Tripod

Last week I researched and ordered a tripod to last me for the rest of my life. What I recieved is a tripod I will surely hand down to my son or daughter. The Manfrotto 055X Pro is one solid piece of equipment. The three section legs are aluminum, with positive locking lugs. The center support quickly goes horizontal if desired.

The Joystick head (322RC2) is the cat's meow. It postively locks in any position when the trigger is released, and it has a quick release to attach onto the bottom of the camera. A locking cam secures the quick release, and a pin lock secures the cam.

The price from Amazon was extremely competitive, and the free shipping was lightning fast. Count this as one of the best investments I've made.......

Tripod Shopping

When I started to consider the type of photography that interests me the most, portraiture, still lifes and landscape photography, I realized that it might be time to upgrade from the aluminum tripod that I purchased years ago at the Navy Exchange. The Velbon tripod I bought back then was barely adequate, and it became a learning experience in what I wanted in a tripod.

My upgrade requirements for the legs were three section aluminum legs that could support 11 pounds of camera and glass without a shiver. I wanted to be able to shift from a vertical to horizontal arm with ease. The portability of the tripod was not as much a concern for me as stability. I am not one to hike for a day into the wilderness or about town with a tripod on my back anymore. I am, however, likely to set things up where it might be bumped by someone not paying attention. After reading reviews all over the internet, I chose the Manfrotto 055XPROB Pro Tripod Legs by Bogen for my legs. I found the best price on amazon.com.

Professional quality tripod legs do not routinely come with a head. I was used to the old twist 'em and pan 'em rod sticking out the rear of the Velbon tripod, and my technique had adapted to it. Even though I tend to erect the tripod, attach the camera, line things up and shoot, I wanted a head that adjusted easily, was compact, and functioned similarly to what I was used to. The Manfrotto 322RC2 Horizontal Grip Action Ball Head with a RC2 Rapid Connect Plate seemed to be just the ticket. I was concerned about quality of construction though. I surfed through numerous online reviews again, and when I found it was constructed of magnesium instead of plastic, I was sold. I added it to my order at amazon.

With guns, I often tell people that the sting of the price disappears long before the regret of a cheaper, inadequate choice made on the basis of price. I also tell people that putting a cheap scope on an accurate rifle results in an inaccurate rifle. The same holds true for photography support equipment. I'm still feeling the sting, but I have a feeling that it will go away as soon as I start using this set-up.