truetexan

I need to get a new tripod. I have seen and am interested in the tripods with the center column that can be removed and rotated to various degrees for "side type" shots or low angle for macro shots. How many hogs use these type and are they really pretty functional, stable, or is it another sales "gimmick". I keep flipping back and forth between a good sturdy tripod and one that could function if a side extension was available. I shoot D5200, nikkor 18-55 kit, a tamron 70-300, and a nikon nifty fifty. Any experienced comments will help...Thank's Ya'll !!

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

ANY extension of a center column will destabilize any tripod, be it vertically or horizontally. That said, the utility of a horizontal column is useful. I have one but only use it for flat copy work.

Jerry1940 Loc: Born in OH live in CA

First select sturdiest. Than see what else the tripod is capable of doing.

blue-ultra Loc: New Hampshire

jpwa Loc: Inland NorthWest

Do lots of research and read the reviews then pick the one you think is best.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Vanguard Alta Pro is the first one that comes to mind:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVf3Q_x_m64

And, unless you are hanging a 600 mm f/2.8 lens off horzontially, I do not think it is an issue with stability. Plus, Vanguard is having a $40 off sale right now.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

My manfrotto 190pro carbon fiber does that. Occasionally I use that feature, but only with lighter/shorter lenses.

PhotoKurtz Loc: Carterville, IL

In the meantime... you can start with mine!

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-502116-1.html

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

Similarly. I have a Giotto (don't think they available anymore) with a removable centre column. I've done a couple of shots indoors on flat surfaces that I have placed on here before and used it reversed to hang the camera upside down and close to the ground for some macro attempts. Used with live view and a remote release it can be quite effectiveand is a technique I may well develop come knee forgiving weather.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Very unstable when horizontal!!!!! I have one like that. very seldom use it extended.
http://www.pbase.com/manglesphoto/image/122882923

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

Good point! Make sure the legs extend past the camera and then some by using a lot of height or spreading the leg angle. It's very easy to tip over.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

A current good deal. The Vanguard Carbon kit, VE02 head on the 235CB tripod for $199.99. Not a real tall one but a good one for the price.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

Such tripods always seemed like they would be less stable with the weight off to one side. I have a Really Right Stuff tripod and you can add a center column option that can be removed and replaced with just the platform. I have never tried it but it might be possible to invert the column too. RRS tripods can go very low to the ground just by adjusting the legs. RRS offers what the call Camera Bars which will allow mounting of equipment off center using the Arca Swiss type attachments and a variety of mounting components they offer. It may be worth a look at their website or a call to discuss your requirements with them and see what they suggest.

Best,
Todd Ferguson

jpgto Loc: North East Tennessee

I use Manfrotto and find it to be stable at all angles, versatile but it is a bit pricey! Look around the internet there
is all kinds of information floating around. Good luck.

DaveC Loc: Illinois

I need to get a new tripod. I have seen and am interested in the tripods with the center column that can be removed and rotated to various degrees for "side type" shots or low angle for macro shots.
I have a Gitzo G227 carbon fiber tripod. The legs adjust independently to any angle from vertical to flat and the center column from vertical to actually pointing downwards. I picked this because I do much close-up work on or near ground level. It replaced a Bogen 3221 aluminum tripod. It looks a lot flimsier than the Bogen but is actually more rigid. Now, for maximum rigidity follow the rules, keep the center column vertical and at minimum extension, etc. but it will get your camera places where no other tripod will. And if I am using the extension at a significant angle from vertical and, even more, extended, I find it necessary to hang a counterweight on the other end. There is a hook for for that and I use a wrist weight which has a Velcro strap for the wrist and which makes it easy to hang. This is essential! If you take care it is adequately rigid and it gets me lots of photos I could never otherwise get. In full vertical mode it adequately supports my Nikon D7100 and the Nikon 200-500 (if you are careful,) but a sturdier tripod would be preferable.