how essential is a center column

Changeling1 · May 29, 2006

game said:
hi,
I am in the run for a new tripod as some may have seen in 'the older gitzo topic'
I was wondering in this light, how important do you guys consider a center column, wether it's geared or not.
Is a column less tripod any good? I can imagine the adjusting can me quite a pain when one has to adjust all three legs all the time.

I am curious about this. Thanks!

game

The non-geared columns like the Berlebach tripods need to be handled very carefully when a (heavier) camera is mounted. Berlebach's "adjustable ball column" is an interesting idea but if you're not careful and don't have a good grip on the camera the column can slip and your fingers can get viciously pinched. The camera could end up on the ground as well. A geared column is much better and safer but may be best limited to use with 35 mm and MF - if you want the highest level of rock solid support for your camera.

game · May 29, 2006

Well,
You guys certainly made me think a little different. I will be doing LF in the near future. right now it's the pentax 67.
I bought a cremiallere 3 for 35 dollar, which will leave because it is just a tad too light. And had no adjustable leg spreading.
I will buy a studex performence this week. It has a adjustable leg spreading angle. And is heavier off course.

but a reason for this topic is the fact that someone offerd me a F O B A ALFAEE for 100 dollar. only without column.
The tripod is in great shape and very expensive new. Only I was doubting because it lacked the column.
Maybe I should buy it. What do you think?

game

kswatapug · May 30, 2006

I personally can't stand the twist locks on Gitzos. After having owned two, I find them great for the studio, but too easily fouled in the field, too slow to work with, never could get them tight enough, etc. etc. I am much happier with a cam lock system like that of the Bogen, even with the occasional pinch of my hand from the locks. I can set my Bogen up and break it down in less than ten seconds. I think the best I could ever do with a Gitzo was a couple of minutes, and even then I wasn't sure it was going to stay up. Just my two cents. The Gitzo may be fine for your purposes.

naturephoto1 · May 30, 2006

I have removed the long columns from my 3 Gitzo Carbon Fiber tripods and substituted the short columns for the long columns. Additionally, my Ries H100 also has no center column.

kswatapug said:
I personally can't stand the twist locks on Gitzos. After having owned two, I find them great for the studio, but too easily fouled in the field, too slow to work with, never could get them tight enough, etc. etc. I am much happier with a cam lock system like that of the Bogen, even with the occasional pinch of my hand from the locks. I can set my Bogen up and break it down in less than ten seconds. I think the best I could ever do with a Gitzo was a couple of minutes, and even then I wasn't sure it was going to stay up. Just my two cents. The Gitzo may be fine for your purposes.

You may find the Gitzos a little slow to tighten. But, you may have over tightened the twist locks of the Gitzo tripods. Most photographers do. Additionally, the new Gitzos in the 6X Carbon Fiber series have new locks which are easier to turn, release, and lock. Additionally the new tripod legs no longer turn as they telescope in length. In addition, the new feet are easily unscrewed and replaced with spikes.

Rich

Marco Gilardetti · May 30, 2006

game said:
but a reason for this topic is the fact that someone offerd me a F O B A ALFAEE for 100 dollar. only without column.
The tripod is in great shape and very expensive new. Only I was doubting because it lacked the column.
Maybe I should buy it. What do you think?

game

Well, is it ALFEA or ALFAE? Those are two different models, AFAIK.

FrankB · May 30, 2006

I have a Manfrotto 055 ProB and rarely use the centre-column for normal shooting, but...

There are times when I want to get the camera positioned unusually i.e. off to one side of the tripod, really close to the ground, etc. If I really can't achieve this in any other way then I'll either invert the centre column or (more often) set it at right angles. For this versatility, I wouldn't be without it.

I almost never use it to add or control height.

knutb · May 30, 2006

Like FrankB, I also have a Manfrotto 055 ProB, and agree that the centre column is very useful for getting really low - in such cases I set it horizontally. But I always keep the ballhead as close to the tripod as possible, ie. extend the column as little as possible. At full length it's totally useless. Consequently, I have cut column to about 1/3 of the original length, which makes it easier to handle, and also saves a few grams of weight.

FrankB · May 30, 2006

Good point, knutb. Also worth mentioning that this technique can destabilise the tripod by moving the centre of gravity off to one side. If you're not careful you can end up with a lens in the mud!

I haven't shortened the centre column though. When it's horizontal I try and use it as close to the 'pod as possible, but if I absolutely can't get the shot any other way I reckon it's worth a frame or two at full stretch on the off-chance I get lucky (it happens from time to time). I try not to think about the extra weight...!

game · May 30, 2006

thanks for the posts guys.

a few things. I think I can get low enough by setting legs @ maximum angle. the lack of a center column will allow the tripod to go even lower than I am used to.
I also noticed a lot of people mantioning the weight loss a column lkess tripod will give. But isn't weight what you need? Don;t get my wrong. I would not mind carring less, But weight is essential for stability right...?

Last thing:

The tripod I can buy is a FOBA alfae. (the alfea is in fact the column that comes with it) But I can buy the tripod only, so without the (alfea) column.
Can anyone say wether I should buy the foba? Seems like a top tripod. Only objection was the lack of column, hence this topic.

Like to hear about all this (especially my last point )

thanks SAM

Changeling1 · May 30, 2006

FrankB said:
If you're not careful you can end up with a lens in the mud!

Yes, and when a very costly camera and lens set-up goes mud-surfing suddenly that $1000 Ries Tripod with the double-tilt head doesn't seem all that expensive, or heavy.....

naturephoto1 · May 30, 2006

Sam,

Many of the Gitzo tripods (as well as other makes) include a hook (the new ones with a retractable hook) at the end of the center column (and transferrable to the short column). You can add extra weight to the tripod by hanging a weight such as your camera bag, rocks, etc. This adds weight (mass) to the tripod. It is better to have the weight sitting on the ground but attached to the hook. It is not a good idea however, to allow the weight to swing in the wind since this forms the simple harmonic motion of a pendulum.

Rich

blansky · May 30, 2006

Center columns are great when photographing people. As someone said it's handy for small adjustments but when photographing people, the less time that you're mucking around with equipment and fussing with the legs of tripods the better off you are.

The subject should be the center of your attention and not your toys.

Michael

colrehogan · May 30, 2006

This is a timely thread as I'm considering a purchase of a Gitzo tripod soon for use with my LF cameras. I currently use a Manfrotto 475 with geared column (it weighs about 9 lbs by itself).

Lee Shively · May 30, 2006

I have a Manfrotto-made Bogen 3021 with a center column and a Gitzo 1340 (I think) with no center column. The Bogen tripod is a little short for me so I adjust the center column about 3-4 inches to have the camera at a comfortable eyelevel. The Gitzo extends well above my eye level and I don't miss the center column at all. In fact, the Gitzo flattens out to ground level conveniently while the Bogen center column doesn't allow this.

I've owned a Bogen with a crank adjustable center column. It was wonderfully adjustable but it was big and heavy, heavy, heavy.

I like the Gitzo w/o center column better but that's what works best for me.

how essential is a center column

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