Tripod advice

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imush

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Yes, I know... but all that advice out there about not buying cheap, light tripods assume that you are using a heavy SLR.

Once in a while I find I want to do longer exposures, like a nighttime still scene. But I never use an SLR.

I use 3 rangefinders: a Bessa R2M, a Vitessa 50/2 folder, and the new Fuji GF670 (aka Bessa III) MF folder. I don't imagine that I shall ever use the Vitessa on a tripod, it would be mostly for the MF folder, which has a leaf shutter.

So... what would you suggest to look for in a relatively light tripod for occasional use? Preferably a brand which is not too fashionable, so I can find a cheap used one.

PS For the R2M I have a couple of relatively large lenses: CV 35/1.2 and 75/1.8, but the combined weight is still less than the Fuji.
 
Cheap unfashionable tripods are usually cheap and unfashionable for a reason, and second-hand ones are generally an even worse idea. It'as not stability: it's simply that they wear and break, because they're so flimsy. You can choose between light, cheap and stable (vibration-free): you can have any one or two, but never all three.

Frances and I have both Slik (Snapman) and Velbon (343, I think) lightweight (c. 1 kg) tripods which are more than adequate for most cameras including heavy SLRs, but they were each around $100 when they were new, 15-20 years ago. In other words, they were about 5x the price of superficially similar 'own brand' and 'bargain' tripods.

Quite honestly, after you've spent that much on cameras and lenses, it's probably a false economy to buy too cheap a tripod. Buy a decent make, and even new, you should get away with $100-200. Personally I'd look hard at Redged.

Sure, you can buy a second-hand Manfrotto or Gitzo, and no doubt you'll be advised to buy both, but frankly, they ain't that light, and you won't save that much money compared with a new, lightweight Velbon, Slik or Redged.

Finally, remember that the tripod you have with you, and use, is far better than tripod you leave at hime because it's too heavy or bulky to carry. Even 'wobble-pods', those things with 7 leg sections and no centre column, are better than no tripod. I've got one I bought to use with my Toho 4x5 when I forgot to pack a tripod once.

Cheers,

R.
 
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You need to get hands-on with a tripod. You live in NYC so go into B&H and/or Adorama with your camera and spend a couple hours getting some experience and taking notes. Then do some online research when you have a handle on brands/features.

I recently invested in some new tripods and for value some of the Chinese models like Benro, Feisol and Sirui are highly regarded. You can save money by sourcing them directly from China through eBay dealers. You also have to get a ballhead but that's a different conversation.
 
I agree with Peter, you need to actually handle the tripod to see if it suits your requirements. I live in the Falkand Islands so it is not possible for me to handle potential tripods. Last year when I was researching on the internet I became totally confused as so many dealers describe their products as heavy duty when you can see that they are obviously flimsy. I ended up buying a Cullmann studio tripod and head that with shipping cost me nearly £400. It certainly does the job but is very heavy, better that than a tripod that blows over in the winds that we get here.
 
A $100 used Leitz Tiltall is the best value out there.

While a tiny, light tripod is easier to carry, having something too light is useless. If you have to carry and use a tripod, get a real tripod....

Lately I've been using an older aluminum Gitzo 320 with a Gitzo head. Found it on eBay for $200, it is very well made and tall/heavy enough for professional work. And a bit more flexible than the Tiltall (the legs spread independently so I can fit it in more awkward positions, like the front seat of a car).

The Chinese carbon-fiber tripods are much improved but some of their heads are lacking, it would be nice to try them in person or buy on a trusted referral.
 
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Frank Version Two said:
A $100 used Leitz Tiltall is the best value out there.

While a tiny, light tripod is easier to carry, having something too light is useless. If you have to carry and use a tripod, get a real tripod....
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But heavy, bulky and with a limited, fixed head. I sold mine because I didn't care for it.

What is 'too light'? Between us, my wife and I have five good tripods at around the 1 kg/2-2.5 lb mark, though admittedly a good head can add another 350g/12 oz quite easily.

That's out of more than a dozen tripods in all, the heaviest of which (a Linhof) weighs well over 10 kg /22 lb. Because we have so many, and can compare them (Frances is Shutterbuf's resident tripod expert), we're inclined to be a bit less dogmatic than some about their relative merits. As I said in an earlier post: out of good, light and cheap, you can't have more than two choices.

Cheers,

R.
 
Last summer when I went on vacation, I wanted a small tripod to take that would fit in my luggage. I ended up with a Giottos from my local camera store, can't remember the model since I'm not at home. It was $135 without a head (but since I used to work there and am still friends with the manager, I got a discount). I had an extra little ball head that I mounted on it. It held my Nikon FE with out any problems. I actually shot my Nikon F4s on it a couple of weeks ago with no problems, as long as I was careful.

A couple of years ago I needed (wanted) a light weight tripod for my 4x5. I ended up with the Adorama house brand Flashpoint 1225. It holds 17 lbs but only weighs 3.5 lbs. I use it now with my Mamiya RZ67 (which weighs 3x what my 4x5 did) and, again, never had a problem. Adorama has a deal on the Flashpoint 1227 with a ball head for $170.

Another brand to look at is Induro.
 
I've used gitzo in the past, but recently acquired a benro travel pod for occasional use (folds to less than 18 inches). Too early to tell how the benro performs, but I'll tell you its price is commensurate with perceived build quality ;)
The Benro just doesn't generate nearly the confidence a Gitzo does. I'm anxious to use it and see how it does.
 
> As I said in an earlier post: out of good, light and cheap, you can't have more than two choices. <
I pick good and cheap. I am very unlikely to be taking it on alpine backpacking trips.
 
Probably a used Tiltall, then, as recommended earlier, if you don't mind the size, weight and head. For REAL solidity, cheap, look for an old American-built Davis & Sanford.

You might also care to look for a used Cullmann, as all parts are available as replacements (e.g. worn out leg locks, etc.) They're among the best mid-range tripods.

But you don't need to walk far before you wish you had a 1.5 kg tripod instead of 2.5 kg.

Cheers,

R.
 
It's a lot like cameras, you try a bunch and figure out what works. I never liked any of the small travel tripods, I don't like that they are so short and, especially with the film cameras, I build up torque winding, loading, etc. so they always feel like they are going to move on me at the worst moment.

So if I go for a hike I don't even bother with a tripod, unless it's my view camera slung over my shoulder and I am going out to Photograph with a capital "P".

But with small cameras I'll forgo the compromised tripod and brace myself, set it on the ground or a jacket, use the self-timer, etc.

And I save the tripod for more set-up shoots out of the car or at a "location" in which case bringing a heavier tripod isn't an issue. Hey if I am mounting the camera on a tripod then I am shooting more than just a quick grabshot, so I want to do it right.

Hey for a bargain get a twin-shank Majestic from Chicago for a couple hundred bucks on eBay. You can paint your ceiling standing on the beast. The old American-made stuff was all heavy duty iron.
 
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"Yes, I know... but all that advice out there about not buying cheap, light tripods assume that you are using a heavy SLR"

Not true. Because of wind considerations and the like, one should use a HEAVIER tripod for lighter cameras. Remember, you're trying to create a strong, solid connection with the ground. I tried recently to travel with a very light-weight tripod, and it was useless with my M3. Not enough weight to hold the camera steady even in a moderate breeze. That said, you could acheive the desired weight by hanging a bunch of stuff (your camera bag) on the tripod as well.
 
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If I may throw in a googly, for slightly different situation, I have a brass 1920s-30s Ensign tripod. As a tripod, it's hopeless - hard to get it seated without wobbling, it has a weird two-ball head that looks great but is wobblier than a drunk on a unicycle. However if I put a rubber band around the legs, and unscrew the ball head, it makes a perfect monopod - it's small (about 14" long, and no more than 1 3/4" wide at it's widest), relatively light (it is made of brass, but there's not that much metal in it because it's all tubular), and verging on pocketable if you wear a coat with big pockets. I sometimes hang it from a rucksack strap.

(not unlike this, but without the carry tube)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/COLLECTORS-ANTIQUE-ENSIGN-EXTENDO-TRIPOD-METAL-CASE-/350436761482

Your mileage will almost certainly vary considerably!

Adrian
 
That is such a great name 'Ensign Extendo'.

I'm looking at this which looks to be a both good and cheap mount for my Pentax 6x7.
 
MCTuomey said:
I've used gitzo in the past, but recently acquired a benro travel pod for occasional use (folds to less than 18 inches). Too early to tell how the benro performs, but I'll tell you its price is commensurate with perceived build quality ;)
The Benro just doesn't generate nearly the confidence a Gitzo does. I'm anxious to use it and see how it does.
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Interesting Mike. Last year I bought a Gitzo 1541T traveler and a couple months later I bought a Benro C2680T as a backup. The Benro was ½ the price of the Gitzo. After several months use the Benro is the #1 and the Gitzo is the backup. The Benro has better specs, is really well constructed and I like using it much more than the Gitzo - it just really works for me. I'll probably sell the Gitzo.
 
When I went to Tibet in the fall my tripod was stolen out of my luggage, so I had to buy one in Chengdu on my way. I got a benro, don't know the model but it was small and perfect for the trip. I left it with friends there for the next visit, and repurchased my old tripod–a Slik sprint pro–because that's the one I've found that fits in my backpack so I can take it anywhere. But the benro was solid, quite good.

I'm not by any means a demanding tripod user, but for what I needed it for, M8 and lens, it worked perfectly. It felt more solid than my Slik...
 
peter_n said:
Interesting Mike. Last year I bought a Gitzo 1541T traveler and a couple months later I bought a Benro C2680T as a backup. The Benro was ½ the price of the Gitzo. After several months use the Benro is the #1 and the Gitzo is the backup. The Benro has better specs, is really well constructed and I like using it much more than the Gitzo - it just really works for me. I'll probably sell the Gitzo.
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Hi Peter - I'm comparing a Benro 2691T to the 2 Gitzos I've had for the past decade or so, a newer 1340 and an older 320. All are rated fairly close, capacity-wise. The Benro is of course smaller with more leg sections. Maybe I'm not being fair in comparing these particular models. I'll keep an open mind. Glad to hear your Benro suits you, hopefully mine will impress more with time and use.
 
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