Tripod
I've decided that my current Velbon tripod is too short for photography so I'm looking for a replacement. Desiderata are (in rough order of priority):
0. Stable
1. Carbon fiber
2. Tall enough for someone 6'1" tall
3. 3 legs (i.e. doesn't have or at least not require a center post to reach usable height)
4. Clamp (flip) locks instead of twist locks.
5. Folds up small enough to pack in carry on luggage (May have to compromise on this one.)
Keeping that in mind, what do folks recommend?
A couple questions for clarification Elliotte:
Any particular reason you want flip-locks? (By staying away from twist-locks you are eliminating what I would guess to be "the lion's share" of higher-end tripods.)
By "3 legs" do you mean 3-section legs? (as by definition, a tripod should have 3 legs!). If so, satisfying 2,3 and 5 together is going to be an issue...
What does it need to support? That could make a big difference.
I'm currently looking at the Induro CT214. It supports about 27 lbs and folds to under 21" (meaning that it could conceivably fit in a carryon bag). I've been very happy with the quality of my Induro gimbal head, but haven't had my hands on one of their tripods yet.
I know Benro makes a series of tripods called the "Travel Flat" that fold up very small . I have yet to see a review of them, however (and would be interested to know if anyone here has any experience with them).
http://www.benrousa.com/products_cat...tLockLegs.html
Ian,Originally Posted by Ian Cassell
No ill will meant! Did you know the Induro gimbal and side mount head are direct knock-offs of the Wimberley design? Wimberley had the design basically ripped-off when considering to have product made overseas. I will not support the company.
Warm Regards,
Chas
No, Chas, I didn't know that and might have re-thought my purchase if I had known. No ill-will taken. I had given up on finding an affordable gimbal when I found this one on sale as a demo for under $400. Frankly, although I understand your point, I think even the Induro is overpriced for what you get. It is well crafted, but it seems that $480 is a lot of money for such a simple concept (almost $600 for the Wimberly). I'm no engineer, but I'm not convinced that there is that much more involved in making a gimbal than a good panning ballhead, although they cost far more. For those of us who don't make money from our photography (and probably for some who do), that is a heck of a lot of money to spend.
Last edited by Ian Cassell; 04-19-2011 at 10:49 AM.
Tripods are the basement for good photography.
With this in mind buy the best your pocket can afford.
For a tall person I'll recommend the Gitzo 3541XLS
Thanks
PedroS
www.pedrosfotografia.com
Pedro. Not wanting to hijack this thread, but I'm interested in opinions on how to select an appropriate tripod height. The difference between the collapsed length of the 3541LS vs. the 3541XLS means the difference between the ability to fit the tripod into a carry on bag (the LS is about 21.6"/55cm vs the XLS at 27.6"/70cm). I'm 6' tall (183cm) and would prefer to get the shorter pod so I can travel easily with it, but will I be constantly thinking that it is too short?
Thanks.
Hi Ian,
There's no free lunch here. Traveling light and "small" is hard to match with the "right" tripod height.
Well, what's the right tripod height? It could be a hard question to get the good answer but I'll always try to do it simple. For me a good (or right) tripod height is a tripod that extended (without center column) is just above the eyes line (person standing). Or even better somewhat taller, because, to get it right, you could not extend completely the legs resulting in a stronger setup.
Next question... but why standing up? Well, because it's the best way to shoot BIF.
Sooner or later you'll need all the height the tripod can deliver, and again taller is better.
The price difference between those two is not huge so I'll choose the bigger one.
And indeed that's the one I have.
Thanks
PedroS
www.pedrosfotografia.com
Last edited by Pedro Serralheiro; 04-19-2011 at 03:37 PM.
Ian - I use the 3541LS for travel for exactly the reason you state - it can be stowed in a carry-on bag (with the head detached) should I wish it. I am 6' tall and generally have no issue with the height of the tripod - the height is totally fine on flat ground, but admittedly, there are times on rougher terrain or when shooting on the down slope a hill when a little more length would be nice to have.
Thenks Pedro and Jeff. The problem I see with the XLS is the fact that it can't be stowed in a carry on bag. Frankly, I shoot a lot of birds lying on my belly and rarely from a fully extended pod, but there are those times ... I guess I could get a center column for the LS for those times I want more height, but that column is very pricey! Ah well, decisions, decisions ...
I will say this though - I have a ThinkTank roller board bag that is already "maximum legal carry-on" size (Airport Security model, I think), and by the time you get a super-telephoto lens, a couple shorter focal length lenses, 2 camera bodies, a flash and all the requisite accessories in there that didn't fit in your laptop bag (+ possibly the tripod head), there usually just isn't much room for the tripod and it often gets checked anyway...
Ian
I got a news, sale letter from Really Right Stuff(RRS) this morning and I ran across this that shows what the height is for the height of the person.
http://reallyrightstuff.com/mmrrs/Im...e_a_tripod.jpg
and
http://reallyrightstuff.com/mmrrs/Im...age/index.html
Bill
Thanks, Bill! And I thought Gitzos were expensive!
I just find flip locks easier to set up and break down quickly, especially in cold weather with gloves. Looks like some of the Gitzos may be relatively easy to set up though.
No, I mean no center column that has to extend to get a decent height. Ideally I'd prefer four section legs that compact small enough for carry-ons, but that may not be feasible given my height and stability requirements.
Right now my heaviest rig is a 400 f/4 DO +1.4X + 50D + flash. However that might go to a 600mm f/4 + 1D within the life of the tripod.
I may just have to visit B&H once Passover's over, and unfold a few tripods to see if 58" is sufficient or if I need to go taller. It's hard ordering equipment that really has to be sized properly off a web site sight unseen.
Elliotte
Also remember it is not just the height of the tripod. Especially with a larger lens as the 600, you most likely will also have a gimble head and the lens will both add to the total height.
Bill
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