I first started with the manfrotto 'cheaper' plates and they were fine..
Later I converted over to the arca swiss style, which is vendor neutral (mostly). it's more expensive but the choices are larger..
You'll probably want a decent enough ball head to match your plates and holders..
Otoh, the arca stuff tends to cost more than 5x the cost of your tripod! so maybe my advice is overkill .
Feisol has some cheap-ish arca-swiss style plates and heads (and legs, too)..
If really on a budget, I did like the manfrotto stuff. very affordable but kind of bulky and heavy..
Bryan (pics only: http://www.flickr.com/photos/linux-works)~(pics and more: http://www.netstuff.org) ~..
Do a Goole search on Manfrotto and Bogen. I have no knowledge of your tripod to help me help you and I have no info about what camara you are mounting. You need to come back with that info if anybody is to give meaningful help..
It is definitely sensible to acquire a QR plate but most ball heads etc have one built in. You may waste money buying one to screw on your existing head and may be better off buying a new head..
I think most people will be sceptical that you have got a good tripod for $10 but we may be wrong. You may find people saying throw it away and start again!Chris Elliott.
*Nikon* D Eighty + Fifty - Other equipment in Profile.
Http://PlacidoD.Zenfolio.com/..
Fair enough,I have the following:Minolta X-700.
Minolta MD 50mm f2Minolta MD 28-85mm f3.5-4.5Minolta MD 70-210mm f4Upsilon 400mm f5.6.
I did some searching and found the tripod was manufactured around 1987-1989. For now it will do, and at $10 bucks I can't complain. The legs work, the center column can come out and be reversed. Maybe down the road I will invest in something better, but I am just starting out in Photography so that just isn't in the cards right now..
Http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/for/349844225.html.
There is a picture of it..
I think you are right in investing in a ball head for this rather than just the quick release. I am also considering getting a monopod eventually (bday / christmas gift) so the ball head could be transfered to that as well...
Gnugent wrote:.
Fair enough,I have the following:Minolta X-700.
Minolta MD 50mm f2Minolta MD 28-85mm f3.5-4.5Minolta MD 70-210mm f4Upsilon 400mm f5.6.
I did some searching and found the tripod was manufactured around1987-1989. For now it will do, and at $10 bucks I can't complain.The legs work, the center column can come out and be reversed.Maybe down the road I will invest in something better, but I amjust starting out in Photography so that just isn't in the cardsright now..
Http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/for/349844225.html.
There is a picture of it..
I think you are right in investing in a ball head for this ratherthan just the quick release. I am also considering getting amonopod eventually (bday / christmas gift) so the ball head couldbe transfered to that as well..
Glenn,.
First off this is pan and tilt head. I doubt that you can rotate the camera through90 degrees to get a portrait shot with it but maybe you can..
You should be able to unscrew the pan & tilt head and put a new ballhead on..
Have a look at a Bogen/Maftrotto 488RC2 or similar. But you might just be best off with a Bogen/Manfrotto Manfrotto 234RC2 Monopod Tilt Head. That will just give you the 90 degree shift to portrait and a QR plate at a reasonable cost..
The numbers might be different where you are but I think they are finally standardising them..
Chris Elliott.
*Nikon* D Eighty + Fifty - Other equipment in Profile.
Http://PlacidoD.Zenfolio.com/..
No one posted a link to Really Right Stuff. They have the highest quality camera or lens quick release plates and tripod mounting plates.http://ReallyRightStuff.com.
They may be too expensive for you, but they are the gold standard and you should be aware of their existence.Larry Bermanhttp://BermanGraphics.com..
I found the 488RC2 at a local store so I will look at that. What do you think of this? OPUS OT-BH10, it is less than half the price of the 488RC2. http://www.opusprophoto.com/products/tripods/heads.html..
Yeah those look really impressive but a bit of overkill for what I want. Thanks for letting me know about them...
Gnugent wrote:.
I found the 488RC2 at a local store so I will look at that. Whatdo you think of this? OPUS OT-BH10, it is less than half the priceof the 488RC2.http://www.opusprophoto.com/products/tripods/heads.html.
That looks very similar to a smaller Manfrotto model (Cannot remember the model number at the moment) It would do a good job a s a monopod head. The larger the ball the better the control of friction..
There is no substitute for trying them out at a store..
Chris Elliott.
*Nikon* D Eighty + Fifty - Other equipment in Profile.
Http://PlacidoD.Zenfolio.com/..
I ended up getting one of these: ATH-A02 Telos by Dynatran.http://www.amvona.com/.../?page=shop/flypage&view=1&product_id=3075Got it on ebay for $30 + shipping..
I'll let you know what I think when it arrives..
Glenn..