New to forum - quick tripod question

[Tommyk]

Hello everyone. New to the forum hope to learn from everyone here. I am currently in the market for a tripod and would like some advice. Primarily I will be using a Nikon d300s in the field with a Nikon Nikkor 18-200mm f 3.5-5.6 lens. Could you guys tell me what type of head I should be looking at for a tripod in the field with this body/lens setup. I will be visiting a wolf camera/ritz location within a few days so any make model suggestions would be so appreciated

My main subject will be abandoned farmhouses and barns, etc. So I do not have to worry about any panning issues. Also would you guys suggest just a uv filter or a particular filter I would love to get some bright blue sky in the photos as background without losing a true blue coloration on a clear bright haze free day .

As far as exposure I guess I would go over and under a stop or two but any advice on that would be greatly appreciated as well. Thank you in advance for your patience with a newbie.

 

[Derrel]

A circular polarizing filter from Hoya or Tiffen would be a good way to get the skies more blue. Use it at your lens's somewhat longer focal length settings, and it ought to look natural. Do NOT buy an overpriced, cheapie circular polarizer; many of them are very shoddy.

Tripod head? I dunno...I like a ball-head style, one that uses two, or if you must, three locking knobs. People are divided on tripod heads that use a quick-release plate, OR JUST a 1/4x20 NC threaded tripod attaching bolt. I have used both the QR plate style and the no-QR plate type. EACH has advantages. The QR plate type is great for quick changes, buuuuuut, if you forget the plate or leave it someplace...the 'pod's not very useful.

The older Bogen 3001 model has been renamed the 190XPROB Amazon.com: Manfrotto 190XPROB 3-Section Aluminum Pro Tripod: Camera & Photo

It's probably the most-commonly sold "decent" tripod.

This is the kind of decent ball head I like: Amazon.com: Manfrotto 496RC2 Ball Head with Quick Release Replaces Manfrotto 486RC2: Camera & Photo

 

[Tommyk]

Thank you Derrel that helps a lot. I appreciate the advice.

A circular polarizing filter from Hoya or Tiffen would be a good way to get the skies more blue. Use it at your lens's somewhat longer focal length settings, and it ought to look natural. Do NOT buy an overpriced, cheapie circular polarizer; many of them are very shoddy.

Tripod head? I dunno...I like a ball-head style, one that uses two, or if you must, three locking knobs. People are divided on tripod heads that use a quick-release plate, OR JUST a 1/4x20 NC threaded tripod attaching bolt. I have used both the QR plate style and the no-QR plate type. EACH has advantages. The QR plate type is great for quick changes, buuuuuut, if you forget the plate or leave it someplace...the 'pod's not very useful.

The older Bogen 3001 model has been renamed the 190XPROB Amazon.com: Manfrotto 190XPROB 3-Section Aluminum Pro Tripod: Camera & Photo

It's probably the most-commonly sold "decent" tripod.

This is the kind of decent ball head I like: Amazon.com: Manfrotto 496RC2 Ball Head with Quick Release Replaces Manfrotto 486RC2: Camera & Photo