Tall tripod

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Andrew Lamberson

Andrew Lamberson

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I am 6' 4" and looking for a new tripod that "lightweight". I don't think it has to be carbon fiber, if for no other reason than $$. But I might bite the bullet if necessary.

Even at 64 I still hike in a couple of miles to a spot so weight is a consideration. I do 100% wildlife photography ( although I really like mushroom pics!)

I am really fussy about "tack sharp" and I just can't get that from my monopod or handheld with my Nikon D500 200-500 lens.

Any suggestions on a tripod that works for someone that is 6' 4" and does NOT want to bend over to use the camera!!!

Thanks for your input, I appreciate your time and effort.
 
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Really Right Stuff Versa TVC-44 goes to 191cm and is very sturdy. It costs a fair bit but it does the job and is very tall. At your height you may need to bend to shoot a bird in a tree. The TVC-45 goes to 217cm. Far from cheap but I think it might be the best in the business.
Iain
 
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I'm sure that Gitzo do XL tripods.

Mentioned here at 1:10

www.gitzo.com

Gitzo tripod Systematic, series 5 giant, 6 sections

The Gitzo GT5563GS Series 5 Systematic Giant is a commanding, 6-section, professional carbon fiber tripod designed to reach the greatest heights, securely supporting longer lenses and heavy cameras. Series 5 models are Gitzo’s most rigid tripod and like the rest of the Systematic family, they...
www.gitzo.com www.gitzo.com

www.gitzo.com

Gitzo tripod Systematic, series 5 XL, 4 sections

The Gitzo GT5543XLS Series 5 Systematic XL is an extra-tall, 4-section, professional carbon fiber tripod designed to reach high while securely supporting longer lenses and heavy cameras. Series 5 models are Gitzo’s most rigid tripod and like the rest of the Systematic family, they set the...
www.gitzo.com www.gitzo.com
 
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I'm 6' 2" and had the very same challenges:
- needed sharper images from my D7500 + 200-500 zoom
- needed a light weight solution as I hike a lot

After weeks of search, YouTube videos, and books (incl. that of Steve which is great) I narrowed it down to 2 Brands Gitzo and Really Right Stuff.. but the Tripods were very expensive and too heavy / bulky to carry... finally I ended up going for the Gitzo Monopod, very sturdy, flexible, quick to set up, relatively light, and it solved my problems.

I'm afraid that "tall people" like us are at a disadvantage here, cause any good tripod will be heavy and expensive.. pure physics.
 
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I am 6'6" and after a lot of reading reviews, talking with photographers more experienced than myself, watching Steve's videos, etc, here is what I came up with. It may not fit your criteria of light weight and inexpensive, but here goes:
I purchased a Gitzo 3543 XLS. It is a series 3 tripod and one that Steve recommended in a previous video, before he made a switch to RRS.
The Tripod weighs 5.0# (may be heavier than you want. In the fully extended position, it is 79.5". With the lower section retracted, the plate heigth is 60". The minimum height from the ground is 3.9". It has a capacity of 55# and is 28" folded.
The majority of the time, I have the plate at 60". When I add my Wimberley Gimball or my Monfrontto video head, plus my camera body, the eye piece is about 70". The thing I really like is that if I am taking pictures of birds in trees above, parachutists coming in or if I was at an airshow, I can have the tripod at full height and with the upward tilt, still have my eye piece at level where I don't need to stoop over.
I think the RRS tripod that Steve went to is about 12" shorter at full height, which doesn't work as well for me if I am "shooting up".
I also have a RRS monopod MC-45, that is very stable and if I want to have some support, that is lighter (2#) and easier to carry.
As far as price goes, I think the MSRP is $995, but Adorama or B&H, (not sure which one) typically has them at $895. In addition, one of the two has a frequent short term sale I have seen on their FaceBook ads at $810!I I have seen one (last 3 models) occassionally on Ebay, but the price tends to be around $700 (they do hold their value pretty well). If it gets too heavy/long (for airlines), I may look at getting the shorter RRS or Gitzo, or another travel tripod, but really hope not spend that much more money. Would hate to give up the heighth and stability, unless it was for a one time trip to Costa Rico! Hope this helps.
 
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DRwyoming said:
FWIW, Leophoto makes a tall CF tripod. It's still not what I'd call inexpensive but around half the price of some of the other options: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod..._324cl_cnc_tripod_hard_anodize10x_layers.html

I haven't owned this particular tripod but have been very happy with other Leophoto tripods, they make a very good product.
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Sounds interesting compared to my comments on Gitzo 3543xls. One # less, 3” shorter folded, includes a bowl and I think (?) a case for $200-$300 less. Worth checking out!
 
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Andrew Lamberson said:
umm....that is a definite maybe! This is turning out a lot more expensive than I hoped!
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Suggest doing a SEARCH in the Upper Right for "Henry Hudson Tripod". One of the three sites posted by Members has a video where he talks/shows the LeoPhoto Tripod and how he sets it up both for Landscape and BIF. He also comments on why he went with LeoPhoto tripod, after having a Gitzo/RRS previously - he has several tripods. A previous video has his comments on the RRS/Gitzo (can't remember which) tripod. Several of his videos are accessible from that site or his site "Henry Hudson Photography". Several of his videos also on YouTube. Happy Hunting! (y)
 
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Here is my ranking of full sized tripods. It's based on the vibration scores from The Center Column, but I applied my own values for weightings based on minimum preferred height and weight. Keep in mind that the vibration scores are for fully extended tripods, so without the weightings short tripods always were disproportionately rated higher.

TripodPrice
FLM CP38-L4 II$841
RRS TVC-34L$1,160
RRS TVC-24L$1,030
Feisol Elite CT-3472 M2$600
Gitzo GT3533LS Systematic$860
RRS TVC-33$1,025
Gitzo GT4533LS Systematic$970
ProMediaGear TR343L$850
 
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Another option that has a good price point is the Robus brand tripod. A friend of mine bought one and it looks and feels like a very good tripod and it comes with a very nice case. They have several models of different heights. B&H carries them. Here's a link to a review of the tripod. https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Robus-RC-5570-Vantage-Series-3-Carbon-Fiber-Tripod.aspx

One thing to consider when buying a tripod is the length when it is fully retracted. If you do any air traveling it has to fit in a suitcase so you can take it as checked luggage. If it is too long you could take the legs apart and fit it that way but you want to make sure you don't loose any of the small parts.
 
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Am 6'4", use an Induro GIT404XL. It is carbon fiber, costs $700+, and is rock solid! Can't say it is light, but use a carrying strap that I can put over shoulder which makes it tolerable for me. Wouldn't want to go on a 15 mile trek however. Maybe being 88 has more to do with that, however.
 
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I owned the RRS TVC-34L tripod and replaced it with the superior Feisol CT-3472 tripod that sells for$600 and includes a $100 level carry case. Same build quality but the Feisol is a far superior design. With three hex set screws I can replace the stand mounting plate for a head with the $84 Feisol Leveling Base that integrates into the tripod legs and makes for very fast leveling of the head in the field, whether for video or landscapes or panning birds in flight. For $63 I bought the Feisol Center Column kit that I can attach to the legs in seconds and this provides an extra 3 inches of working height without extending the center column at all. I have found that I can extend the center column by 6 inches for a working heigh of 70 inches and have zero wobble with a 11 lb camera and lens mounted on a gimbal head.

Best part is that I can travel with the Leveling Base and the Center Column kit and install them in seconds and have a different tripod to use depending upon the situation. I also can take out the center column and have a tripod that collapses down to a length of only 20 inches and so easily fits crossways inside the overhead bin on an airplane. At 23 inches the RRS TVC-34L was too long for air travel unless I put it inside a very large piece of checked luggage.

With the Feisol and the two attachments or adapters my total cost was $748. With the RRS TVC-34L my cost was $1,160 for the RRS legs plus $108 for a Manfrotto tripod carry case. Far less versatility at a cost of $500 more to get the RRS tripod.

With the addition of the Feisol tripod I was able to sell my RRS and my 3-series Gitzo and have a better performing and more durable (compared to the Gitzo) tripod.
 
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I am 6'1" and don't like short tripods! I have a RRS TVC-44 Versa Series 4 Tripod, and it is a fabulous tripod but a bit of a beast size- and weight-wise. I recently bought a RRS TVC-34L Mk2 Versa Series 3 Tripod, and this sucker is tall! Even without the center column, it is way taller than I need on level ground. RRS gear is such a joy to use.
 
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I would add to the consideration the Sirui R-5214XL. It compares very favorably to the Gitzo and RRS and is around 40% less. This is their longer bigger diameter leg carbon tripod. For the mid range diameter tripods, The R3213X is also exceptional. It is nearly identical to the US version but cheaper and comes with a center collum and platform. Where the US version is nearly 2X and does not include the center column. It is not sold in the US but can be bought on eBay. I have now purchased several of these and from international sellers on eBay and have had not issues. They typically ship via DHL. I have been super impressed - especially when you can buy 3 of their for less than 2 of the RRS or Gitzo and I don’t see any difference in capabilities.
 
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I am 6'2" and have a Manfrotto model 055. Not too heavy, easy to adjust and it will get taller than my needs. You may have to extend the center column which is largely frowned on, but this column is very steady. Seems like it was in the $300 price range.
 
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IainD said:
Really Right Stuff Versa TVC-44 goes to 191cm and is very sturdy. It costs a fair bit but it does the job and is very tall. At your height you may need to bend to shoot a bird in a tree. The TVC-45 goes to 217cm. Far from cheap but I think it might be the best in the business.
Iain
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I own the Nikon 200-500mm f5.6, and for me high end build quality, reliability, and rock steady use in the field is the Robus R-5570. So much more for so much less $. It is a must consider... Was endorsed by Tim Boyer (pro wildlife photographer). Check out his YouTube video on tripods. BTW, I am 76 years old and I love this Tripod!
gaknott said:
I am 6'2" and have a Manfrotto model 055. Not too heavy, easy to adjust and it will get taller than my needs. You may have to extend the center column which is largely frowned on, but this column is very steady. Seems like it was in the $300 price range.
Click to expand...
 
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