johnpr98
12th May 2005, 18:59
Yesterday, 16:13 #1
simon ferrigan
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: nottingham
Posts: 24
Tripod for sony fx1
The tripod I'd puchased for a smaller camera just can't handle the weight of the sony fx1 (and has just broken on me) so I need a new tripod but after splashing out on the camera and various kit I only have about £150 to spend on it. Any suggestions? I have been looking at the Manfrotto MNO55A with 128RC head. Is that any good?
thanks
Today, 08:07 #2
steve
Member
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: St Albans, Herts, UK
Posts: 40
Simon,
I am also trying to decide on a tripod for my FX1. Some other FX1/Z1 users seem to recommend the heavier 503 head.
I have recently spoken to Manfrotto UK re the 755/503 combination saying that I wanted a lighter combination for carrying purposes (but couldn't justify the cost of a carbon fibre tripod), and had been considering 701/128 heads.
The guy at Manfrotto said that the 701RC was easier to balance a camera on using its sliding plate although the counterbalance spring may not fully compensate for a camera as heavy as a FX1.
He also mentioned that the 701RC head had been used on the 'Long Way Round' tour (Ewan McGregor/Charley Boorman on motorbikes) as it was rugged but light for a full fluid head.
I know that the 701 is about 20ukp dearer, but it seems a much better head.
HTH
Today, 11:48 #3
hedleyw
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Ipswich, Suffolk
Posts: 429
I have used a 128 head with my VX2000 and PD170 but found I needed to buy a sliding plate to use with it. My Z1 seems OK on the same combination but, good though the 128 is, it cannot match a full fluid head with a counterbalance spring.
Today, 12:44 #4
SimonMW
Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 31
Hmm. I don't want to seem like I'm having a go, so don't take this too harshly.
But I'm often fairly amazed that people are willing to spend 1000's on a camera, but then buy a really cheap and nasty tripod or other support device for their camera.
Remember, a good tripod will outlast the camera, and if treated right will last a lifetime. So don't skimp. I don't see any point in buying anything less than a tripod with a good true fluid head with counterbalance.
A good tripod is as essential as the cmaera itself.
Today, 14:09 #5
simon ferrigan
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: nottingham
Posts: 24
I do take your point. I was Can you explain what would be the difference between the 128 head and a full fluid head with counterbalance spring? Would you recommened the 755/501 combination?
Today, 14:37 #6
SimonMW
Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 31
I'm no expert on the Manfrotto range. Although I will say to explore other makes and to see if you can actually go and take a look at them to see if they suit you or not. Vinten can be expensive, but they are very, very high quality and would survive a nuclear bomb blast! I personally use a Miller DS25. There are some nice features on this such as the ability to adjust the height of the lower leg stages without having to bend down to the floor.
The counterbalance spring heads possibly don't come with a light enough configuration for the smaller cameras. But I can't say for sure. On a good tripod with counterbalance, once you have balanced the camera on the tripod and asjusted the tensions you could for example tilt the camera downwards and then let go. The camera would stay put without having to lock the tripod off.
The 501 is a good workhorse head and is the only Manfrotto head I've really worked with. Just looked at the 755 legs. Looks interesting with the levelling head etc. Although it doesn't appear to come with a spreader of any kind, and I notice that the legs do not have any spikes.
£150 won't get you much in the tripid world. I have to say that it is really worth budgeting much more. I'm not saying to go silly and buy a full 1 or 2k system, but just to budget that bit more. Some added features on the more expensive models sometimes appear to be frivolities at first, but over the course of use they can make your life so much easier.
Also, don't restrict the weight capability of the tripid you choose just in case you purchase any other accessories for the camera in the future.
Lastly, buying a tripod is a very personal thing in that what suits one person doesn't suit another. You really do need to find somewhere where you can take a look and actually try out the systems. Sometimes a minor anoyance on a tripod you buy can turn into outright hell with continued use. So do your research well and try out the different models.
21:10 #11
Ed Stradling
Senior Member
Join Date: May 1999
Location: London
Posts: 326
I use the Manfrotto 503/525 combination for the Z1E which is pretty much teh same weight as the FX1 and it's fine.
Today, 21:28 #12
Unicorn
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 1999
Posts: 865
Same here. I haven't used mine much yet, but the 503/525 seems plenty solid enough for the Z1.
Bit more than 150 quid though!
simon ferrigan
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: nottingham
Posts: 24
Tripod for sony fx1
The tripod I'd puchased for a smaller camera just can't handle the weight of the sony fx1 (and has just broken on me) so I need a new tripod but after splashing out on the camera and various kit I only have about £150 to spend on it. Any suggestions? I have been looking at the Manfrotto MNO55A with 128RC head. Is that any good?
thanks
Today, 08:07 #2
steve
Member
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: St Albans, Herts, UK
Posts: 40
Simon,
I am also trying to decide on a tripod for my FX1. Some other FX1/Z1 users seem to recommend the heavier 503 head.
I have recently spoken to Manfrotto UK re the 755/503 combination saying that I wanted a lighter combination for carrying purposes (but couldn't justify the cost of a carbon fibre tripod), and had been considering 701/128 heads.
The guy at Manfrotto said that the 701RC was easier to balance a camera on using its sliding plate although the counterbalance spring may not fully compensate for a camera as heavy as a FX1.
He also mentioned that the 701RC head had been used on the 'Long Way Round' tour (Ewan McGregor/Charley Boorman on motorbikes) as it was rugged but light for a full fluid head.
I know that the 701 is about 20ukp dearer, but it seems a much better head.
HTH
Today, 11:48 #3
hedleyw
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Ipswich, Suffolk
Posts: 429
I have used a 128 head with my VX2000 and PD170 but found I needed to buy a sliding plate to use with it. My Z1 seems OK on the same combination but, good though the 128 is, it cannot match a full fluid head with a counterbalance spring.
Today, 12:44 #4
SimonMW
Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 31
Hmm. I don't want to seem like I'm having a go, so don't take this too harshly.
But I'm often fairly amazed that people are willing to spend 1000's on a camera, but then buy a really cheap and nasty tripod or other support device for their camera.
Remember, a good tripod will outlast the camera, and if treated right will last a lifetime. So don't skimp. I don't see any point in buying anything less than a tripod with a good true fluid head with counterbalance.
A good tripod is as essential as the cmaera itself.
Today, 14:09 #5
simon ferrigan
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: nottingham
Posts: 24
I do take your point. I was Can you explain what would be the difference between the 128 head and a full fluid head with counterbalance spring? Would you recommened the 755/501 combination?
Today, 14:37 #6
SimonMW
Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 31
I'm no expert on the Manfrotto range. Although I will say to explore other makes and to see if you can actually go and take a look at them to see if they suit you or not. Vinten can be expensive, but they are very, very high quality and would survive a nuclear bomb blast! I personally use a Miller DS25. There are some nice features on this such as the ability to adjust the height of the lower leg stages without having to bend down to the floor.
The counterbalance spring heads possibly don't come with a light enough configuration for the smaller cameras. But I can't say for sure. On a good tripod with counterbalance, once you have balanced the camera on the tripod and asjusted the tensions you could for example tilt the camera downwards and then let go. The camera would stay put without having to lock the tripod off.
The 501 is a good workhorse head and is the only Manfrotto head I've really worked with. Just looked at the 755 legs. Looks interesting with the levelling head etc. Although it doesn't appear to come with a spreader of any kind, and I notice that the legs do not have any spikes.
£150 won't get you much in the tripid world. I have to say that it is really worth budgeting much more. I'm not saying to go silly and buy a full 1 or 2k system, but just to budget that bit more. Some added features on the more expensive models sometimes appear to be frivolities at first, but over the course of use they can make your life so much easier.
Also, don't restrict the weight capability of the tripid you choose just in case you purchase any other accessories for the camera in the future.
Lastly, buying a tripod is a very personal thing in that what suits one person doesn't suit another. You really do need to find somewhere where you can take a look and actually try out the systems. Sometimes a minor anoyance on a tripod you buy can turn into outright hell with continued use. So do your research well and try out the different models.
21:10 #11
Ed Stradling
Senior Member
Join Date: May 1999
Location: London
Posts: 326
I use the Manfrotto 503/525 combination for the Z1E which is pretty much teh same weight as the FX1 and it's fine.
Today, 21:28 #12
Unicorn
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 1999
Posts: 865
Same here. I haven't used mine much yet, but the 503/525 seems plenty solid enough for the Z1.
Bit more than 150 quid though!