Hi again,

I can't say how glad I am that you guys are around!  I've went ahead and purchased a CP 5000 with the FC-E8, a set of 46mm filters (mostly for the UV), memory card and reader, and the UR-E5 (for filters) and UR-E6 (for fisheye).  I'm planning on buying the MrotatorA from agnos as soon as I can figure out how.  I have been looking at the manfrotto/bogen 3001 tripod, but there are so many variations.

Can anyone reccommend a good tripod (this flavor or any other)?  I would also like to take regular shots, so I will need a regular head as well.  Any reccommendations on that?  I have heard ball heads are nice to use, but am very lost on what I should get as far as the tripod/head combination.

As always, thanks a million!

Steve

Steve,

Mate, I personally use a Velbon Sherpa 450 and love it for both still shots and panorama's but I also like the Manfrotto line of products. I will suggest a "tilt leveller" to be used in conjunction with any Panohead. Personally I use the one offered by Kaidan. One of the best things I like about the Velbon Sherpa 450 is the "smooth" pan and tilt action (great for video cameras).

• Great build quality
• Good price

Anyway I hope this helps somehow.

Regards, Smooth

thanks smooth, you've been a savior in this whole process

I found these results for what you recommended:

• Kaidan leveler: http://www.kaidan.com/Detail.bok?no=53
• Sherpa 450: http://www.acecameras.co.uk/asp/web/recorprod/1/product/8969/cat/1185/ph/cat/keywords//recor/1/SearchFor//PT_ID/1/product.asp (so much for short urls)

A good deal?

Thanks, Steve

This link shows a few other models and has better description and pictures

http://www.maxwell.com.au/photo/velbon/tripods/sherpa/index.html

As for the price I believe $199.00 AUD is recommended retail Conversions can be done at www.xe.com

Regards, Smooth

hey mates,

the quick tilt leveler is an excellent tool.

also, if your planning on putting a head on a tripod, get a head that doesn't have

long exteded handles. these handles get in the way and will increase the diameter of the tripod cap (circular logo to cover the tripod).

i say, the less you have to worry about covering with the tripod cap or cloning in photoshop the better.

now,your setup doesnt need a tripod head in any case so you can save money.

set up can bet tripod + quick tilt levelver + kaidan or agnos head

best success!

sweet deal, thanks vt.

I believe I will go with the setup you mention (tripod, quick tilt leveler, agnos head), but I would also like to be able to shoot standard (non-pano) shots.  For this, I would need a different head on top of the leveler, wouldn't I?

I'm waiting to hear back from a couple retailers on if they will ship sherpa 450 to US, and also looking at the bogen 3001BN with the 3265 ball head w/ quickrelease.  It might be easier to get the Bogen, just in terms of communication and shipping.  What do you guys think?

"I would need a different head on top of the leveler, wouldn't I?"

No, you still DONT need a regular head to mount your camera on the tripod.

The tripod thread is probably 3/8" male. And your camera is probably 1/4" female. So at this point you woulndt be able to mount the camera on the tripod. But you can get a small (the size of a nickel) adpater that you can screw on top of your tripod and it will convert the 3/8" into 1/4". Now, on this new 1/4" you can now mount your camera. This little adapter can probably be found in your local photo store for less than $5..i think.

BUT, if you have a the money to invest on the 3001 tripod and 3265 head...go for it. is a nice set up. the head looks awsome.