Need a GOOD tripod

[sovietdoc]

I use a crappy aluminum/plastic tripod I got a few years ago for 40 bucks. It has done its job well, and above all else, it was also very light, so I could go hiking with it not really feeling the extra weight.

Ever since I just got my 5D Mark III and 70-200 II on it, after mounting the camera onto the tripod I can already see a few problems:

1. My current tripod is "too light", the angle between the legs isn't that wide so it can easily tip over when I have a heavy camera and a big lens mounted onto the tripod. (Yes, I am mounting the lens, not the camera, to the tripod)
2. My cheap tripod has no scales of any kind so I can't see if it's straight or not, I can't see angle of how much I am rotating the camera by
3. It squeaks, when recording movies, I move the camera horizontally and the legs squeak which just ruins all the audio recording
4. It's very complicated to operate, there is like 6 or 7 different adjustments you need to make and it makes it difficult to quickly setup. My friend has a tripod with a ball handle and that makes adjustments super easy.

So basically I want to get a better tripod. I looked online and found that higher-end tripods are pretty much built separately. You get legs and then you can buy a different top piece, so if you can please recommend tripod legs and the top that you think will be good for my needs.

Here is a list of what I need it to do in the order of importance:

Light (I really need something lightweight so I can carry it around with me)
Small size (I don't want it to extend too much, as long as in it's maximum extended setting its at the eye sight, and while not extended it is small)
Has a ball handle that is easily adjustable (perfect would be if it has an ability to lock horizontal movement for panoramic shots)
Has some leveling info (so I know if it's straight or not) and hopefully angle dials so I know how much I am turning
Is stable on the ground and won't tip over if on a hill, while 3-5kg of weight is mounted to it and camera is tilted in portrait mode.


If you can't get a horizontal lock with a ball handle, then maybe someone can suggest an alternative top for the tripod, one that can lift up for portrait mode and can be separately locked over the x axis for panoramic shots.


I am completely new to tripods so I really have no idea about anything (except of what I need it to do). I see that there are a lot of different prices out there, I am probably looking for $500 max BUT if it's absolutely perfect for what I want and especially VERY VERY light, I can go up to a grand for a tripod.

Thanks for your suggestions in advance.

[bballfreak6]

i am using manfrotto 190xprob, which i think is a good compromise between weight and steadiness and it should handle your current setup (very jealous too btw ) or you can move up one to the 055xprob which is heavier again

for head i am currently using the 322rc2 head http://www.manfrotto.com/heavy-duty-grip-ball-head i love it because it has the quickness of a ball head but all you need is to hold the grip to orientate it however you want and let go and it locks, so brilliant to use

alternatively for lighter options you can always look at carbon fibre tripods but they are expensive, gitzo is a brand that comes to mind but expect to spend quite a bit, if you look around ebay there are cheap chinese knock offs (still carbon fibre) my friend has one and seems good quality tho so something to consider there too, ultimately very well comes down to your budget as well

[kanej2007]

Get a high end Tripod such as Manfrotto or Velbon, you cannot go wrong with either...

[sovietdoc]

I am currently looking at Manfrotto 190CXPRO3

and Manfrotto 222 Joystick Head

because I think it's the only joystick they have that can do 90 degree panning. I don't think 327RC2 can do that?

Can anyone suggest more pistol grip/joystick ball heads that can horizontally pan?


I was also considering Arca-Swiss Monoball Z1 but then I don't really like the ergonomics, I prefer a joystick.

[bballfreak6]

have a look at this review for the 322rc2 head

http://www.biofos.com/cornucop/322rc2.html

once you grip it you can orient it pretty much anyway you want

[chiefmasterjedi]

I have the 055xprob and 322rc2 grip head. I've been using them for about 2 years now and don't really have any complaints. The tripod is a little heavy at times but it is very sturdy and very well made. The grip head is great but not perfect, I find putting the camera in portrait orientation is a pain if the tripod is not perfectly level because the head wont tilt past 90 degrees. Once you get use to it, it is a minor annoyance.
I have used this combo in thunderstorms with a Nikon D700, battery grip and 16-35vr lens attached which is a nice bit of weight and the wind has gusted to around 40mph and I still got a nice sharp image. I've also took it to the beach a few times and got it covered in sand. I just wash it off with a outside hose and it's ready to go again.
I think this combo will last me many years, maybe one day it will hold a Nikon D9!!

[Finchwizard]

I use Manfrotto, always found it a good tripod.

Heard good things about Gitzo as well, but might be starting to get out of your price range.

[sovietdoc]

I researched tons of tripods over these days and settled for this one Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 as the price seemed alright while it being the absolute lightest and smallest tripod to carry around. Not too light or small however, based on reviews it can handle 70-200 without vibration in the wind, and that's the only thing I care about.

After researching a lot on pistol grips I've decided that they're pretty tall or heavy and may not hold the equipment well enough (like the manfrotto 222) so I opted out for something else. The Arca-Swiss Z1 looked pretty good until I found this one Manfrotto 468MGR2 Ballhead as it allowed for horizontal panning and at the same time was light, small and strong to handle any weight.

Don't know if all the decisions were the right ones, but this is what I've picked up. I came into this tripod game without any understanding of anything what so ever and now I probably know enough to recommend things for my friends. Thank you for the help guys. It really helped.

[Stephan.nl]

I've heard a lot of good things about the Gitzo tripods

http://www.gitzo.us/photo

[sirrith]

I would have recommended Feisol over Manfrotto... the Manfrotto CF tripods are heavy compared to other brands with the same load rating.