Selene03

Background: I know there are threads on tripods almost everyday on here, but they are mostly about wanting to buy inexpensive tripods or have other considerations and I haven't wanted to hijak the threads with my very specific questions. I currently have a Benro COM39C Series 3 carbon fiber tripod and a used Gitzo GT3531S Systematic 6x carbon fiber tripod. I have been using an acratech GP-s ballhead on the Benro and a Sirui K-40x on the Gitzo. I think they are both supposed to support about 37-39 pounds. My heaviest system is a Canon 5d mk iv or 5dsr with a 100-400L II lens and a 1.4 teleconverter, but I frequently use the tripods with lighter lenses. The Benro has been fine in all conditions including very windy conditions pretty much everywhere. Even though the Gitzo, I think, should be a better tripod, it was hard to control in 30 mph winds in Monument Valley. I mostly shoot landscape, nightscapes, and wildlife with the tripods.

My question: some friends and professional photographers are telling me I should get a tripod like a really right stuff set of legs because it will support more weight. I know Gene on this site has said that the weight is less important than other factors and recommends a Feisol. I am think of going with either one, but not sure if there are any advantages of one over the other or if either will be significantly better than what I have. Either one can be in my budget, and I know I can sell the tripods I have. I like the Benro because it folds up short enough that it is good to travel with. I am really looking for the sturdiest legs I can find around $1000 or so (I can go over--i am just using this as a figure). I got a rrs ballhead for Christmas so I am think of going with rrs legs, but I have been mixing up legs and heads for awhile so if the Feisol is a lot better, I could go with that.

Since I have experienced shakiness with the Gitzo and had a manfrotto that was only good in very little wind, and I know I mostly use tripods in windy conditions, I know I need something that is very good. I have tried to give as much information as I can to get the most help I can get.

Leitz Loc: Solms

Which company's advertising do you like the best? (That's where a good deal of the "advice" has been coming from.)

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

I'm looking for the one that says it's "easy to manage" in 30mph winds. Especially with the hood on.

repleo Loc: Boston

For long exposure nightshots in 30 mph winds with a 400 mm lens plus 1.4 extender I would be looking to bolt it to a big lump of reinforced concrete.

repleo Loc: Boston

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Selene03

You three people are why I never ask serious questions on this site and make it obvious why it is called UGLY hedgehog, as there are so many ugly unhelpful people on here who prefer to make nasty comments rather than try to be helpful. I hope it makes you feel really good. I would say I am pretty done here, except that there are some very talented people who frequent this site who, unlike the two of you, actually try to help people who have serious questions and who I have learned a lot from.

repleo Loc: Boston

I thought as much.

I would be very interested in acquiring a tripod that could reliably meet all of your requirements.

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

If you are looking to get the best performance in your price range, I'd have to say that RRS may very well be the choice. The Feisol is a nice lower cost alternative - a little bit more sturdy than the Series 3 Gitzo. I actually had purchased a Series 3 and returned it - not because it wasn't a great tripod, but because it was not what I needed. And at the time (2007) the Feisol, at $500, provided a sturdier alternative.

I think you will find happiness with the RRS.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

For windy conditions, what you need is a heavy tripod with thick legs. I don't care how expensive a tripod is, what kind of super carbon-polymer-crystal-whatever material it is made of - if it is light weight and the wind is strong, the tripod will get knocked over fairly quickly. That's how physics works.

CO

Your Benro COM39C Series 3 tripod has five leg sections. The Gitzo GT3531S Systematic 6x tripod has four leg sections. I would go for a tripod with three leg sections. Fewer joints and larger diameter lower leg sections are always good.

Won't a 30-mph wind buffet any tripod that has a camera on top?

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

Tripods have two main functions. One, is to resist gravity to keep your camera and lens from crashing to the ground. Even a $60 tripod has the load capacity to accomplish that. The second, more important function is to resist and dampen vibrations. Only the best tripods, made of non-metal legs, can do this. "Physics" indicates that carbon fiber, though light, is extremely good (and better than metal) at dampening vibrations AND strength to handle heavy loads. Thick legs are great. But not at the expense of portability. Who wants to carry a 12 or 16 lb tripod more than a few feet? A solid carbon fiber (with thick legs) will have a load capacity of 60 or more lbs. - easily enough to hang a camera bag from and weigh less that 5 lbs, and often less than 4 lbs. No need to have a heavy tripod at all - as long as you have a solid tripod that has good stability. I will put my 4 lb tripod (load capacity of 66 lbs) against any 16 lb aluminum tripod (like a Bogen 3051 with a 3047 head) any day. If it's windy, I hand my camera bag from it. I have had a Gitzo Studex - (12 lbs) and that Bogen which is now known as a Manfrotto 058B, with a load capacity of 26 lbs - and neither compare to my 4 lb Feisol, or comparable RRS tripod, particularly with high magnification applications, and long lenses - and that is not theoretical - it comes from experience.

Physics is best used to provide better solutions, but you need to understand what really matters - metal tripods do not provide the dampening that carbon (or wood) provides. A heavy metal tripod rarely provides the vibration reduction that carbon offers. And if it is windy, the solution is easy - hang some weight from the hook.

queencitysanta Loc: Charlotte, North Carolina

Mt Shooter's store
https://www.cameracottage.com/tripods
Great tripods at an exceptional price

MikeT9

I have a Gitzo systematic tripod and I’m not sure why people tell you a really right stuff tripod will support more weight. Ok mines a 4 series as opposed to your 3 series but when I extend it to its full weight I can stand under it grab hold of my Wimberley gimbal and hang there. It’s supports all 180lbs of me with no problems. Perhaps when using yours in windy conditions you should suspend a weight under it.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Lighten up...nasty comments?? Some may have found your requirements a little stringent and offered a little humor to demonstrate such and apparently you didn't find it helpful. Just an opinion that did not fit your expectations. The only thing ugly was your response.

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

I shoot with my buddy who is about 4 1/2 foot high, she uses your Canon 5d mk iv or 5dsr with a 100-400L II lens and a 1.4 teleconverter, and she does not use a tripod for birds in flight. She is all of 100 lbs. and has no problems using this combo.
But, if you really want a Good quality tripod, Manfrotto makes GOOD tripods. Benro and Induro make better Good tripods. And you can go up from their if you can afford it.