Pros and cons of big heavy tripods (convince me that I need one)

[Roy]

This is not a brand comparison discussion so please no specific brand recommendations.

What I'm interested in is why so many top shooters say it is imperative to have a huge expensive tripod. I guess I don't like the cost as I can get a pretty decent lens instead for the same $3000 and I don't like the weight since I have to carry it on a trail, and I don't like the size since I have to find a place in the trunk for it and pay to ship it.

Doesn't a $300 tripod get the same result 90% of the time? If its a calm day and the setup is basic? What is needed to get that final 10%?

I guess I'm willing to spend the money if it really is the magic fairy dust that will change my life, but I'd need convincing.

Over the years I've collected about a dozen tripods.
I've ended up with 3 I use regularly.
A heavy one for the studio
A medium on for general use
and a travel tripod for the just in case moments.
I wished I had been more fussy when I started - it would have save a lot of money.
A good tripod lasts a lifetime.
I would expect about $500 would buy you a good reliable tripod. A cheap one is full of frustrations.
Aluminum is fine if the small increase in weight isn't a problem.
All my tripods for the last decades have had arca swiss heads.
For short lenses for landscape a ball head is adequate but I hate them.
A fluid head for landscape and studio and a gimble for BIF...

 

[clementstevens]

This is not a brand comparison discussion so please no specific brand recommendations.

What I'm interested in is why so many top shooters say it is imperative to have a huge expensive tripod. I guess I don't like the cost as I can get a pretty decent lens instead for the same $3000 and I don't like the weight since I have to carry it on a trail, and I don't like the size since I have to find a place in the trunk for it and pay to ship it.

Doesn't a $300 tripod get the same result 90% of the time? If its a calm day and the setup is basic? What is needed to get that final 10%?

I guess I'm willing to spend the money if it really is the magic fairy dust that will change my life, but I'd need convincing.

There are lots of great tripods that don’t cost even $1000. It all depends on what you’re shooting what conditions you’re in what kind of gear you’re using. If you’re shooting video and you would like professional results you should probably use a tripod. If you’re shooting long exposures with low light you should probably use a tripod. Tripods are not necessary all the time but when you need them it’s very important to have one.

 

[Calson]

My primary still photography tripod is the Feisol CT-3472 that collapses to less than 21 inches and so make a great travel tripod. I can change out the flat plat for a quick leveling one or a center column kit that is very stable when extended and supporting a 600mm f/4 lens. It provides me with3 tripods in one. After I got the Feisol I sold my RRS and Gitzo legs which are not nearly as versatile.

Another excellent tripod I recently added is the Robus RC-5570 that has the standard flat plate for a head and takes only a second to remove and insert a 75mm bowl mount for a video head. It is too long for air travel ast 25" when folded but it is otherwise a great tripod. With the Sachtler Ace XL video head I have great support for smooth video.