Help deciding on Tripod & Head

srtiwari

srtiwari

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Would like to do more photography using a tripod.
I'm 5'10"" , weigh about 180, and am getting old. I own and use Leica M bodies, and a Rollei TLR.
What would be a stable, but portable, mid-priced (whatever that means) tripod and head for everyday use ? It needs be one that I can hang around my back as I walk about, and yet not tip ver in the slightest breeze.
The Benbos look good, but are all back-ordered at B&H.
Appreciate any expert insight into this...
 
I believe tripods are similar to shoes and camera bags in that you should never buy one by mail order based on specs or personal recommendations. You have to hold it, feel it, wiggle it to see if that is the one that meets your unique personal needs. Tripods can easily be too heavy, too flimsy, or lack features you need.

Paying full retail for one that fits your needs is a great deal. There is no discount big enough to compensate for one that really does not work for you.
 
I agree with Bob on this. Visit your local shop, play with the tripods and heads, measure all of the options and pick something that fits your style and needs. Even if you spend a bit more money on it, you will have and use this tripod for a long time to come and it will serve you well if you pick it well.
 
i'm really happy with my Gitzo Traveller G1542T and Markins Q3T ball head. it comes out to a pretty penny but because i use the tripod a lot, i'm really thankful about the low weight. very stable too!
 
i bought this one!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/917559-REG/sirui_bsrt025x_t_025x_carbon_fiber_tripod.html

8604646454_447ce74f65_c.jpg
 
Bob Michaels said:
I believe tripods are similar to shoes and camera bags in that you should never buy one by mail order based on specs or personal recommendations. You have to hold it, feel it, wiggle it to see if that is the one that meets your unique personal needs. Tripods can easily be too heavy, too flimsy, or lack features you need.

Paying full retail for one that fits your needs is a great deal. There is no discount big enough to compensate for one that really does not work for you.
Click to expand...

+1....excellent advice. I might also suggest that you look at the Arca Swiss style of release plates.
 
Good advice here. If you are doing landscape on the top of hills your requirements are more extreme. Frequent us of a TLR if Rollei usually sees recommendations to get a Rolleifix so you don't inadvertently wreck your Rolleiflex damaging the film chamber door. I have a Manfrotto 190 from a few years ago, heavy aluminium but sturdy. I bought a young friend the latest equivalent. Very good very reasonable. I have the Slik Carbon 614CF which is tall enough for me, same height as you, but having discovered the antirotation lock leg on my Gitzo monopod, my next tripod will also be Gitzo as opening up the Slik is annoying. It's light and sturdy enough for what I do. I have couple of cheap Manfrotto ball heads.
 
Good advice from Bob. We have a great store - EP Levine - in Boston and years ago I spent two months dithering over a 3 leg section and a 4 leg section Gitzo for my first "real" tripod (I don't count the 5 leg section tripod I had for 10 years as a real tripod). Don't buy a tripod with 5 leg sections.

However once you get the feel of what you like it's OK to buy online and in some cases it's imperative as some of the best tripods are not sold in the US. In general for tripods get carbon fiber over aluminum or wood, get 3 or 4 section legs, twist leg locks over flip locks, and (if possible) no center column. I can give the rationale for all these if required but no time at the mo as I have to go out.

The top-of-the-line tripod brands are RRS and Gitzo (in that order), and the most popular value brands are Benro and Feisol. Acratech, Arca-Swiss, Markins, and RRS all make highly regarded ballheads and a new(ish) brand called SunwayFoto is beginning to make a name for itself.

There is a dizzying amount of information on users' experiences with tripods in the POTN Tripod FAQ. You mention Benbo as of interest and as you probably know they are very heavy and can be awkward to use. Other manufacturers make tripods with articulating center columns that are constructed of carbon fiber and they're much lighter and better at controlling vibration.

I use very similar equipment to yours - Rolleiflex and Leica M, but I also have a hefty Fotoman 617 panoramic. I use a Gitzo 3-series systematic, a Benro articulating tripod and a Benro travel tripod.
 
Tiltall in its various brands. Works great, you can shoot video with smooth pans and they're all over the place used for under $100. And because they never wear out a used one is fine.
 
I went for a Gitzo carbon and a RRS medium ball head with their quick release plate. The quality of both is totally awesome, still I feel I shelled out way too much money because I use it only occasionally.

If you use a tripod often, go for the best stuff you can afford right away and never look back. Buying cheap first and later on decide to upgrade costs more money in the end.
 
srtiwari said:
Would like to do more photography using a tripod.
I'm 5'10"" , weigh about 180, and am getting old. I own and use Leica M bodies, and a Rollei TLR.
What would be a stable, but portable, mid-priced (whatever that means) tripod and head for everyday use ? It needs be one that I can hang around my back as I walk about, and yet not tip ver in the slightest breeze.
The Benbos look good, but are all back-ordered at B&H.
Appreciate any expert insight into this...
Click to expand...

I had a Benbo once, was not thrilled by it.

My 'everyday' tripod is a Manfrotto CX190Pro3 Carbon Fiber set of legs fitted with a Markins Q3 Emilié ball head. The legs cost me about $250 on special, the head was $290. It's a fast, light package capable of supporting up to a 10 lb camera very securely and stably ... perfect for a Rollei TLR or Leica M use. It handles my Hasselblad with 150mm lens or even the E-1 with 50-200mm zoom very nicely too. This tripod packs to a 3" by 26" tube and weighs 3.1 lbs.

My other tripod is a Feisol CT3442 Tournament set of legs fitted with an Acratech Ultimate Ball Head. It's a larger, slower operating set of legs than the Manfrottos, but very sturdy and pretty darn tall. I think the legs and adjustable column cost me about $400 and the head another $320. It packs down to a 5" by 19" tube and (in its case) weighs 4.3 lbs.

My best advice to you:

  • Legs are easy to choose. The triangle of weight, elevation, and carrying capacity balances against price. Gitzo and Manfrotto are the established names. RRS produces very high end, good stuff. Induro is new on the market the past few years, mostly similar to Gitzo, and pretty darn good at a lower price point.
  • Spend good money on the best head you can afford that suits your needs. Ball heads are wonderful for fast positioning but you need a pro-quality ball head to support a camera well and work with precision. Most of the inexpensive ones work but are imprecise, they ultimately drive you a bit nutty. I've had FOBA, Kirk Photo, Acratech, and Markins heads. The Markins Q3 and Acratech Ultimate Ball Head are what I've kept for my current equipment needs.
  • Geared 3D heads are more precise for studio and landscape work, but they tend to be large and heavy, never mind expensive. An Arca-Swiss Cube is a dream but I need to move up a pay grade for one.
  • The Arca-Swiss type quick release plates and clamps are the best. I've tried several systems and NOTHING works as well as these. (Both the Markins and Acratech come with this type of clamp and plate system as standard equipment.)

Good luck.

A parable told to me by an old pro photographer years ago:
"There are two ways to get a good tripod. The first is to buy a lot of inexpensive ones until you figure out that the expensive ones are worth the money, then buy one of them. The second is to take the advice of people who've been there and buy a darn good tripod in the first place. The second way ends up costing less. ... "

I didn't listen either. ;-)

G
 
I finally got tired of hauling my heavy but otherwise excellent Manfrotto tripod around. I ended up with a Feisol CT-3441T tripod and CB-40D ballhead. The Feisol weighs 2 1/2 pounds and folds up to a compact 19 inches. The included case makes packing the tripod a breeze. The tripod even comes with a hook for the center column to hang on extra weight for more stability. I usually use my camera bag. This tripod has certainly made life easier for my aging bones!

FEISOL CT-3441T

CB-40D ballhead

Mike
 
I will sound impertinent, but I will give you two IMPORTANT tips.
1) Take a look at this, and apply it right away, I do it, it works:
http://documentaryheaven.com/eat-fast-and-live-longer/
2) Don't buy cheap tripods, it is like buying cheap shoes, go for Gitzo carbon, and go to the shop to check the height and weight/size, that will suit you, as to the head, the best lightweight one, in my opinion, is Acratech.
 
What's mid-priced?
CF Gitzo is great legs+ head isn't(from my checkbook). Used can save a bunch of $$$ for the same product. ~800 down to ~400-500 and then add a head.

Aluminum would be much less/$$$ for similar(in function). Gitzo does have equivalent models in both CF and Aluminum so everything but weight is equal.

Likely the best bang for the buck is Tiltall <$100 gets a device about 6 1/2 lbs with a non-interchangeable three way head & removable center column. And certainly heavy enough for your current setup. Many have used these for 4X5 and even 8X10(?). IF you do consider Tiltall the earliest Marchioni Brothers is considered the best after that, the Leitz version. The later and current version have gone downhill quality wise.
 
Bumping this thread - I'm looking for a tripod for outdoor shooting. my heaviest camera/lens combo is the D800 + 70-200 2.8 or 14-24 2.8 , I shoot some night shots with exposures up to 30 secs. daytime mostly. I will use other cameras on it , but let's size it for the heaviest.

I camp and hike, and fly, so weight and bulk and ability to carry on planes is a factor.

so far my research has led me to the Gitzo GT2532S and RRS BH-30 head.
also looked at the GT1542T/44T , great for size/weight , although perhaps a little less stable.

The current tripod I have is an old Bogen 3 something with a heavy locking camera mount plate and 3 knobs for pitch/roll/yaw :) , it's heavy and bulky - not easy to carry on planes or on hikes.

the Gitzo has accessory leg spikes, which I appreciate also.

any advice ?
 
The Gitzo 2532S is a great choice. I'm not a fan of the Gitzo travelers, other brands have better specs and performance.

If you get the 2532S and you like the RRS ballheads I think the BH-40 is a better match for both that tripod and your camera/lens combo.

You might also want to take a look at the Acratech GP ballhead since you're doing a lot of outdoors stuff. The open designs of the Acratech heads mean virtually no maintenance; they don't freeze up in extreme cold and if they get mucky with dirt or sand you just rinse them out under a faucet. The GP can also act as a gimbal head and if you invert it on the tripod baseplate it has leveling base functionality and can be used to take panoramics. It's a really versatile head that only weighs 1lb and again it matches the 2532S and your D800 and lenses.

I use the rather more simple Acratech Ultimate on a travel tripod and it also works well. They are well engineered and beautifully finished ballheads that are designed to be very practical in the outdoors and bad weather.
 
Certainly a big variety of tripod equipment out there. Always fun to jiggle them a little in the shops, and not many are steady. For lunar work it has to be steady.

I use an aluminum Tiltall #4602 (Marchioni) which was $90 (used) 14 years ago. A true benchmark product.

With some age corrosion they clean up very nicely with Mothers "Mag & Aluminum Polish" for car wheels.
 
I went to Calumet Photo in Chicago today - no Gitzo tripods on display, you can order one to the store if you put down a deposit. They had the house brand, Manfrotto and Benro but nothing seemed comparable to the Gitzo Traveler model.
Will keep thinking on this, the Gitzo + Head will cost $1,000 - is there any RFF rule of thumb that a tripod should cost less than the camera you mount on it :) ?
 
Just remember, that your sharpest lens is your tripod... This should simplify the question of money. On the other hand, I would NOT recommend buying a tripod without first seeing it, for 2 reasons: you have to verify if it is solid, yet light enough, and you have to verify if it is tall enough. Gitzo traveler is a great little tripod, but in my opinion too short for a VF or a SLR. I use it mainly with a WLF Rolleiflex. ( remember, that the central column does not count, it is there for desperate cases only)
 
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