Tripod question.

This may be a stupid question but I'm going to ask it anyway

I am in the market for a new tripod, one that can take the Bigma. I am thinking of buying a ball-head to go with it, as I understand these are the best for me. Haven't yet decided which model to go for.

Now for the stupid question...

If I buy a Manfrotto tripod do I have to buy a Manfrotto head or will any make fit it?

The Manfrottos have standard threads so any head will fit.
But with the Bigma, don't scrimp on the head - I suspect you'll need to pay as much, if not more for the head than the legs

Matt

Thanks Matt, thats what I was hoping. I shall continue the quest. Have to go off to a shop when I have more of an idea of what I want. I don't want to go in and end up palmed with something not suitable, or too expensive.

Gwyn:

I have a Manfrotto tripod, and use a Manfrotto 168 ball head - it's rates as heavy duty (7 kg or 15-16 lbs). My lenses aren't as heavy, I imagine, as the Bigma (I want one of those...) but, using a homemade mounting plate, we have had two 35mm film cameras with 200mm lenses on the ball head at one time with no problems...

Here's one on eBay...

That's not a daft question. How many legs does a tripod have?, now that's a daft question, and one that I'm sure will crop up one day.

I don't know the weight of the Bigma but I have a Pentax 135-600mm weighing in at around 4.5Kg and the tripod mount is too near to the rear of the lens, not well balanced. I use a Manfrotto 055PROB with a 488RC2 Ball head and believe me, it is nowhere near stiff enough to stop my heavy lens moving when the mirror goes up.

I haven't tried adding additional weight hanging from the centre column yet, but it might help.

I did have to remove the rubber anti-slip mat from inside the quick release plate, that improved matters somewhat but did not cure camera shake entirely.

I should add that I haven't tried this lens/tripod combo in daylight yet. I was after shots of the moon and couldn't hold the rig still enough to get any decent shots.

Don't just decide on a suitable head without first going out and trying a few and get one that suits your big lens.

What you need is a Wimberley (and a mortgage).

http://www.tripodhead.com/

G

Already mortgaged to the hilt so the Wimberley will have to wait......

@Mannesty, the Bigma is not that heavy thank goodness. I was looking at the 055ProB as a possibilty. Now to find a ballhead or two to try on it.

The 055PROB is an excellent and versatile tripod. The reason I chose it above any other is that the centre column can be removed and mounted horizontally to take top down shots more easily without getting tripod legs in the way.

The 488RC2 makes an excellent ball head for all but the lens I mentioned. It's best feature is having 2 locking screws. 1 does front to back, up and down, the other controls the abilitity to rotate the head.

Just got my Vanguard Tracker 3 tripod in, very nice and stable tripod.



The panhead takes some getting used to but is very easy and quick to adjust.



The only downside is that the locating pin is not spring mounted. You need to remove it for use with the Pentax DSLR's.
It allso comes with a extra mounting plate for devices with a bigger thread.

It is not the lightest tripod around, but for walking around and for use when hiking I have a light monopod.
My setup is different anyway for hiking purposes. Normally I use the 16-45 and the 50-200 but when hiking I take my Tamron 28-200 so I don't have to haul everything around.

I bought the Velbon CF630, it seems solid enough for my Bigma but the problem is the head, the basic head that came with it is OK but its the top plate that lets it down, far too much play to hold the Bigma securely. I tried a Benbo ball and socket from my monopod and that was much better, any sturdy tripod plus above average quality B&S head should suffice, unless your shooting in strong winds in which case I would reccomend you go for the 1/4 tonne concrete block available in kit form from at all good builders merchants

One other tip, placing a heavy beanbag on top of the lens will help reduce vibration of the mirror.

QUick Edit.....just had a thought, some heavier duty tripods have a larger thread for mounting the head, some are reversable offering both options while some I believe need an adaptor.

Well, it took a while, but I've finally bitten the bullet and bought a new tripod. I went off to Kamera-Express (http://www.kamera-express.nl/) and sought advice. I came away with a Velbon Sherpa Pro 630 (without a head). I decided the Gitzo were out of my price range, the Manfrottos I looked at were too expensive, too fiddly or just too heavy for me. No point in a tripod that gets left in the car.
So I looked at the Velbons and decided although it is quite long when folded, which isn't so convenient when travelling the 630 had the edge of the 640 (which folds up shorter due to the 4 section legs). It just felt right. And I can use it with out raising the centre column at all which is perfect for me.
I have now fitted my Markin Q3 onto it, (bought for a good price on the net) and tried the Bigma - solid as a rock. I bought a Markin camera plate and a plate for the Bigma too, not from Kamera Express but from Nikonians as they are the European dealers for Markin. I am very happy

Now to add it all to the insurance! And to look for a strap for it, as it didn't come with one. I know Optech do one.

Gwyn;

Not sure what you're looking for in a strap, but I ran across this a couple weeks back and have been considering it for myself...

http://www.scopac.co.uk/

Although designed for scopes, no reason that I can see to prevent them from being just as useful for a camera, although I'd be more inclined to not lave the camera on the tripod while trekking and use a QR plate instead...