Investing in a Tripod

[Jtrain]

So I recently got my Canon T2i as a christmas gift and i've been loving every minute of it, but now i need to invest in a Tripod and until recently i've only been exposed to the $20 wal-mart brand.

I plan on having my tripod for a long time to come so i want good build quality, something thats not extremely heavy but can support a good amount of weight(not gonna be using anything bigger than a 300mm on this) and something i don't have to bend down to look through the viewfinder, being that i'm 6' 6" or around 200cm for you metric people.

I've done a bit of research and so far a combination that i've come up with is the:
Giottos MTL 9271B (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/591771-REG/Giottos_MTL9271B_MTL_9271B_3_Section_Aluminum.html )
Giottos M7001 Ballhead (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/318565-REG/Giottos_MH7001_621_M7001_Ballhead_with_Sliding.htm l)

I've also been thinking about a monopod in the case that i dont feel like lugging around the Tripod just to help with image stablization if need be and the Giottos MML 3290B (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/633038-REG/Giottos_MML3290B_MML_3290B_5_Section_Aluminum.html ) seemed like a good candidate for me as well.

I really dont have a preference of brand, but i've heard good things about Giottos, and if Red uses them then i know its gonna hold up well. Just looking around for user input to see what changes can be made, as for budget I'm looking to spend up to ~$300 for the tripod and up to ~$100 for the monopod.

[RedRaider]

Get the Giottos MTL-9371B, it is UNBELIEVABLE !!!! I say go a tad bigger in size on the tripod, the extra load capacity is always beneficial.

I decided to go with a ballhead that is Acra-Swiss compatible. Makes it much easier to find a wide range of camera specific mounts

[Jtrain]

If i'm correct the only difference between the 9371B and 9271B is that that 9371 has the rotating head on it, otherwise the Legs are exactly the same

[RedRaider]

It actually extends 3" longer and you get an additional column with it.

This is the thread that got me looking long and hard at my beloved MTL-9371B...


Giottos MTL 9371B with MH1000-652 Ballhead first impressions (http://photocamel.com/forum/camera-accessories-forum/96860-giottos-mtl-9371b-mh1000-652-ballhead-first-impressions.html)


I wanted the AcraTech GV2 ballhead though, so I bought it :)

[Jtrain]

After comparing the two i think you sold me on the 9371B Red, i think i'd definitely love the rotating center mount over the conventional one, and for only $30 its work the difference in price if it'll get the shot that i want.

now i just need to choose a good ballhead or equivalent tripod head with a quick release plate :hmm:

[KaptCrunch]

sweat equipment :up:

[RedRaider]

Here is my setup currently:


Acratech GV2 Ballhead/Gimbal Head (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/599678-REG/Acratech_1152_GV2_Ballhead_Gimbal_Head.html)

Kirk BL-D90G Compact L-Bracket for Nikon D80 & D90 with MB-D80 Camera (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=WishList.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=585814&is=REG)

Giottos MTL Series 9371B Aluminum Tripod Legs (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/591774-REG/Giottos_MTL9371B_MTL_Series_9371B_Aluminum.html)

[kinghong1970]

check out the feisol models... they are great... and carbon fiber as well

you can get a very nice tripod for $300...

never had giottos... but i love my feisol and my gitzo's...

[Jtrain]

Look what came in last night. This thing is fucking sweet :crack:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5254/5498969750_280146346a_b.jpg