PhotoArtsLA Loc: Boynton Beach

My Gitzo Tele Studex Giant (no longer made) outperforms everything made by Manfrotto, carbon fiber or not, and allows a camera to look down on every pro basketball player on the planet, even a freak of nature standing 9 feet tall. The tiny and coffee nervous nature of basically all current tripods is a shame to the craft.

I spent $500+ on a Manfrotto and it is now relegated to coat rack status. I doubt it could hold a 3 ounce point and shoot steady, and it is short, unable to make it to 6 feet.

I snap up Gitzo Tele Studex tripods whenever I find them on Ebay. They came in a couple of height ranges. Keeping a local machinist busy, I have custom 75mm bowl adapters made for these tripods. Ball leveling is needed for the movies.

For stills, I am somewhat intrigued by Really Right Stuff, but they make little tripods... I have an (funny, my family used to own the company) Arkay Camera Stand which weighs a few hundred pounds and is ten feet tall. It's really just for the studio. I've been designing a new generation of camera stand which also holds a Mola strobe light. Two, actually. Having recently acquired a digital Hasselblad, I can say that darn camera is HEAVY next to the film model, and craves solid and fast mount, like the Arkay, or mine. Tripods are useful when you have the time.

My Mod for bowl mount on the Tele Studex

(Download)

HowardPepper Loc: Palm Coast, FL

I purchased a taller tripod, mainly because I have a bad back, and my main camera (Canon EOS 6D) does not have an articulated LCD display. I'm not overly tall (5'8" ), so I seldom need to extend the center column on my tripod, and I don't have to bend over to see the display.

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

I shoot from a seated position, so I never fully extend the legs. however I always keep the camera strap around my neck at all times. with my bad arms and hands, i'm not taking chances with moogoo bucks photo equipment.

ras422 Loc: Virginia

Sometimes you may need to set up on uneven surfaces where having the extra length will help.my suggestion is buy a really good tripod and do not look back. Also worthwhile to read Thom Hogan's tripod article. Rich

Preachdude Loc: Geneva, OH

For mere snapshots, height for comfort may well be the primary consideration. For images that might be considered art -- or at least worthy of enlargements made to impress those beyond family and friends -- comfort is of less importance. On quite a number of occasions I have shot landscapes without extending my tripod's legs at all. A low vantage point reduces unwanted foreground clutter. Another factor is vibration and image sharpness. The higher we rise on a tripod, the less steady is our support, particularly if there is a breeze.

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

:thumbup:

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

As others have said the maximum height must be your eye level, but a bit taller gives the benefit of standing comfortably for those times when you're shooting something above your head. A bit taller also helps when you're shooting on a downward sloop and the camera comes to your eye level even those the camera is below you.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

This is where shorter people have an advantage. Larger tripods cost more and are less steady when fully extended. I don't mind bending over a bit to use a tripod. Steadiness is the most important consideration.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I read most of the comments here and nobody asked the most important question. What gear are you going to be putting on the tripod? The height of a tripod is obvious, you need it to be tall enough for you. But it also needs to be able to support the load of your largest lens and camera body along with any teleconverters or other accessories you have attached, including the head you choose. My largest lens and camera weigh about 13 pounds all together. The gimbal had is slightly over 4 pounds. My tripod suports 39 pounds. I feel this is adequate to support my equipment and give me the stability I want.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Do be aware that due to the light weight carbon fiber tripods may be great for hikers but not the most stable in wind or with heavy equipment. I have a Manfrotto 190 series aluminum tripod but even it is light compared to my old steel Gitzo! And, yes all the 190's are popular, but Manfrotto does make taller ones -- not sure of model number -- that might suit you better.

Peanut_the_cat Loc: Bradenton, Florida

I have a right angle viewfinder attached to the camera viewfinder and that helps me a lot as I have the center colume of my Gitzo tripod removed and a Markins base plate fitted. The right angle finder stops me stooping as much and helps my back.

WayneL Loc: Baltimore Md

The 055 series would fit your height better.

tomc601 Loc: Gilbert, AZ

A reporter once asked Abraham Lincoln "how long should a man's legs be?" Abe's reply, "long enough to reach the ground."

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

My parameters for a decent tripod are:
1.At least 60 inches high to the head mounting platform with legs fully extended.
2.Legs are a maximum of 3 sections.
3.Have a stout center column that can extend at least to the top of your head and that is cross braced to the legs at the bottom. This height is especially useful for birds in flight and in trees.
4.I like the Manfro 475b

Effate Loc: El Dorado Hills, Ca.

If you can buy the best now you will be able to cover all of your current and future needs. Ask most and they will tell you they ultimately spend more for less by outgrowing and upgrading. A tripod like my Really Right Stuff 34L wit a BH55L ball head will go as low as I want and is tall enough (I'm 6' tall) to as others have stated to point skyward, extend lower leg on a downhill perch and rated at 50# all with out a center column. The weight and dampening characteristics are excellent.