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Ifti

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Dec 14, 2010
3,931
2,437
UK
I actually record video more then take photos' but thought this thread may be better suited here.

I'm after a new tripod with a horizontal arm. At the moment I am using my Canon EOS 650D with the 18-135mm STM Lens on this tripod, which is rather solid......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXApehkBY9A

In order to get a better view on the subject, including 'over the top' views, I'm looking for a tripod like this.....

http://www.tabletopstudio.co.uk/Pages/Horizontal Tripod Rotating Arm.htm

The horizontal arm really would give me great flexibility.

I'm based in the UK and the above tripod is the only one of this type I can find!!!
What do you think of price? Was hoping to spend a bit less to be honest but its not a deal breaker if you feel it is a good tripod?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks
 

Designer Dale

macrumors 68040
Mar 25, 2009
3,950
100
Folding space
I actually record video more then take photos' but thought this thread may be better suited here.

I'm after a new tripod with a horizontal arm. At the moment I am using my Canon EOS 650D with the 18-135mm STM Lens on this tripod, which is rather solid......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXApehkBY9A

In order to get a better view on the subject, including 'over the top' views, I'm looking for a tripod like this.....

http://www.tabletopstudio.co.uk/Pages/Horizontal Tripod Rotating Arm.htm

The horizontal arm really would give me great flexibility.

I'm based in the UK and the above tripod is the only one of this type I can find!!!
What do you think of price? Was hoping to spend a bit less to be honest but its not a deal breaker if you feel it is a good tripod?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks

What you're looking for is called a horizontal center column and most modern tripods have collars that allow that kind of positioning. That price is around $320 USD and you should be able to get a good tripod for that price. Aluminum is cheaper and carbon fiber is lighter. Look at the offerings from Manfrotto to get a feel of what's on the market .

Dale
 

Ifti

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Dec 14, 2010
3,931
2,437
UK
What you're looking for is called a horizontal center column and most modern tripods have collars that allow that kind of positioning. That price is around $320 USD and you should be able to get a good tripod for that price. Aluminum is cheaper and carbon fiber is lighter. Look at the offerings from Manfrotto to get a feel of what's on the market .

Dale

Thank you for your advice.

I've come up with these two by Manfrotto:

Cheaper one of the two:
http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-manfrotto-190xprob-tripod/p1017664

Just wondering if the horizontal centre colum will be strong enough to take the weight of a standard DSLR?

This one also seems pretty good, comes with a ball head and free monopod as well:
http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-manfrotto-190xprob-tripod-with-496rc2-head/p1532711

Weight doesn't bother me too much as I don't travel around with the tripod very much.

Any suggestions/advice much appreciated.
 

chriscl

macrumors 6502
Jan 4, 2008
499
345
Stuttgart, Germany
Thank you for your advice.

I've come up with these two by Manfrotto:

Cheaper one of the two:
http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-manfrotto-190xprob-tripod/p1017664

Just wondering if the horizontal centre colum will be strong enough to take the weight of a standard DSLR?

This one also seems pretty good, comes with a ball head and free monopod as well:
http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-manfrotto-190xprob-tripod-with-496rc2-head/p1532711

Weight doesn't bother me too much as I don't travel around with the tripod very much.

Any suggestions/advice much appreciated.

I have that Manfrotto 190 and the 'older' version of that head, and it works very well for me; Canon EOS30D dSLR, often mounted with a 70-200 f4L lens, which makes for a fairly heavy setup.

I've had no problems at all with mine, and the 190 is going strong after five years of hard use. It is very stable when extended, and has the flexibility to give me all sorts of permutations in terms of length/reach.

If that's your budget, I can highly recommend it.
 

Ifti

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Dec 14, 2010
3,931
2,437
UK
If your not carrying it around (or are carrying it around and dont mind the weight) check out the x55prob from manfrotto..you'll need a head, but its cheap and sturdy and good quality

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Manfrotto-0...HPCO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357944998&sr=8-1

True, although for an extra £30 I get the 496Rc2 Ball Head and monopod, so seems like better value overall. Leaning more towards this option to be honest....
http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-...903559108cb547a466cf58a77e9645c&utm_source=aw
 

fcortese

macrumors demi-god
Apr 3, 2010
2,221
5,214
Big Sky country
This is my current tripod. Solid as a rock.

Dale

Agree with Dale that this tripod is solid as a rock but it is heavy to haul around. If you are doing a lot of hiking or walking from location to location, the Manfrotto 055CXPRO4 is lighter and almost as sturdy, easier to carry around and has the center column that can go horizontal. I have no problem with my Canon 5D3 perched on it in the horizontal position. Make sure you have a good ball head.
 

Designer Dale

macrumors 68040
Mar 25, 2009
3,950
100
Folding space
Agree with Dale that this tripod is solid as a rock but it is heavy to haul around. If you are doing a lot of hiking or walking from location to location, the Manfrotto 055CXPRO4 is lighter and almost as sturdy, easier to carry around and has the center column that can go horizontal. I have no problem with my Canon 5D3 perched on it in the horizontal position. Make sure you have a good ball head.

Marginal reading comp error on my part. Actually, though, I have both. I replaced the aluminum one with the carbon fiber version. Almost bought a Gitzo, but the photo gods were smiling on me...:cool:

Dale
 

Ifti

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Dec 14, 2010
3,931
2,437
UK
Agreed, I trust all my gear on Slik. I'd pick a different brand for a head though.
Damn solid, good value, always reliable.

Do Slik make tripods with horizontal arms as well? - I would really use a horizontal arm, hence why I'm leaning towards the Manfrotto.
 
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