Some Questions on Pretty Good Quality Tripods (Page 4): Kooool PUN :-) BTW are tying a weight to the center of the tripod ? You won't hafta carry the weight of the weight, depending on...

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Selene03 wrote:

...........
I know there are threads on tripods .......

Kooool PUN :-)

BTW are tying a weight to the center of the
tripod ? You won't hafta carry the weight of
the weight, depending on the environment.
Just use a jug if there's water nearby, or a
cloth sack that will hold rocks, or sand. Or
if your gear bag is heavy, that might do it.
If your wife is with you, use her purse ;-)

.

TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

imagemeister wrote:

.....thick skin a pre-requisite here on UHH

That or the ability to ignore that which is of no importance.

TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

MikeT9 wrote:

I have a Gitzo systematic tripod and I’m not sure why people tell you a really right stuff tripod will support more weight. Ok mines a 4 series as opposed to your 3 series but when I extend it to its full weight I can stand under it grab hold of my Wimberley gimbal and hang there. It’s supports all 180lbs of me with no problems. Perhaps when using yours in windy conditions you should suspend a weight under it.

It would also help to spread the legs wider to give a wider base and lower the center of gravity. And perhaps use spikes instead of rubber feet.

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The cure for vibration is not
mass. The cure is friction ;-)

latebloomer Loc: Topeka, KS

repleo wrote:

I thought as much.

I would be very interested in acquiring a tripod that could reliably meet all of your requirements.

Listen to Gene 51. Do a search and you will find his evidence.

Leitz Loc: Solms

latebloomer wrote:

Listen to Gene 51. Do a search and you will find his evidence.

Or, you can read the advertisements yourself.

cytafex Loc: Clarksburg MA

Selene03 wrote:

Background: I know there are threads on tripods almost everyday on here, but they are mostly about wanting to buy inexpensive tripods or have other considerations and I haven't wanted to hijak the threads with my very specific questions. I currently have a Benro COM39C Series 3 carbon fiber tripod and a used Gitzo GT3531S Systematic 6x carbon fiber tripod. I have been using an acratech GP-s ballhead on the Benro and a Sirui K-40x on the Gitzo. I think they are both supposed to support about 37-39 pounds. My heaviest system is a Canon 5d mk iv or 5dsr with a 100-400L II lens and a 1.4 teleconverter, but I frequently use the tripods with lighter lenses. The Benro has been fine in all conditions including very windy conditions pretty much everywhere. Even though the Gitzo, I think, should be a better tripod, it was hard to control in 30 mph winds in Monument Valley. I mostly shoot landscape, nightscapes, and wildlife with the tripods.

My question: some friends and professional photographers are telling me I should get a tripod like a really right stuff set of legs because it will support more weight. I know Gene on this site has said that the weight is less important than other factors and recommends a Feisol. I am think of going with either one, but not sure if there are any advantages of one over the other or if either will be significantly better than what I have. Either one can be in my budget, and I know I can sell the tripods I have. I like the Benro because it folds up short enough that it is good to travel with. I am really looking for the sturdiest legs I can find around $1000 or so (I can go over--i am just using this as a figure). I got a rrs ballhead for Christmas so I am think of going with rrs legs, but I have been mixing up legs and heads for awhile so if the Feisol is a lot better, I could go with that.

Since I have experienced shakiness with the Gitzo and had a manfrotto that was only good in very little wind, and I know I mostly use tripods in windy conditions, I know I need something that is very good. I have tried to give as much information as I can to get the most help I can get.

Background: I know there are threads on tripods al... (show quote)

Couple of years ago I bought a Sirui W-2204 tripod and Desmond DB-46 head. I was skeptical that this combination just over $300 would be good, but after 2 years use in conditions that would have my Gitzo tripods jammed it has been flawless. I have almost exclusively used Gitzo (have 4 of them from series 3 down) from the mid 70's and they are good, but service from Bogen sucks. I decided to get off the Gitzo bandwagon because they have gotten so expensive and terrible service and took a risk with the Sirui. It's the best tripod in function that I've used and has held up well after 2 river trips in the Grand Canyon as well as 40 day road trip out West this Summer with no jams! I've decided to add another Sirui R-5214XL R5214XL, which is larger. These are the first tripods that fit in the case supplied with heads as the legs pivot 180 degrees. I can release all the locks on one leg with one hand with a twist and the legs extend and then lock with quarter turn and don't slip, even after 20 days on a river trip in the Canyon and with lots of wind.

phlash46 Loc: Westchester County, New York

Selene,
There's really not a lot of difference between Gitzo's and RRS's, model for model. You have a 3 series Gitzo and it's really designed for shorter lenses than you have. Move up to a 4/5 series and hang something heavy on the hook. Sell the 3 series!

Love to see some pictures!

Phlash

aellman Loc: Boston MA

CO wrote:

The company that produces Breakthrough filters has just launched a new company - The Colorado Tripod Company. They will be producing the first Titanium ballheads and tripods with Japanese made carbon fiber. They will start mass production in January. Take a look at their products as well.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/coloradotripod/the-worlds-first-titanium-tripod-system?ref=3wdxsy

Colorado... I heard a rumor that with every tripod purchase
you get a free sample-size packet of marijuana. It comes with a
discount coupon for your inevitable next purchase of the full-size product.

Enjoy your new tripod, and smoke one for me! >>Alan

CO

aellman wrote:

Colorado... I heard a rumor that with every tripod purchase
you get a free sample-size packet of marijuana. It comes with a
discount coupon for your inevitable next purchase of the full-size product.

Enjoy your new tripod, and smoke one for me! >>Alan

That sounds good. I hope the employees at the factory don't start up with the weed. Next thing you know they'll use the hemp fibers from the marijuana plants instead of carbon fiber strands for the tripod legs.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

CO wrote:

That sounds good. I hope the employees at the factory don't start up with the weed. Next thing you know they'll use the hemp fibers from the marijuana plants instead of carbon fiber strands for the tripod legs.

Ha! Very possible.

A. T.

Selene03 wrote:

You three people are why I never ask serious questions on this site and make it obvious why it is called UGLY hedgehog, as there are so many ugly unhelpful people on here who prefer to make nasty comments rather than try to be helpful. I hope it makes you feel really good. I would say I am pretty done here, except that there are some very talented people who frequent this site who, unlike the two of you, actually try to help people who have serious questions and who I have learned a lot from.

Don't leave the forum. Anytime you have a social media site, you're bound to get a hodgepodge of answers. You're right, most of the people on this site are here to help you. Hang on there.

MauiMoto Loc: Hawaii

Try the RRS head on the Gitzo with a little more weight on the hook. The problem may be the head in that kind of wind and also the hood. I kept going up in tripods till I got a series 5 Gitzo, hang 50 lbs from it and it's like a tree stump. Turns out it's above the tripod like the lens collar and I didn't like the Sirui head either, I returned it.