Tripod Recommendations
Jul 8, 2020 11:17:58 #
Minitman
Loc: Centreville, Virginia
With advancing age related issues, I find I can no longer lug my super sturdy Bogen tripod along (I got it to shoot 4x5 which I no longer do). From what I've read, carbon fiber seems to be the way to go, but I'm having a hard time sorting through the options and local camera stores have a very limited selection - also can't afford the Gitzo prices I've seen.
I want to shoot primarily nature including birds (Nikon d750 with 80 - 400 Nikon lens). So is a "regular" (2 DoF) ball head sufficient?
Appreciate your input
Dave
I want to shoot primarily nature including birds (Nikon d750 with 80 - 400 Nikon lens). So is a "regular" (2 DoF) ball head sufficient?
Appreciate your input
Dave
Jul 8, 2020 11:22:49 #
The top-line tripods are virtually indestructible, even if they show some cosmetic wear. If you found a Gitzo model you like, see if you can find one cheaper on ebay. Consider too a model that lets you swap the head, where maybe a RRS ball head is a better choice on Gitzo legs.
Jul 8, 2020 11:38:48 #
Check the prices on Feisol and Suri. Both are excellent quality and reasonably priced compared to Gitzo etc. Both offer good prices on ball heads etc. I have had a Feisol tripod for a few years and am very pleased with it.
Jul 8, 2020 13:14:07 #
I bought my tripod from Amazon for about $70 bucks. It is very sturdy and has a ball head on it which I really like. Brand is Phopik. Geekoto also has some nice ones that are basically the same. All with ball heads and between $65-120. So far I am very happy with the quality as well. I have a D3300 so not super heavy but they are ready to hold up to like 17lbs. So I think a heavier body camera with a decent lens would still be plenty stable.
Edit: also it is pretty lightweight but not so light that it feels unstable.
Edit: also it is pretty lightweight but not so light that it feels unstable.
Jul 8, 2020 13:16:05 #
An RRS TVC-44 with RRS BH-55 or Wimberley WH-200 all work well. Pricey but will last.
Jul 8, 2020 13:33:13 #
DaveO wrote:
An RRS TVC-44 with RRS BH-55 or Wimberley WH-200 all work well. Pricey but will last.
For our OP, here's an example of where you might find options in used / older models. I have the TVC-24L Versa Series 2, now just over 7-years old from my notes. It looks like RRS has advanced to a series 4. I don't know what the technical differences are, but you can see the newer versions are more expensive. I've been happy with the slightly smaller BH-40 head vs the top-line BH-55. Back in the same summer of 2013, I also found a G1352 MkII Carbon Fiber Professional on ebay for 1/3 the price of the RRS tripod. The RRS is the better design, but not 3x better as reflected in the new RRS price vs the used Gitzo model.
No matter what you go with, seek the make this the 'final' purchase for a tripod accounting for all future / potential needs. Don't make it a need for a second / third / more purchase to get the tripod that addresses your lifetime of camera / lens needs.
Jul 8, 2020 13:49:27 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
For our OP, here's an example of where you might f... (show quote)
I believe the BH-40 would have been adequate, but I don't care to do anymore guessing. Dollar for dollar, my Feisol CT-3372 is hard to beat, but I knew I was going to be shooting some large lenses and again, repeat purchases are tiresome so I bit the bullet. Shooting along river banks and such, I enjoy the longer legs as well and the leveling base was a nice addition. I'm covered!
Jul 8, 2020 14:13:36 #
DaveO wrote:
I believe the BH-40 would have been adequate, but I don't care to do anymore guessing. Dollar for dollar, my Feisol CT-3372 is hard to beat, but I knew I was going to be shooting some large lenses and again, repeat purchases are tiresome so I bit the bullet. Shooting along river banks and such, I enjoy the longer legs as well and the leveling base was a nice addition. I'm covered!
I too think taller is better (within reason). I've been happy with the TVC-24L and G1352-II tripods where the ballhead sets the camera slightly above my 6-foot eye level so I can shoot overhead with the legs fully extended without having to stoop to see into the view finder. These model's also let me stand uphill on a sloop and / or a low wall and raise the camera to / nearly to eye-level. If our OP envisions similar usage, they should look for heights that reach their eyes, before adding the additional height via the ballhead. They should look too at how flat / low the tripod will reach. I do a lot shooting with the fanny on the ground, where these two models let me splay-out the legs to lower the camera to my low position.
Jul 8, 2020 15:01:45 #
CHG_CANON wrote:
I too think taller is better (within reason). I've... (show quote)
Quick releases are nice for swapping heads or making the unit shorter for vehicle storage and breakout.
I sit or get in any position I want...no big deal.Getting up is quite difficult.
Jul 8, 2020 15:20:47 #
Jul 8, 2020 16:57:59 #
A ballhead by itself is not a good solution for a heavy lens like your 80-400mm. You'll be fighting with it all the time as you pan and tilt.
Markins has an ingenious system that converts their Q10i and Q20i ballheads into a pan/tilt head. Their BV-12 and BV-22 pan/tilt attachments can be mounted in about 15 seconds. I rented the system once. It works extremely well.
I use a Jobu Jr.3 gimbal head on my Manfrotto 055 carbon fiber tripod. The gimbal head weighs only 1.5 lbs. but can support up to 12 lbs. It has precision needle bearings and a thrust bearing in the tilt axis with finely adjustable friction. They designed a bushing for the panning axis that supplies friction for smooth panning.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/682023-REG/Jobu_Design_BWG_J3K_BWG_J3K_Jobu_Jr_3_Gimbal.html
Markins has an ingenious system that converts their Q10i and Q20i ballheads into a pan/tilt head. Their BV-12 and BV-22 pan/tilt attachments can be mounted in about 15 seconds. I rented the system once. It works extremely well.
I use a Jobu Jr.3 gimbal head on my Manfrotto 055 carbon fiber tripod. The gimbal head weighs only 1.5 lbs. but can support up to 12 lbs. It has precision needle bearings and a thrust bearing in the tilt axis with finely adjustable friction. They designed a bushing for the panning axis that supplies friction for smooth panning.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/682023-REG/Jobu_Design_BWG_J3K_BWG_J3K_Jobu_Jr_3_Gimbal.html
Jul 8, 2020 17:12:39 #
I began with a heavyweight tripod, which I still use around the house, but for hiking, have had good results with my Manfrotto 190CXPRO4 carbon fiber tripod. You can see it here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015MHY6K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Jul 9, 2020 06:41:10 #
Minitman wrote:
With advancing age related issues, I find I can no... (show quote)
What is your budget for tripod and head?
Jul 9, 2020 06:42:42 #
CO wrote:
A ballhead by itself is not a good solution for a ... (show quote)
The Markins solution is awesome! Thanks for posting this.
Jul 9, 2020 06:45:38 #
Dave, I recently sat in on a webinar from a professional wildlife photographer. They were recommending a Fotopro E-9 tripod, it includes a carbon fiber tripod, gimbal head with pan bar. Check it out here. Gary http://www.fotoprousa.com/
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