a special technical polymer that is comparable to aluminum in strength but is 50% lighter. Compared to metals such as aluminum Adapto is an ideal material for photo imaging equipment as it has superb resistance to extreme temperatures and will not corrode or oxidize. Additionally, Adapto is an excellent vibration absorbing material making the 804RC2 head an ideal companion to aMagFibre tripod for the ultimate in vibration free shots."

As for the tripod itself its a toss up between weight/cost vs max height/stability. The 190PRO + 804RC2 will weigh in at 2.65kg and will have a maximum height (with centre column down) of 131cm. Whereas the 055PRO + 804RC2 will weigh in at 3.15kg and will have a maximum height of 147cm. So thats half a kilo more to lug around for 16cm of extra height and more stability. Oh and an extra £30ish quid.

HTH

P.S I remeber reading some advise somewhere - "Invest in a decent tripod now and it should last you a lifetime"

Chromedome · 15-11-2006, 7:57 AM

http://www.bythom.com/support.htm

This is the place most people get directed to...
I too am looking for a tripod & i feel like i've opened a can of worms

petrolhead · 15-11-2006, 8:28 AM

So being blunt you think I should the 055 legs

Steve?

Chrome... I have now read the article and I understand what it is saying

TBH I could end up using the camera with the 300mm lens and possible with a 1.4x extender

Now I feel I am back to the start again

The 804Rc2 is rated at 4kg whereas the older 141RC is rated at 6kg

petrolhead · 15-11-2006, 11:44 AM

Ok, still pondering. Going to check the height of the 190 agains the 055

I have been doing some reading and a lot of people seem to go for the ball type head, ie Manfrotto 488RC2

Any views?

steve.o · 15-11-2006, 12:20 PM

petrolhead: TBH yes, go for the 055. But give 'em both a go first.

As for a ball head these are generally much quicker and a bit more flexible than a 3-way head. Whereas the 3-way head gives you more control and precision. It's basically down to what you will be shooting. One thing to consider is with your 30D + grip + 300/4 + 1.4x on a ball head it may be a bit tricky to handle. There is a friction lock on the 488RC2 though. Comparing this to the 804RC2, this has a spring loaded tilt mechanism to counter balance heavy loads. Very handing with a long lens attached.

I have never used a ball head extensively, just the odd 2/3 times so it would be interesting to hear from people that use them regularly.

petrolhead · 15-11-2006, 3:15 PM

Ok, I am progressing

Poped into a local shop and tries the 190 and 055. The 190 is too short unless I raise the centre piece which is not a good idea so it looks like the 055pro is looking fav. I did have a look at the 055Pro in CF, hmmmmmmmmm I am a bit of a carbon tart having a R500

iGiDK · 15-11-2006, 4:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petrolhead

Ok, still pondering. Going to check the height of the 190 agains the 055

I have been doing some reading and a lot of people seem to go for the ball type head, ie Manfrotto 488RC2

Any views?

I have got the 055PRO legs and the 488RC2 Midi Ball Head and am delighted with this combo

Solid build quality, very stable.

The head is really easy to use as well and is great for panning

It is heavy though but isn't really an issue as I have a carry case for it that I can simply sling over my shoulder

If you have any questions regarding this setup please let me know and I'll do my best to answer them

Chromedome · 15-11-2006, 4:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petrolhead

Ok, I am progressing
I did have a look at the 055Pro in CF, hmmmmmmmmm I am a bit of a carbon tart having a R500

Yeah i've been looking at the MF3 055,very nice indeed

petrolhead · 16-11-2006, 11:10 AM

Should I buy black or silver legs

Kaoshan · 16-11-2006, 11:12 AM

Black... silver ones scare the birds

Chromedome · 16-11-2006, 12:53 PM

I have been looking around & Feisol tripods are getting good reviews aswell.
http://www.feisol.com/english/feisolen.htm

Ordered direct,seem good......

luke_1983uk · 08-02-2007, 10:35 AM

im about to order the 055pro, does anyone here no the length of the tripod when not in use, and with all the different heads out there im not sure what to go with, would love to order this today if you think it will be ok holding my 400D and something like the nifty fifty, i will sometimes use my 70-200 F/4L IS with it, do you think that would be ok, most of my photography is handheld, but i would like sometimes to be able to use a tripod, and this could be the one, im new to photography so i dont really need something that costs £££ as ive spent enough on my setup already!
all it will be used for is the odd time shooting the sky, buildings, friends and family,

the link if found is this, http://www.cameraworld.co.uk/ViewPro...203-Way%20Head

do you know if there other places that are cheaper?
thanks luke

petrolhead · 08-02-2007, 11:28 AM

Strange question but how tall are you?

luke_1983uk · 08-02-2007, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petrolhead

Strange question but how tall are you?

6ft
ive just found this setup, really tempted to go for this as ive heard good reviews about it, has anyone here got the same setup?
http://www.cameraworld.co.uk/ViewPro...%20Ball%20Head

tomson · 08-02-2007, 1:16 PM

i have an 055 & 141 RC - had it for a years and have used it loads. I'm 6ft 2 and if anything its a tad short without the central column, not by much, still perfectly usable but I do find myself stooping a little when using it.