stevetassi

I shoot primarily portraits and am looking for recommendations on a tripod to buy. I shoot a Nikon d750 with battery grip and my largest lens is a Tamron 70-200 f2.8 G2. I’m just over 6 ft tall. I want one good tripod that will last a lifetime. I know that carbon fiber is the way to go but I don’t want to buy one that I’ll be disappointed in but I don’t want to buy too much tripod either. Also, what ball head would you recommend?

Thanks.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

I have a few suggestions. Is your need for a tripod mainly for your portrait work? Will it be used on indoor locations, studio type settings or environmental portraiture out of doors? Let me know if you have a moment. There are specific considerations for tripod usage in portraiture.

stevetassi

Primarily portraits both indoors and outdoors.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

Check online and find what you want and then check your local CRAIGSLIST and then Ebay.

Tripods are plentiful used and most have little wear.

I like BOGEN/MANFROTTO aluminum. Close to CF weight and way less.

As far as specs, be sure it will support your heaviest rig combo plus a bit. Also take the height of your DSLR and add it to the listed height of the tripod WITH THE CENTER COLUMN LOWERED. You want something close to eye level with the center column retracted.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

What's "CF"?

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Great!

There are many high-quality tripods on the market that will easily support the camera and lens combination you have mentioned. I have been successfully using Manfrotto and Gitzo support equipment for years both in metal and carbon-fiber models. There are many other makes that have time-honored good reputations and there will be much suggestion on this thread concerning weight, balance, and various heads- everyone has their favorites.

You mention your height, which is an important factor but the subject's height, pose and position and the type of portrait you are creating at any given time is a very important consideration.

In portraiture, camera position, in relation to the subject's face and body is a vital element. In classical portraiture, for example, in a headshot or head and shoulder portrait, the lens should be about the subject's eye level or perhaps a bit higher. In a 3/4 view, the lens shod be about the subject's chest level- give or take. In a fill-length pose, the lens is about the subject's waist level. Your tripod should be able to accommodate theses positions conveniently without having to make awkward or time-consuming adjustments to the legs during a session, especially if you're doing more that one kind of pose within a sitting. You may need to quickly adjust the camera height to accommodate the subjects head position to get the most flattering angle. If you are photographing children, you may have to work close to the floor- a full-length shot of a 3-year-old kid can require a camera height of fewer than 2 feet. If folks are seated on a posing stool or decorative chair the hight requirements change. So... you need a tripod that will accommodate your height and all the aforementioned positions and that will adjust easily and will be tall enough and short enough for all of these possibilities.

Of course, portraiture is not like fast action sports photography but oftentimes you do have to move quickly to capture the pose and expressions, especially with children. You may want to quickly change the composition or the orientation. You want to consider the leg locking mechanisms- how quickly the can be released and locked, and the elevator columns range and ease of operation.

Again, you are usually not shooting a portrait in rough terrain, in areas where the is significant vibration and are probably are using fast enough shutter speeds or electronic flash so blur due to camera movement is not likely, however, tripod usage allows you to focus and compose and when necessary, your hands are free to direct, converse with subject off camera and hold focus at wide apertures.

Now, here's the surprise. For studio work, my first choice is not a tripod but a CAMERA STAND. It enables the rapid vertical adjustment from the floor right up to the eye level of a standing subject and everywhere in between. The camera mounts on an outrigger that rides up and down a vertical column. A caster base makes for quick lateral and back and forth movement. Of course, theses are not practical for location work and the price of new ones is bizarre! Mine is 40 years old and still ticking. If you are interested, there are probably some decent ones on the used market.

For location work, I like my Gitzo carbon-fiber model. It works well for me as per all the positions I mentioned. I'm not in my studio right now so I'll find out the model number and let you know in the morning.

I prefer a ball or gimble head. I don't to all my portrait in so-called portrait orientation and like to switch quickly to horizontal composition not only for groups but for certain kinds of images that require negative space, etc. Sometimes I might do a slight camera tilt to create a more dynamic line. I like ahead wit a single lever locking mechanism and tension control.

So...when checking out the various makes and models think about the leg spread as to low angles, the minimum and maximum heights for practical operation, and of course the basic load capacity for your camera, lenses, and perhaps other accessories such a compendium lens shades, speedlights, grips,L-brackets, tether cables, etc.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

Carbon Fiber, sorry.

broncomaniac Loc: Lynchburg, VA

I managed to extrapolate your abbreviation just fine. :/

juan_uy Loc: Uruguay

I guess he meant carbon fiber

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Steve, I am currently a Gitzo carbon fiber guy. Stable and quality built.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1328241-REG/gitzo_gt4543lsus_systematic_tripod_ser_4_4s.html

For heads I am a really right stuff BH 55 guy

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1328241-REG/gitzo_gt4543lsus_systematic_tripod_ser_4_4s.html/accessories

Don't know what your budget is. I spent $1300 for you.Stan

CO

I really like my Acratech Nomad ballhead. Their ballheads have a unique open design. The bottom of the ball is open. That prevents dust and debris from building up in the socket. It weighs only 0.9lbs. has a 25lb. capacity which is more than enough. Its light weight makes a difference when you need to carry it for long distances. It has a fluted base that helps to grip it when installing or removing it. This is it on my Manfrotto 055 carbon fiber tripod.

Open design allows dust and debris to clear away from ball instead of getting trapped in socket. It weighs only 0.9lb. but can support up to 25lb. The L-bracket is a Kirk

(Download)

Collhar Loc: New York City.

I would look at good ball heads that support the weight of the camera and your lens selection.

ras422 Loc: Virginia

RRS tvc34l Tripod and BH 55 ball head and never look back

queencitysanta Loc: Charlotte, North Carolina

https://www.cameracottage.com/apps/webstore/ I have 2 of the Nest tripods that I purchased from Carter (MT Shooter) one is over 7 feet the travel works perfectly for this 6'2" man. These tripods I have are rated for 44 pounds.

Good Luck

ggenova64

Sirui, Real Right Stuff and Gitzo.