sturdy tripod, easy to clean? I'm looking for a tripod with no center column, that is sturdy enough for a Sigma 60-600, and yet is easy to clean (after using in water or sand). Can...

cosmo54 Loc: Easton, PA but will travel for photos

I'm looking for a tripod with no center column, that is sturdy enough for a Sigma 60-600, and yet is easy to clean (after using in water or sand).

Can someone give me a pointer towards the right direction to look? I'm guessing I should start with Gitzo? Also, I'm almost 6ft tall so no short ones. I'm hoping to get something for less than $600, but maybe that is dreaming?

Thanks in advance for your help.

oregonfrank Loc: Astoria, Oregon

Suggest you look at the series 3 tripods from Really Right Stuff. I’ve had both Gitzo and RRS and prefer the latter.

cosmo54 Loc: Easton, PA but will travel for photos

oregonfrank wrote:

Suggest you look at the series 3 tripods from Really Right Stuff. I’ve had both Gitzo and RRS and prefer the latter.

Thank you! I will

ahudina Loc: Browns Point, WA

cosmo54 wrote:

I'm looking for a tripod with no center column, that is sturdy enough for a Sigma 60-600, and yet is easy to clean (after using in water or sand).

Can someone give me a pointer towards the right direction to look? I'm guessing I should start with Gitzo? Also, I'm almost 6ft tall so no short ones. I'm hoping to get something for less than $600, but maybe that is dreaming?

Thanks in advance for your help.

I’m 6’3” and use a Pro Media Gear TR 344L. It has an optional center column but plenty tall enough without it. Top quality but may push your $600 budget a bit. Don’t know about ease of cleaning.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

cosmo54 wrote:

I'm looking for a tripod with no center column, that is sturdy enough for a Sigma 60-600, and yet is easy to clean (after using in water or sand).

Can someone give me a pointer towards the right direction to look? I'm guessing I should start with Gitzo? Also, I'm almost 6ft tall so no short ones. I'm hoping to get something for less than $600, but maybe that is dreaming?

Thanks in advance for your help.

I have Gitzo's and use a Microfiber towel to clean them frm water or sand.

cosmo54 Loc: Easton, PA but will travel for photos

PixelStan77 wrote:

I have Gitzo's and use a Microfiber towel to clean them frm water or sand.

I've managed to get sand inside my tripod so I think I need to be able to dismantle it to clean it. :-)

User ID

Benbo is not Benro. Benbo ... no “R” in the name ... makes sturdy tripods without a conventional center collumn. Best of all, for your dirt concerns, the legs are built backwards, they telescope in reverse ... largest diameter at the bottom. They’re originally designed for naturalists who frequent wet dirty places.

Benbo isn’t a new thing. Pretty much the same products for decades. They have always been carried by various respected distributors, currently by Paterson who is also long standing, originally known for good darkroom stuff.

pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

cosmo54 wrote:

I'm looking for a tripod with no center column, that is sturdy enough for a Sigma 60-600, and yet is easy to clean (after using in water or sand).

Can someone give me a pointer towards the right direction to look? I'm guessing I should start with Gitzo? Also, I'm almost 6ft tall so no short ones. I'm hoping to get something for less than $600, but maybe that is dreaming?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Gene51 recommended this one to me. It’s light enough for travel and sturdy enough that my 5DIV and 150-600 Sigma Sport are very steady and vibration free when mounted.
The are many places to buy one and I use Amazon because the delivery service is better than most and because of the prices, money back guarantee and convenience .
Feisol ct-3442 tournament rapid carbon fiber tripod can be found here:

https://www.amazon.com/Feisol-Tournament-CT-3442-4-Section-Carbon/dp/B00573NBP6

FreddB Loc: PA - Delaware County

User ID wrote:

Benbo is not Benro. Benbo ... no “R” in the name .... (show quote)

Saw one on Amazon: used, no head, $300

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

cosmo54 wrote:

I've managed to get sand inside my tripod so I think I need to be able to dismantle it to clean it. :-)

I’ve used the RRS TVC-34L for a number of years now, and swear by it. I have used it standing in the middle of rivers in the Narrows in Zion and shooting the Crossings in Sedona, as well as many outing on beaches and the sand dunes in Death Valley. The leg joints are designed so that it is easy to dismantle for cleaning sand and silt, or for cleaning for saltwater. Reassembling is easy as well.

I’m 6’4” and the 34L is an excellent height for me, even when shooting on a downslope. No center column. I shoot off of a tripod 95% of the time, so mine getting heavy and frequent use.

The major drawback to RRS tripods is their price; they are costly. However, their design and quality make them an ideal choice for many. They are built to last and will not need replacement for many years, making them more economically reasonable than their initial price might lead one to believe. I have seen used ones on both eBay and on KEH, but they go fast. Worth a look. From your comments this might be a good investment for you.

cosmo54 Loc: Easton, PA but will travel for photos

Photographer Jim wrote:

I’ve used the RRS TVC-34L for a number of years n... (show quote)

Thank you so much! I will look into this and maybe will get lucky finding a used one.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

cosmo54 wrote:

I'm looking for a tripod with no center column, that is sturdy enough for a Sigma 60-600, and yet is easy to clean (after using in water or sand).

Can someone give me a pointer towards the right direction to look? I'm guessing I should start with Gitzo? Also, I'm almost 6ft tall so no short ones. I'm hoping to get something for less than $600, but maybe that is dreaming?

Thanks in advance for your help.

My best advice would be to get a tripod tall enough for you WITHOUT a center column. Much lighter, much more stable, less cleaning issues, less moving parts to clean.

cosmo54 Loc: Easton, PA but will travel for photos

MT Shooter wrote:

My best advice would be to get a tripod tall enough for you WITHOUT a center column. Much lighter, much more stable, less cleaning issues, less moving parts to clean.

Yep. Thats what I'm thinking

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

cosmo54 wrote:

Yep. Thats what I'm thinking

Keep thinking that way. Got rid of my last center column tripod 6 years ago and have not been happier over that choice.

oregonfrank Loc: Astoria, Oregon

cosmo54 wrote:

Thank you so much! I will look into this and maybe will get lucky finding a used one.

Second the recommendation for the RRS 34L tripod. I have the same even though I am short. When I use it normally only the 2nd section is fully extended, the 3rd partially extended, and the 4th totally collapsed, giving the stiffness of a 3-section tripod. The 34L also comes in handy on steep terrain where one leg needs to be almost fully extended. The 34L fully extended is 68.4”, so would easily be tall enough for you once a ball head and camera were mounted. Frank