Tripod suggestions: Planning to buy a new tripod and would appreciate suggestions as to which, preferably by make and model, of the gazillion models available might suit my needs. No...

trapper1 Loc: Southside Virginia

Planning to buy a new tripod and would appreciate suggestions as to which, preferably by make and model, of the gazillion models available might suit my needs. No professional-level models, just hobbyist-type. I want one that has a head assembly that traverses vertically as well as horizontally for sky shots, etc.. My present tripod, like my handhold, is rather shaky so steadiness is a must.

Leitz Loc: Solms

trapper1 wrote:

Planning to buy a new tripod and would appreciate suggestions as to which, preferably by make and model, of the gazillion models available might suit my needs. No professional-level models, just hobbyist-type. I want one that has a head assembly that traverses vertically as well as horizontally for sky shots, etc.. My present tripod, like my handhold, is rather shaky so steadiness is a must.

What camera and lens are you using?

latebloomer Loc: Topeka, KS

Search UHH for Gene51 tripods. It is the best review available.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

trapper1 wrote:

Planning to buy a new tripod and would appreciate suggestions as to which, preferably by make and model, of the gazillion models available might suit my needs. No professional-level models, just hobbyist-type. I want one that has a head assembly that traverses vertically as well as horizontally for sky shots, etc.. My present tripod, like my handhold, is rather shaky so steadiness is a must.

You have not told us much regarding usage, lenses and weight - but if budget is a large priority, and for general use I can recommend the Slik - please READ the user reviews ! but, no head with this - must buy separately. - https://www.ebay.com/itm/Slik-700DX-Pro-Tripod-Legs-3-Sections-Camera-Tripods-Titanium-Finish-BRAND-NEW/292464133921?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372

If you prefer carbon fiber ( less weight) but can afford more $$$ I like these two for general use - comes with ball head -

https://www.ebay.com/itm/INNOREL-RT85C-Professional-Super-carbon-fiber-tripod-for-digital-DSLR-camera/153616749477?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=453638014543&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Leofoto-LS-324C-LH-40-DC-282C-Free-Professional-Carbon-Fiber-Tripod-BallHead/173860918132?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20190212102350%26meid%3De3d34ec0f5b7476cb8fc1322be5dd24e%26pid%3D100012%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D174108321067%26itm%3D173860918132%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv5PairwiseWeb&_trksid=p2047675.c100012.m1985

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Leitz Loc: Solms

latebloomer wrote:

Search UHH for Gene51 tripods. It is the best review available.

Or, the OP can read the adverts for himself.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

trapper1 wrote:

Planning to buy a new tripod and would appreciate suggestions as to which, preferably by make and model, of the gazillion models available might suit my needs. No professional-level models, just hobbyist-type. I want one that has a head assembly that traverses vertically as well as horizontally for sky shots, etc.. My present tripod, like my handhold, is rather shaky so steadiness is a must.

Best advice: get the best one that matches to your long-term needs this time, not next time.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

CHG_CANON wrote:

Best advice: get the best one that matches to your long-term needs this time, not next time.

CO

When you say you want one with a head assembly that traverses vertically as well as horizontally. Are you referring to the center column? Manfrotto has tripods that have a center column that can be used vertically or horizontally. Extending the center column is a recipe for introducing vibration though.

Try to get a carbon fiber model. They dampen vibration much better than aluminum.

traveler90712 Loc: Lake Worth, Fl.

Everyone has an input, so I guess I'll provide what I have to many others

The tripod must support 2 to 2 s1/2 time the total weight of your largest lens and camera. Do think ahead (150-600, 200-500) and you won't be buying another tripod because you have a large lens and your tripod does not support the weight.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

traveler90712 wrote:

Everyone has an input, so I guess I'll provide what I have to many others

The tripod must support 2 to 2 s1/2 time the total weight of your largest lens and camera. Do think ahead (150-600, 200-500) and you won't be buying another tripod because you have a large lens and your tripod does not support the weight.

Load capacity has NOTHING to do with stability. A tripod could have a load capacity of 50 lbs and not be close to stable with a 500mm lens (Manfrotto comes to mind). A better metric to look at is top leg section diameter, and you'll find that the most stable tripods have legs that exceed 40mm in diameter. Those are stable. The best tripods out there RRS and Gitzo - deliberately omit load capacities on their equipment - because it is generally meaningless.

repleo Loc: Boston

Gene51 wrote:

Load capacity has NOTHING to do with stability. A tripod could have a load capacity of 50 lbs and not be close to stable with a 500mm lens (Manfrotto comes to mind). A better metric to look at is top leg section diameter, and you'll find that the most stable tripods have legs that exceed 40mm in diameter. Those are stable. The best tripods out there RRS and Gitzo - deliberately omit load capacities on their equipment - because it is generally meaningless.

I believe Gitzo used to classify their tripods by recommended maximum focal length. Make sense. I wish I had invested in a Gitzo instead of that Large Cap Index Fund.

craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

trapper1 wrote:

Planning to buy a new tripod and would appreciate suggestions as to which, preferably by make and model, of the gazillion models available might suit my needs. No professional-level models, just hobbyist-type. I want one that has a head assembly that traverses vertically as well as horizontally for sky shots, etc.. My present tripod, like my handhold, is rather shaky so steadiness is a must.

On my various internet photography travels I came across this site which you, and maybe others, might find useful in your tripod deliberations ......

https://thecentercolumn.com/

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Gene51 wrote:

A better metric to look at is top leg section diameter, .

And, a better metric than that is the BOTTOM leg diameter . Most responsible tripod manufacturers are now furnishing this previously well guarded info !

.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

CHG_CANON wrote:

Best advice: get the best one that matches to your long-term needs this time, not next time.

True. A mistake I made in the beginning.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

repleo wrote:

I believe Gitzo used to classify their tripods by recommended maximum focal length. Make sense. I wish I had invested in a Gitzo instead of that Large Cap Index Fund.