Help me choose the best tripod and head from this list!

[Treymac]

Hey guys. I'm looking to get a high end tripod and head. I've come acoss a few good ones on Craigslist, but I don't really know a lot about this stuff. I want a pan/tilt head and I want a tripod that's light enough but will have no problem carrying a 4x5 camera.

So here they are:
141RC Three way head - $80
229 Three way head - $200
029 Three way head - $80

190Pro- $120
190CLB- $90
190XB - $90

Preferably I'd like to stay away from the 229 because of the price, unless it is way better than the other two. So what is it, what should I choose?

 

[John Koehrer]

Opinions shall be set free!
manfrotto.us is your friend. The 190's all have the same capacity re: weight
What changes is # of sections, manner of tightening the legs, height, etc.
Some like twist lock legs, others like flip locks and so on.

I use an old set of 3001 legs with a 3130 video head for MF. The combination goes just over 48" & the head won't allow the camera to flop, it's a fluid head. It does not have a sideways tilt though. If you're using it for 6X6 or a camera with a rotating back & WL finder it doesn't matter.

 

[CGW]

How tall are you?

 

[Treymac]

How tall are you?

I'm around 5'8

 

[epavelin]

If you like precise control, the Manfrotto 410 Junior Geared head is hard to beat. I've been using this with a range of MF kit for a few years now. Quite a heavy beast, though.

Ed.

 

[peri24]

i have the 190pro tripod plus 141rc head as my light tripod kit, and i have been using with all kinds of cameras, all i can say is that if you are planning to shoot alot with 4x5 stay away from that tripod.
I had a light field 4x5 camera that i used to shot outside with this manfrotto, the tripod once have been set up and on the ground is quite difficult to reset or readjust, basically is a pain, moving center column sucks with a camera on it.
If you like to recompose, compose, recompose again, move that leg, move the other, get yourself a studio tripod.
Otherwise the 141rc head is quite good, but again, i will not use it with a heavy camera on it, in fact i learned that with tripod things not geared stuff is a pita.
just my 2 cents

 

[CGW]

I'm around 5'8

Look at the 055 models. The 190 is really a bit short with marginal stability for your purposes.

 

[Casey Kidwell]

You might want to be looking at heavier legs. Especially if you expect to mount a view camera or even a solid platform for MF. The 141RC head looks like a great all around head. I've found large grips to be cumbersome on some heads so I would avoid anything bigger. And don't be afraid to sell of the head you choose because it doesn't feel right. I waited too long to get rid of an expensive ball head because a lot of photogs I respect loved them.

 

[jeffreyg]

If it's a Manfrotto you are interested in get one of their catalogs (possibly on line). It gives all the specs including the weight it will support as well as illustrations and features of the heads. Consider that the length of the bellows extension and weight of the lens requires a sturdy tripod.

http://jeffreyglasser.com/