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TRIPOD
Jul 19, 2007 10:26:17 GMT -5
Post by herron on Jul 19, 2007 10:26:17 GMT -5
I'm looking for a good used tripod, preferably a Gitzo 300-series, that someone would like to find a good home for, at a reasonable price. My best Manfrotto tripod got smashed during a recent family reunion and has a severely bent leg or two (luckily, none of my cameras were on it at the time). Oh...the human "smasher" only has bruises, nothing broken or bent!
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TRIPOD
Jul 19, 2007 15:29:36 GMT -5
Post by John Parry on Jul 19, 2007 15:29:36 GMT -5
Everyone seems to go for Manfrottos, certainly from the prices they fetch. Ever thought of Giottos? Just superb. The whole set up is geared to getting up really close, or giving you the most stable platform you can think of for short or long distance shots.
Rick seems to like them, and you've seen his pictures - although I hate to say it, his is bigger than mine!
Regards - John
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TRIPOD
Jul 19, 2007 18:18:30 GMT -5
Post by byuphoto on Jul 19, 2007 18:18:30 GMT -5
The MT 9180 is the bomb. The only bad thing is the weight. i wish I had a crabon fiber one. The main selling point for me was the fact it was almost 6' tall without the center column. You have to be over 6' tall to truly appreciate that
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TRIPOD
Jul 20, 2007 9:28:56 GMT -5
Post by herron on Jul 20, 2007 9:28:56 GMT -5
I've always liked Bogen Manfrotto (had the now smashed one, and a monopod), but my photographer son keeps telling me the 300 or 400 series Gitzo's are the best...but 400s are probably out of my price range...and used 300s can still be expensive. I like the taller tripod legs too. I'm 6'1" and hate it when I have to bend just a little to see through the viewfinder...and my knees certainly don't allow me to squat anymore! As far as tripods are concerned, I'm doubly doomed, as my cheapo Sunpak tripod also broke as I was using it last night.
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TRIPOD
Jul 20, 2007 18:11:33 GMT -5
Post by byuphoto on Jul 20, 2007 18:11:33 GMT -5
seriously look at the Giottos MT 9180 I had Manfrotto till I saw one of these in use. It is an all around tripod. Will get into more positions than a contortionist. The quaslity is amazing. I juts ordered a Giottos ballhead
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TRIPOD
Jul 22, 2007 16:51:07 GMT -5
Post by John Parry on Jul 22, 2007 16:51:07 GMT -5
Ron
Rick's right - That Giottos has a whole different dimension. It's head (it's own head - before you attach a ball or angle head) is the total business for close-up stuff. So get one of those, get your DTL1000 hooked up to a decent lens, and go for it!
Oh - and put a good ball head or multi angle on it, with the head straight up in the stock, and you've go the steadiest platform in the world.
Regards - John
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TRIPOD
Jul 22, 2007 22:02:41 GMT -5
Post by herron on Jul 22, 2007 22:02:41 GMT -5
Thanks John & Rick - I'll look into the Giotto...if I don't win the eBay bid I put in on another Manfrotto. Trying to find a used Gitzo like the one my son told me about is nearly impossible...and I really don't want to spend $600+ on a new one right now. I bid on another Manfrotto when my son added this to his recommendation -- "it took me three years to find the used Gitzo I wanted." I had hoped to be taking pictures again by next weekend!
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mickeyobe
Lifetime Member
Resident President
Posts: 7,280
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TRIPOD
Jul 22, 2007 22:53:01 GMT -5
Post by mickeyobe on Jul 22, 2007 22:53:01 GMT -5
"The MT 9180 is the bomb. The only bad thing is the weight. i wish I had a crabon fiber one. "
I am a little puzzled by this statement. I always thought that weight was the most important factor in the stability of a tripod. Please enlighten me.
Mickey
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TRIPOD
Jul 23, 2007 14:26:38 GMT -5
Post by John Parry on Jul 23, 2007 14:26:38 GMT -5
Ron Herron - you've seen Rick's distance shots, and you've seen some of my close-ups (not that I'd put myself in the same league!!). My Giottos cost me £80 on e-bay, and the accompanying (non-ball) head about £45. $250 for a superb set up.
When I got them, I bypassed PeterW's advice to go for a Bogen (I'm pretty sure it was a Bogen), but there just weren't any around on e-Bay round that time, and I needed it THEN!
Mickey, you're right. All these tripods offer a hook to hang a sand bag or water bag beneath them to 'stabilise' them even further. But Rick's been roaming in the woods with his lovely girlfriend, and is looking to cut down on his pay-load!! LOL!!
Regards - John
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TRIPOD
Jul 24, 2007 13:40:57 GMT -5
Post by GeneW on Jul 24, 2007 13:40:57 GMT -5
I took my Manfrotto tripod out yesterday and, after reading this, wished it was a Giotto Seriously, I had a good look at a Giotto in the camera store one day and it was a serious beauty. A bit rich for my budget at the time, as I recall. Much lighter to carry around than my Manfrotto, and more flexible. My biggest problem with tripods is that I'm relatively tall (6' 1") and on the tripods I can afford, I always have to crank up the centre pole to get it to eye level. I looked at a Giotto that was tall enough I wouldn't have to destabilize my tripod this way. Gene
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TRIPOD
Jul 24, 2007 14:45:24 GMT -5
Post by herron on Jul 24, 2007 14:45:24 GMT -5
I've been looking at Manfrotto, Gitzo and Giotto. Finding an appropriate used one on eBay (and then actually winning the auction) is a tedious affair, to say the least. Now I understand why my son told me it took him three years! Also, I bought my now bent one new a long time ago, and today's prices have left me a little stunned. The more I think about it, the madder I get at the family reunion "buffalo" who crashed into my old one and bent two of its legs in about three directions, while snapping off the third. He was feeling no pain at the time (self induced), and would walk away with just some scrapes and bruises (which I am sure he did not feel until sometime the next morning) and a round of "he's at it again!" comments (why my wife's family keeps inviting him back is beyond me). I guess my computer glitch is not making my mood any better, either.
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TRIPOD
Jul 24, 2007 15:25:02 GMT -5
Post by GeneW on Jul 24, 2007 15:25:02 GMT -5
Ron, now that you mention it, I think it was a Gitzo I looked at, not a Giotto. It was Swiss made. Is that the Gitzo?
Gene
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TRIPOD
Jul 24, 2007 16:14:39 GMT -5
Post by John Parry on Jul 24, 2007 16:14:39 GMT -5
Bit uncharitable Ron!! Look on the positive side - you'll get something good out of this, and the guy who fell on his arse won't get invited again when you spread the word what it cost you! (Unless he actually pays you what it cost you, and that would be even better!). He couldn't have broken a Giottos like that! My advice to get yourself away is to get a totally lightweight tripod (just make sure it's a three-way head), from your local store. Then do a bit of stalking on e-bay for what you really want. At least you won't need to get the head - for whichever tripod you end up with.
Regards - John
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TRIPOD
Jul 25, 2007 8:55:23 GMT -5
Post by herron on Jul 25, 2007 8:55:23 GMT -5
Gene:Gitzo is French, I believe. John:I didn't think it was possible for Bozo to do so much damage to my Manfrotto, either! And I was charitable about it. Never said a cross word to him (he would not have remembered them, anyway) and checked on his well being long before I inspected the equipment damage! The only ones who know how I actually felt about it are on this forum, and my poor wife (who suffered through my "who invites this clown every year" tirade).
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TRIPOD
Jul 25, 2007 11:48:34 GMT -5
Post by byuphoto on Jul 25, 2007 11:48:34 GMT -5
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