Tripod fitting these constraints?

[river251]

Hello, my first post here. Just got a D7000 + 18-105 on Black Friday sale, and am taking a Digitial Photography class at the local community college. Hope to learn lots here.

I need to get a tripod. I wonder if any exist that fit these needs:

Max height = 64" or more (I am 6' and want eye level for landscapes)
Folded length = < 22" (to fit in my motorcycle side bag, shorter is better)
Weight capacity = 12lbs or more
Material = carbon fiber or aluminum
Leg locks = flip levers

This is not that easy. I've found some, the Benro Travel Angel or 3 legged thing, but they don't have flip levers. I have not used the twist locks but love the flip levers on my existing tripods (which are too lightweight for this camera). Aluminum is more in my budget but I have seen some CF tripods that are not too high. I like the Manfrotto 055 series but their fold length is 24"+.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Jim

 

[tirediron]

Manfrotto 055 - four-section.

 

[table1349]

Gitzo Series 3 6X Systematic 4-Section Tripod (Long) GT3542LS

 

[cgipson1]

You didn't list a budget! That is important too....

 

[river251]

Gitzo Series 3 6X Systematic 4-Section Tripod (Long) GT3542LS

Thanks, but without the center column, it's too short. Why doesn't if have a center column?

 

[river251]

My budget is maybe up to 300 or 400 but kind of open depending on what I find, you know...

 

[cgipson1]

Giottos MGL 8250B Giottos MT8250 4-Section Carbon Series Tripod MT8250

Folded 19.2"
Extended 61.0"
12lb. Weight limit
Lever locks

Giottos MGL 8251B

Folded 22.4"
Extended 64.1"
12lb. Weight limit
Lever locks

They also have a lot of others.. that would do you, I just threw these up.

both my heavy aluminum and my CF travel tripod are Giottos. They are rock solid, and a very good buy. If you find one you like, you may have to special order it... as most places in the US only carry a few models. These are legs only.. but they also make wonderful heads... GIOTTO'S-Professional Photographic Equipment

 

[Scuba]

Personally I would not worry about eye level...I do mainly landscapes and rarely shoot at eye level. Save the weight and the size and don't get that tall of one.

 

[river251]

Giottos MGL 8250B Giottos MT8250 4-Section Carbon Series Tripod MT8250

Folded 19.2"
Extended 61.0"
12lb. Weight limit
Lever locks

Giottos MGL 8251B

Folded 22.4"
Extended 64.1"
12lb. Weight limit
Lever locks

They also have a lot of others.. that would do you, I just threw these up.

both my heavy aluminum and my CF travel tripod are Giottos. They are rock solid, and a very good buy. If you find one you like, you may have to special order it... as most places in the US only carry a few models. These are legs only.. but they also make wonderful heads... GIOTTO'S-Professional Photographic Equipment

Thanks for the great info and links. Those look good. I only have my pan/tilt head. Do you know how tall ball heads are? I need the first one as it folds shorter but I am concerned if it's tall enough.

 

[river251]

Personally I would not worry about eye level...I do mainly landscapes and rarely shoot at eye level. Save the weight and the size and don't get that tall of one.

Are you bending over when you shoot landscapes?

 

[table1349]

Gitzo Series 3 6X Systematic 4-Section Tripod (Long) GT3542LS

Thanks, but without the center column, it's too short. Why doesn't if have a center column?

When you raise a center column you loose stability. This is tall enough. Gitzo Series 3 6X Systematic 4-Section Tripod (X-Long) GT3542XLS

also, are you going to attach the camera to the tripod or are you going to use a head? Most people choose to use a head. Unless you are going to buy a really good head then the head will add between 4 to 6 inches to the height of the tripod.

If you want a center column. Gitzo GT3541L Series 3 Mountaineer 6X Carbon Fiber Tripod

 

[cgipson1]

Giottos MGL 8250B Giottos MT8250 4-Section Carbon Series Tripod MT8250

Folded 19.2"
Extended 61.0"
12lb. Weight limit
Lever locks

Giottos MGL 8251B

Folded 22.4"
Extended 64.1"
12lb. Weight limit
Lever locks

They also have a lot of others.. that would do you, I just threw these up.

both my heavy aluminum and my CF travel tripod are Giottos. They are rock solid, and a very good buy. If you find one you like, you may have to special order it... as most places in the US only carry a few models. These are legs only.. but they also make wonderful heads... GIOTTO'S-Professional Photographic Equipment

Thanks for the great info and links. Those look good. I only have my pan/tilt head. Do you know how tall ball heads are? I need the first one as it folds shorter but I am concerned if it's tall enough.

depends on the ball head. I have some that are 2" tall, and some that a almost 5" tall. These are the ones I prefer... MH-3 Professional Heads

 

[cgipson1]

When you raise a center column you loose stability.

+1 on this...

 

[river251]

Gitzo Series 3 6X Systematic 4-Section Tripod (Long) GT3542LS

Thanks, but without the center column, it's too short. Why doesn't if have a center column?

When you raise a center column you loose stability. This is tall enough. Gitzo Series 3 6X Systematic 4-Section Tripod (X-Long) GT3542XLS

also, are you going to attach the camera to the tripod or are you going to use a head? Most people choose to use a head. Unless you are going to buy a really good head then the head will add between 4 to 6 inches to the height of the tripod.

If you want a center column. Gitzo GT3541L Series 3 Mountaineer 6X Carbon Fiber Tripod

Ah, thanks. Those are certainly great choices, if a little pricey...hmmm.....