Which tripod/ballhead is best?

[WolfHeart704]

Hi, I've been looking to get a tripod and ballhead for quite a while, but with all the different companies and models I'm a little confused. I shoot macro and wildlife photography most of the time, so I'm looking for a tripod that can take a lot of weight, but can also get really low to the ground. I'm trying to keep the tripod+ballhead under $700-$800. But any suggestions are welcome. When I first started searching I heard that Gitzo made some of the best tripods available, so I went over to they're website and saw the GT3330LS for $500.00. It was a little spendy but fit my criteria. I went to a local camera store to check out what they had and saw a company called Vanguard that caught my eye, but when I looked around on the internet I didn't see many reviews on them. After looking at they're website I saw the Auctus 323CT which was $400.00. Do any of you have experience with this tripod or Vanguard tripods as a whole? Am I looking at the wrong companies? Am I paying for a name when I go Gitzo when I can get a good stable tripod from a different company for less, or are they that much better? For the ballhead I was looking at the RRS BH-55 with lever release but that's another $455. Are there good ballheads for less? Maybe a Vanguard would work? I know you don't want to skimp out on tripods and ballheads or you just end up paying for more in the end. Should I look at some cheaper stuff or save up for the best?

Thanks if you read this long post and thanks in advance for the feedback.

[WolfHeart704]

No one has any advice?

[zona5101]

The Arca-Swisss is probably the "best" (or at least most well known) ball head. They make a couple different models.
Tripods: Gitzo, Manfrotto, or maybe even something in wood like berlebach or ries?

FWIW, I don't have a high end tripod, I think mine was under $500 with tripod and a pistol grip ball head...

[OsmosisStudios]

Figure out the weight of your camera with it's heaviest lens/flash combo. Double it. Find a head that you like and that supports that weight. Find a tripod leg set that supports your (camera * 2) + head weight.

Done.

[cyber3d]

I don't have a large ballhead on my equip list - just a small one for a Gitzo monopod. But, as far as brands vs quality.... Gitzo make nothing but hardcore pro gear IMO. Pros like them because they are engineered for pros. I got my first Gitzo tripod in '79 - it's probably still out there being used!

[mipo]

About the heads.
This spring got a RRS BH-40....and it is so much much better than what I had before.
My biggest lense is Nikkor 70-200 f2.8, sometimes attach a 1.4 teleconverter on the lense and the BH-40 is more than sufficient.

If you decide to go that route, do not forget about the camera plates. Either flat or "L" just can't take the L Plate of the camera.

Hope this helps!

[WolfHeart704]

Thanks for the help guys. I think I'll head back to the store and look around again. I want to try out the vanguard heads but if I don't like them I think I'll go for one of the RRS ball heads. I appreciate the feedback.

[Jo.T]

If you shoot a lot of macro look for a center column that can be moved from the vertical to a horizontal position. Most brands will have one in there range, I went with a benro and very happy with it BENRO | Products | Tripods | Versatile Tripods - CF Flip Lock Legs | C2970F ? Cat. C2970F

cheers Jo

[WolfHeart704]

Well I've done some more research and this is what I've narrowed it down to. For the tripod, the Vanguard Auctus 323 CT, which is the carbon tubing version. Or, the Gitzo 3330LS, which is aluminum. The Gitzo is $500.00 and the Vanguard is $400.00. Is it better to get the high quality aluminum, or the maybe lower quality CF? I've heard great things of the CF but can't afford a Gitzo made from CF. Is the Gitzo worth the extra 100 bucks? Or should I stick with the Vanguard and save some money for elsewhere?


Secondly is the ballhead, I was thinking either a Vanguard GH-100. I kinda like the pistol grip, but haven't been able to test it out in the field. Will it be more of a nuisance or make things go faster and easier? If it will be more trouble, then I would get the Vanguard SBH-250 or the RRS BH-55. Again, right now I can afford the vanguards but I have no problem holding off a bit and buying the better quality equipment. I've heard wondrous things of the BH-55, but is it $450 nicer? I mean, that's a lot of money that could easily go into a new lens.


So, that's basically my predicament, this will be my first tripod so I don't want to buy the wrong one but I also don't want to spend money on the one that will stay in my closet all year. If I got the Vanguard legs I'd probably go with one of the Vanguard heads, and if I got the Gitzo probably go with the RRS. Or, would it be better to get the nicer legs and cheaper head or vice versa? Any help would be nice, I plan on making the purchase before/right after Christmas.

[cyber3d]

An aluminum alloy center column is generally going to be stiffer than the carbon fibre center column - in general (when you extend it of course). May be there is some trick weave pattern you can do with CF, but I'd doubt it. I'd want a CF leg with twist lock and a geared center column of tubular aluminum alloy.

Interesting to see what you end up with!