tripod suggestions

Rinthe

Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2009
Messages
220
Location
California
Format
Medium Format
so i've been doing photography for a few months now. I have 2 cameras, canon ae-1 and hasselblad 500c/m. I think it's time to invest in a tripod. I'm don't want a tripod that's super heavy, i will be carrying it around a bit. I am new and i don't know anything about tripods. any information on tripods are welcome. please post your suggestions, thank you.
 

RalphLambrecht

Subscriber
Joined
Sep 19, 2003
Messages
14,656
Location
K,Germany
Format
Medium Format

A good tripod is an important piece of camera gear. I have not taken a picture without a tripod for years (landscape and studio). Everybody has their favorites but why don't you buy what the pros use. In some countries, Manfrotto is sold through and as Bogen.

http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/manfrotto
 

Vincent Brady

Member
Joined
Mar 4, 2008
Messages
2,079
Location
Co. Kildare
Format
35mm
Weight is a most important factor, there's nothing as bad as finding that the tripod a burden. Manfrotto do make a full range including one for trekking.
 

Q.G.

Member
Joined
Jul 23, 2007
Messages
5,535
Location
Netherlands
Format
Medium Format
Weight is not just a burden, but also the thing that makes a tripod work.
So you must always find a compromise between how much weight you want to haul around and how much weight you need to make your tripod work.

I'm afraid you'll always find that you need a tripod that's heavier than you would like...
Tripos weighing in below 2.5 - 3 kg are not of great use. They usually aren't constructed well (very thin legs) either. Really stable tripods weigh 1 - 2 kg more.
 

RalphLambrecht

Subscriber
Joined
Sep 19, 2003
Messages
14,656
Location
K,Germany
Format
Medium Format
TEX said:
Weight is a most important factor, there's nothing as bad as finding that the tripod a burden. Manfrotto do make a full range including one for trekking.
Click to expand...

Q.G. is right. A light tripod may be easier to carry, but a heavy tripod is a more rigid camera support. Most Manfrotto tripods have a male thread at the bottom of the column. This allows to attach a rubber foot strap to it, which you can step into and pull it all the way to the ground. This puts a load onto the tripod similar to gravity, but it does not weigh much. This, in combination with a carbon-fiber tripod, is not a bad compromise if weight is an issue. For the studio, and whenever I don't have to carry it too far, I prefer a heavy tripod.
 

Trond

Subscriber
Joined
Jul 21, 2004
Messages
854
Location
Harestua, Norway
Format
Multi Format
Perhaps a tripod in the Manfrotto 055 line is suitable? I use a 055XPROB and a 029 head and it works well with medium format cameras such as Hasselblad or Bronica. I use it with a Bronica S2A, which is both larger and heavier compared to a Hasselblad.

Trond
 

jovo

Membership Council
Subscriber
Joined
Feb 8, 2004
Messages
4,120
Location
Jacksonville
Format
Multi Format
Bogen/Manfrotto makes very fine tripods and heads. And they offer a large variety from which to choose including aluminum or carbon fiber. I have several of the aluminum 'pods, and they're just fine.

But...I've become an even bigger fan of my Feisol 3301 carbon fiber tripod than of my Bogen/Manfrottos. It's light, very sturdy, high enough without a center column, and is part of a line of tripods that should meet most anyone's needs. I use a P67, and Shen Hao 4x5 camera with it exchanging a ball head for the Pentax with a geared Manfrotto 410 head for the Shen.

Besides, the US importer is an APUG sponsor, and is absolutely first rate to deal with. Here's a link:

http://reallybigcameras.com/Feisol/Feisol
 

Ian Grant

Subscriber
Joined
Aug 2, 2004
Messages
23,266
Location
West Midland
Format
Multi Format
Go for a tripod that's practical, I have quite a few Manfrotto, Slik etc as well as a very heavy duty one that would atke a broadcast TV camera or 35mm Cine camera, but I've just bought a small Slik Sprint Pro 2 (II) GM Tripod because it's far more portable and will fit inside my backpack.

While the Slik Sprint is marketed as a Digital tripod it will carry up to 63lbs/28kg, and is remarkably well made, I've never liked ball heads before but this one is excellent, Calumet are selling what looks like exactly the same tripod under their own name with a three way head. It easily carries my TLR's as well as my 5x4 cameras, perhaps there's a very slight sacrifice in rigidity but with leaf shutters there's no loss of sharpness and the increased portability is important as I often have to carry a tripod & camera's all day while travelling.

Ian
 

Suffolkbear

Member
Joined
Dec 26, 2009
Messages
3
Location
Suffolk, Eng
Format
35mm
The secret of a light tripod for trekking is to gather rocks as you walk. A plastic shopping carrier bag attached to the middle of the tripod will give stability when filled with rocks and when you have finished, tip them out and take the bag home.
 

RalphLambrecht

Subscriber
Joined
Sep 19, 2003
Messages
14,656
Location
K,Germany
Format
Medium Format
Suffolkbear said:
The secret of a light tripod for trekking is to gather rocks as you walk. A plastic shopping carrier bag attached to the middle of the tripod will give stability when filled with rocks and when you have finished, tip them out and take the bag home.
Click to expand...

I prefer the rubber strap. No need to get your hands dirty, puts more load on the tripod, and it even works if no rocks are around.
 

ann

Subscriber
Joined
Sep 10, 2002
Messages
3,336
Format
35mm
quite a few people talk about wanting a cheap, stable , light weight tripod. Pick two options, but you can't have all three

these days carbon fiber tripods are made by several companies for a lot less money than gitzo.
Also, a good tripod should last your life time if not used for driving nails, etc. so think long term rather than cheap now, as you will pay later when it has to be replaced.

i bought a new monopod recently to take on a trip as it would fit in my luggage as those that i have now are too long. It is made by vanguard and have been very happy with it; they also make tripods so you might want to check it out along with the manofrottos or gitzo.
 
OP
OP

Rinthe

Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2009
Messages
220
Location
California
Format
Medium Format
thank you everyone for the information. I'm looking at the 3 Manfrotto tripods, the weight is all fine for me, 1.7, 1.8, 1.34, but i can't decide which one to get. as for heads, i'm leaning towards the ballhead. what do you guys think?

i went over to bhphoto, and looked up manfrontto tripods, and they had a bigger selection. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?ci=2636&N=4291756643+4291348219&Ns=p_OVER_ALL_RATE|1

what do you think of the 055XPROB?
 
Last edited by a moderator:

fotch

Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2005
Messages
4,774
Location
SE WI- USA
Format
Multi Format
RalphLambrecht said:
I prefer the rubber strap. No need to get your hands dirty, puts more load on the tripod, and it even works if no rocks are around.
Click to expand...

I like your idea, however, if its windy and you move about, you lose the stability that rocks would provide. Maybe having both options would be a good idea.
 

Q.G.

Member
Joined
Jul 23, 2007
Messages
5,535
Location
Netherlands
Format
Medium Format
fotch said:
I like your idea, however, if its windy and you move about, you lose the stability that rocks would provide. Maybe having both options would be a good idea.
Click to expand...

A bag filled with rocks swinging below the tripod will then also be blown about, wouldn't it?
 

jovo

Membership Council
Subscriber
Joined
Feb 8, 2004
Messages
4,120
Location
Jacksonville
Format
Multi Format
Q.G. said:
A bag filled with rocks swinging below the tripod will then also be blown about, wouldn't it?
Click to expand...

If the wind is that strong, forget the photography, and go have a beer till the weather gets a bit calmer.
 

2F/2F

Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2008
Messages
8,031
Location
Los Angeles,
Format
Multi Format

Somebody please put this post into an F.A.Q. on this Website.....
 

2F/2F

Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2008
Messages
8,031
Location
Los Angeles,
Format
Multi Format
Ian Grant said:
Wind tends to gust so you just wait for a slight lull, get your great image , then go celebrate by having a beer

Ian
Click to expand...

I disagree. You should have already drunk your many beers by the time you are photographing.
 

Edwardv

Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2005
Messages
396
Format
Medium Format
I use a carbon fiber Gitzo 6X GT 3541 with an Acratech ballhead for all my outdoor work. The combination of both items supports my medium format and heavy lenses without any problems, except when it comes to wind.
 

Trond

Subscriber
Joined
Jul 21, 2004
Messages
854
Location
Harestua, Norway
Format
Multi Format
Rinthe said:
what do you think of the 055XPROB?
Click to expand...

Well, the 055XPROB works for me. It weighs 2.4 kg plus the head. The column isn't as stable as one could wish when in the horizontal position, but it has worked out OK when I've had the need to use that feature. All in all, as a support for a medium format camera, it works very well.

Trond
 

Q.G.

Member
Joined
Jul 23, 2007
Messages
5,535
Location
Netherlands
Format
Medium Format
The 55. And of those, the aluminium one (also the cheapest of the two).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…