Tripod recommendation

[Ron Hunter]

Hello! My current Velbon tripod is 25 years old and is more flimsy than I'm comfortable with. I would like to upgrade to a better tripod and I would like to learn any recommendations you can offer.

My primary camera is a Rebel T4i with 18-135mm lens, which together weighs about 2.5lbs. I doubt I'll ever get one of those really heavy zoom lenses ($$$). I don't have a slider yet but I DO want one (how much do they weigh?). I also don't have a field monitor but after looking at Paz's setup, that might change! I currently use the tripod for time lapse and landscape photography, but I may use it for some video work.

I'm 6'2" so having the camera up high would be nice. Having a level on the head and a hook on the tripod to hang a bag would be great. I don't see me hiking 5 miles just to take a picture, so tripod weight is not critical (within reason of course). I've read a couple of tripod buying guides and I'm still not completely sure what to get. The "legs" are reasonably straightforward (probably aluminum in my price range) but I don't know what head to get. It seems that ball heads are commonly recommended but I've never used one so I don't really know how they work.

Budget? I'd like to get the tripod/head combo for less than $200, but I could be compelled to go a little higher if need be.

I've heard that Manfrotto makes great stuff so I've been looking at their products, but I'm open to any company that makes a good product.

Thoughts?

[Bob]

There have been a number of discussions about tripods. Take a look at these.

[sidd finch]

Here is a tripod guide.

http://www.adorama.com/alc/0008168/arti ... ipod-Heads

Sidd

[Gerlinde]

I just bought one and like it a lot:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=12632

[momoffduty]

I don't have a slider yet but I DO want one (how much do they weigh?).

I have the IndiMiniSlider Deluxe that includes the pistol grip. The weight is 7lbs.

[Ron Hunter]

Thanks everyone! Cheryl, does the IndiSlider mount to the tripod head, or to the legs?

[Ron Hunter]

Just pulled the trigger on a Manfrotto kit from B&H:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=invoice&A=details&Q=&sku=1022483&is=REG

Will post a review when I test it out.

[Dave McElderry]

Congratulations! Please do post a review Ron. Looking forward to hearing your experience with this. I think your "flimsy" tripod days are over. Many times I've looked at this same combination, and also the 502 head, flat base version. My problem is that I have trouble picturing the bulk of this (the head, especially) as Gerlinde and I discussed in this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=12632#p107499

[momoffduty]

Thanks everyone! Cheryl, does the IndiSlider mount to the tripod head, or to the legs?

Both. Here is a review:
http://cameratown.com/reviews/indislidermini/

Ron, please post a review on your new tripod/head combo when you get a chance. Thanks!

[videovillageidiot]

does the IndiSlider mount to the tripod head, or to the legs?

Hi Ron...looks like a great combo!! I was looking at the specs and it says the head mount thread size is 3/8" The indislider attaches to a 1/4" screw. I actually called B&H (taking valuable time away from the Kitten Bowl on Hallmark Channel...but don't worry for me...it replays at least twice today...haha) and confirmed that the tripod specs were correct. The sales rep directed me to a "reducing bushing set" that he says will reduce the 3/8 screw to 1/4. Hmmmm...it kinda' didn't look like they would in the photo. I actually have some that do the opposite - allowing me to attach my 3/8" socket pistol grip to the 1/4" screw on the slider.

tripod how to connect pistol grip to slider.jpg

Well... I was all set to link you to the item on the B&H site when i looked at it in more detail. It is NOT what the rep said it was. It is the same type of thing I just described above that I use - NOT WHAT YOU WOULD NEED!!! I called them back and another rep directed me to more of the same items. He then switched me to a "tripod expert" who very confidently directed me to yet another version of THE SAME THING!!! He assured me it's exactly what was needed even though I kept describing that the circumstances were actually the reverse!!! He then said he couldn't hear me and did the "hello???? hello???" thing a few times and hung up.

Ron, I hope you have better luck than I did in finding a way to attach the 1/4" slider to the 3/8" screw.

The reason I don't have this problem with my tripod is that it has a reversible screw...

tripod connector.jpg