Tripod choices

Morning All

Just looking to get some advice from everyone here on tripods. I've some Christmas money and what better to invest in than a flash (already chosen) and a tripod?

I've probably settled on getting a Benro tripod as they seem to be very good value. I've also pretty much decided that carbon fibre is best as, being realistic, I probably won't cart around a really heavy tripod and I want it to be sturdy.

I've narrowed it down to 2 choices:

http://photopal.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=41&products_id=80

http://www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk/4930/Benro-Travel-Angel-C-168M8-Carbon-Fibre-Tr...

Fairly similar with the travel angel being much more compact, but smaller when set up and with less load capacity.

I have 2 questions:

1) Does anyone have any comments on my choices or which seems better (shooting with a GX20 and the heaviest lens would be a Sigma 100-300)?

2) Does anyone have a recomendation for a ball head to pair it with? I have heard good things about the Manfrotto joystick ones (but also that they are a pain if trying to track a subject). Otherwise I would be tempted to get a Benro one.

Cheers,

WG

Can't comment on your choice of tripod other than to note that you have gone for a reputable brand. I noticed, however that you make reference to the Sigma 100-300mm in your post which I do have and which I find easier to use on a monopod unless the subject is static or very nearly so. I use a CF model from the Manfrotto range.

As for the head,if you intend doing a lot of work with the 100-300 mounted on a tripod, you might want to investigate the purchase of a gimbal head, but be prepared: they are not cheap!

Jon

It seems that you have pretty much settled in your choice but I would still throw in another choice here
Have a look at this RedSnapper Carbon Fibre. It is in a way better as you can reverse the centre column to get to ground level or use the smaller centre column that comes in the inside pocket of the tripod bag to get low to the ground.
The max load is 8kg and it is very similar to the SRS one just £100 cheaper and it will take all tripod heads you can get.
The service that John from RedSnapper delivers is second to none and in any way as good as the one you expect from SRS or a Pro Dealer.
It's just a thought as this would give you extra cash for a very decent head.

The Red Snapper is twice as long as the Travel Angel though - a real pain when you want to take it on a flight. I know this from personal experience with my long Velbon.
I am seriously considering a second travel tripod.

The main problem with any travel tripod though is the need to use the centre column to get the height - that in turn affects the stability of the tripod, and with a heavy lens could still result in movement.

As for a head - Benro heads are Arca comaptible so can use plates from many manufacturers, and can be used with for instance a Wimberley Gimbal if you ever get round to getting one.
You can also get an L-plate to use with it - handy for portraits and panoramas.

I have 055 legs and they're the "cheap" ones with "wingnuts" to clamp. So much better than squidge-locks when you've got snow around..... snow in a squidge and that's it, you're done for.

Bret

Thanks everyone. I probably wont be using the 100-300 all that much so I think I'll stick with a ball head for now (at least until I know of any specific limitations).

I'm sure I've seen red snapper recommended before so I will check them out too.

I do worry about the centre column. It has been suggested that they make a tripod less stable.

Wg

The centre column will make a tripod less stable when extended. As for the RedSnapper it comes with two columns, one that can be extended and one that is very short and allowed to get the tripod as low as 10cm (3" in old money) from the ground.
Also as more elements there are to a tripod leg as less stable it becomes when extended but it will make the tripod smaller.
Hope that helps a bit.

I had a similiar dilemma - and solved it by going into my local helpful photographic shop (which sadly only sells 2nd hand pentax), and got to try lots of different ones out with my camera and my heaviest lens. 20 minutes in the shop was better than 2 days reading other people's opionions!

Ended-up spending a bit more than I originally intended on a carbon-fibre Manfrotto, but I couldn't have been happier with it as a result! I'll probably get a pan/tilt head for it at some stage, got a ball-head which is fine, but keeping it horizontal is a bit tedious...however that's down to my technique not equipment!