Quality lightweight tripod info desired
Oct 12, 2023 12:46:54 #
mwsilvers
Loc: Central New Jersey
NPSlover wrote:
I’m new to the forum… thanks for including me. br... (show quote)
Please define what you mean by "light" and indicate the minimum acceptable height. There are a number of good quality, very light travel tripods that vary in weight from less than 2 lbs to around 3.5 lbs, but most are only around 59 to 62 inches tall.
Oct 12, 2023 14:26:39 #
I purchased a Sirui tripod with head whichstands 6' 4" tall and has 2 arms out of the head. Vertical and Horizontal scanning using each of the arms, plus a built in lighted level on the camera head. The one I have has two different feet. One set is for sand and rough terrain and the other set is for concrete or sand. Comes with a carrying case bag and a 6 year factory warranty. I have the aluminum body and total weight is around 15 pounds.
Oct 12, 2023 14:55:19 #
Think about what you’re really looking for from a tripod. Your needs shooting landscapes are different than wildlife. I shoot a Nikon Z9 with the 180-600 and mostly I shoot handheld. Very occasionally I’ll use a monopod with the Wimberly monogimbal if I want to keep the lens pointed a nest or something for a length of time. What I’m looking for there is support because my shutter seeds are fast enough to not worry about vibration. If I’m shooting longer exposures for landscapes then I use a tripod for stability.
Oct 12, 2023 15:04:58 #
SuperflyTNT wrote:
Think about what you’re really looking for from a ... (show quote)
"Think about what you’re really looking for from a tripod."
When you do that you discover how many tripods you "need"! I have collected several that are vastly different.
Oct 12, 2023 15:44:17 #
NPSlover wrote:
I’m new to the forum… thanks for including me. br... (show quote)
Spectacular shot, and I am sure looking forward to seeing more of your shots
Oct 12, 2023 15:57:51 #
dsnoke
Loc: North Georgia, USA
NPSlover wrote:
I’m new to the forum… thanks for including me. br... (show quote)
I'm only 5 foot 9 inches, so not quite as tall, but here's what I've got: I have a Really Right Stuff big, heavy carbon fiber tripod (TVC-34L) that I use when I don't have to lug it too far. It extents to vover 6 feet 6 inches. That thing will hold any lens/camera combination known to man, but it weighs a bit over 5 pounds. I also have a MeFoto Roadtrip lightweight tripod that weights only a couple of pounds. That think is light weight, but it holds my Nikon D7500 with the Tamron 100-400 lens just fine. I got it because it also collapses to fit in the side pocket of my backpack when I am hiking. Generally speaking, the carbon fiber tripods are lighter than the aluminum versions. As you get to lighter tripods, you tend to have problems with vibration in the wind. Even my big tripod vibrates in a 10 mph breeze if I don't weight it down with my backpack. I also have a monopod, and that's really useful when hiking or just moving around a lot. See seven-oaks.net/dickspics for my work. Cheers
Oct 12, 2023 16:43:21 #
NPSlover wrote:
I’m new to the forum… thanks for including me. br... (show quote)
The default all-around budget tripod is the Slik Pro 700 DX https://www.ebay.com/itm/195524980126 - but can be hard to find now - READ the user comments !
I use and am quite fond of the Bogen/Manfrotto 3221 which means it has 32mm top leg segment and 21mm bottom leg. These tripods are both METAL and substancial and, therefore, somewhat heavy compared to others (carbon fiber).
Your camera/lens combo is relatively small/light so no need for a LARGE heavy duty/expensive tripod. The HEAD may be more important for YOU. Your taller height negates light weight "travel" tripods IMO. For ME, any kind of stable tripod begins with at least a 32mm top leg segment and for a ball head, a 40mm ball.
I like LeoFoto in carbon fiber and also like having a center post like in this used set - https://www.ebay.com/itm/256252964400?hash=item3ba9ddee30:g:b-cAAOSwvCxlJxDK&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAAwKD9yWy%2FT6UwZA5ACWFJjWJWNJM22f%2BcQQztDeuE8ECXvNVL1gKSM9uYLyRY4wEmL0piiHjySlsI0IX2JLDLuVa8wTbjCdFOtUEXcgdDfksvdvl5MOzYQjWbTeeZ45n9UmKv%2BCf4nwxc0gYQZhlrGH5S0hM3vsW%2F%2BNJiH7p4S7WGfzvfKlL31W9hqgz1584L2%2FMhlH4Z4B4KxFRwVJZfhj4bsL8yOFbCzs3f6sLuW9Xzsu00Fi0Ny996Gi261vWHOw%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9LNj9zkYg
And, another good carbon - https://www.ebay.com/itm/256252964400?hash=item3ba9ddee30:g:b-cAAOSwvCxlJxDK&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAAwKD9yWy%2FT6UwZA5ACWFJjWJWNJM22f%2BcQQztDeuE8ECXvNVL1gKSM9uYLyRY4wEmL0piiHjySlsI0IX2JLDLuVa8wTbjCdFOtUEXcgdDfksvdvl5MOzYQjWbTeeZ45n9UmKv%2BCf4nwxc0gYQZhlrGH5S0hM3vsW%2F%2BNJiH7p4S7WGfzvfKlL31W9hqgz1584L2%2FMhlH4Z4B4KxFRwVJZfhj4bsL8yOFbCzs3f6sLuW9Xzsu00Fi0Ny996Gi261vWHOw%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9LNj9zkYg
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Oct 12, 2023 16:50:10 #
Have a look at one of these peak design tripods - aluminium or carbon fibre.
https://www.peakdesign.com/products/travel-tripod
https://www.peakdesign.com/products/travel-tripod
Oct 12, 2023 16:50:12 #
Orphoto wrote:
Landscape and wildlife suggest the need for sturdy, which of course conflicts with light or inexpensive. Do your research as to brand and models that appeal. When you get serious, start looking at used models. Your money goes much further.
Also spend as much time and energy researching various tripod heads, as the legs.
Also spend as much time and energy researching various tripod heads, as the legs.
Oct 12, 2023 16:59:38 #
Look into INDURO carbon fiber pods.The one. I have is a few years old but does everything I need. Love it.
WJH
WJH
Oct 12, 2023 17:57:18 #
[quote=NPSlover]I’m new to the forum… thanks for including me.
Lovely shot. I have two tripod. I have a heavy duty Feisol with a Benro gimbal that I haven't used for a bit - I need to head out to go after some eagle shots. My day-to-day is a carbon fiber tripod by three-legged-thing, a British company. I have the model Brian and I've been very happy with it. I bought it locally, but I know B & H have them.
Here's their website: https://www.3leggedthing.com/
Lovely shot. I have two tripod. I have a heavy duty Feisol with a Benro gimbal that I haven't used for a bit - I need to head out to go after some eagle shots. My day-to-day is a carbon fiber tripod by three-legged-thing, a British company. I have the model Brian and I've been very happy with it. I bought it locally, but I know B & H have them.
Here's their website: https://www.3leggedthing.com/
Oct 12, 2023 21:29:38 #
NPSlover wrote:
I’m new to the forum… thanks for including me. br... (show quote)
You need a solid, carbon tripod. Light weight is not what you are looking for - most tend to be light but not all that stable. Even the expensive ones.
Oct 12, 2023 21:43:25 #
NPSlover wrote:
I’m new to the forum… thanks for including me. br... (show quote)
You need to use The Center Column as a reference: https://thecentercolumn.com
Check the rankings, and you will find several very affordable tripods that rank very high on the list.
I have a number of tripods, but the best one I have is the Gitzo GT2542 Mountaineer. There are cheaper, but I this one has been very good for me.
https://findingrange.com/2015/01/27/gitzo-gt2542-mountaineer-series-2-tripod-review/
Oct 12, 2023 22:06:16 #
NPSlover
Loc: Woodbury Minnesota
“Light weight is not what you are looking for”
Totally understand your point, and mostly agree (though I obviously want to learn, or I wouldn’t have asked). Stability is key… what’s the point of an unstable tripod? That said, if I can shed weight while maintaining stability, that’s a good thing schlepping it around the mountains.
Thanks for the comment; it really brings me back to priorities. You make a very good point.
Totally understand your point, and mostly agree (though I obviously want to learn, or I wouldn’t have asked). Stability is key… what’s the point of an unstable tripod? That said, if I can shed weight while maintaining stability, that’s a good thing schlepping it around the mountains.
Thanks for the comment; it really brings me back to priorities. You make a very good point.
Oct 12, 2023 23:44:38 #
NPSlover
Loc: Woodbury Minnesota
mwsilvers wrote:
Please define what you mean by "light" and indicate the minimum acceptable height. There are a number of good quality, very light travel tripods that vary in weight from less than 2 lbs to around 3.5 lbs, but most are only around 59 to 62 inches tall.
Minimum height? 60 inches? That just a “bend a bit” to look through the viewfinder. But that’s another topic of discussion. Is that minimum reasonable?
As for weight, I’d like to keep it as light as possible while maintaining rigidity? I’ve seem a number of tripods in the high 3 pound range. Are they rigid enough? I don’t really know. Are there lighter tripods that aren’t grossly expensive? I’d like to know about them. I guess if we’re talking about a matter of a few ounces, it really doesn’t matter, but I’d prefer to lug less weight around the mountains when I’m blessed enough to be there.
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