Tripod
Mar 27, 2014 14:58:47 #
B Hollars
Loc: Colona, IL
What tripod is best for backcountry photographs? I am using a canon xs with a 400 f/5.6 L. Will be upgrading from the xs a step or two, I do want Quality photos. any advise would be great
Mar 27, 2014 15:07:37 #
I use a Vanguard Alta Pro. You can get it in aluminum or carbon. I have the aluminum. It collapses small enough to be strapped onto a day pack type camera bag. It is strong enough to hold my D7000 with a Sigma 150-500 lens on it. It is great for landscapes where I want to blur the water or in low light. I also use a tripod for about 85 percent of all my landscape shots. It works well for me. Not terribly expensive; but not the cheapest either.
Mar 27, 2014 15:42:55 #
breck
Loc: Derbyshire UK
The best tripod is the one you take with you, so go light weight sturdy carbon, I doubt you will find a better mid cost tripod to beat a Benro, unless you have the budget for a RRS or Gitzo.
You will then need a head Acratech are absolutely brilliant, and easy to clean , light and set the tension up to match your gear weight and you do not need any further adjusting just move the camera into position and shoot.
Again RRS are brilliant to but much more expensive
You will then need a head Acratech are absolutely brilliant, and easy to clean , light and set the tension up to match your gear weight and you do not need any further adjusting just move the camera into position and shoot.
Again RRS are brilliant to but much more expensive
Mar 27, 2014 19:25:42 #
Mar 27, 2014 19:26:36 #
Mar 28, 2014 06:41:46 #
Hi, I just purchased a Benro Carbon Fiber tripod, it came with a ball head, as well as a built in level, The Model C2682T( Check it out on Amazon or B&H Photo), it was expensive, but I bought it for a few reasons, it has stellar reviews on Amazon and its the only carbon fiber tripod, that I know of that can convert to a Monopod, as well as a walking stick as well land folds down to nothing,!! ,If you want to pack it for a trip...and its very light as well, which will be a blessing..!!l, and comes in black, to match your camera.., and comes with a 5 year guarentee, I highly reccomend it!!
Mar 28, 2014 10:44:54 #
Mar 28, 2014 10:57:26 #
amehta
Loc: Boston
B Hollars wrote:
What tripod is best for backcountry photographs? I am using a canon xs with a 400 f/5.6 L. Will be upgrading from the xs a step or two, I do want Quality photos. any advise would be great
Would a monopod serve your needs, or are your exposures longer than 1/15 or so? Does the lens have IS?
Mar 28, 2014 11:06:13 #
Look up Horusbennu tripods on ebay. They make some very nice CF tripods at a good price. I have 2 and I'm very pleased with them. They also can be converted to a monopod.
Mar 28, 2014 16:17:25 #
Mar 28, 2014 18:08:44 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
A good tripd might be a once-in-a-lifetime purchase.... It could meet your needs and never need an "upgrade" (as opposed to a cheap tripod, which usually get replaced frequently when they fail or just don't live up to the task). So I always suggest spending more on a tripod than you may have planned. It might last you forever!
One of my tripods is 30+ years old... A beast of a Bogen (now Manfrotto), all aluminum, big and heavy. It now is a "studio only" tripod. I don't care to carry it around anymore, like I did when I was younger. So I guess the old Bogen only lasted about half my lifetime and I have upgraded for my "field tripods", to carbon fiber which I'm much happier to lug around.
I'm a big fan of Gitzo tripods (who also make Manfrotto, by the way) and currently have three older models... one I bought new about 12 years ago, a Gitzo G1325 fitted with a Kirk BH-1 ballhead, Gitzo G1321 Quick Leveling Platform and a Wimberley Sidekick gimbal. It was pricey. A couple years ago I picked up another used one like it, the leg set already fitted with an accessory leveling platform, for $420 including shipping. I added a $100 full size gimbal head to that one, which largely dedicates it for only big lens use.
Just recently I picked up a third, this time a C1348 already fitted with an accessory Rapid Center Column, used for $340 including shipping. I put a $60 ballhead on it (see below).
The G1325 are three-section leg tripods and the G1348 is four-section. Three section legs are the more stable and I use the G1325s without any center columns, further adding to the stability. Without center columns also allows using h leveling platforms for faster setup, especially helpful with gimbal mounts, but nice as well as for general purpose. With the G1328 I wanted the center column instead, in part to be able to reverse it and use the tripod for low-angle macro work, as well as for general purpose use.
These are all Gitzo "Series 3" Systematic tripods, which actually is way more than you need to accomodate a 3.3 lb. EF 400/5.6L and pretty much any DSLR Canon makes.
If you are interested in a Gitzo I'd suggest you look for a used, older "Series 2" model such as the G1227. This is plenty for your lens and camera. It will be much nicer to hike with and, as part of their Mountaineer series, the G1227 comes with a center column (can be replaced with a flat top if wished, to further reduce weight and increase stability, so long as the three-section legs alone at 55" are tall enough for your purposes... don't forget that the head and camera atop it add another 6" or 7" ). Fit it with a medium size ballhead with an Arca-Swiss style quick release platform (there are many different ones... I just bought a larger Smith Victor BH8 that's surprisingly good for a $60 ballhead, compares much better than expected with the high end Kirk BH-1 I use on my other tripod.)
If you intend to do a lot of wildlife/bird photography with that 400mm, you also might want a gimbal mount to use with it. A standard ballhead can be converted with a Wimberley Sidekick (or similar). Rather than replacing the ballhead completely (and making the tripod pretty much dedicated to only large lens use), this just fits into the ballhead so long as it has a standard Arca-Swiss quick release platform.
The G1227 with a mid-size ballhead should weigh about 5 lbs and supports up to about 17 lbs (probably a bit less, though, depending upon what head is used). This is just a little more than half what my 1325 and 1348 set ups weigh. A Wimberley Sidekick weighs about 1 lb. Quick release plates for your camera and any lenses with tripod mounting ring only add a couple ounces.
For use with an EF 400/5.6L, I wouldn't go with a much lighter tripod than the Gitzo G1227. A lighter alternative would be a good quality monopod, which might double as a hiking pole, but isn't as convenient as a tripod if you are set up in a blind and shooting for a long time.
I don't know if there is a leveling platform (which would replace the center column) available for the G1227... I don't think Gitzo made one, but someone else might. But, those platforms add considerable weight, so might not be something you'd want for hiking anyway. They are nice, though, when using a gimbal mount, allowing faster, accurate leveling or re-leveling. Easier and faster than trying to do so by adjusting the leg lengths.
I've noticed Flashpoint tripods at Adorama (house brand) are close copies of the older Gitzo models. Their F1228 is slightly taller and a little bit heavier than the Gitzo G1227, and with four-section legs, but seems a bargain at $139 new. Their Flashpoint F-2 medium size ballhead with Arca-Swiss QR platform, rated for 11 lbs., sells for under $60. I suspect it's the same manufacturer as the Smith Victor head I recently bought (Chinese, I'm sure... also Meike and Beike brands, among others). I have not used either the Flashpoint tripods or heads personally, but was tempted to try them before I got that good deal on the used G1348.
Note 1: Just for comparison's sake, the current Series 2 Mountaineer Gitzos (GT2531 three-section, GT2541 four-section and GT2541L four-section, extra long) start around $700 new for the leg set with center column. The current Series 3 Systematics like I use sell new for $800-900, plus the accessories (Gitzo leveling platform currently sells for $280, and their Rapid Center Column sells for $286). Both current Series 2 and Series 3 have slightly higher load bearing ratings than the older models (Series 2 are now 26 lbs, vs 17 lbs for the older model). A Kirk BH-1 currently sells for $385. A Wimberley WH-200 full size gimbal head sells for $595 and a Wimberley SK-100 Sidekick is $249.
You can spend a fortune on this stuff! Unless you shop around, settle for some clones and buy used.
Note 2: The $60 Smith Victor full size ballhead I bought recently had a really stiff panning action when it first arrived. I took it apart and replaced the heavy grease in the ball bearings with heavy oil (bicycle chain oil, actually) and it now pans smooth as silk.
There are many other really good tripods on the market. I just know the Gitzo well from using them for many years and am confident recommending them. They've been around for a long time, replacement parts are generally available even for the older models (though I've never broken anything and needed replacements), plus Gitzo and others make a wide range of accessories to fit them. Some folks don't like the "twist grip" leg locks initially, but once you learn to always tighten in order starting with the largest (top) one first, they are easy to use... There's no need to overtighten them, either. And, they don't snag on cuffs, sleeves and branches, the way some other type of leg locking mechanisms do.
Whatever brand you get, for hiking carbon fiber is definitely the way to go. It's lighter weight, yet still as strong and stable as a quality metal tripod. It also doesn't get hot or cold to the touch, the way metal does. And, perhaps most importantly using a long telephoto without Image Stabilization, CF nicely absorbs fine vibrations that tend to "ring" through metal tripods and can cause less than sharp images.
One of my tripods is 30+ years old... A beast of a Bogen (now Manfrotto), all aluminum, big and heavy. It now is a "studio only" tripod. I don't care to carry it around anymore, like I did when I was younger. So I guess the old Bogen only lasted about half my lifetime and I have upgraded for my "field tripods", to carbon fiber which I'm much happier to lug around.
I'm a big fan of Gitzo tripods (who also make Manfrotto, by the way) and currently have three older models... one I bought new about 12 years ago, a Gitzo G1325 fitted with a Kirk BH-1 ballhead, Gitzo G1321 Quick Leveling Platform and a Wimberley Sidekick gimbal. It was pricey. A couple years ago I picked up another used one like it, the leg set already fitted with an accessory leveling platform, for $420 including shipping. I added a $100 full size gimbal head to that one, which largely dedicates it for only big lens use.
Just recently I picked up a third, this time a C1348 already fitted with an accessory Rapid Center Column, used for $340 including shipping. I put a $60 ballhead on it (see below).
The G1325 are three-section leg tripods and the G1348 is four-section. Three section legs are the more stable and I use the G1325s without any center columns, further adding to the stability. Without center columns also allows using h leveling platforms for faster setup, especially helpful with gimbal mounts, but nice as well as for general purpose. With the G1328 I wanted the center column instead, in part to be able to reverse it and use the tripod for low-angle macro work, as well as for general purpose use.
These are all Gitzo "Series 3" Systematic tripods, which actually is way more than you need to accomodate a 3.3 lb. EF 400/5.6L and pretty much any DSLR Canon makes.
If you are interested in a Gitzo I'd suggest you look for a used, older "Series 2" model such as the G1227. This is plenty for your lens and camera. It will be much nicer to hike with and, as part of their Mountaineer series, the G1227 comes with a center column (can be replaced with a flat top if wished, to further reduce weight and increase stability, so long as the three-section legs alone at 55" are tall enough for your purposes... don't forget that the head and camera atop it add another 6" or 7" ). Fit it with a medium size ballhead with an Arca-Swiss style quick release platform (there are many different ones... I just bought a larger Smith Victor BH8 that's surprisingly good for a $60 ballhead, compares much better than expected with the high end Kirk BH-1 I use on my other tripod.)
If you intend to do a lot of wildlife/bird photography with that 400mm, you also might want a gimbal mount to use with it. A standard ballhead can be converted with a Wimberley Sidekick (or similar). Rather than replacing the ballhead completely (and making the tripod pretty much dedicated to only large lens use), this just fits into the ballhead so long as it has a standard Arca-Swiss quick release platform.
The G1227 with a mid-size ballhead should weigh about 5 lbs and supports up to about 17 lbs (probably a bit less, though, depending upon what head is used). This is just a little more than half what my 1325 and 1348 set ups weigh. A Wimberley Sidekick weighs about 1 lb. Quick release plates for your camera and any lenses with tripod mounting ring only add a couple ounces.
For use with an EF 400/5.6L, I wouldn't go with a much lighter tripod than the Gitzo G1227. A lighter alternative would be a good quality monopod, which might double as a hiking pole, but isn't as convenient as a tripod if you are set up in a blind and shooting for a long time.
I don't know if there is a leveling platform (which would replace the center column) available for the G1227... I don't think Gitzo made one, but someone else might. But, those platforms add considerable weight, so might not be something you'd want for hiking anyway. They are nice, though, when using a gimbal mount, allowing faster, accurate leveling or re-leveling. Easier and faster than trying to do so by adjusting the leg lengths.
I've noticed Flashpoint tripods at Adorama (house brand) are close copies of the older Gitzo models. Their F1228 is slightly taller and a little bit heavier than the Gitzo G1227, and with four-section legs, but seems a bargain at $139 new. Their Flashpoint F-2 medium size ballhead with Arca-Swiss QR platform, rated for 11 lbs., sells for under $60. I suspect it's the same manufacturer as the Smith Victor head I recently bought (Chinese, I'm sure... also Meike and Beike brands, among others). I have not used either the Flashpoint tripods or heads personally, but was tempted to try them before I got that good deal on the used G1348.
Note 1: Just for comparison's sake, the current Series 2 Mountaineer Gitzos (GT2531 three-section, GT2541 four-section and GT2541L four-section, extra long) start around $700 new for the leg set with center column. The current Series 3 Systematics like I use sell new for $800-900, plus the accessories (Gitzo leveling platform currently sells for $280, and their Rapid Center Column sells for $286). Both current Series 2 and Series 3 have slightly higher load bearing ratings than the older models (Series 2 are now 26 lbs, vs 17 lbs for the older model). A Kirk BH-1 currently sells for $385. A Wimberley WH-200 full size gimbal head sells for $595 and a Wimberley SK-100 Sidekick is $249.
You can spend a fortune on this stuff! Unless you shop around, settle for some clones and buy used.
Note 2: The $60 Smith Victor full size ballhead I bought recently had a really stiff panning action when it first arrived. I took it apart and replaced the heavy grease in the ball bearings with heavy oil (bicycle chain oil, actually) and it now pans smooth as silk.
There are many other really good tripods on the market. I just know the Gitzo well from using them for many years and am confident recommending them. They've been around for a long time, replacement parts are generally available even for the older models (though I've never broken anything and needed replacements), plus Gitzo and others make a wide range of accessories to fit them. Some folks don't like the "twist grip" leg locks initially, but once you learn to always tighten in order starting with the largest (top) one first, they are easy to use... There's no need to overtighten them, either. And, they don't snag on cuffs, sleeves and branches, the way some other type of leg locking mechanisms do.
Whatever brand you get, for hiking carbon fiber is definitely the way to go. It's lighter weight, yet still as strong and stable as a quality metal tripod. It also doesn't get hot or cold to the touch, the way metal does. And, perhaps most importantly using a long telephoto without Image Stabilization, CF nicely absorbs fine vibrations that tend to "ring" through metal tripods and can cause less than sharp images.
Mar 28, 2014 18:38:59 #
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