I'm thinking of investing in a tripod for landscape and wildlife photography, particularly for my upcoming trip to South Africa. I don't know what to look for in a tripod but I do know that I want something that is compact and lightweight. It has to fit in my luggage and I could be carrying it for miles on my backpack. What do y'all use, what do you like about it, what don't you like?
tripod recommendations needed
- Thread starter Tugela
- Start date
Gitzo carbon fiber + quick release ball head…. done!
It's looks like Gitzo has a $150 rebate through Dec.
It's looks like Gitzo has a $150 rebate through Dec.
I have had a Manfrotto 190CX3 carbon fiber tripod with a 322RC2 joystick head for years, very happy with the combination (using with a Canon 7D and a variety of lenses, including some long and heavy telephoto ones that really test the load capacity of the head in particular.) Tripod fits no problem in my checked luggage, and can take a beating on trips. The setup is light and very sturdy, and it's hard to beat the joystick head for ease of use and quick positioning, but a lot depends on type and weight of the equipment you will use this with. Anyway, Manfrotto would be my recommendation, their tripods and heads are also relatively well priced among the better quality stuff out there.
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I've used an aluminum Manfrotto with a ball head for around thirty years, not much powder coat left on it but its still going strong. I really have no reason to distrust the carbon fiber tripods but I can't help but feel they would suffer damage from some of the environments I shoot in.
Factor in how much you plan on using it too. A new carbon fiber with head can get pricey. Like Va & Les mentioned there are good aluminum options out there or even used (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/used/...pry-zbiN2cS4iQpr0EfLWttjjUwMKDxzy-BoClKbw_wcB).
I detest using a tripod (unless it's for my pinholes). Personal work I just travel with a cheap tiny aluminum one for just in case where I can't hand hold.
You may want to consider a monopod too. A nice in between if you don't need to lock it down.
I detest using a tripod (unless it's for my pinholes). Personal work I just travel with a cheap tiny aluminum one for just in case where I can't hand hold.
You may want to consider a monopod too. A nice in between if you don't need to lock it down.
I use a tripod maybe 3 times a year outside of the studio, they're not obsolete but they are much less useful than they used to be. Gitzo and manfrotto both make great tripods though
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/digital-killed-my-tripod.htm
I doubt you need a tripod. Just take a look at this picture:
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marupp/9570352147" title="DSC_3982 by Mike Rupp, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5325/9570352147_3dee90f2e4_z.jpg" width="428" height="640" alt="DSC_3982"></a>
It's not the greatest picture by any means, but it shows what a stabilized lens can do in low light. This pic was taken with the Nikon 18-200VR @ ISO140 with a Nikon D200. That's a really old camera with pretty poor high ISO performance. Any current DSLR would blow away this camera and this pic is still sharp. As long as you don't have some sort of tremor which makes you shake uncontrollably, you can take good sharp pics in just about any condition with a stabilized lens.
I doubt you need a tripod. Just take a look at this picture:
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/marupp/9570352147" title="DSC_3982 by Mike Rupp, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5325/9570352147_3dee90f2e4_z.jpg" width="428" height="640" alt="DSC_3982"></a>
It's not the greatest picture by any means, but it shows what a stabilized lens can do in low light. This pic was taken with the Nikon 18-200VR @ ISO140 with a Nikon D200. That's a really old camera with pretty poor high ISO performance. Any current DSLR would blow away this camera and this pic is still sharp. As long as you don't have some sort of tremor which makes you shake uncontrollably, you can take good sharp pics in just about any condition with a stabilized lens.
^exactly. With VR/IS and insane low light performance on newer cameras you rarely need a tripod anymore except for long exposures.
This is why I am looking at a tripod. I have Nikon VR lenses but plan to shoot some landscape and wildlife shots in low light, sunsets, maybe some starlight. I'm satisfied with how my camera performs just holding it, but I can't hold it that still. I'm going to be on the move a lot on this trip and since most of my shooting will be sans tripod I might ditch the idea. I suppose I could get one of those little ones with bendy legs to set up on the truck/a rock, etc.
or go RAM clamp mounts or even a suction cup. super light and small to pack and can be used in tons of different ways.
Take a look at the little Slik I posted above. Only $30 under 3lbs and just over 14'' it fits nice on the side of a back. The little bendy's are nice too but limit where & how you can set the camera.
I need to get a replacement for my own tripod.
Even with image stabilization, I can't hold a camera steady enough to get certain shots, and I also like long exposures. I've got my eye on a few parts, but I'm not sure where to go yet.
I've currently got a Manfrotto, and while it's darn high quality for what I paid, it's not what I need. For now, I kind of work around it. Mind you, this is one of their cheapest "off the rack" packages from Best Buy. It doesn't really even belong in this thread, really.
It holds a camera in the air, though, which is more than can be said for my last tripod.
Given my extensive use of them, though, I need to get something better. I really, really want a good tripod. I've had my eye on a few bits here and there, but I really need to get in a shop and try things out.
Now that I have the option of picking and choosing parts, I need to sit down and really think about certain things.
Cheers,
Kennith
Even with image stabilization, I can't hold a camera steady enough to get certain shots, and I also like long exposures. I've got my eye on a few parts, but I'm not sure where to go yet.
I've currently got a Manfrotto, and while it's darn high quality for what I paid, it's not what I need. For now, I kind of work around it. Mind you, this is one of their cheapest "off the rack" packages from Best Buy. It doesn't really even belong in this thread, really.
It holds a camera in the air, though, which is more than can be said for my last tripod.
Given my extensive use of them, though, I need to get something better. I really, really want a good tripod. I've had my eye on a few bits here and there, but I really need to get in a shop and try things out.
Now that I have the option of picking and choosing parts, I need to sit down and really think about certain things.
Cheers,
Kennith
I have several accessories from these guys: www.kirkphoto.com. Quality stuff right there, and they stand behind it. I stripped a screw after about 4 years of owning a ballhead, they fixed it, no charge no questions.