Christmas art presents

[Kimberly Dow]

I wanted to know what you all got this year for art supplies - just being nosey! I got a lens for my new camera so I can cut down on distortion - it goes to 300 mm and I am a happy camper. Dang thing is heavy though - must-get-a-tripod-immediatly. Next year it's a great easel.

[Elizabeth Schott]

Kim, congrats on the lens, but I think you hit the nail on the head. You MUST get a decent tripod or you will never get your pan/vertical adjustments to work on a cheaper one.

I wrote about this on another threat Linda B. started:

My dilemma was I didn't want to spend 160.00 on a head then another 145.00 on the tripod. So after searching I found the SLIK Pro 700 DX, it's powerful but not light!

Has a ball head quick shoe and two great levels. For 150.00, you would have a hard time to find something better.

After a month of use, I am still in love with it! Here is a link for you to see the details:

http://www.slik.com/pro/4906752105122-e.html

My easel isn't to arrive until the 29th, but that's if a truck can even get up here!

I did get a remote shutter release and 1 gig rapid flash card for my Canon. Everyone should check out the memory cards for the cameras now, it is amazing how much the cost has come down. They did tell me it would not become a RAM for computers like market, meaning up and down, but were down to stay!

[Garth Herrick]

Dear Kim,

Get the best possible tripod you can afford; one that is extremely rigid and versatile at the same time. Having such a quality tripod, I wonder how I ever got along without it!

Here's a link to the Gitzo Explorer G2220 tripod I use:

http://www.gitzo.com/products/metric...ghtscreen.php3

Mine is the much more affordable aluminum one. The carbon fiber one is only a small fraction lighter. The stiffness, rigidity, and build quality are beyond belief. It also will set up in tight or uneven places 98% of other tripods can't! It's about $225.00

While not recommended, in a desperate emergency pinch last year, I used this tripod to help shore up the sagging foundation of my mother's house. It easily supported over 200 pounds of a huge hand hewn main beam until I could place and secure the jack posts!

For the Head, I use a Manfrotto 222 Grip Action Ball Head with a Quick Release Plate:

http://db.manfrotto.com/product/temp...d=8&itemid=269

This has proven to be an excellent choice for action photography. The trigger grip allows for quick positionings in large or minute adjustments, on the fly. I am experienced at shooting several hundred pictures of moving children in one rapid session, and this is the perfect head for that!
It cost's around $75.00

Another type of head I would recommend for you is a Manfrotto 410 Geared Head, which would be the ideal one for copying art with very precise and measured head adjustments:

http://db.manfrotto.com/product/temp...=10&itemid=278

This is well worth its price. I don't have one yet but I have used a friend's. It's about $149.00

Everything above is light weight but built like a tank, and can take the abuse cheaper tripods cannot. I personally have had nothing but grief, disappointment, and broken plastic parts from Slik products. Get yourself something good that will last you your whole career!

Congratulations on the new lens.

Garth

[Elizabeth Schott]

Everything above is light weight but built like a tank, and can take the abuse cheaper tripods cannot. I personally have had nothing but grief, disappointment, and broken plastic parts from Slik products. Get yourself something good that will last you your whole career!

Oh yeah! Tripod wars, I love them.

I am not sure what SILK products Garth was using but I doubt seriously it was this one. For one there is very little plastic. My only dislike was it's not very light, but I am not a field photographer so it's not a real concern.

Like I said Kim it was my decision not to spend 350 to 400.00 on a tripod, I wanted to shift that money to the easel. Since the head comes with it is very affordable and has two bubble levels for those with challenges as myself. For an SLR with a long lens you don't need a ball head for a larger format camera.

The center bar is great for the added feature you can convert the head to the bottom and tada... it is a tripod for copying work. I have yet to try this feature but it shoots down, so I don't know the size of work it accommodates.

But, I am just a little portrait artist who uses photography as a tool, so here is a link to what the real photographers say from Photography Review.

Silk Review

Unlike Garth, I haven't used it to hold up my house, but I am pretty sure my car could roll over it a few times.

Kim, I suggest you go to a pro photo store and look at your options.

[Garth Herrick]

Beth,

I trust you have a great tripod; I see it has a great user review rating. That reversable center post is real handy as you say for copy work. Mine achieves the same result with the center post pivoting to any angle (upside down too) as needed.

I did not mean to flame any war, only to offer a link to a product I was completely satisfied with and willing to stand behind with ample experience. I will admit, you have a better Slik than the ones that failed me.

By your recommendation or mine, I don't think Kim could possibly go wrong.

Kim: As Beth says, If at all possible, visit a better camera shop that has these tripods in stock and play with them with the weight of your camera attached, before putting your order in. You will find what meets your needs that way.

Peace, and a Happy New Year,

Garth

[Elizabeth Schott]

Just fun Garth, your old ones might have been like my old ones that I use to hold up shims etc. now, they are awful, I don't even know who made them.

I am replying because I am curious if you shoot your work with the copy function of the tripod? If so how large can you get? Do you use artificial light when doing this?

[Cindy Procious]

I bought myself a 300mm lens with the downpayment from my last commission. Without a tripod I got a double image every time - it's just so heavy.

But, I would agree with Garth and Linda (whoops - I meant BETH) - not about specific models, but about spending the money necessary to get quick-adjust features. I bought a cheapy tripod, and while it does have levels and such, adjusting it is a chore. I highly recommend bringing your camera to the store and trying them out. You'll quickly see which ones are no good.

As for Christmas presents - I received 3 gift certificates to Utrecht from my 3 kids, and my husband got me a HEATER for the dungeon (otherwise known as my studio) and some lights that clamp onto the rafters. Now I need to find some good full-spectrum bulbs.

[Linda Brandon]

Originally Posted by Garth Herrick

The trigger grip allows for quick positionings in large or minute adjustments, on the fly
Garth

I agree. I love the one I ended up getting, also a Manfrotto. Even taking a photo of your work in progress is made so much easier with something like this; it's so much easier to square up the painting.

Did anybody get a new monitor to set up next to your easel? Beth, how about starting a new thread, showing your monitor setup?

[Kimberly Dow]

Oh my - I had no idea it was going to be all this to decide on a tripod. I have an old one that was for a video camera, but I lost a screw and can't seem to get it back together. The more professional I get - the more confusing any purchases are!

Thanks for all the info guys - I'll let you know what I end up with.

[Steven Sweeney]

Linda, did we not stipulate as a term of the probation agreement that you would not display this type of "accessory" on this site?