Tripods?? Just curious if anyone has tried using a Surveyor's Tripod for mounting a Gimbal head for camera work. Though they don't collapse to a small tote size, they appear to be very...

GerryER Loc: Virginia USA

Just curious if anyone has tried using a Surveyor's Tripod for mounting a Gimbal head for camera work. Though they don't collapse to a small tote size, they appear to be very rugged and stable, something I believe you would want for a gimbal head and large telephoto lens/camera. The newer ones are made of aluminum, and a small modification to go from the 5/8-11 mounting thread to a 3/8-16 thread would seem to be trivial, and the cost is way below what a heavy duty "photography tripod" runs. Of course, there is no center-post / adjustment, but from the ones I have looked at, the top-plate height can go to 63 inches, so with a gimbal head, height should not be a problem except for the tallest of individuals.

Comments?

Cany143 Loc: SE Utah

GerryER wrote:

Just curious if anyone has tried using a Surveyor'... (show quote)

Had a wooden 'surveyor's tripod' back during the Pleistocene, when I mostly shot large format. What I mostly remember about it was that it was cumbersome, and that it had three legs. And that I sold it to some rube for more than I'd paid for it.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Cany143 wrote:

Had a wooden 'surveyor's tripod' back during the Pleistocene, when I mostly shot large format. What I mostly remember about it was that it was cumbersome, and that it had three legs. And that I sold it to some rube for more than I'd paid for it.

Very cumbersome tripod. I had one. You had the right idea to sejj it to some rube for more than why you paid.

GerryER Loc: Virginia USA

PixelStan77 wrote:

Very cumbersome tripod. I had one. You had the right idea to see it to some rube for more than why you paid.

The new aluminum and fiberglass Surveyor's Tripods are not near as heavy or cumberson as the old wooden ones. I thought they might be more stable than some of the photo tripods that I have seen advertised. I don't know; that's why I'm asking if anyone has tried one. More stable and much cheaper??

Canisdirus

Carbon fiber is king in regards to weight and stability.
Wood is more stable than aluminum...but weighs more.
Aluminum weighs less than wood...but is less stable.

GerryER Loc: Virginia USA

Canisdirus wrote:

Carbon fiber is king in regards to weight and stability.
Wood is more stable than aluminum...but weighs more.
Aluminum weighs less than wood...but is less stable.

That is all well and good, but we are talking about a tripod and not a "precision instrument." Most of the telescopic-leg tripods are aluminum, the Carbon fiber ones are expensive. The aluminum Surveyor's tripods are much heftier (also heavier, I realize) than the standard tubular tripods, but also cheaper and more stable (stiff), I would think. I was just hoping someone had tried one with their camera setup and could give an opinion on them. Weight, within reason, is not a critical issue with me; I can still carry a reasonable load, even at my age. I am more interested in their performance / stability with, say a 30 lbs. load on them. Guess I'll have to try one myself. They are relatively inexpensive compared to the "heavy-duty" photo versions, so if it doesn't work out, not much lost.

Canisdirus

GerryER wrote:

That is all well and good, but we are talking abou... (show quote)

You still end up at carbon fiber.
My Leofoto LM-324CL is rated up to 55lbs.
It will outperform a wood tripod...and of course aluminum as well.

However, one could actually build their own wooden tripod...

GerryER Loc: Virginia USA

Canisdirus wrote:

You still end up at carbon fiber.
My Leofoto LM-324CL is rated up to 55lbs.
It will outperform a wood tripod...and of course aluminum as well.

However, one could actually build their own wooden tripod...

Not at those prices, I don't! That's a nice tripod, but exactly why I am looking for a less expensive alternative. Also, I doubt the wooden tripod will have the structual stiffness of the structual aluminum one weight-for-weight, so a wooden one will be much heavier to achieve the same stiffness, just a guess.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

I still have 2 wood camera tripods. Don't use them as they are too bulky and the new one are easier to work with.

Canisdirus

GerryER wrote:

Not at those prices, I don't! That's a nice tripod, but exactly why I am looking for a less expensive alternative. Also, I doubt the wooden tripod will have the structual stiffness of the structual aluminum one weight-for-weight, so a wooden one will be much heavier to achieve the same stiffness, just a guess.

Hey, everyone's needs are different. I initially purchased a few 'hobby' tripods, which never delivered the goods. I finally decided to invest in a one time quality purchase.
I'm fairly sure you can find cheaper carbon fiber tripods which can handle the weight you desire.

A QUALITY wooden tripod by comparison is actually more expensive than what I have. On par with my Leofoto carbon at least.
https://www.riestripod.com/product/the-a100-tripod/

Again, I'm sure you can find cheaper wooden tripods that can handle the weight...it all comes down to the quality differences.

If you are going to be lugging the tripod around on a regular basis...a wooden tripod will be less convenient.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

Buy a good tripod and save money. I bought 3 before I spent the money on a good one.

GerryER Loc: Virginia USA

Canisdirus wrote:

Hey, everyone's needs are different. I initially ... (show quote)

That Reis tripod is beautiful. The money is in the head, a mechanical work of art and function, and priced accordingly.

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

GerryER wrote:

Just curious if anyone has tried using a Surveyor'... (show quote)

What you are looking for may be found here:

https://thecentercolumn.com/

Here you will understand, without the mythology surrounding personal favorites, why getting a well-designed carbon tripod stable enough to serve your needs will save you $$$ in the long term. You first need to recognize that long tele at or near minimum focus distance as well as high magnification macro will need a more stable tripod than wide angle through short tele applications.

Mild vibrations are not a problem for surveyor's tripods - and the use is basically hands-off once it is leveled and set up. They are designed for modest loading (30-50 lbs) and NOT designed to dampen vibrations coming from wind or the camera itself. Wooden tripods will offer better damping over aluminum, but they will be heavier and not support the loads that aluminum ones are capable of. While I've seen surveyors tripods used for gigapan use, again this is short focal length low magnification.

Canisdirus

GerryER wrote:

That Reis tripod is beautiful. The money is in the head, a mechanical work of art and function, and priced accordingly.

There is no head included...just a receiving plate.
Notice also that simply changing the wood increases the price by around 200 bucks...you are paying for the wood quality...make no mistake.

If you want the bundle...$1350.00-$1995.00

I can buy three of mine for that price.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

GerryER wrote:

Just curious if anyone has tried using a Surveyor'... (show quote)

I totally agree with you - tho I have not converted one for my own use - but I would if I were looking for the ultimate in stability ! - GO for it and let us know your outcome ! !

Here, you will get a hundred answers about why it is no good and should not do it 8-(
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