Tripod Recommendations
Jul 9, 2020 06:50:06 #
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 have a Feisol CT-3472 since 2007, when it was first released. I had returned a Gitzo Series 3 because it was not stable enough - I should have paid more attention to the Gitzo literature where it stated that ideally, a Series 3 is good for a 300mm lens, or up to 400 if you are careful. It certainly was not up to the task of keeping a 500mm lens stable when used with a crop sensor camera. The CT-3472 was more than adequate. I grabbed the 3472 over the 3372 just so that I could have a shorter collapsed length for backpacking and travel. At the time of purchase it was only $500, but I see that they are up to around $600 - which is still a great price for an excellent platform.
Jul 9, 2020 07:00:10 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Minitman wrote:
With advancing age related issues, I find I can no... (show quote)
You just missed many sales on tripods. First, wait for a sale, Gitzo, Benro, Induro all have sales on there tripods.
Second, never, never, did I mention never buy a tripod you have not tried on first. Go to a store and try them on before buying. If you do not you may be disappointed.
Third, aluminum is not that much heavier than carbon, and you can get a much better tripod at a lower price.
My preference in tripods are Induro and Benro, same company, they usually have a better value for the price, but again, wait for a sale and try them on before buying.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=induro%20tripods&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma
Jul 9, 2020 07:23:48 #
Gene51 wrote:
I have a Feisol CT-3472 since 2007, when it was fi... (show quote)
You had spoken about your 3472 and that aided my decision to get the 3372 which I was quite pleased with. I use a tripod four or five times a week for about five months and much less in my off months. I was trying to get every advantage I could with big lenses on a month long visit to Yellowstone, hence the heavier RRS. Was it worth it? Made me happy so who cares! My wife, not so much.
Btw, the BH-55 is great, very positive locking, but normally I use a gimbal.
Jul 9, 2020 08:08:02 #
Minitman wrote:
With advancing age related issues, I find I can no... (show quote)
I agree with CHG_Canon.
I own a Carbon 6X Gitzo series 1 Traveler and Acratech head for 16 years and have used these in my travels from Kenya to Zambia, Patagonia, Europe, Baltic and Emirates. I even used it as my walking stick during the 126 km journey to Santiago de Compostella. It's light, fits in your plane carry on. Your investment is worth your back and your hips/knee joints from orthopedic disaster. Go to Ebay and website for Acratech (Made in America).
Jul 9, 2020 08:15:28 #
cytafex
Loc: Clarksburg MA
I've used Gitzo tripods since 1976 and have several of them, but they always get jammed on river trips to the Grand Canyon. Several years ago I bought a Sirui W 2204 and it works great and several trips in the Canyon and hasn't become jammed once and my glitz's sit in the closet.
Jul 9, 2020 09:51:24 #
Minitman wrote:
With advancing age related issues, I find I can no... (show quote)
You will want carbon fiber legs of at least 32mm top tube diameter - preferably 3 section legs. I am not a big fan of ball heads - but if you decide on one - ball size matters - and I would be recommending 55mm with a minimum of 40mm.
I am assuming you want a good/decent quality for a good/decent price ......https://www.ebay.com/itm/No-Neck-LEOFOTO-LH-55-NN-55mm-Low-Profile-Tripod-Ball-Head-Arca-RRS-Compat-55NN/202823438857?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372
https://www.ebay.com/itm/US-Seller-Leofoto-LS-324C-LH40-282C-Professional-Carbon-Fiber-Tripod-Set/312823187054?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D227672%26meid%3D3f48f0694990459d9102b97f76f30e5b%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dpf%26sd%3D313137844326%26itm%3D312823187054%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv5PairwiseWebWithBBEV2bDemotionZeroArw%26brand%3DLeofoto&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851
Of course, if money is no object there is always Gitzo and RRS .....
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Jul 9, 2020 10:30:22 #
JimBart
Loc: Western Michigan
Never used a tripod before but getting up in age I bought one from the local camera shop a couple years ago. It’s a pro master model 150 I believe with a ball head . One leg also unscrews and can be used as a monopod. Also adapts for the L mounting brackets if you use them
Light enough for me to carry all day let alone support my Nikon 7100 with a Sigma 150-600 plus 1.4 extender attached. I’d be checking it out. Price I think was below 150
Light enough for me to carry all day let alone support my Nikon 7100 with a Sigma 150-600 plus 1.4 extender attached. I’d be checking it out. Price I think was below 150
Jul 9, 2020 10:38:57 #
If RRS and Gitzo are too expensive for you, consider a series 3 carbon fiber tripod from Induro. Feisol and Siri may work for you too as some of my friends use them instead of Gitzo.
The exact model will depend on your height, and if you will be using it standing up or sitting down. Check out the Induro GIT304 Grand Series 3 Stealth Carbon Fiber Tripod. This is a four section leg model. The three section model might work too: Induro GIT303 Grand Series 3 Stealth Carbon Fiber Tripod. The series two might not be robust enough.
For my 500mm f4 and my Nikon bodies with a wimberley gimbal head I use a Induro series four GIT. For your lens you could use a good quality ball head in lieu of a gimbal head.
Get a tripod without a center column.
For your 80-400mm lens, make sure the arca swiss lens plate is long enough to properly balance it as the lens length changes with zooming.
The exact model will depend on your height, and if you will be using it standing up or sitting down. Check out the Induro GIT304 Grand Series 3 Stealth Carbon Fiber Tripod. This is a four section leg model. The three section model might work too: Induro GIT303 Grand Series 3 Stealth Carbon Fiber Tripod. The series two might not be robust enough.
For my 500mm f4 and my Nikon bodies with a wimberley gimbal head I use a Induro series four GIT. For your lens you could use a good quality ball head in lieu of a gimbal head.
Get a tripod without a center column.
For your 80-400mm lens, make sure the arca swiss lens plate is long enough to properly balance it as the lens length changes with zooming.
Jul 9, 2020 10:40:10 #
DavidPine
Loc: Fredericksburg, TX
Minitman wrote:
With advancing age related issues, I find I can no... (show quote)
I recently bought the new Peak Design carbon fiber tripod which only weighs in at about 2.7 pounds. I like it.
Jul 9, 2020 10:47:42 #
gwong1 wrote:
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/
At $1400 and 9 lbs - there are other less costly and lighter alternatives. Especially for an 80-400 lens on a full frame camera. It does look like a pretty awesome support system. But I'd love to know what sherpa rates are these days.
Jul 9, 2020 11:10:41 #
Minitman
Loc: Centreville, Virginia
Gene51 wrote:
What is your budget for tripod and head?
Was hoping for about $500 or so. Looks like that is unrealistic from the responses I've seen
Jul 9, 2020 11:36:01 #
larryepage
Loc: North Texas area
Minitman wrote:
With advancing age related issues, I find I can no... (show quote)
Hi Dave. You don't say exactly what Bogen tripod you have or how you normally carry it around. If you had it for your 4x5 camera, I'm sure that it i pretty substantial. But...as a much lower cost and impact alternative to a whole new tripod (and if you haven't already considered it), you might look at a Manfrotto sling strap for your current tripod. These attach to the threaded hole located sort of between the tops of two of the legs, then have a sort of slip loop arrangement to secure around the ends of the legs. I have used these both with my older big Bogen tripod as well as with my newer one that is smaller and lighter. These straps come in various sizes.
I bought my last one at one of my local camera shops for probably $21 or $22 and find it very helpful in moving my tripod around. It won't get you a lighter and more nimble tripod, but might help you get the one you have to the spot where you need it.
Jul 9, 2020 13:58:33 #
Hard to beat the Tilt-all - mine's aluminum and over 40 years old. "Takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'"
Jul 9, 2020 14:18:19 #
Minitman
Loc: Centreville, Virginia
Thanks Larry. In addition to other issues, I have a couple of herniated discs so a sling for the Bogen isn't really an option - good thought however.
Jul 9, 2020 14:57:37 #
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