Tall Tripods And Trees

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Steve

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If you've read or watched anything I've ever said about tripods, you probably know I prefer longer tripods. At first, this seems a little strange - why use a tripod that's taller than you are, right?

One reason (of many) is when you're shooting a subject in the trees. Instead of putting the camera at the normal hight, set it a bit above your head. When you point it up at the subject, the viewfinder will be right at the right height. Like this:

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Beats the heck out of squatting down when looking up through the tripod (like I see most people do).
(Sadly, sometimes I see them squatting even when they own taller tripods!)
 
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?
 
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?

LOL, I had you covered until you said "break the bank".

That one is a really right stuff 3 series and I think it goes for like $1200 or so. I'm not too familiar with anything that's not a Gitzo or RRS, but hopefully someone else will chime in with a suggestion.
 
If you've read or watched anything I've ever said about tripods, you probably know I prefer longer tripods. At first, this seems a little strange - why use a tripod that's taller than you are, right?

One reason (of many) is when you're shooting a subject in the trees. Instead of putting the camera at the normal hight, set it a bit above your head. When you point it up at the subject, the viewfinder will be right at the right height. Like this:

Beats the heck out of squatting down when looking up through the tripod (like I see most people do).
(Sadly, sometimes I see them squatting even when they own taller tripods!)

Steve, great tip. I've seen the reasoning before about being on a slope with the 3rd leg stretched out downward, but hadn't even thought about the need to look upward. Now I'm interested! 🙃
 
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
 
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I have and love the Really Right Stuff Series 3 3-section CF tripod which costs about $1000. No center column. Max ht 58" Weighs 3.7 lbs
Alternative which I have is the Induro CLT 303 Series 3 CF tripod. Half the cost at $500. Does have a center column but you don't have to extend it. Max ht without extending center column is 58.9" Wt 4.6 lbs. It is a very nice tripod. Generally gets very good reviews. But it is not built as ruggedly as the RRS tripod and may not have as much durability over long term use.
 
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?
Check out the Manfrottos. I am 6'2" and can stand erect as Steve does in his post. It has a center column but is the most stable one I have used. I think it was around $300 but can't remember for sure. Sorry, I do not have the model number at hand.
 
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?
I suggest either Benro or Induro, (same company). I have one of each and I also bought a short center post to replace the long one they came with, that way I can lower the tripod closer to the ground for extreme low shots.
 
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?
Check out the Jobu Design Algonquin. Price will be quoted in $Cdn so that much better in $US. I have had this for over four years now. It is very well engineered and built with excellent materials (combination of aluminum and carbon Fibre) and I expect it to continue to serve me for years to come. https://www.jobu-design.com/Algonquin-Carbon-Tripod_p_122.html
 
When buying a tripod you have to look at it as a long term investment, sure its a huge outlay at first but if it lasts you a lot of years then it suddenly becomes very viable and cheaper than replacing mid range tripods multiple times. I use the the Gitzo 3543LS Systematic 3 Carbon (4 sections) tripod without the centre column. Full height of the tripod is about 57.5" which suits my type of shooting and when fully closed is just 22.4". Easy to hand carry when traveling overseas. Overall weighs 2.03Kgs. Bought for around SGD800 a few years ago.

The stability of this tripod is fantastic, it feels rock solid in high winds on all terrains and doesn't seem to suffer any vibration of movement at all, and that is obviously exactly what you are looking for. I love tripods that don't have a centre column, for me this was one of the main reasons to get a Gitzo, because it makes it so much more rigid. Centre columns by their single pole design can't be stable when extended and I simply never trusted them, They exaggerate vibration and can really damage shots plus they get in the way I find. Once you have used a tripod without one you will simply never go back again. The 3543LS is capable of holding camera kit up to 25 kilos which is vastly more than you will ever use, even with a Pro DSLR and a 400 mm lens for example you are still nowhere near that weight, but it is always good to know it can handle that at least. The tripod itself is near enough faultless and I know it's going to last for ages. The stability can't ever be called into question as the Gitzo's are without doubt the toughest, most stable tripod I have ever used.
 
I primarily photograph landscapes but focus my winter shooting on migratory birds, most often Sandhill Cranes.

I live in hilly southern Indiana and my nice lightweight Gitzo tripod is simply too short. By the time I leveled it on a hillside, I was sitting on the ground. It is getting harder to get up each year (I sold my MGB 5 years ago for a similar reason). I bought a Benro TMA48CXL Extra Long Series 4 Mach3 Carbon Fiber Tripod. It is too heavy for hiking, but works well when shooting from the car. It is solid and extends to about 83 inches. I have never had to fully extend it.

I can now work on improving my posture when shooting!
 
LOL, I had you covered until you said "break the bank".

That one is a really right stuff 3 series and I think it goes for like $1200 or so. I'm not too familiar with anything that's not a Gitzo or RRS, but hopefully someone else will chime in with a suggestion.
I have that same tripod and have not regretted buying, I have an even taller Induro if I need it and it is even more steady than the RRS but it is heavy.
 
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?
If you want a tall tripod, take a look at the Benro Mach3 TMA489CXL. This is the "Long Series" tripod and sells for just over $425. I'm over 6'3" and this will expand to over 6' without extending the center column. Add the head and height of the camera and you are shooting at nearly 6'6" without using the center column. It's substantial as I use it with a large lens, but carbon graphite construction helps a great deal. Check out other Benro tripods. One of them has a leg that unscrews and can be used as a monopod.
 
After trying to photograph egrets and herons nesting high in eucalyptus trees near my house I knew I needed a taller tripod. I was using the RRS TVC-34L that has a working height of 68 inches but it was too long for air travel. I replaced it with the Feisol CT-3472 tripod that collapses down to 20.4 inches and easily fits in the overhead bin on aircraft.

What is unique about the Feisol tripod is the two attachments to use in place of its base plate, which include a $84 leveling base and a $63 center column kit. With the center colomn in place the working height with the center column all the way down is increased by 3 inches for a 61 inch working height. I can raise the center column 6 inches and still have very stable support for my 600mm f/4 lens with the D850 attached and a working height of 67 inches. For air travel I remove the center column and install it (3 set screws) at my destination.

I used to own 6 tripods and now I am down to using only the Feisol CT-3472 for everything. I have kept my quick leveling Gitzo 2531LVL as it has been discontinued so is irreplaceable, though it is too long when fully collapsed to be practical for air travel.
 
Looking to buy a RRS MH-01 Tilt Head for a mono-pod and possibly RRS Quick Release Plates for Gimbal/Tilt Head. Like to get input into pros/cons of 1) Standard Screw-Knob, 2) Standard Lever- Release Clamp, and the 3) Indexing Lever- Release Clamp. I have seen a couple of user comments saying the Screw-Know tends to loosen and the Lever-Release can be accidently tripped - Dont' know what to believe!

Not sure what the difference is between the Indexing and the Standard Lever - Release Clamp. Reads like I could pivot the clamp on the Indexed version to effectively put a RRS "L" bracket on my D500 with a 16-80 to have the body mounted vertically/horizontally, without having to have another perpendicular plate on the base of the camera?

Do the above versions all mount directly to a 1/4" -20, or do they need a Quick Release Plate to attach to? Also, what are your thoughts on using the "NO Quick Release ". Does that one have the ability to screw a camera body directly to it?
 
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Looking to buy a RRS MH-01 Tilt Head for a mono-pod and possibly RRS Quick Release Plates for Gimbal/Tilt Head. Like to get input into pros/cons of 1) Standard Screw-Knob, 2) Standard Lever- Release Clamp, and the 3) Indexing Lever- Release Clamp. I have seen a couple of user comments saying the Screw-Know tends to loosen and the Lever-Release can be accidently tripped - Dont' know what to believe!

Not sure what the difference is between the Indexing and the Standard Lever - Release Clamp. Reads like I could pivot the clamp on the Indexed version to effectively put a RRS "L" bracket on my D500 with a 16-80 to have the body mounted vertically/horizontally, without having to have another perpendicular plate on the base of the camera?

Do the above versions all mount directly to a 1/4" -20, or do they need a Quick Release Plate to attach to? Also, what are your thoughts on using the "NO Quick Release ". Does that one have the ability to screw a camera body directly to it?
Have you looked at the Wimberley MH-100 monopod head I've had one for about a month and love it...smooth as a gimbal and once it's balanced doesn't "flop".
 
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