most durable tripod
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Ben,
An 058 should do the trick but you'd have to get hold of the accessory levelling plate. The Manfrotto one isn't cheap but the Gitzo one will make your eyes water
With the 058 you'd have a centre column and also quick adjust legs where they lengthen / shorten by moving some lugs at the top of the tripod where the legs meet - it saves you having to reach down each individual leg with the potential of overbalancing the camera.
If you want a built-in levelling head, I guess some of the Gitzo range include it (I know they have levelling centre columns) and I'm sure there'd be one sturdy enough for the P2.
Other options are the Berlebach Uni range, models 6 to 26 as these have built in levelling. The 'lightest' one will support 30kg Mine is from the Report range and is supposed to be lighter but there may be one at the upper end that would do.
There's always Ries from the US - good but known to be heavy and expensive and there's probably others but this was a quick answer...
Andrew
An 058 should do the trick but you'd have to get hold of the accessory levelling plate. The Manfrotto one isn't cheap but the Gitzo one will make your eyes water
With the 058 you'd have a centre column and also quick adjust legs where they lengthen / shorten by moving some lugs at the top of the tripod where the legs meet - it saves you having to reach down each individual leg with the potential of overbalancing the camera.
If you want a built-in levelling head, I guess some of the Gitzo range include it (I know they have levelling centre columns) and I'm sure there'd be one sturdy enough for the P2.
Other options are the Berlebach Uni range, models 6 to 26 as these have built in levelling. The 'lightest' one will support 30kg Mine is from the Report range and is supposed to be lighter but there may be one at the upper end that would do.
There's always Ries from the US - good but known to be heavy and expensive and there's probably others but this was a quick answer...
Andrew
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OK, I think I found the perfect tripod for my P2... A Slik Professional 4, it cost me £130 brand new from The Flash Center in Leeds, and is absolutely rock solid, it's pretty much identical to a series 4/5 gitzo.
I'm not sure why I got it so cheap as they have a list price of over £250 everywhere else I've looked. Anyhow, complete bargain - the 8x10 P2 sat on a sinar pan/tilt head is more or less immobile on this thing. The tripod has a geared collumn and full height of over 8 foot! (close to 9.5 for the GG height)
I'm not sure why I got it so cheap as they have a list price of over £250 everywhere else I've looked. Anyhow, complete bargain - the 8x10 P2 sat on a sinar pan/tilt head is more or less immobile on this thing. The tripod has a geared collumn and full height of over 8 foot! (close to 9.5 for the GG height)
Ben
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A self levelling column on an 055CL?masch wrote:I usually carry a Manfrotto 055CL with a 410 head (aparently a typical combination...) I replaced the centre column with a short column for weight saving initially, but now have out a self levelling column on for convenience.
Do tell, what, where, how much? Never seen one of these, except on a Gitzo costing >£500.
Could be just what I'm looking for.
DJ,
there is a levelling centre column for the Manfrotto 055 series. The part number is 555B.
Take a look here:
http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/pid/3209
there is a levelling centre column for the Manfrotto 055 series. The part number is 555B.
Take a look here:
http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto/pid/3209
Yeah, I saw that one on the site, it's far too long... I kind of prefer not having a centre column at all really, but if I must, then a short one.
I very much liked the Gitzo way of implementing the levelling head in the top section of the tripod ( and the fact it was sealed against dust ).
I'm wondering if the shorter MN500 Half Ball adapter could be used with an 055? That looks just about the right size, but it's not a triangular tube.
I very much liked the Gitzo way of implementing the levelling head in the top section of the tripod ( and the fact it was sealed against dust ).
I'm wondering if the shorter MN500 Half Ball adapter could be used with an 055? That looks just about the right size, but it's not a triangular tube.
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I have a Slik Professional SP that I use with the various sinar's I have it was brought secondhand with the very substantial 3 way Slik head I get the feeling no one takes Slik seriously in the UK because I couldn't really find anyone listing it here, for 10X8 I use the Sinar clamping plate and two rail clamps for additional stability.
I've been playing with the various tripods in Warehouse Express's new showroom (quite fun btw), and my idea of using the video levelling centre column on my 055 just won't fly.
The Gitzo tripods are very nice, but too expensive. The 2540LVL was less stable than it's newer Manfrotto CF equivalent. Manfrotto have updated their CF model, and it looked a lot better than it was before.
I believe I saw some Slik tripods on show in there as well, I didn't look at them.
The tripod I really liked was a very expensive Gitzo Systematic one, with no centre column, nice thick legs, 3 section, no give in it at all. If I could get a levelling centre column in that, it would be ideal, but would likely cost >£700, which is just way OTT.
I adore the Gitzo leg GLock things, they're great, the levelling centre column is marvelous, but they all have a show stopper. The leg angle lock device is just *awful*, and just totally ruins the tripods. It looks flimsy, you have to try to wedge your fingers in and pull it out ( on a cold day with gloves... forget it ) Also, the available angles are not good, they go from normal level to thigh level to floor. The Manfrotto ones at least let you have a chest level in between.
Guess I'll have to stick with what I have
The Gitzo tripods are very nice, but too expensive. The 2540LVL was less stable than it's newer Manfrotto CF equivalent. Manfrotto have updated their CF model, and it looked a lot better than it was before.
I believe I saw some Slik tripods on show in there as well, I didn't look at them.
The tripod I really liked was a very expensive Gitzo Systematic one, with no centre column, nice thick legs, 3 section, no give in it at all. If I could get a levelling centre column in that, it would be ideal, but would likely cost >£700, which is just way OTT.
I adore the Gitzo leg GLock things, they're great, the levelling centre column is marvelous, but they all have a show stopper. The leg angle lock device is just *awful*, and just totally ruins the tripods. It looks flimsy, you have to try to wedge your fingers in and pull it out ( on a cold day with gloves... forget it ) Also, the available angles are not good, they go from normal level to thigh level to floor. The Manfrotto ones at least let you have a chest level in between.
Guess I'll have to stick with what I have
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Are the accessory levelling platforms any use as they fit a standard tripod between the column and head?
AFAIR Manfrotto, Linhof and Gitzo make them depending upon how deep your pockets are. There could be others.
There's also tripods with levelling built into them and you can get them with or without columns. Berlebach are certainly one manufacturer and maybe Ries.
AFAIR Manfrotto, Linhof and Gitzo make them depending upon how deep your pockets are. There could be others.
There's also tripods with levelling built into them and you can get them with or without columns. Berlebach are certainly one manufacturer and maybe Ries.
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Mine is an older carbon Gitzo, it's been run over by my Merc Estate, no damage either! The G-Lock fittings are much better than my old-style fine threaded adjusters. However this and available angles have never really been an issue in several years of fairly extensive use. Tripod gymnastics is a wonderful sport in which to gain proficiency....DJ wrote: I adore the Gitzo leg GLock things, they're great, the levelling centre column is marvelous, but they all have a show stopper. The leg angle lock device is just *awful*, and just totally ruins the tripods. It looks flimsy, you have to try to wedge your fingers in and pull it out ( on a cold day with gloves... forget it )
Initially, I too struggled with the leg angle adjustment. Then I discovered that a finger on the inside pushes the slider so out easily. Worth a second look.
Agree pricing of Gitzo is a deterrent, but they are very, very good.
Feisol might be worth a look. I've been impressed with website, but not seen real thing. Handling is essential as it is so personal to your parameters.
Baxter