Tripod question

The Gitzo carbon fibre tripods are the best. It's not just about the weight of the tripod, it's how tight the joints are (and the Gitzo's are tight).

If you have the money, I wouldn't look at any other make. Choose the head carefully, as this makes a big difference on the handling.

I think I will go for a Gitzo then. I don't want to waste time with something that's not up to the job, and if its lighter it will get used.
Any recommendations on a head? I was thinking about an Arca-Swiss Monoball...
Thanks for the help it is much appreciated!

Simon, I have used a Gitzo tripod and monopod since the early 80s and the legs are still as secure and easy to lock as the day I brought the kit but alas being constructed of metal they don't seem quite as light as they were when new. As the kit still works I just can't find a reason to change to the light carbon fibre kit, spend a bit of time testing and trying the heads and they and the legs will last a long, long time unless lost when jetting between exotic locations

Simon

The Arca Swiss looks very exspensive, and whilst it looks very good, unless you have massive lenses, it seems like over kill.

I have two manfrotto ball heads, a 322RC2 grip actino one on my tripod, this gives a smooth and quick action, and the friction on it is adjustable for different weight setups. that one was only about £90.

The other one is a small ball head (484RC2), which is on my monopod. They both use the same quick release base plate, so I can always leave it screwed to the camera and quickly attach to either "pod without messing with screws each time. This is a must IMHO.

The manfroto range seem excelent quality but are a bit cheaper than the Arca Swiss.

Check http://www.warehouseexpress.com/ for a good selection.

Kind regards

Simon

Thanks for your advice. I will check them out. Definitely don't want overkill but do want something that I will enjoy using.
Simon

Simon,

You're certainly looking at the best! The Arca Swiss B1 is superb and the one which I use. It will be the last head you will ever need to buy. If you use a tripod a lot, you'll appreciate it's precision.

I have a Gitzo carbon tripod and I did have a Gitzo head, but the head was pretty crude to use. I would have my camera perfectly lined up on a subject, only to see it move slightly as I tightened up the head adjuster.

Thanks count, that's good/ alarming to hear, as I am most certainly not a professional photographer! I think I may well treat myself to the Arca Swiss though...

If money was no object, I would buy the most expensive camera and the most expensive ancillaries.

That would not make me a better photographer.

You don’t say what you want the tripod for, nor in what circumstances it will be used.

Cheap is not always poor value; expensive is not always better value.

I've got a Gitzo carbon fibre tripod and Manfrotto head - with three independent adjustments on it. This is not as fast as a 'ball' type, but I reckoned it'd be more sturdy that the ball with my D200/battery pack/80-400 zoom on it. The Manfrotto is also pretty light, which is good.

Incidentally, I understand that Manfrotto bought Gitzo...

Phil