Manfretto
Posted 15/07/2007 - 16:50
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I spent ages deciding on a new tripod. In the end after looking at the 055MF3/4 and the 190MF3/4 I went for the Velbon Sherpa Pro CF630.
Why? Because it felt better. It is tall enough for me not to have to use the centre column, increasing the stability and also making it easy to have it at ground level for Macro shots.
Initially I liked the idea of the centre column on the Manfrottos but in practice the carbon fibre tripods felt wobbly. I was disappointed in them, whereas the Velbon felt as steady as a rock.
The only downsides with the Velbon are it's length when folded, and that it didn't come with a bag or strap. i bought an OP/Tech strap for it.
I use a arkins Q-ball head on it.
I recommend you go and look at tripods before buying one.
Why? Because it felt better. It is tall enough for me not to have to use the centre column, increasing the stability and also making it easy to have it at ground level for Macro shots.
Initially I liked the idea of the centre column on the Manfrottos but in practice the carbon fibre tripods felt wobbly. I was disappointed in them, whereas the Velbon felt as steady as a rock.
The only downsides with the Velbon are it's length when folded, and that it didn't come with a bag or strap. i bought an OP/Tech strap for it.
I use a arkins Q-ball head on it.
I recommend you go and look at tripods before buying one.
Posted 15/07/2007 - 18:42
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Y'know, a tripod is a bit like a shirt. There is not one that suits every occasion.
I have 4 + a monopod, and I use them all at various times. The 190 stays in my car along with the monopod and I use those for wandering about the landscape. My 190PROB is mainly confined to studio type work or to hold my larger lenses.
You need to decide what you are going to be doing with it, and I don't just mean plonk a camera on top. You also need to decide on what type of head you will put on it. Ball heads are popular and versatile, but they don't suit every possible scenario. I recently removed my 488RC2 ball head from my 055 and replaced it with a 804RC2 3-way head for a specific project. It made a real difference to camera positional control for that project. Now the ball head is back on.
If you a going to be tramping the hills 'n dales you'll want something light, but robust. The 190's are smaller and lighter than the 055 range.
If you are doing studio work you'll need something entirely different, probably heavier and rock solid.
I chose the 055PROB because the centre column can be removed and reattached, parallel to the ground for top down work (the legs don't get in the way now). Very convenient.
I have 4 + a monopod, and I use them all at various times. The 190 stays in my car along with the monopod and I use those for wandering about the landscape. My 190PROB is mainly confined to studio type work or to hold my larger lenses.
You need to decide what you are going to be doing with it, and I don't just mean plonk a camera on top. You also need to decide on what type of head you will put on it. Ball heads are popular and versatile, but they don't suit every possible scenario. I recently removed my 488RC2 ball head from my 055 and replaced it with a 804RC2 3-way head for a specific project. It made a real difference to camera positional control for that project. Now the ball head is back on.
If you a going to be tramping the hills 'n dales you'll want something light, but robust. The 190's are smaller and lighter than the 055 range.
If you are doing studio work you'll need something entirely different, probably heavier and rock solid.
I chose the 055PROB because the centre column can be removed and reattached, parallel to the ground for top down work (the legs don't get in the way now). Very convenient.
Peter E Smith - flickr Photostream
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607 posts
20 years
I'm looking at getting a tripod and i've seen a couple i'm interested in on e-bay. The two types i've been looking at are the 190 and 055 range. I would very much appreciate your views.
Richard