This might be the dumbest question ever (tripod)

[MOmilkman]

So I am in the market for a new tripod. I will probably make it part or all of Christmas to myself depending on the amount the tripod costs.

Recently when I was using my cheapo WalMart tripod during a portrait session I turned the camera on its side with my 7D & 70-200 lens attached. Total weight of 5.5 lbs.
With just the single mounting screw the whole camera tilts forward due to the weight.
So I reduced the weight by 4 lbs and went with a 50mm prime lens. Then the camera stayed put while I was in portrait mode.

I'm looking for a tripod that secures the camera and a heavy lens.

All of the tripods I have looked at (even the expensive ones) just have the single screw that mounts to the body. I don't see how any of these are going to solve this problem.

Am I missing something?
I hope I explained this well enough.

[candleman]

I'm assuming you're talking about a pan/tilt head ?

A manfrotto head will be far superior to a walmart piece of crap.
The quality of that screw and the materials is what makes the difference.

EDIT:
wait...


the scew that connects to the body.. ? you mean the quick release plate that snaps out and screws into the body?
are you sure you're tightening the screw properly?

I don't fuly understand which screw you're talking about
the one that controls the vertial pitch in portrait position.... otr the screw that holds the quick-release plate to the camera body.

[sk66]

The *best* solution of using a camera on a tripod in portrait mode is a L-bracket. Stupid expensive for what they are : Kirk, RRS

Otherwise, I find a good Arca plate attached firmly and a good ballhead (I use Acratech) sufficient.

[rosserx]

I recently picked up an Induro AKB1 and I'm extremely happy with it. I got it off eBay - brand new for $104. I'm extremely happy about that part of it too!

[wejustin]

Thank you for the suggestion, I think this may be my next tripod also.

[inkista]

Are you using the tripod ring for the 70-200? [should have come with one].



The ring will distribute the weight over the tripod more evenly (i.e., from the center of balance of the lens/body combo).

[MOmilkman]

Originally Posted by candleman

I'm assuming you're talking about a pan/tilt head ?

A manfrotto head will be far superior to a walmart piece of crap.
The quality of that screw and the materials is what makes the difference.

EDIT:
wait...


the scew that connects to the body.. ? you mean the quick release plate that snaps out and screws into the body?
are you sure you're tightening the screw properly?

I don't fuly understand which screw you're talking about
the one that controls the vertial pitch in portrait position.... otr the screw that holds the quick-release plate to the camera body.

Yes, I'm taking about the screw that holds the quick release plate to the camera body. I can only tighten it so tight by finger and it's never tight enough to make a difference.

[MOmilkman]

Originally Posted by inkista

Are you using the tripod ring for the 70-200? [should have come with one].



The ring will distribute the weight over the tripod more evenly (i.e., from the center of balance of the lens/body combo).

WOW! Now I REALLY feel stupid. I stuck that thing back in the box thinking I would never use it. Good call.
I'm still getting a better tripod anyways.

Thanks so much for kicking me in the butt there.

[inkista]

Originally Posted by MOmilkman

WOW! Now I REALLY feel stupid. I stuck that thing back in the box thinking I would never use it. Good call.
I'm still getting a better tripod anyways.

Thanks so much for kicking me in the butt there.

No worries. I did the same thing with the ring that came with my EF 400mm f/5.6L USM. I just ended up digging it out faster because at 400mm f/5.6, you need a tripod/monopod more often. Obviously, the ring will let you use the camera in either landscape or portrait orientation, you just loosen it, rotate the camera, then tighten it up again.

And a better tripod is always money well spent. I went for a Bogen-Manfrotto 055X-PROB, but I kinda wish now I'd gone for a 190. I'm just a little too short to use the 055 with the legs fully extended.

[sk66]

Originally Posted by inkista

And a better tripod is always money well spent. I went for a Bogen-Manfrotto 055X-PROB, but I kinda wish now I'd gone for a 190. I'm just a little too short to use the 055 with the legs fully extended.

If the legs are not fully extended, the tripod is only MORE stable....especially if you leave the lowest ones retracted.