Chuck_893 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

I sincerely do not mean to wander off topic, but this discussion (again) reminds me of a mildly amusing story from when I was in school. I go back to large format sheet film days, and tripods that had to securely support massive cameras up to 8x10 inches. One day one of our instructors was musing about tripod choices. “Go to the camera store,” he said, “and ask to see the back room. Go back into the farthest, darkest corner, where you will find something that looks like an oil derrick festooned with cobwebs. Try to lift it. If you can’t lift it, buy it, because that is a tripod! :D :D :D

(p.s. My own favorites were Gitzos. I still use one of the lighter weight ones with a ball head. My "big" one could support my not-inconsiderable weight. I could extend it to full length and do pull ups beneath it.)

gusto7670 Loc: Tampa, FL

I have a number of tripods, most of which I only use to steady my camera. I never leave them alone, there are too many things that can happen (wind, kids, dogs or even cats) Even if you have a heavy and steady tripod, things can happen. The other day I was in my garage and heard a loud noise. It was my cat getting scared and running into a band saw that must weigh 80 or 90 pounds. It actually moved it 6 or 8 inches. I couldn't believe that a cat that weighs 11 or 12 pounds could have such an effect on something that heavy and hard to move. A camera on a tripod wouldn't have had a chance.