Tripod / monopod
Tripod / monopod
Hi there,
I have used both monopod and small tripods and prefer small tripods.
I wrote a small article on tripods and will insert it here. Hope it helps.
Regards
HHK
Tripod Tales
A story about 3 tripods.
If you like to travel but still want to have 3 legged support there are a number of options that I use depending on what camera equipment I am bringing and what my overall requirements are.
If you want to travel ultra light, are carrying a small camera, or want light tabletop or wall support, then this is my favorite ultra light combination. I use a Manfrotto 3007 table top tripod and Manfrotto 428 Micro ball head. This is not the only combination, but at $48.00 US it is good price/performance. I have used this combination with a Rollei 35 and Leica M6. The tripod with head easily fits into a pocket on a Domke F803 camera satchel or other small camera bag. Otherwise it will also fit into a side pocket on your Jeans.
Mamfrotto 3007 With Ball Head
Maximum Height: 4.0 Inches
Folded Length: 7.0 Inches
If you want more versatility, and more height, there are a number of options that I really like as well. I use a Gitzo G0011 series Table Top tripod with a Giotto MH1004 Ball Head, and a quick release plate. Currently, you can get the Gitzo G0012 Aluminum Table Top tripod online for around $157.00. I use the older version of this tripod that I bought on e-bay for $80.00 brand new. The only difference is in the center column. If you have more money to spend, and want more height for the same weight you can use the new G0057 Carbon Fiber Table Top tripod from Gitzo. It extends much taller, 28” with center column and 21 “ without center column extended, but weighs less than the aluminum version, and is almost as small folded. However it is almost double the cost at $312.00. I like this tripod for a number of reasons, but primarily because at 30” with a ball head, and with the tripod on a table, it is almost at eye level. This can be very handy while traveling.
Gitzo G0011 Aluminum Without ball Head
Maximum Height: 18.75 “
Maximum Height w/o extension: 10.5 “
Folded Length: 8.5”
Weight: 0.90 lbs
Gitzo G0012 Aluminum Without ball Head
Maximum Height: 18.1 “
Maximum Height w/o extension: 11.0 “
Folded Length: 9.8”
Weight: 0.90 lbs.
Gitzo G0057 Carbon Fiber Without ball Head
Maximum Height: 28.3.1 “
Maximum Height w/o extension: 21.5 “
Folded Length: 10.6”
Weight: 0.80 lbs.
If you use wide-angle lenses a lot, you will need a full height or taller tripod. The reason for this is simply really. With a wide-angle lens, you will want to keep your camera level to avoid converging vertical lines. So, unless you want to have a lot of low foreground in your image, you will need a full height or taller tripod. How tall depend on your height and also on the look you are trying to achieve.
Which tripod you bring when travelling all depends on you needs, and how willing you are to carry extra weight. Better to compromise than to not have a tripod. I like to do night shots and landscapes while traveling and Image quality is important, but in my case, because I am not able to carry a lot of weight, I take the Gitzo G0011 tripod and Giotto MH1004 Ball Head. This is as always a compromise, but with a Kirk quick release it is used with everything from a Rollei 35 to my Mamiya 6 with a 150mm lens. It is stable, convenient, and I put one of the tripod legs through my belt loop for easy carrying. If I had more money I would prefer the Gitzo G0057 for the extra height that it provides.
Well, that about says it all.
HHK
“C” December 5, 2005
