more thoughts on tripods?

Dave Wilkinson

Dave Wilkinson

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Last Tuesday on my jaunt into the countryside I decided to 'do things properly', and take along a tripod. My Manfrotto 055pro holds most of my gear solid, but to be honest at the end of the day, I had used it three times, and was so p*+sed-off toting it, and putting it down - for handheld shots that it will be relegated to home use again for quite a while!.
Christmas is not too far away, and the estate manager (wife!) will soon be asking for ( and telling me of! ) present suggestions!. Well, my thoughts are on-maybe-a carbon fibre tripod!, for strength and lightness, but the few remaining camera shops around here are now very poorly stocked with this type of item, so it will have to be mail order, or travel.
Never having handled one, the questions are - for both 35mm, and medium format, what would be a good buy - that I would actually want to take on my walks?, preferably on my back, to leave both hands free when not in use. I know from our cycling friends that carbon fibre is the 'dog's whatnots', but would there be a noticeable difference to alluminum?, and what price range would give the neccessary performance?. Thoughts appreciated please!
Dave.:)
 
I'd recommend looking for a 2nd-hand Gitzo carbon fibre tripod for the uses you describe -- you can save quite a bit that way, and as long as they haven't been abused, a pre-used 'pod is a sensible move. Since you mention MF, I'd suggest either a G1325 or a G1348 (first has three sections, second has four -- I prefer four sections, because it collapses shorter -- useful for carrying and travel).

The tripod head also has to be considered. I use Acratech Ultimate ballheads (V1) for my 35mm work, and also with my M7s. For heavier MF cameras, you might want a ballhead with more resistance on the ball, or perhaps avoid a ballhead altogether, and go for a head with separate controls for each axis of movement.

I have several Gitzo CF 'pods, for different camera systems, so have quite a bit of experience on this topic -- feel free to PM me if you have any questions.
 
My feeling is that the step from aluminum to carbon is very costly and it doesn't really give all the advantages one imagines. To most is the very fact of having to bring around something else than the camera that is a hassle and saving a few grams does not help too much. Also, if you are using the tripod because of a large camera it is very likely that whatever you save is really negligible compared with the weight of the gear.

GLF
 
Whenever I'm on a tripod it's all I can think about to keep from falling off. Too distracted to get any real thinking done.
 
Dave,

I agree with GLF, the difference is not that significant. I looked at a few CF tripods but decided not to waste my money so I still use a Manfrotto aluminium one. I can't remember the model and the markings have worn off with use, it's fairly lightweight but still supports my Mamiya 7 OK.

Dare I suggest that your problem might be with tripods and not a particular type of tripod?

I can't remember the last time I didn't use a tripod for landscape work, and don't even think about not carrying it with me.
 
Dave

I have just bought myself a tripod for use with my Leica III. I had similar concerns to you, in that I want sturdy yet lightweight tripod with a simple design. After trying many different alternatives in various camera shops and made of various materials ( Carbon and Ali) I finally went for this by Slik - http://www.sliktripod.co.uk/pages/sprintproGM.html
Its a small light ( under 900g) fullsize tripod with a ball head its made of ali and plastic (nylon?) and has proved a very good choice. I am a firm believer though in the old addage of a less sturdy tripod that you carry with you is worth more than a solid lump that stays mostly in the car boot.
I got mine from Cameraworld for £59.95... a bargain IMO

Chris
 
brainwood said:
I am a firm believer though in the old addage of a less sturdy tripod that you carry with you is worth more than a solid lump that stays mostly in the car boot.

Chris
Click to expand...

I know another one, I think it was attributed to Weston: "Nothing which is far away from the car is really photogenic". Of course, monopodes for wildlife don't count!

GLF
 
Table top tripods are great... if you happen to have table. Out in the field lying on the ground becomes less attractive as I get older.
I have to say though most of my shots are hand held and I only really bother with a tripod if I am after that long exposure look.
That said when I do use one despite Westons reticence I tend to walk a bit to get the shot


Chris
 
The Gitzo Traveller would make an ideal compliment to your existing Manfrotto.

My GT1550 is the only non-pocket tripod I have that I would now consider carrying around on the off chance that I would use it ( as opposed to a full-on photographic expedition with the heavy guns and full size tripod ).
The Traveller is small enough to fit completely in a shoulder bag and weighs under a kilo: yet is sturdy enough to carry any RF anytime or small MF camera like a Hassy unless it gets windy.
I have used it quite a lot this month for walkabouts with a Hassy Flexbody: a larger heavier tripod and I would simply not have got to the same places.

On the way to the Gitzo, I first thought I could get away with the similarly compact and ~ 1Kg Manfrotto 714SHB which was about a fifth of the price.
But it was not really capable of holding a Leica ( with the offset tripod hole ) steady - MF would be a non starter.

If you can get to a Calumet branch - Manchester ?, they normally have several good Manfrotto and Gitzo models on display for you to play with.
I don't think than swapping your Aluminium Manfrotto for a CF version of something similarly sized would gain you much.

CF tripod seem to run in the £200-400+ range with Gitzo at the top end.
 
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I just took delivery of an Benro Travel Angle carbon fiber tripod. It extends to about 53 inches and folds down to just over 13 inches. All at a weight of 1.9lbs w/ tripod head. The small ballhead is amazingly strong for it's size. I have put a Nikon D80 with 70-300mm VR lens on it and it is pretty stable for the most part. It helps a great deal to hang your bag or something from the center column lower J-hook.

I understand it limitations it terms of load and stability but it's exactly what I need when hiking long distances and general travel. Small, Light, reasonably sturdy, and fits in my backpack.

It's also about 1/2 the price of the Gitzo equivalent.

I would think for a smaller and leighter Leica body and lens or similar body/lens combo it would be more than enough for most, if not all, situations.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=BEC069M8B00&N=0&InitialSearch=yes
 
No table required

No table required

brainwood said:
Table top tripods are great... if you happen to have table. Out in the field lying on the ground becomes less attractive as I get older.
I have to say though most of my shots are hand held and I only really bother with a tripod if I am after that long exposure look.
That said when I do use one despite Westons reticence I tend to walk a bit to get the shot


Chris
Click to expand...


:)

Like the Germanic individual on the Leica page,http://us.leica-camera.com/photography/m_system/accessories/tripod_accessories/2200.html, I seldom need a table to use a mini tripod: only a solid surface is required.

:)

yours
FPJ
 
Gitzo Traveller wins hands down -- IF you can bring yourself to spend the money (or indeed, if you can afford to spend the money).

For a light (1 kg) but bulky tripod with no centre column, look for an old MPP at £20-30. Holds 5x4 OK and can easily be adapted for 4x5 for cameras with a revolving back.

Cheers,

R.
 
brainwood said:
http://www.sliktripod.co.uk/pages/sprintproGM.html
Its a small light ( under 900g) fullsize tripod with a ball head its made of ali and plastic (nylon?) and has proved a very good choice.
Click to expand...

With a slightly more sturdy ball head (10nm Cullmann) it held up to a two week hike with the GA645zi this summer. Not the tripod to do 1/10s exposures in a storm, but good enough in all cases where you want to stabilize against operator shake rather than the environment.
 
FrozenInTime said:
That looks like a 'carbon copy' of the Gitzo Traveller :D
Very good that they include a Arca type QR plate/ball-head
Click to expand...


It is very similar but a little smaller, a little lighter and with what I consider a better ball head. And, much less expensive. I also do like the Arca Style plate ball head. I know it's not a Gitzo but it works fine for my needs. The small savings in weigth can also make a big diference sometimes. Also, when I checked them out side by side, I think the Benro is actually a little more stable.

My coworker brought up here Traveller and I was amazed how much alike they were.
 
Like you, I have a Manfrotto 055 pro. Nice and solid, but heavy enough that I would never consider taking it on a walk. When I've needed more stability on the move, in early morning or evening light, I use a Gitzo monopod. It's not a substitute for a tripod but it adds enough stability in most situations to be effective. It's also very light, easy to carry - and fast, so it doesn't suffer the "left in the car boot" syndrome. Depends on how much stability you need I guess, but it works well for me.

Steve
 
I had a Bogen (Manfrotto) 3021 and it was very stable, but like you I did not enjoy carrying it. So I bought an old Tiltall which is light and wonderfully designed w/ a built in head. Very good tripod for the money, which was only around $85 US. I wanted something even lighter and got one of the old Star D tripods. It doesn't have a center column, but has a nice pan head built in. Mine even came w/ a little canvas carrying case. All for the princely sum of $30, shipping included. I even use it w/ my 4v5 Graphic View and Graflex SLR cameras, and because both are from the same time period (50's I'd guess) they look great together. It collapses down to a small package.
 
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