orguy

WHERE has he written?? Yes, I hope if someone knows (or Gene yourself??) I would greatly appreciate it. I am in the market for a good tripod myself. Thanks in advance, people!

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

The best information about Tripods can be found on the Really Right Stuff site. You don't HAVE to buy a RRS tripod, but they are among the very best. Induro are not bad for their price. your thoughts about leg sections are correct. The RRS heads are outstanding. Best of luck.

Julian Loc: Sarasota, FL

I own the Induro CT-114 Carbon along with the BHD1 ball head and I find it quite adequate for my work. It is light and very steady; however, I never use it with its full 4 section extension. Also, I ordered the short center column (6") which allows you to spread the legs for close to the ground work. For obvious reasons, I never intended to extend the original long column anyway.

forjava Loc: Half Moon Bay, CA

Nikon says, "Use a tripod to reduce blur when photographing static subjects. It should be as sturdy as possible; avoid extending the legs or center column farther than necessary. A large head helps keep the camera steady." http://nps.nikonimaging.com/technical_solutions/d800_d800e_tips/shooting_techniques_static_subjects/

The last sentence was new info to me when I read it last week and not intuitive. Nor was it discussed here.

I have a Manfrotto Jr. geared head; should have bought the bigger one. I reasoned that my load was within the rating of the Jr. product but should have considered stability.

jmlam Loc: Lubbock, Texas

I have used a 4 section, carbon fiber Manfrotto for the past 5 years because it folds small enough and is light enough to pack in a suitcase. While it's not the most stable in a high wind, it works well enough if I hang my camera bag on it. I rarely use the center post.

DerBiermeister Loc: North of Richmond VA

He contacted me -- and accepted my $300 offer.
Meeting tomorrow to close the deal.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Try this as a starting point.... http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-256543-1.html

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

For me, my RSS Tripod is a 4-section because I needed the height to prevent stooping when shooting without using the center column.

lowkick Loc: Connecticut

First, if you are that serious about getting tack sharp images, lock your mirror up when using a tripod. Second, if the earth moves and you have a really solid tripod, the movement will transmit from the ground to the camera. You could put really soft, gum rubber feet on the tripod to dampen the earth's vibrations, but then you would be subject to more sway of the tripod from the wind. In other words, there is no utopia and no perfect answer. The best answer is as rigid a tripod as you can get and then making sure you are using a fast enough shutter speed to compensate for movement you can't control. Center columns on a quality tripod are fine under normal circumstances. Best if it has a hook on the bottom of the column so you can hang a bag with weight on it to further steady the column in windy circumstances. If you have a nor'easter going, adjust your exposure to speed up your shutter. Keep in mind that in high wind, you don't have to extend (or fully extend) the center column.

Unless you want to own and carry multiple tripods, a good unit with a center column that tilts for close up work is probably going to get more use than one without. How many times have you taken a hike and needed a tripod that can battle high winds, versus needing one that could give you the ability to get close-up shots of flowers or small details?

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

I have been following this thread with a lot of interest - mostly because of my experience with lighter "inexpensive" tripods that I have acquired and then discarded/retired and picked up my 25-30 yyr old sturdy metal "monster" that I had purchased at a Camera swap in Oakland ,CA in '92 for $25 - it was originally set up for a movie tripod - I changed the head several time and have settled with this set up- grant you my cameras are probably not as heavy as may of you use - I have Canon Rebels - XT- XTi & T3i with the larges /heaviest lens a kit 100-300. as well as a few film FD lens I use in reversed mode - 24 mm & 50 mm.
In short this old guy makes a very heavy & sturdy setup even more so with a weight hanging on the center pole.

Comments welcomed

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jayd Loc: Central Florida, East coast

Being 6'-8" and old I like my Induro 9X carbon fiber with center column, It allows me to shoot without being bent over all day. (one could forgo the center column and install a 90 degree viewer attachment, and yes the less joints the less possible movement. If getting a pod with the articulating center column be sure to get some weight to prevent the pod, with camera tipping over.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

I like the braced center post ...

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

Yes- this thing is rock solid with my load on it.

:thumbup: :thumbup:

PhotoArtsLA Loc: Boynton Beach

I have a $500 Manfrotto which I generally only use to hang wet jackets. It is not a tripod to trust with a camera. Coffee nerves, utterly and completely, shaking at its own shadow.

I agree with others speaking of Gitzos, but with Gitzo, I am olde school, and will always say: "Gitzo Tele Studex Giant." I plan to pick up a third one, all of 30+ years old, but more stable than anything Manfrotto's designers ever dreamed of. While all Manfrottos will shake just by looking at them, the big Gitzos would need to be rammed by a 60 ton tank, and maybe then, they might wobble for a moment as the tank folded up upon its armor. I have put 100+ pound loads on both of my current Gitzos, which shrug off that load like it was nothing.

While the tank reference may be a slight exaggeration, it is intended to make the point: some things were made really well back in the film days, and their lineage has suffered decline over the years.

Collie lover Loc: St. Louis, MO

I have a Manfroto with a center post and I like it because I can take it off, reverse it so my camera is facing the ground and use it to take pictures of flowers, etc.