Tripod

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

vasicrj@yahoo.com - 19 Feb 2007 19:27 GMT

I have a Manfroto 728B; I use a Nikon D80.

Is there an head to replace the exisitng one that has a level? What
is meant by a pan head, a two way head, a three way head?

I am willing to buy another one to take on my trip to Croatia, but I'd
like to be able to fit it into my luggage, so it needs to be small,
and yet sturdy, is that asking too much from a tripod?

Bob

Reply to this Message

Paul Furman - 20 Feb 2007 04:29 GMT

> I have a Manfroto 728B; I use a Nikon D80.
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> like to be able to fit it into my luggage, so it needs to be small,
> and yet sturdy, is that asking too much from a tripod?

You can get a bubble level that fits on the flash hot shoe.

Reply to this Message

Richard Polhill - 20 Feb 2007 14:08 GMT

> I have a Manfroto 728B; I use a Nikon D80.
>
> Is there an head to replace the exisitng one that has a level?

Yes, my three-way Manfrotto head (460MG) has one, however it isn't THAT useful
as it only works with the camera flat in landscape. MUCH better is the little
2-way spirit level I have that attaches to the camera's hot shoe and allows
you to accurately level the camera any way up.

> What
> is meant by a pan head, a two way head, a three way head?

A pan head is one that rotates around a vertical axis, however I've never seen
a tripod head that only offers this.

A two-way, pan and tilt head is much more common as it allows rotation about
the vertical axis (pan) and also rotation about a lateral horizontal axis
(tilt) meaning you can tilt the camera forward (down) or backward (up).

For fixed rectangular-format cameras, such as 35mm SLRs and your D80, a head
with the extra orientation pivot around a longitudinal horizontal axis so that
the camera can be swung up to a vertical, portrait position, is invaluable.

Personally I prefer the multi-way head over the ball joint as it offers the
ability to adjust the camera in a single plane at a time, keeping the other
settings as they are. The advantage of the ball head is that it is usually a
bit smaller and lighter and can give the photographer quicker adjustments as
only one lock is loosened for all adjustments.

> I am willing to buy another one to take on my trip to Croatia, but I'd
> like to be able to fit it into my luggage, so it needs to be small,
> and yet sturdy, is that asking too much from a tripod?

You probably already have the ideal compromise. Just get a hotshoe spirit
level. I got mine from
http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_1&products_id=99125

Rich

Reply to this Message

vasicrj@yahoo.com - 24 Feb 2007 16:40 GMT

Thank you. I'll get the shoe level.
My tripod does not fit in my luggage, so I need to find a way to
attach it somehow and then convience the airline agent that it is not
an additional carry-on piece of luggage.

Reply to this Message