Nikon D300 Users / Discuss

h.rav says:

Spend your $$ more into a good ballhead like Markins Q3, Acratech GV2.
Eventhough the 055MF3 is a carbon fiber tripod, it's not exactly light, it's about 4.4 lbs, I would skip it for Manfrotto 190Xprob or 055Xprob, they are cheaper and 190XproB is lighter than 055Mf3.

In that case, you will want a L bracket from Kirk Photo or Really Right Stuff.

Here are the links so you don't have to google them :
Tripod
www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/479927-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto...
www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/504845-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto...
Ballhead
www.markinsamerica.com/MA5/Q3.php?req=black
acratech.net/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=...
L-plate
kirkphoto.com/lbracketsn.html
www.reallyrightstuff.com/rrs/items.asp?Cc=BodyNikonD300&a...
Originally posted 66 months ago. (permalink)
h.rav (a group admin) edited this topic 66 months ago.

crowley213 says:

sharada, i just purchased / thought about that tripod combination:

bogen-manfrotto 055xprob tripod = 170,- usd
kirk l-bracket for the d300 with mb-d10 = 170,- usd (without mb-d10 it is 130,- usd)
markins q3 ballhead = 270,- usd (i purchased the m10 for other reasons)

this combo would be in your range. also these items had been recommended to me here at flickr.

one thing: if i remember correct you will make a trip with the bike? think about that this tripod is good and sturdy, but also heavy. the problem will be that tripods with less weight (gitzo) are much more expensive, anywhere around 500,- usd.

------

lol... h.rav was faster... do you have a secretary that is writing for you? be honestly... .)
Originally posted 66 months ago. (permalink)
crowley213 edited this topic 66 months ago.

WintrHawk says:

To be honest, I don't really find the Manfrotto CF lineup to be worth it. I personally think the 055XPROB is a better choice in terms of bang-for-buck. Sure it's aluminum instead of CF and it weighs a tad over a half-pound more but is also half the price. However, it holds a bit more and has better features.

I would instead take the price difference and invest it in the head. My suggestion would be to go for the Markins Q3 head which weighs half the weight of the 488RC2 and thus makes up for the heavier leg difference. In actuality, the total system weight will be slightly less. The Q3 is an amazing head with a much better action than the 488RC2.

055MF3: 4.4 lbs., $320
488RC2: 1.48 lbs., $110
Total: 5.88 lbs., $430

055XPROB: 5 lbs, $175
Markins Q3: 0.84 lbs., $270
Total: 5.84 lbs., $445

As you can see, the total weight and price are comparable but if you look closely at the features, you'll discover that the 055XPROB+Q3 combo outclasses the 055MF3+488RC2 combo. Also, there are ways to increase the effective load capacity of the legs but not much can be done about the head. So it's best to start with a head that is grossly more capable than the legs. The Q3 is rated to support 65 lbs. of weight. The 488RC2 is only rated for 17.6 lbs. The 055MF3 is rated for 15 lbs. and the 055XPROB is rated for 15.4 lbs. Realistically, I try and factour in a 50% margin.

Addendum: Erf! I am way too slow with this typing stuff. Maybe I should just delete my entire post and replace it with "ditto". |8^)
Originally posted 66 months ago. (permalink)
WintrHawk edited this topic 66 months ago.

h.rav says:

@ crowley,
Lol...


The big difference between the Markins and the Manfrotto ballheads is Markins ballheads do not creep down when you put heavy lens on them. It's very annoying when you are doing macro work.
Posted 66 months ago. (permalink)

Sharada Prasad says:

Thanks guys.

Letz say I would go with 055XPROB+Q3 combo. What about vertical / elbow / L brackets?

The problem with me is, I am in India. I don't have any idea about these things. I cannot get to even see these before I buy them and they reach me.

I ask my friends to get stuff for me from US.

AND I believe in this forum for making all my decisions.

Thanks once again.
Posted 66 months ago. (permalink)

WintrHawk says:

Sharada Prasad says:

Letz say I would go with 055XPROB+Q3 combo. What about vertical / elbow / L brackets?

crowley213 says:

sharada

look at these webpages, i think they contain really good informations:

for ballheads in general and l-brackets:

www.reallyrightstuff.com/home.html

for ballheads:

www.markinsamerica.com/MA5/index.php

for l-brackets:

www.kirkphoto.com/lbracketsn.html#BLD300

while at l-brackets the brands rss and kirk seem to be recommended both equal, in the ballheads markins seems to be a favorite for a lot of people!

about vertical elbow: the bogen-manfrotto 055xprob is capable to turn the center column from vertical to horizontal with just a snip of your fingers. also consider, that this tripod has a size, that even without moving the center column out, with attached ballhead and camera, it reaches nearly eye level for me... i am 1,86m tall!

---------

@wintrhawk

this time i was slow... maybe it is my ongoing age! :)
Originally posted 66 months ago. (permalink)
crowley213 edited this topic 66 months ago.

Sharada Prasad says:

Also, I missed out h.rav's edit.

Thanks a lot.

I am 055XPROB+Q3 combo and Kirk L Bracket.

@Crowley - You are right. It is a motorcycle. I am Ok with the weight. If I can save some money, I can invest it in some good glass.
Posted 66 months ago. (permalink)

crowley213 says:

@ sharada

i think that way you will get a good combo which will satisfy you!

and what about the idea... take the saved money to buy a more sturdy motorcycle... for all the stuff you will have to move when still adding things to your photo equipment? :)

enjoy your gear and trip!
Originally posted 66 months ago. (permalink)
crowley213 edited this topic 66 months ago.

WintrHawk says:

Oh... one addition you might want to add to your purchase package: the 055SPK2 retractable spiked feet set. It basically replaced the stock rubber ends of the legs with retracting rubber footpads. When retracted, it exposes spikes which can be used for better grip in certain terrain. Also the rubber feet themselves are larger than the stock ends and provide better off-angle grip.



Originally posted 66 months ago. (permalink)
WintrHawk edited this topic 66 months ago.

crowley213 says:

another, maybe also good, option for upgrading your tripod legs you will find here:

www.adorama.com/BG055SCK2.html
Posted 66 months ago. (permalink)

Sharada Prasad says:

Do I get any carry case with 055XPROB? What else do I have to buy if I hv to use the tripod for low level shooting?
Posted 66 months ago. (permalink)

h.rav says:

No, you don't get any. I have this strap as a sub for a bag : www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/424539-REG/Op_Tech_USA_120...
You don't need to buy anything else.
Posted 66 months ago. (permalink)

Sharada Prasad says:

Cool.

For a person, who is blindly ordering things through the words of the members of this forum, I am not at all disappointed.

Thanks a lot guys!!!
----
One more Q, I was looking at Markin's ball heads... was wondering how would I fit my camera onto it?

Don't I need any quick release kinda thing or if I get L, bracket, would that do all?

If I miss ordering something, I might have to wait for months to get the missing link from my friends :)
Originally posted 66 months ago. (permalink)
Sharada Prasad edited this topic 66 months ago.

paul_ark says:

my opinions mirror closely with h.rav's.

i have a manfrotto 190xprob. very versatile, sturdy yet light. i use a strap instead of a tripod bag for rapid set-up (very similar to the one in the link above)
markins m10 q-ball, though m3 would serve just as nicely
l-bracket from kirk - love this thing

very very happy with my set-up
Originally posted 66 months ago. (permalink)
paul_ark edited this topic 66 months ago.

crowley213 says:

i purchased this bag together with my tripod:

www.adorama.com/BG3280B.html

the bag seems a little big (long), but you can even store the tripod with mounted ballhead inside without any probs.

the 055xprob is low level capable, have a look into the description here:

www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/cache/offonce/pid/...

the l-bracket fits into the quick release clamp (quick shoe qr-48, that plate you see on the q3 pic with the pin and the bubble level inside!) that will be delievered with a q3 ballhead. all you need: tripod, q3 ballhead, l-bracket... and a camera, but i think you have one that is not sooooo bad! :)

----------
maybe think also to buy such a ballhead cover, when buying the ballhead from markins they offer also. i think: paying 270 bucks for a ballhead, then you also can afford the 13 bucks for the protection of such a high tech equipment.
---------------

one additional recommendation: look also for a better camera strap than the original from nikon. i have purchased this one:

www.adorama.com/TRN27BK.html

much more comfortable to carry the camera around your neck, also quick connectors to release the camera from the strap, e.g. when you use on the tripod. highly recommended by me!
Originally posted 66 months ago. (permalink)
crowley213 edited this topic 66 months ago.

Sharada Prasad says:

oh ok. I was going through the description of Markin's. It says,
"Light weight, all-in-one type ball head with quick release clamp and panning for panoramic photography. (Requires plate)"

What is "Requires plate"? Why would one need such a thing?

I am sorry if I am asking some stupid questions... I am struggling with two things - D300 Operation Manual and Definition of Photography accessories :)

I am planning to go with Q-Ball M10 since I would be borrowing 400mm lens from some of the shots. Would that also have quick release clamp (quick shoe qr-48)?
Posted 66 months ago. (permalink)

h.rav says:

Originally posted 66 months ago. (permalink)
h.rav (a group admin) edited this topic 65 months ago.

h.rav says:

@ Sharada,
You don't have to buy a quick release plate if you already have the L-plate.
No, you don't need to buy another clamp unless you buy the M10 without the quick shoe clamp.
You'll probably need a lens plate for the 400mm.
Oh and, you don't need to buy quick release plates from Markins, as long as the plate is compatible with Arca-Swiss type quick release clamps, you can use it on the Markins ballheads.
Originally posted 66 months ago. (permalink)
h.rav (a group admin) edited this topic 66 months ago.

WintrHawk says:

As far as carrying solutions go, I went the cheap route. Here's my Manfrotto 190XPROB tripod which is pretty much the smaller/slimmer/lighter brother of the 055XPROB. It didn't come with a bag or strap so I fashioned my own way to carry it.

First I used a couple of split-rings from some old keychains and inserted them at the bolts for the upper leg section clamps. It was a simple affair to undue the bolt and slide, place the ring into position, slide the bolt through it and then tighten it back up. Actually, you get the screwdriver and wrench set with the tripod for tightening and adjusting the clamp bolts.

Next I found an old strap from one of my laptop computer bags and simply clipped one end to a split ring. The other end is clipped to a strap-attachment point at the base of the legs that's already a part of the tripod.

I'm thinking I should also get a small/short strap with buckle to secure the legs together for when I'm carrying the tripod. So far I haven't really had an issue with the legs flying around though.

On the head is a Zing neoprene lensbag. It provides protection from weather and gunk but more importantly it keeps the head from doing too much damage should I accidentally bash it into things... or people.



On the subject of the head, I'm not sure you need the M10 even with the 400mm. It might be overkill. Remember that the Q3 is rated for 65 lbs and the M10 is rated for 90 lbs. Still, if you want to really play it safe then who am I to argue?
Posted 66 months ago. (permalink)

WintrHawk says:

One more thing that the literature doesn't mention about the X-series tripods is that you can actually mount the center column inverted if you really want to shoot from near-ground level. All you have to do is push the button that retracts the stop which allows you to clear the capture point and rotate the center column in the gimbal. But instead of rotating it, keep holding the button and pull the entire column up and out of the gimbal. Then you can insert it from underneath and now your center column will be inverted.
Posted 66 months ago. (permalink)

Sharada Prasad says:

Wow! Thanks for the tip.
I forgot to mention that I might even like to mount my telescope on this tripod and hence chose m10. But if Q3 is rated for 65lbs, that should suffice...My telescope does weighs around 12lbs.

Also, even the tripod is not rated to carry 90lbs of M10 I believe...
Posted 66 months ago. (permalink)

paul_ark says:

you never know when you might have a 78 lb kid sit on the 12 lb telescope mounted on the ballhead....
Posted 66 months ago. (permalink)