Recommend a professional tripod please.

[thermographer]

Can someone recommend a professional tripod, I'd like to get one for my daughter.
Sturdy enough to hold a Nikon D7000, roughly 8 lbs capacity and around 60 inches tall. My daughter is small framed so keeping the weight down would be a consideration and trying to find a balance of light weight and being sturdy.
Color doesn't matter, black or silver or whatever.
Thanks in advance,
Cheers,
Kevin

[malocchio]

I have the same camera..I would have her go online and read Ken Rockwells thoughts on tripods...http://www.kenrockwell.com

[djh]

I have the same camera..I would have her go online and read Ken Rockwells thoughts on tripods...http://www.kenrockwell.com

Yup, his support 101 should be compulsory reading for anyone looking to purchase a reasonable tripod. Stable, affordable, transportable- choose any 2 is the normal conundrum.

[Nova316]

I had the same problem I am running the same setup as your daughter,
D7000 with a 70-200mm/ SB-600 as my heaviest load

I ebayed a 0 Gitzo for pretty cheap its not the shortest thing or most collapsable but it fits onto my backpack really well.
I had a manfrotto 486RC2 on it and it worked well (If you are looking for a tripod head I got mine for sale) *Shameless plug*

But I heard there are a few small traveler tripods that might fit the bill.

How much would you like to spend?

[Legion]

All the pros I have worked with use either Manfrotto or Gitzo tripods. Personally, for 35mm sized cameras I use a Manfrotto 190 legs with a 141 head. Looking at their website, that kit does not seem to be made any more, but this looks like the equivalent. It's not very heavy.

http://www.manfrotto.us/190xprob-tri...th-804rc2-head

[Heespharm]

All the pros I have worked with use either Manfrotto or Gitzo tripods. Personally, for 35mm sized cameras I use a Manfrotto 190 legs with a 141 head. Looking at their website, that kit does not seem to be made any more, but this looks like the equivalent. It's not very heavy.

http://www.manfrotto.us/190xprob-tri...th-804rc2-head

I liked mine when I had it... Upgraded to a feisol 3441... Great carbon fiber tripod... For a cheaper option a tiltall is a dirt cheap rock solid tripod

[blary54]

Whats your price range? I can recommend you some great carbon fiber tripods that will cost more than the Nikon.

For the money its hard to beat the Manfrotto 190XPROB
http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-190X.../ref=pd_cp_p_0

and I currently use the 055XPROB a little heavier but both are good.
http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-055X...011725&sr=1-10

you will also need a head for the tripod. I recommend the Manfrotto 498RC2 or the 496RC2
http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-498R...ref=pd_sim_p_1

[thermographer]

Thanks for the replies. I've been traveling and just made it home. My price range was around $300 total. I'll get something ordered soon.
Kevin.

[Haiku]

Any of the Manfrotto 055 line. Professional quality at consumer prices. While carbon fibre is wonderful stuff, speaking for myself, I have no need for it. Aluminum is perfectly sufficient for all my needs.

If you want to ensure you never have to buy another head, get an Arca Swiss.

[kwigibocity]

Examination of tripod legs and heads was my highest professional obsession for a decade, ending in 2009.

Cullmann Magnesit 528 and Novoflex "BALL40" would be my vote.

Unfortunately three bills will not get you carbon fiber legs and a great head. Given a strict budget, better to get good support at the true working height (a tripod with legs fully deployed and column fully collapsed + head + body of camera should comfortably place the viewfinder/screen at eye level) and eat some weight and collapsed size penalties.

[jrm]

Manfrotto is good stuff! I use one at work. It's actually an old video camera tripod, so it's pretty overkill for a DSLR, but it is ROCK solid. I would definitely echo the recommendations of the Manfrotto line. Don't skimp on the head either. There are some great recommendations here. Good luck!

[Haiku]

As an aside, stay away from any head that has a handle. Those are made for video not photography. They're a pain to use compared to a ballhead.

For relatively light equipment, my Manfrotto 190 is great. For anything a bit heavier the 055 is the one I turn to. If I had to do everything all over again, I would forget about anything other than the 055 with an Arca Swiss head.

[surfingrob]

Whats your price range? I can recommend you some great carbon fiber tripods that will cost more than the Nikon.

For the money its hard to beat the Manfrotto 190XPROB
http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-190X.../ref=pd_cp_p_0

and I currently use the 055XPROB a little heavier but both are good.
http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-055X...011725&sr=1-10

you will also need a head for the tripod. I recommend the Manfrotto 498RC2 or the 496RC2
http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-498R...ref=pd_sim_p_1

Spot on! If you are on a budget and she wouldn't mind - also check your local Craigslist. Where i've bought 3 of 4 legs. Manfrotto makes great "bang for your buck" tripods.

Tripods *should* be mandatory sometimes, but i continue to struggle getting my GF to use hers. Low light, Macro, etc. Instead i hear "it's blurry" afterwards with dismay as she deletes 80% of her shots. I've tried and sometimes you can lead a horse to water...

All that said - does she actually need a tripod? 8lbs seems really heavy unless you have 80-200 (older metal body) *and* grip. I understand overbuilt.

For her height you should be able to find something light and reasonable priced.

Also check out the Benro travel angel. Light, portable, but a bit $$ IMO for non CF. BUT also within your budget new. I'm cheap when it comes to legs, both my CF legs were used and saved $$$.

They were really well recommended on nikonians (a favorite photo site of mine), though a lot also upgrade to a markins head. Aluminum all up weight around 3-4lbs which is great. Compact for travel and as long as she's not 6'... i think the height would work well.

A good review here:
http://www.thephoblographer.com/2011...gel-a-1691tb0/

B&H - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ngel_Alum.html

HTH - GL!

Rob

[gforgary]

I purchased a Velbon El Carmagne 530 about 6 years ago - don't use it often but I use it for my D700 + Battery Pack + 70-200/2.8. It's over the recommended weight, but it's still very stable and sturdy. A light sturdy tripod is relative IMO, there's always going to be trade-offs between weight savings and sturdiness.

[rickboone1]

I was thinking Bogen for some reason, but it's Manfrotto. Was it Bogen at one time?

[djh]

I was thinking Bogen for some reason, but it's Manfrotto. Was it Bogen at one time?

Same company Rick- they were labelled Bogen in the USA for a long time.

[Icebear]

For mechanical gems in regards to ballheads take a look here, I have a BH40 mounted on a Gitzo GT2531.
http://reallyrightstuff.com/Items.as...RIPODS&key=cat
If you have any questions about tripods or heads or specific combinations, these are THE guys.

[Wasaga-Joe]

We have the 190PRO and the 055XPROB

The 055 is worth the extra money. the 190 is used more often as a spare light stand or when travel calls for something a tad smaller as you will be carrying it for 12 hours.

My daughter is a Photographer as well and has no use for the 190. Whenever she uses it she curses as it is not as tall and not as stable as the 055. My daughter is about 5'3" and she prefers to carry the 055 on most assignments

[scottish steve]

surfingrob, I am very pleased that I got one with my kit. The first time I went out at night I thought "everything will be fine, this is a really god camera". Er, it wasn't. Not even nearly. A cheap tripod later and voila!

[chuckr9]

Gitzo makes great tripods (Reporter model is a nice size for carrying)