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Tripod for R5 and 100-500
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Dec 6, 2021 20:37:14   #
amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
 
Genessi wrote:
I have the Sirui A1005 tripod. I recently bought a Acratech ball head that i really like, However not happy with my Sirui and would like to purchase a carbon fibre tripod. and sell the sirui with its original ball head. I like gene's advice on tripods like the Feisol.
Here is what I am using.. I like to do wildlife but like other genres.
Thank you


The first thing I'd recommend is get a tripod that doesn't rely upon a center column to reach a comfortable height. Center columns compromise stability... the more you have to extend them, the worse. Leg sets without any center column at all are pretty widely available.

Without a center column, the tripod needs to be tall enough to put the camera at a working height comfortable for you. Not so short that you have to stoop over a lot to use it. That will get very tiring, very fast!

Measure your eyeline while standing flat footed. Add one or two inches to that, in case you need to point the lens downward sometimes, which raises the viewfinder eyeport higher than usual. Now when looking for tripod also consider that the head you put on it adds some height. Some accessories such as leveling platforms that go between the head and tripod can add an inch or so, too. Plus the eyeport of the camera's viewfinder is one or two inches above the mounting point. Add it all up and see if any given tripod is at least tall enough for you to use comfortably.

The next thing to consider is the number of leg sections. Fewer is more stable, while a larger number of sections allow the tripod to collapse smaller for storage. You have to balance your needs, but I'd recommend at least 3-section legs for reasonable storage size and no more than 4-section for good stability. Of course the diameter of the legs also plays into this, but may not be information you can get on all tripods. However, since the legs need to nest inside each other, the bottom sections can end up awfully spindly when there are too many sections, making for a less stable tripod.

A common "rating" for tripods is their load capacity. This isn't ideal and is a number assigned by the manufacturers themselves, but is one of the few things we have available to make comparisons on paper. Your camera and lens are not particularly heavy, probably less than 5 lb. But you want weight capacity 4X, 5X, 6X that or more for best stability. Roughly speaking, tripods with 25 to 40 lb. capacity might be called "medium duty", while ones with 40 to 55 lb. I'd call "heavy duty". I'd recommend choosing something within that range, since this effects tripod weight too. Tripods with lower rating will likely be lighter weight, while those with higher rating will be heavier.

So, just using the above general criteria, I went to the B&H Photo website and did a search. They have virtually all brands and models of tripod, plus helpful filters to do searches... but of course you are free to purchase wherever you like. There is no way in this search to limit the number of leg sections. And I DID NOT narrow down the selection by size. There probably are some too short or unnecessarily tall tripods on the list. You'll have to do the math and decide on size yourself, from among the 45 tripod leg sets that showed up using the above criteria.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/products/Tripod-Legs/ci/2636/N/4075788741?sort=PRICE_LOW_TO_HIGH&filters=fct_center-column_7414%3Ano%2Cfct_material_774%3Acarbon-fiber%2Cfct_support-weight_1445%3A30-lb%7C33-lb%7C39-lb%7C40-lb%7C44-lb%7C46-lb%7C50-lb%7C55-lb%7C26-lb

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Dec 7, 2021 09:22:14   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
billnikon wrote:
Wow, fully extended it only goes to 58 inches high, it would be great for the Oompa Loompa, but not for the average photographer.


You could add one of these - https://www.ebay.com/itm/313324245729?hash=item48f39492e1:g:PuoAAOSwqMtdwld8 - for the "average" photographer .......

Where is your recommendation ??
.

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Dec 7, 2021 10:45:01   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
imagemeister wrote:
You could add one of these - https://www.ebay.com/itm/313324245729?hash=item48f39492e1:g:PuoAAOSwqMtdwld8 - for the "average" photographer .......

Where is your recommendation ??
.


Really, now you want to add a center post to bring it high enough for the average photographer. That sucker will be so unsteady with those posts that you would be better off hand holding. I am sure you are aware that adding a center post of at least 4 inches or more defeats the steadiness of any tripod.
Come on man
PS. and to get that 4ft. 10 in. tripod high enough for the average photographer you would need at least a foot or more post, which, in my personal opinion, is not what you want to do.

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Dec 7, 2021 13:56:33   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
billnikon wrote:
Really, now you want to add a center post to bring it high enough for the average photographer. That sucker will be so unsteady with those posts that you would be better off hand holding. I am sure you are aware that adding a center post of at least 4 inches or more defeats the steadiness of any tripod.
Come on man
PS. and to get that 4ft. 10 in. tripod high enough for the average photographer you would need at least a foot or more post, which, in my personal opinion, is not what you want to do.
Really, now you want to add a center post to bring... (show quote)


I am OK with properly used center posts - except for LOW light tele work - Again, SHOW us YOUR recommendation - be sure to mention the price
.

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