Basil Loc: New Mexico

I am wondering if any UUH folks currently or have in the past used any of the Pro Media Gear Tripods? I've seen lots of video reviews, but those can often be biased (even when they say they aren't). I have a PMG L-bracket with an offset vertical part and I'm very impressed with this piece of kit.

I've been thinking about getting a new, sturdier tripod than the Sirui I typically use for landscapes and astro. I have been intrigued by the PMG tripods, but they are on the pricy side. I'm like to hear opinions from anyone who actually has first-hand experience with the PMG tripods. The specific Tripod I'm looking at is the TR344LBL, but interested in hearing any first-hand experience with any of their tripods and how they compare to other makes, such as RRS and Gitzo (and I know both of those are top tier)

Basil_O Loc: Minneapolis, MN

I have not used one personally but took a long look at one that a fellow wildlife shooter was using. I compared it to my Induro and found that it was similar but had a few differences. I liked the PMG twist turn knobs for adjusting the legs a little better than the ones on my Induro. They were easier to grip and turn in the cold. The weave of the carbon fiber in the legs was also different, but I am not sure it matters.

I have a 4-series Induro with extra-long legs, so it was slightly heavier and sturdier than the PMG I was comparing it to. It looked to be the 3 series (like you are considering). My question for you is this: would you better served looking at the larger 4 series PMG? It's a tradeoff between more weight and a sturdier platform. But depending on what you are shooting with, it could pay dividends.

While I would still pick my Induro if I were buying again, you can't go wrong with the PMG. It is a quality piece that should last you for many years to come.

Basil Loc: New Mexico

That's a great question. My current tripod is a Sirui 4-section with upper leg diameter of 28mm. I find this tripod size "ok" for most situations I shoot, but just felt I wanted something a little beefier while still being relatively easy to pack into the back country. I want to have something that is a little sturdier in wind and in water, but don't feel I need to go overboard on the size since I don't shoot with any huge lenses. Most of what I shoot is landscapes and astro (night sky). When I'm shooting night sky, I often use a star tracker, in which case I find the Sirui barely adequate (see picture attached). The PMG 4-series tripods are about 2 lbs heavier than their 34 series and, while I'm sure they are super nice and super sturdy, I just think that size would be a bit of overkill for my needs.

My typical set up for shooting tracked Milky Way panos (Rube Goldberg would be proud)

Basil_O Loc: Minneapolis, MN

That astro tracker set up looks similar to the one I use. I would agree that your current Sirui isn't the best option, especially in the wind. I would be hesitant to have that much weigh hanging over the center point of that base without a sturdier front leg. The PMG will serve you fine if that is what you intend to use it for. you can always lower the legs to make it more stable. that means a chair or camp stool, unless your knees are in better shape than mine. LOL

Basil Loc: New Mexico

That Sirui is fine for a lot of things, but you're right, it's not great for my Milky Way Pano set up. If I'm not doing panos, and just shooting a single frame tracked Milky Way, then I either just mount the ball head on the front of the tracker, or, sometimes I'll use the counter balance arm with a counter weight to balance the camera and lens (I like this method because it doesn't block the center polar alignment scope, which I like to get fine tuned after I have the camera and everything mounted.

Basil_O Loc: Minneapolis, MN

I would also suggest a leveling base as well if you don't already have one. It is much easier than trying level things by adjusting the legs. It makes panos a breeze. If you are going to spend the money on the tripod, you might as well just bite the bullet and get everything you need at once.

Basil Loc: New Mexico

I hear ya! As a matter of fact, the Tripod I'm looking at is the TR344LBL which ships with a leveling base. That's a must have regardless of which tripod I end up with. As for the head, I already have a decent ball head and a nice carbon Fiber gimbal, but have been looking seriously at this for the Astro and Landscape work:

https://www.adorama.com/sughproii.html

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

Basil, since we are spending your money for you. Take a look at the Williams Optics base for the sky guider pro. Much beefier and solid. Polar alignments are easier and much more stable. I use a 500mm lens and it handles an unwieldy setup with double counterweights much more elegantly. Have fun.

Basil Loc: New Mexico

Thanks I’ll have a look

Basil_O Loc: Minneapolis, MN

A geared head comes in very handy for dark sky and regular landscape photography. It makes it easy to get precise alignment. I use an old manfrotto one that I modified to use arca swiss plates.

It makes rotating for panos nice. You can dial in just the right amount of rotaion every time. I really prefer it to adjusting the ball head each time.

Basil Loc: New Mexico

I've never used a geared head but from some of the videos I've seen it does look like they would be very useful for landscapes and panos. I've done panos and night sky panos with a ball head and it's a real pain to make sure things stay level as you pan. Constant adjustment.

Basil_O Loc: Minneapolis, MN

That's where the leveling base on your soon-to-be new tripod will really some in handy. Get it all leveled up, then just turn the knob on the geared head to rotate through the scene. It saves time and frustration, that's for sure. The geared head also makes alignment to Polaris pretty simple. I like to figure out the base angle to set things at and use the markings on the geared head to dial it in. Then just use the scope to fine tune things. The angle is roughly equal to the latitude you are shooing at. For instance, the latitude where I like to shoot in the badlands is 43.9 degrees. I use a compass to point the base to the north, then set the angle of the geared head to slightly under 45 degrees and use the scope to do the final alignment. Then it is just a simple matter to turn things around to frame the sky that I wish to shoot and start the tracker.

Basil Loc: New Mexico

I finally pulled the trigger on the PMG TR344LBL, which comes with the leveling head. Just ordered tonight so should be here no later than Feb 5th. (Hopefully earlier)

I've heard it said many times over the years that people will spend lots of money on a good camera and great lenses, but then will go cheap when buying a tripod. My Sirui travel tripod has not been bad for most situations. However, there have been times when I really wanted something a little beefier and a bit more stable and less susceptible to vibrations. As a result, I have been thinking that, if I'm hanging several thousand dollars worth of gear on a tripod, maybe it was time to get a serious tripod that will handle any situation and be more stable in adverse conditions.

So tonight, after a couple months of research and much soul searching, I pulled the trigger, on the ProMediaGear TR344LBL. For the amount of money I forked out, I'm hoping this will be the last tripod I ever need to buy. I also bought the SunWayFoto Geared head. (I still have a very compact Heipi Carbon Fiber travel trips for long hikes.)

https://promediagear.com/collections/carbon-fiber-tripods-34-series/products/tr344lbl-pro-stix-carbon-fiber-tripod-with-leveling-head