What Tripod height..?

Hi Guys

I am in the process of buying a tripod and gimbal head suitable for my 1D4 and 500f4 lens. I have settled on a Wimberly 2 head, but there are a few option on tripods that I would like some advice on. I have sort of decided on either the Gitzo 5531S or the Gitzo 5541S as they are avilable in Australia at the very compeditive price and will be very stable for my lens set... My dilema is what height tripod do I need? I have never used a gimbal head and tripod so I am a little unsure of what I need... I am 6ft (183 cm), the 5531 is a 3 section tripod at 133cm height, the 5541 is a 4 section tripod at 153cm height. The height of the Wimberly 2 base to horizontal pivot Axis is 20cm. Do I need the extra height of the 5541 which will allow the camera up to eye height with me stand upright or do I want the extra savings ( its $200 cheaper) of the 5531... The 5531 also has one less slip joint and thicker lower leg sections. My dilema is that all the best bird shots seem to be from a lowish height...

any help greatly appreciated...

DON

Hi Don,

From the specs you give, I think you mean the 5541LS rather than 5541S. I think you should definitely go for the taller tripod.
You will find the need to be at every possible height at one time or another and you definitely want the option of being able to
stand up fully and have the camera comfortably at eye level at times. There are also other situations where longer legs are important.
For example, ifyou find yourself on uneven terrain (e.g. along a river bank), you may need to extend one leg much further than the
others to get your camera level. Also, if you are going to be shooting a subject well above eye level, you can get a more comfortable
shooting position by raising the camera above eye level so that it ends up at eye level when you angle it up for shooting.
You want as much flexibility as possible so that you can always have the most comfortable shooting position possible which is important
for achieving maximum sharpness with a long lens. If you are going with a 5-series tripod, I would not be concerned with the lowest
leg section being thinner on the 4 section one as it will still be plenty beefy for a 500mm lens. In fact, if 500mm will be your largest lens,
you can probably even get away with a 3-Series. But, in any case, I think you will want an "LS" rather than an "S".

Thanks Mike....

Don,

I am just shy of 6'2" and mount my 7D/500f4 on a WII and a Gitzo 3530LS (148cm max). With it fully extended on level ground, I need to tip toe to look through the eye piece, allowing me enough flexibility to adjust it to level without having to slouch. I like the fact that the 3530LS has only three extensions (ie. convenience), mind you I have never used one with four.

Purely speaking of height, I would agree with Mike and choose the taller one for me.

Have you considered the 3-series?

Hello Craig and Mike. Thank you both for the input... Most helpful and it was sort of what i was thinking but needed convincing. Mike you are right, the 5541is 'LS' while the 5531 is 'S'. I have decided that the extra height is worth having. Last question to you both the 3541LS is on sale at $900, same price as the 5541LS... Do I go for the extra strength & rigidity of the 5 series or is that not worth the extra 1kg weight over the 3541LS. I think the 5 series is 157cm high while the 3 series is 146cm higher, both will be high enough for me to stand upright and I believe the 1kg will not be an issue. I think I was a packhorse in a previous life...

Don

If they are the same price and the weight is truly not an issue, I would definitely go with the 5541LS. I am only 5'6" and
I have the 5541LS and there have been many times when I have ended up with at least one leg fully extended and
been glad that I had the extra height. My only misgiving ever about the 5541LS is the weight ... it is indeed a bulky beast!

I'm going to give you a different opinion on tripods. About 6 months ago, I purchased a used Gitzo 3530 for my Canon 600mm. I thought about getting the 5 series, but since my goal was to get the new, lighter 600mm (which at the time was due to be out shortly...hah!) I went with the 3 series. Even with the 3 series and the 600mm I have never felt like I needed a heavier duty tripod. I know this is against the grain of conventional wisdom, but after using this tripod for 6 months, I have no regrets. It's lighter and shorter. Easier to carry as well.

Now onto another controversial subject... I use it with the Gitzo 3511S center stem. I find it super-fast for extending my height within one second. Something you cannot due if you have to change the height of a tripod with three legs. By the time you adjust the height, the bird may be gone!

There are times that if I am going to photograph shore birds from a beach that I will remove the center stem and use the standard mount, but 99% of the time, I use the stem and even with the 600mm, I have never felt that the tripod/lens was unstable or had too much vibration.

Just my two cents for a different idea/approach.

Alan
www.iwishicouldfly.com

This is an issue that has been exercising me for a while so I'm glad someone has brought it up! I'm a 5ft 2in female and need to support the canon 400 f4 DO + extender. Any advice would be welcome. I'm tempted by a systematic type tripod that will go low to the ground.

Don,

It sounds like you have already decided -- same price, same number of leg extensions & heavier (not a key issue for you) -- the 5-series is yours!

For the record, if I had to do it again, I wouldn't change a thing -- the 3-series works just fine for me.

Craig

Hello all, thanks again for the input. Alan, your alternative approach is helpful in convincing me that the 3 series will be up to the job. I still have not decided and will go and look at both I think, but it will definately be a systematic. Rosie, read the post top to bottom and I am sure this will help you decide as well. thanks again all

Don