Is a Manfrotto 535 overkill for a DSLR setup?

[frugivore]

I want a stable tripod to support my gear. The heaviest load would probably consist of a full frame DSLR, a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, a recorder (e.g. Tascam DR-70D), a shotgun mic and maybe an LED video light.

I have a tripod already, but it has a center column so I can attach a sandbag for more stability, but I can't quickly level the video head that I have, which is a flat base.

Should I buy something like a Manfrotto 535 with a half bowl adapter or is that overkill for the weight I intend to support?

Will I be able to attach a sandbag to it if needed?

Should I be looking for double strut tripod models instead of single?

 

[Greg_E]

Overkill is very hard to define. A lot of it depends on what type of set up you use, what types of content you gather, how much time you have for each set up, how far you need to carry it from vehicle to set up, etc.

I do not think a good stable tripod is overkill for any type of quality work within the limits of what you can allow. Your camera will probably grow, you'll put a cage on it, follow focus, and maybe a matte box and then it will weigh in at 7 to 10 pounds. My little Benro will get the job done, but it isn't really up to the job for a working class tripod with my rig attached. Even after locking the column in the lowest position, the tiny ball leveler is a bit on the weak side. Lots of flex if you have the pan or tilt friction cranked up, etc. If I was working with this gear everyday, and trying to make my living with it, I would certainly have a much better support for normal use.

 

[Imamacuser]

Could you possibly tally up the weight of your gear (with batteries and cables) and provide us with the total; this will enable us to give better recommendations. Do you have a budget in mind? Caleb Pike did a video on adding a leveling base to a tripod, here's the link. Davis & Sandford makes some decent budget tripods, but Manfrotto is obviously better if you have the budget. I use an old Calumet 4x5 View-camera tripod, it weighs a ton, but it can support an elephant (well maybe not quite an elephant, but it's very sturdy).

 

[frugivore]

Overkill is very hard to define. A lot of it depends on what type of set up you use, what types of content you gather, how much time you have for each set up, how far you need to carry it from vehicle to set up, etc.

I do not think a good stable tripod is overkill for any type of quality work within the limits of what you can allow. Your camera will probably grow, you'll put a cage on it, follow focus, and maybe a matte box and then it will weigh in at 7 to 10 pounds. My little Benro will get the job done, but it isn't really up to the job for a working class tripod with my rig attached. Even after locking the column in the lowest position, the tiny ball leveler is a bit on the weak side. Lots of flex if you have the pan or tilt friction cranked up, etc. If I was working with this gear everyday, and trying to make my living with it, I would certainly have a much better support for normal use.

Thanks Greg. I should also be considering upgrades to heavier cameras in the future. My current tripod weighs almost 9lbs. and I don't have a problem with the weight, so a tripod like the Manfrotto wouldn't be a problem.

Could you possibly tally up the weight of your gear (with batteries and cables) and provide us with the total; this will enable us to give better recommendations. Do you have a budget in mind? Caleb Pike did a video on adding a leveling base to a tripod, here's the link. Davis & Sandford makes some decent budget tripods, but Manfrotto is obviously better if you have the budget. I use an old Calumet 4x5 View-camera tripod, it weighs a ton, but it can support an elephant (well maybe not quite an elephant, but it's very sturdy).

I added the weight of everything I think I'd attach, including a battery grip with two batteries which I overlooked in my first post, and it came out to exactly 4kg. So nowhere near the limit of the Manfrotto.

I have seen many of Caleb's videos/blogs, but missed this one. That leveler seems like a good option for me. At that price, I'll give it a try and see how it works out...

Thanks!

 

[David W. Jones]

You could add something like this in-between your current head and tripod to help you level the shot...... http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/554093-REG/Manfrotto_438_438_Compact_Levelling_Head.html

 

[frugivore]

You could add something like this in-between your current head and tripod to help you level the shot...... http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/554093-REG/Manfrotto_438_438_Compact_Levelling_Head.html

Thanks for the link David. I've done a lot of searching on the B&H site for a leveler but somehow didn't come across this. I think 10° should be enough. Any steeper grade than that and I'd be concerned about the tripod falling over!

 

[ggrantly]

You could add something like this in-between your current head and tripod to help you level the shot...... http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/554093-REG/Manfrotto_438_438_Compact_Levelling_Head.html

This^.

This leveler works great and is a nice piece of kit for your lighter weight non-bowel type tripods. One thing I have learned, as possible, always use the heaviest tripod you can possibly use under any given circumstance. There is just no substitute for mass. Having said that, light is very nice when you are a packing.

Grant

 

[frugivore]

This^.

This leveler works great and is a nice piece of kit for your lighter weight non-bowel type tripods. One thing I have learned, as possible, always use the heaviest tripod you can possibly use under any given circumstance. There is just no substitute for mass. Having said that, light is very nice when you are a packing.

Grant

Well these carbon fiber tripods may hold a lot of weight, but they are light. So perhaps if be better served with my existing tripod with a sandbag attached. I really don't mind the heavier weight.

And I rarely use my tripod for photo anymore, so I could probably permanently leave the leveler attached.

Thanks for all the ideas and feedback everyone!

 

[Greg_E]

This^.

This leveler works great and is a nice piece of kit for your lighter weight non-bowel type tripods. One thing I have learned, as possible, always use the heaviest tripod you can possibly use under any given circumstance. There is just no substitute for mass. Having said that, light is very nice when you are a packing.

Grant

The only addition I would make to this is that I learned a long time ago that ultimate weight isn't all good. Sometimes those heavy metal tripods actually cause issues where a strong wooden tripod works better. Metal and fiberglass tend to transmit more vibrations up to the camera than a wooden tripod. Not something that we worry about every day, but another thing to keep in mind if you are looking to buy a "last tripod I will ever need". Obviously leg design comes into play too, but the wood can be more forgiving in some situations. Surprisingly it looks like O'Conner has ditched there trademark wooden legs in favor of CF.

And if you shoot in really cold areas, wood or fiberglass/CF is a lot nicer when you grab it, the metal sucks the warmth out of your hands so much faster.