Tall Tripods And Trees

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So, aside from height, center columns, and things like that.....what is the better choice Aluminum or Carbon Fiber? Again, looking at travel tripods.
I prefer carbon fiber. It's generally lighter and more resistant to vibration. Plus, it's not quite as hard on the hands in the cold :)
 
62 inches extended... way too short when you are 6’4 lol
I am 6'6". Recently bought a Gitzo 3543 XLS - absolutely love it! Aside from the performance, I don't have to extend the bottom leg at all - adds to stability. The plate is at 61" (with bottom leg still retracted/79" fully extended), so by the time I add the camera on the plate, or add a video head or a gimball, camera is at my eye level. Still have a leg retracted that gives me another 18" of heighth, if I need it. It is great when I am outside, shooting up at a bird (extend bottom leg as needed) and I can stand straight up without bending over. Did look at the LS model, but at full heighth, it just got my camera to eye level on even ground. No ability to go higher for birds/planes in the sky, no ability to leave legs overlapped 2" to add to stability. The XLS is .5# heavier, but it is great - a life time investment! B&H has it priced at $895 and periodically, on their FB ad, they are discounted to $810!

One more thought! I can extend the lower leg half way (+9") and overlap the top leg (-9") and I am still on the heighth I desire. BUT, if there is a need to change my heighth +/- 9", I can, as Steve has suggested, do that by extending (+9") or overlapping the top section (9") very quickly and not having to do anything at the ground level - quick adjustment while looking through view finder! Thanks Steve - works great!
 
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I have had three Gitzo 3 series tripods. One was a major lemon - but another copy of the same tripod was fine.

My current tripod is a Really Right Stuff TVC34L.

Thom Hogan has a very good article on tripods and ballheads that guided my purchase 15 years ago. I have the same ballhead - a RRS BH-55 - and use it today.

Another good site to look at tripods is The Center Column. One concern I had is shorter tripods always rate better than tall tripods, even though for the reasons Steve mentioned, I feel tall tripods have a relative advantage. So I recalculated the scores using adjusted values based on how I view height and weight. Note that not all brands and models are evaluated.
Here is the link to their site: https://thecentercolumn.com/tripod-reviews/

Here is my revised ranking with consideration to vibration, optimum height, and acceptable weight. Any of these would be good choices.
FLM CP38-L4 II
RRS TVC-34L
RRS TVC-24L
Feisol Elite CT-3472 M2
Gitzo GT3533LS Sytematic
RRS TVC-33
Gitzo GT4533LS Systematic
RRS TVC-33S
ProMediaGear TR343L
RRS TVC-23
RRS TFC-33S
Leofoto LN-404C
Thanks Eric, I hadn't seen the center column site, good info.
 
Just wondering,... if you are shooting with something like a Sony a7R4 + 200-600 so that you have both body and lens stabilization, does it really make any/much difference how stable the tripod is? I shoot mostly handheld and I'm thinking a tripod like the Peak Design travel tripod (light and small) should be fine for cases when you want to leave the camera on the subject for an extended time without your arms falling off. I have a nice, heavy, and stable tripod with a heavy gimbal head but it really seems like overkill. Thoughts?
 
I'm relatively new to the Sony system and I haven't seen a way to turn off the IBIS. Also, it seems like there isn't a clear consensus about turning off IS when using a tripod. I've always been of the school that says "do it the easiest way if it isn't clear which is best"... and it is easier to leave it alone (especially since I know I'll forget to turn it back on when handholding again).
 
I'm relatively new to the Sony system and I haven't seen a way to turn off the IBIS. Also, it seems like there isn't a clear consensus about turning off IS when using a tripod. I've always been of the school that says "do it the easiest way if it isn't clear which is best"... and it is easier to leave it alone (especially since I know I'll forget to turn it back on when handholding again).
Well, maybe with Sony it's a bit different. Found this, check it out....
 
Thanks, pfinfante. My conclusion from the video: it isn't worth messing with the IBIS... but, the IS of the lens wasn't addressed. Looks like the best thing for me is to do some testing and see what I get.
 
Looks like a tripod without a center column. I've been looking for a decent tripod for wildlife and somewhat easier to travel with. Any recommendations on a tripod that don't break the bank?
Look at Robus. It is a B&H brand. I bought one and it is just as nice as my RRS for about half the price. Moose Peterson did a short review and really likes it. Great value and 10 year warranty. I have had zero issues with mine for the year I have owned it.
 
Second vote for Leofoto, except I own the leofoto ln-364c.
I have a LEOFOTO LN 404, with a 100mm bowl for leveling....what a great tripod!
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High praise for Feisol carbon fiber. I have a CT-3472 with the leveling base and a Kirk BH-1 head and it has been rock steady. I also have a Feisol monopod with the Wimberly MonoGimbal and equally enjoy using that setup.
 
I had the RRS TVC-34L tripod and it was OK but too long to take on a plane as a carry-on item and needed to be placed diagonally in a hard case if in checked luggage. After one trip with it to Costa Rica I sold it. I replaced it with the much better Feisol CT-3472 tripod and its accessories.

The tripod alone has a working height of 61 inches with any head mounted. But Feisol sells a center column adapter for $63 that replaces the top plate by removing 3 hex set screws. The Feisol center column is extremely rigid and with no elevation of the head I gain 3 inches in working height or a total height of 64" (more with a gimbal head). I can raise the center column by 4 inches for a working height with the gimbal head of 71 inches and it is rock solid with a 600mm f/4 lens and D5 camera attached and legs at full extension.

With the Feisol I have a 22" tripod when collapsed and a 71" tripod out in the field. In seconds I can remove the center column kit and put on the standard base plate or for landscape and video shooting I use the Feisol Leveling Base that sells for $84. For far less than the price of the RRS TVC-34L I get 3 different tripod setups and it includes a great carry case (with RRS and Gitzo all I got was a cardboard box).

I have found nothing better for my needs unless I wanted to spend $9,000 on a Sachtler Video 18 tripod system. But with the Sachtler I would also want a pack animal.
 
I never take a tripod as carry on. My tripod/ball head/gimbal go in checked luggage. My computer and camera bags are carry-on and generally weigh about 30 lbs. Heaven forbid I had to juggle a tripod on board also! ;)

I'm 5'3", 70+ years old and use a TVC-24L Love it! And carry it with me just about everywhere I go, even when shooting my 600mm!
 
I never take a tripod as carry on. My tripod/ball head/gimbal go in checked luggage. My computer and camera bags are carry-on and generally weigh about 30 lbs. Heaven forbid I had to juggle a tripod on board also! ;)

I'm 5'3", 70+ years old and use a TVC-24L Love it! And carry it with me just about everywhere I go, even when shooting my 600mm!
Heading to Costa Rica in March. Am 6’6” and have a Gitzo 3543 XLS that with the Monfranto Fluid Head off is 28” long. How would you pack it safely to be checked? Too long to be in my suit case. Think it is too long for a carryon and I have a 25# SKB and a soft sized attaché for tickets, etc. Monopod is in checked suitcase. Appreciate your recommendations!
 
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Heading to Costa Rica in March. Am 6’6” and have a Gitzo 3643 XLS that with the Monfranto Fluid Head off is 28” long. How would you pack it safely to be checked? Too long to be in my suit case. Think it is too long for a carryon and I have a 25# SKB and a soft sized attaché for tickets, etc. Monopod is in checked suitcase. Appreciate your recommendations!
The 3563 XLS is 28 inches fully retracted. I would pack it without the head in a suitcase. Most likely you will need to pack it diagonally. It it is still too long, your options are to remove the tripod feet to save a little, or possibly the bottom leg sections. You'll need to be careful with the bottom leg sections to be sure you assemble it properly and don't lose or break the sleeves. You might use a rubber band or plastic wrap to secure the sleeves safely. I would pack clothing between the tripod legs to reduce the possibility of excess stress on the joints or hub.

I always travel with my ballhead in a carry on. That may not be practical for a gimbal head, but I would do the same with that if possible. It's a lot easier to borrow or replace a tripod when traveling than a ballhead or gimbal head with custom plates.
 
I am 6’4’’… yes… i have to squat a lot…. And… overall, I have a Sirui carbon… not strong enough, even when too short for me.. with a not-so-heavy lens, it shakes too much for exposures… while desapointed, I hesitate to throw money again for a real good one! And a good and tall enough is also quite heavy… 🙄🙄🙄
 
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