tripod for 20D

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Terry - 27 Nov 2005 15:52 GMT

I have a 20D with 420EX flash and 17-85 IS lens. I'll be adding the NEW
70-300 IS. I need to upgrade my tripod. I want to stay in the $300 range
for the legs, so about $400 with head. I want the best combination of light
weight, strength, ease of use. What's the best value? Recommendations
appreciated. How about gripaction heads? They sure look convenient. Do
they work?

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Terry
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Alan Browne - 27 Nov 2005 16:23 GMT

> I have a 20D with 420EX flash and 17-85 IS lens. I'll be adding the NEW
> 70-300 IS. I need to upgrade my tripod. I want to stay in the $300 range
> for the legs, so about $400 with head. I want the best combination of light
> weight, strength, ease of use. What's the best value? Recommendations
> appreciated. How about gripaction heads? They sure look convenient. Do
> they work?

Gitzo and Manfrotto have a variety of CF legs.

Arca-Swiss, Manfrotto and Gitzo have very good ball, and other heads.
It really depends on what and how you're shooting.

Gripaction heads are nifty looking but as you go from landscape
orientation to portrait there is a huge offset in both lateral and
vertical positioning. (paralax in two planes). This can be bothersome
in various situations and requires repositioning and raising/lowering
the head.

I found them to be tiring to the hand, as well.

The appeal of "letting go" to lock was overrun by the two issues above.

Cheers,
Alan

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The Dave© - 27 Nov 2005 19:20 GMT

> Alan Browne wrote:
> > I have a 20D with 420EX flash and 17-85 IS lens. I'll be adding
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> The appeal of "letting go" to lock was overrun by the two issues
> above.

I find it to be extremely convenient and helpful and quick. There are
a few issues, as you state, but I find them to be minor for most stuff.
Having said that, there are times that I'll use my pan-tilt head when
extra accuracy is needed. Still, I tend to favor the grip head at
probably a 80-20 ratio.

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Jim - 27 Nov 2005 19:45 GMT

> Gripaction heads are nifty looking but as you go from landscape
> orientation to portrait there is a huge offset in both lateral and
> vertical positioning. (paralax in two planes). This can be bothersome in
> various situations and requires repositioning and raising/lowering the
> head.

I tried for some time to use the Slik grip action head, but the handle would
sometimes get in the way. Next, I tried the Bogen 3265. It was Ok for most
purposes until I tried some moon shots using my D70, 300mm f4, and 2x
converter. The 3265 is nowhere near to being strong enough to keep this
much equipment steady. So, the 3265 works fine if you don't exceed its
weight limits (which I did by the way). The ideal solution would be the
Arca-Swiss ball head, but I haven't been able to scrape up the money for one
as yet.
Jim

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Jerry L - 27 Nov 2005 18:57 GMT

If the pair of lenses you have (expect to have) are IS by design,
are you sure you need a tripod?

You will have to turn off IS on the tripod, making the feature next to
useless.
= = =

> I have a 20D with 420EX flash and 17-85 IS lens. I'll be adding the NEW
> 70-300 IS. I need to upgrade my tripod. I want to stay in the $300 range
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Terry
> Remove the rodent from my email address to reply directly.

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> Jerry L wrote:
> If the pair of lenses you have (expect to have) are IS by design,
> are you sure you need a tripod?

If the OP will be doing much low-light or night photography, then a
tripod will still be mandatory, as not even IS can compensate for those
conditions.

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JimmyG - 27 Nov 2005 21:30 GMT

A nice ball-head unit will do just fine.

Manfrotto makes inexpensive models that will fit in your budget. Adorama
has decent prices.

Check out bogenimaging.com and go the Manfrotto link

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