What tripod and head (ballhead or otherwise) do you own/use?

kxl

kxl

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Sometimes I worry that I have $4k of gear (D800e and a telephoto) on a relatively small tripod (Feisol CT-3402) and a mid-range ballhead (Acratech). I also have a Bogen 3221, but it is big and heavy. I don't use a tripod all the time, but there are occasions that call for it.

I'm thinking of taking the plunge to get proper Gitzo legs and an Acra Swiss Z1 ballhead, as well as an RRS L bracket.

What do you use? And are you happy with it?
 
I have an Induro tripod with the annoying screw locks (not sure what the term for that is). I bought a Vanguard tripod last summer that has flip locks and a rotating centre column. This was purchased to help me photograph books (centre column rotates 90 degrees to be perpendicular to the tripod).

Neither are expensive. The Induro is much sturdier feeling. The Vanguard nice but a bit cheap (you get what you pay for). Both are aluminium. I have no real complaints about either.

I have a Manfrotto 3-way head.

I use tripods infrequently and when I do use them I really can't see needing an expensive, ultra sturdy one. I would like to get a ball head however. The 3-way is a pain at times to adjust.

Tripods and heads are such uninteresting purchases.
 
I use a Linhof Reporter for 35mm and MF and an ancient Ries tilt-head for 4x5 and 8x10, both bought secondhand. The Ries is bulky and heavy, but rock solid. I've used them for years and don't plan to get anything newer.
 
Gitzo GT90TT, G1127 and GT3542LS, the latter two with Acratech Ultimate Ballheads (v1 and v2).

I used to have an Arca-Swiss B1, it was a piece of junk. Ditch the Feisol legset if you must, but keep the Acratech, as they are solid, lightweight, easy to clean. The only other brand I'd trust is Markins, possibly RRS.
 
For landscapes, a carbon Gitzo that will reach my eye level, and a Sirui head. I chose their head with levels, but now I find it easiest to see a small pocket level held against the camera body or the RRS L-bracket. This is very light and easy kit to carry in a Giottos bag.

When I don't have to carry it far, I still prefer an ancient aluminum Tiltall (with its own head and a Manfrotto plate)– the tripod that later acquired a Leitz/Leica brand label. It holds everything steady thru/including 4x5.

Kirk
 
Just pulled the trigger on a Gitzo 1542 ($150 rebate @ B&H), A/S Z1 ballhead and RRS L bracket. Almost hated to spend that much money on a tripod and ballhead, but I think it's justified.
 
I have four full size tripods (not table tops). The first is a Star D by Davidson I got in high school. It has three sections and does not have a center column. It has a 7cm square platform for TLR's that is detachable. Next I got used a Focal (K Mart) 20-08-40 (made by Velbon I think). It has a completely adjustable head and a geared center column that can be rotated to a horizontal position. In this position there is a second camera mounting screw right over the legs and a third screw on the botton end of the center column. I once mounted three 4x5 Speed Graphics on it at the same time, just for the heck of it, and took a picture of it. You never know when you'll need a color positive, a color negative, and a B&W negative of the same thing at the same time! Anyway, I also have a used mint Gitzo G 201 three section, center column, headless tripod. Didn't really need it, but it was so nice and operated so smoothly I just couldn't resist it. I have a Bogen Manfrotto 3026 ball head and a Bogen 3025 head to go with it. Also there's a little Vivitar 42-3-5 nine section tripod that fits in my camera bag for emergencies, but so far I can't remember any emergencies. If I could only keep one, it would be the highly versatile Focal/Velbon without a doubt.
 
I have just purchased a RRS 33 STV(?) to replace my manfrotto /Bogen 3221 which I have used for 15+ yrs. The new RRS tripod seems a lot lighter and more sturdy with my D800E/300 mm. I will probably replace my Arca-Swiss ball head w/RRS type because the Arca locks up a lot.
 
Currently, a Gibran with a Linhof #2 ball head. Looks great, and if you don't watch it, you'll slice your fingers off when folding it up. It's not just for looks - it has a 60 pound capacity, extends to a 5' working height, and weighs 7 pounds - and it's possibly the most stable tripod ever made. I also use it only to support a NEX 5 for video interviews of my small children. Otherwise, I just skip tripods altogether. 🙂

I also seem to have a Bogen 3021 and a Linhof 3-section, but neither gets much use.

Dante
 
first of all, how and when do you use a tripod?
are you going to travel, especially fly with your tripods? hiking?

I bought a TVC-33 last year, it was awesome, sturdy and big but did not really fit my need as I mainly use my tripod for travel, landscape and hike.
I now own a MeFOTO GlobeTrotter as my main tripod, folds really small, 3.7lbs with ballhead and can hold my 4x5 camera with no problem
here's a picture of myself with it and my 4x5
16277318521_9f29111916.jpg


the other tripod that I use for hiking or when I need to travel really light is the Sirui T-025X
it's fairly small and low but weigh under 2lbs and compacts really small, I've shot my GF670 and GSW690III with zero problem

I might get an old, heavier and larger tripod for my 4x5 but it's not a top priority right now as the MeFOTO has served me well so far.

this was taken in Monument Valley in December with the MeFOTO tripod and 4x5
 
kxl said:
Sometimes I worry that I have $4k of gear (D800e and a telephoto) on a relatively small tripod (Feisol CT-3402) and a mid-range ballhead (Acratech). I also have a Bogen 3221, but it is big and heavy. I don't use a tripod all the time, but there are occasions that call for it.

I'm thinking of taking the plunge to get proper Gitzo legs and an Acra Swiss Z1 ballhead, as well as an RRS L bracket.

What do you use? And are you happy with it?
Click to expand...

I have two sets of legs: Manfrotto 190CXpro3 and Feisol CT3442 Tournament.
And three ball heads: Acratech Ultimate Ball Head, Markins Q3 Emilié, and Arca-Swiss Monoboll P0.

A tripod is only useful to your photography if you will carry it and use it. That's why I have two light and easy to carry tripods. Given the weight and focal length range of the equipment I use, the above is more than enough to do the job.

I've had the Feisol Tournament legs with the Acratech ball head on them since 2005-2006. Excellent quality, very strong and sturdy with plenty of elevation for their size and weight, and they pack down into a 5" x 19" bag that weighs less than 5 lbs. for travel (I think it's 4.2 lbs, but don't quote me). That bag fits inside my carry on rollaway which makes this tripod very handy to travel with. The only downside to the Feisol is that it's not particularly quick to work with, which for day to day light duty work makes it a bit of a pain.

On a trip to the UK in 2011, I carried the Markins Q3 head and borrowed a set of 190 legs when I arrived at my friend's place. I was so taken with their speed and ease of use in the field that I ordered a set of the legs when I returned home. The tripod is lighter and shorter than the Feisol and doesn't pack down quite as small, but is much handier for day to day use—fast setup and adjustment. This tripod became my standard for most daily use purposes: tabletop, short walks, etc. I decided to try the Arca-Swiss P0 head in 2012 and have found it light, strong, fast, smooth, and easy to work with.

I've used Hasselblad gear (up to 500CM with prism and 150 Sonnar), Olympus gear (E-1, E-5, E-M1 with up to 300mm), Leica M9 with 135mm, Sony A7 with adapted 500mm mirror lens, and tons of other gear on these tripods. They do the job well.

G
 
Godfrey said:
A tripod is only useful to your photography if you will carry it and use it.

G
Click to expand...

Exactly! My Bogen 3221 provides a solid base for my gear, even if I have to mount a gimbal head on it, but its bulk and weight precludes regular use. My carbon fiber Feisol CT-3402 is sufficiently lightweight for regular use and travel, but it doesn't seem sturdy enough when fully extended nor is it completely vibration-free. I've tried hanging a heavy bag, but while that makes it sturdy, it doesn't prevent vibrations.

My research leads me to believe that the carbon fiber Gitzo 1542 is both lightweight and relatively vibration free. I guess I'll find out soon enough.
 
A good solid tripod and camera platform is critical to good work. Over the years I have spent a lot of money on tripods and accessories and have never regretted it. Not counting monopods I have and use the following:

1. An old Majestic metal tripod with geared head. Very stout, also very heavy. Used only around the house at this point mostly with my 8x10 equipment.

1. Gitzo Carbon Fiber GT3541XLS with Gitzo GS5121LVL Base and Majestic Geared Head. Used for large format in the field and other cameras in the mountains. This tripod is perfect for mountain work as it has terrific leg extension. With the geared head it is not particularly fast but it is solid like a rock.

Berlebach Report 8043 with a Really Right Stuff BH-55 and B2 ASII Quick Release clamp. I love this tripod and ball head when I want to work quickly. But this is also the one I grab for every time when I'll be working anywhere near traffic where vibration could be a problem. The wooden legs absorb vibration like a sponge while staying very stable.

I also own a couple of light, alloy Slik tripods that handle small digital and 35mm film equipment quite well. I can add weight to the one so it is pretty stable when using the Pentax 645Nii. I haven't really tried it for anything larger though. I used to use these a lot while I was traveling overseas, but now that I am no longer doing it they don't see a lot of field time.
 
kxl said:
Exactly! My Bogen 3221 provides a solid base for my gear, even if I have to mount a gimbal head on it, but its bulk and weight precludes regular use. My carbon fiber Feisol CT-3402 is sufficiently lightweight for regular use and travel, but it doesn't seem sturdy enough when fully extended nor is it completely vibration-free. I've tried hanging a heavy bag, but while that makes it sturdy, it doesn't prevent vibrations.

My research leads me to believe that the carbon fiber Gitzo 1542 is both lightweight and relatively vibration free. I guess I'll find out soon enough.
Click to expand...

If you photograph a lot around traffic or other sources of vibration then you really need to investigate a good wooden tripod similar to what is used by surveyors. They are not that heavy but quite solid, and they absorb vibration like a sponge.
 
I've been using Manfrotto 055PRO (more or less the same thing as your Bogen 3221, I believe) legs with the 141 RC three-way head for more than a decade now. The flip side of being heavy is that it is stable on all kinds of surfaces, including soft snow, thick swamp moss etc. Plus, it's simple to take apart for thorough cleaning so you really needn't worry about mud, sand or seawater.
 
back alley said:
actually used the tripod this past weekend for a selfie!
Click to expand...
Aside of the selfie stick craze, I've been seeing quite some discussion around tripods lately.
IMO, a tripod is the ultimate (and classic) self portrait support. I'd say then it's not a selfie! At the end things will just go round and round. 😀

I really should get a tripod and I'm allocating savings for one, probably being my next gear purchase. My GW690III is great, but it, and some situation usually scream for tripod work!

I was looking into the feisols for myself, the CT3402 seems one of the most interesting options, economic and very portable. Higher budget allowed, the CT3442 is very well regarded. Too bad that for tripods there is a lot of tradeoff involved. Weight-size-capability.
Hope that gitzo works out well.
 
I have a Manfrotto aluminum tripod and a large Manfrotto Ball head (both very old and exceedingly heavy), which makes them the ideal platform for balancing a styrofoam cup of coffee on a cold winter's day.
Other than that, they serve no purpose as I shoot almost exclusively hand-held on the street.
To paraphrase Woody Allen, "A street shooter with a tripod is like a cello player in a marching band."
 
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