Gayle
Member
I have one tripod that suites me well. I would like to get a gimbal head for it, but am also considering getting a monopod.
How many tripods do you own? How many do you need?
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A small collection of tripods from the old days to now
1. Slik Able 300DX very stable, very heavy.
2. Induro Carbon 8X CT 014 w/Manfrotto ball head 494 RC2
3. Canon table top
4. Slik mini pro V
5. Manfrotto MT55XPRO3 w/ Neewer gimbal
6. Induro monopod w/ Sirui ball head.
The only thing I use now is the Black Rapid strap. Move shoot, move shoot.
I keep all that old hardware because maybe, just maybe, I’ll use it again just to slow things down.
If I ever use that gear again, I’ll be in the market for a pack mule. Lol.
1. Slik Able 300DX very stable, very heavy.
2. Induro Carbon 8X CT 014 w/Manfrotto ball head 494 RC2
3. Canon table top
4. Slik mini pro V
5. Manfrotto MT55XPRO3 w/ Neewer gimbal
6. Induro monopod w/ Sirui ball head.
The only thing I use now is the Black Rapid strap. Move shoot, move shoot.
I keep all that old hardware because maybe, just maybe, I’ll use it again just to slow things down.
If I ever use that gear again, I’ll be in the market for a pack mule. Lol.
are youi counting old ones I sold or donated. Currently I have 4 plus 1 for my wife. A 2 and 3 series RRS, small travel RRS and another travel tripod I got from a good fund me campaign
I have two…. a big beefy one (Feisol CT-3372) and a smaller travel one (Artcise CS80C). Both are carbon fiber.
I have two carbon fiber tripods and I seldom use either one anymore as I prefer to shoot hand-held. I'll set the tripod up if I'll be at a site for a long time, say more than half an hour and I know I'm staying there for awhile.
kkwilcox
New member
I own three tripods. An aluminium Manfrotto 055XProB with a Kirk BH1 ball head I bought years ago. This combination replaced earlier and cheaper attempts at a workable tripod/ball head setup. Wanting something a little lighter and easier to set up, I bought a Gitzo Systematic 4 together with a RRS BH55 ball head. This has been a rock solid combination with never any creep no matter the camera & lens combination. I have carried it around the world! I also have a Wimberley Gimbal Head & Sidekick which have come in handy for wildlife photography . This past year, wanting something a bit more convenient for travel, where I wasn't taking a long telephoto, I bought a Gitzo Traveler GT2545T, which has been quite handy & sturdy, much more so than an earlier attempt several years ago trying out a travel tripod.
What a question. I'm not home to count right now, but off the top of my head maybe 7, counting a table top, and JOBY 9. I have been collecting them since the early '90's, and never throw one away or sell one. They have many uses other than holding a camera. I use them to hold backgrounds, perches, feeders etc. Setting up shots in the yard, really helpful when setting up a path the catch BIF's. Easily repositioned, simple height adjustment. and stable. One is dedicated to a trail cam in the back yard.
I own 4 or 5, depending if you consider a Skimmer Ground Pod a tripod or not. While that sounds excessive, I use one tripod over 90% of the time. I have used my Series 5 Gitzo (Gitzo GT5533 (Current version that equates to my older version) with a Really Right Stuff BH55 (RRS BH55 Ballhead) head (for over 20 years now and it still works like it's brand new. It's been a GREAT tripod/head combination. If I'm going to be in saltwater (I live on the gulf coast) I use an old (35+ yrs) Bogen Aluminum tripod with the same BH55 head simply because it's so much easier to clean than my Gitzo. I've drilled holes in the feet so water, sand, mud drains quickly & easily. I have a VERY SMALL tripod (Slik PRO DXShort Tripod) I use in my studio for indoor macro shots that works very nicely and doesn't get in the way. Recently, because I'm getting older, I purchased a small, travel tripod for the times I don't feel like dragging my Gitzo along. I forget which brand it is (it's a cheapo) but it's small & light and will work in a pinch. If I need to get low, I use the Skimmer Ground Pod (Skimmer Ground Pod). The only problem with using it is that I have to get my creaky old ass off the ground after I use it. At 72 years old that's not as easy as it once was!
When it comes to tripods, the BEST item(s) I have discovered and use is the iFootage Quick Release System (iFootage Quick Release System). This system allows you to QUICKLY change out tripod heads with zero hassle. It is ROCK SOLID, very secure, and relatively inexpensive. With it I can switch from my RRS BH-55 head to my Wimberley WH200 in just 3-5 seconds. Yep, 3-5 SECONDS! You can buy it as a set (male/female) or just buy the individual pieces as you need them. I have put the base section (female) on all of my tripods and monopod, and the connecting piece (male) on my BH55, the WH200, and a smaller ballhead I sometimes use for flash units. Doing that cost me maybe a couple hundred bucks, but it allowed me sell a second BH55 head I kept on my old Bogen tripod so I actually made money on the deal. If you find yourself changing out heads, CHECK THIS SYSTEM OUT, It is fantastic!
When it comes to tripods, the BEST item(s) I have discovered and use is the iFootage Quick Release System (iFootage Quick Release System). This system allows you to QUICKLY change out tripod heads with zero hassle. It is ROCK SOLID, very secure, and relatively inexpensive. With it I can switch from my RRS BH-55 head to my Wimberley WH200 in just 3-5 seconds. Yep, 3-5 SECONDS! You can buy it as a set (male/female) or just buy the individual pieces as you need them. I have put the base section (female) on all of my tripods and monopod, and the connecting piece (male) on my BH55, the WH200, and a smaller ballhead I sometimes use for flash units. Doing that cost me maybe a couple hundred bucks, but it allowed me sell a second BH55 head I kept on my old Bogen tripod so I actually made money on the deal. If you find yourself changing out heads, CHECK THIS SYSTEM OUT, It is fantastic!
Only one, a Gitzo Series 4. Maybe like you, I learned the hard way that it’s ultimately more economical to invest initially in the very best one you can afford, rather than trading up several times. At times, my Gitzo may be more than I need, but I’m always glad that I have it to cover all possible situations.
O
Well-known member
Accumulated 7
2x Gitzo Studex ultra long legs with triple centre extension, 1 x $250 AUD 1x $400 AUD both used in mint condition. Use one for photography the other for outdoor lighting - flashes etc. Dirt cheap. New they were near $2000 each i was told and made in France.
1 x Benro carbon fiber $400 new, its a C4570T RRP then $800.
Sirui i have 2, one small, one medium with ball heads, they are a generic Chines tripods from what i can see therefore only assume, and in my application far from durable.
Heads slip and failed, rubbers swell in heat and cant adjust the legs, legs grind and get stiff in different weather conditions.
2 x Manfrotto, lightweight walk around units. So fare all very good, at least they work consistently.
The Sirui are on their last legs and will get thrown out soon,
The Studex are well, by today's standards and trend relics really that new cost someone thousands, to day no one wants them as their to heavy now but are still awesome incredible strong brilliantly built stable quality tools.
The Manfrotto are handy and each live in different vehicles and are durable, closing down clearance sale 50% off.
The Benro was cheap as it was a reject cosmetically, but new. Bargain at $400AUD, huge and does the job.
Collectively the cost of all these combined is just a little more than buying one new top branded tripods.
4 out of seven
I use the Benro, the 2 Manfrotto, the one Studex, 4 out if the 7, the Sirui units didn't last long at all, i will trow them out soon or give them away for parts.
Only an opinion
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tclune
Well-known member
3, 0.
This is helpful. I had been looking into the arca swiss quick link set (https://arca-swiss-usa.com/products/quicklink-system) and I had seen Steve's video about using RRS for this as well ( https://backcountrygallery.com/swap-tripod-heads-the-fast-way/) but yours seems to give a good (and cheaper) option. I also have the gitzo 5533 and was worried about adding a connection which might cause some layer of instability.
I had 4 Gitzo carbon fibre. I gave one to a friend and kept the other three. One is a travel tripod which I hardly use it. One is very long which I use it mainly with my 600 mm tc for bird photography. The third one, Normal length, I use it for videos and landscape.
I also have a Gitzo carbon fibre monopod which I hardly use. I also was given a heavy tripod for video which I used it only one time around the house.
For hea, I bought so many, Sirius and Gitzo Ball head and I hated both. I also have two Gimbal heads, the Wimberley 200 and 100, in addition to a manfrotto video head ( the last I hardly use). Three years ago I bought a RRS ball Head, I think BH 55 and I love it.
I also have a Gitzo carbon fibre monopod which I hardly use. I also was given a heavy tripod for video which I used it only one time around the house.
For hea, I bought so many, Sirius and Gitzo Ball head and I hated both. I also have two Gimbal heads, the Wimberley 200 and 100, in addition to a manfrotto video head ( the last I hardly use). Three years ago I bought a RRS ball Head, I think BH 55 and I love it.
ARClark
Well-known member
Four, counting a clunky Tilt-all I bought in the 1970's to support a view camera, 2 carbon fiber tripods with ballheads and a monopod. For DSLRs/MILCs and bird photography, I've been very happy with a Gitzo carbon fibre Series 3 with ballhead and sidekick that I've used with heavy bodies (gripped D850s) and 500mm f/4 lenses for fifteen years. I've also got a lighter Gitzo carbon fiber Series 2 Explorer for landscapes and nature closeups like insects and flowers. I also have a Benro monopod and Wimberley MH-100 "gimbal" head that I occasionally use for bird photography.
In general, the number of tripods one needs is really dependent on budget, amount of use, and use needs such as travel, camera and lens weight, different heads (e.g., ball, gimbal, geared, etc.), static versus action, stills versus video, etc. My Gitzo series 3 is so versatile, that I could use it for almost everything from closeups and landscapes to BIF with my 500 f/4s. But acquiring several tripods/monopods over time, as needs arise, is certainly "normal" for an active photographer that encounters a variety of shooting needs and situations.
In general, the number of tripods one needs is really dependent on budget, amount of use, and use needs such as travel, camera and lens weight, different heads (e.g., ball, gimbal, geared, etc.), static versus action, stills versus video, etc. My Gitzo series 3 is so versatile, that I could use it for almost everything from closeups and landscapes to BIF with my 500 f/4s. But acquiring several tripods/monopods over time, as needs arise, is certainly "normal" for an active photographer that encounters a variety of shooting needs and situations.
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I would run out of closet space
The guest bedroom walk ih closet is a dedicated photo equipment storage.. When guests come I clear off a couple feet of hanger space. I don't want them to get to comfortable.
I’m embarrassed to say how many. But I was starting today here is what I’d do (for context, I shoot BIF with a 200-600 lens). My main tripod would be lighter weight, but tall enough that I can stand fully upright without any center column and look through my viewfinder. My second one would be a smaller and lighter weight tripod that I wouldn’t mind lugging around on a hike. Then I’d have a smaller yet tabletop tripod for a smaller camera that I’d use when I was travelling light.