Thanks, Their are a few on B&H used website I have been considering,
Tripod and Ball Head Advice
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Be careful with all tripods and heads about the ability to use Arca Swiss or custom plates. Whatever system you use, I would use Arca Swiss dovetail plates and clamps rather than a proprietary system of plates.
Some tripods don't allow easy replacement of heads or clamps so check on that as well.
Some tripods don't allow easy replacement of heads or clamps so check on that as well.
fcotterill
Well-known member
Not much to add to my earlier conclusions. The Leofoto has held up well over the past year - so have the gimbals, modified and not.
Post in thread 'Need tripod recommendation' https://bcgforums.com/index.php?threads/need-tripod-recommendation.8258/post-82511
Post in thread 'tripod - best choice' https://bcgforums.com/index.php?threads/tripod-best-choice.11547/post-121204
Post in thread 'Need tripod recommendation' https://bcgforums.com/index.php?threads/need-tripod-recommendation.8258/post-82511
Post in thread 'tripod - best choice' https://bcgforums.com/index.php?threads/tripod-best-choice.11547/post-121204
Roy
Well-known member
I have the Sirui ball head but I rarely use it - mostly because I hate ball-heads.
For wildlife I prefer a gimble and for the studio I prefer a geared or fluid head.
I know everyone worries about weight but a tripod should at least come up to eye height without crouching.
Also note that a tripod is a more long term investment and worth not going to cheap.
I bought several tripods over the years and then bought a Manfrotto and RRS head (I hate the Manfrotto clamp)..
MikePapple
Well-known member
Acratech pano head (love it, don't need ball or gimbal heads anymore),
Gitzo GT3542XLS (the legs extend to 8 ft),
Leofoto Ranger LS-253CM (mid-thigh height).
When I go on a trip, the Gitzo will likely stay home, its large and heavy.
The Leofoto is small and light. I can look down at the monitor, or kneel down. Just enough for panos.
Gitzo GT3542XLS (the legs extend to 8 ft),
Leofoto Ranger LS-253CM (mid-thigh height).
When I go on a trip, the Gitzo will likely stay home, its large and heavy.
The Leofoto is small and light. I can look down at the monitor, or kneel down. Just enough for panos.
I've read much of this thread. My first tripod was a Manfrotto, around $300, sturdy but it had defective legs which I put up with for a number of years (apparently the product oversight was not good on the day my tripod was made as one of the legs fell off almost immediately). I also purchased a smaller RRS ball head, but in the end purchased the RRS B55 ball head and still use it and it serves me well. When I got fed up with the Manfrotto problem, not having the sense to return it at once, I bought an Induro tripod (now Benro), for about the same price. It works very well and is quite sturdy. I did get the Manfrotto tripod repaired, finally, by a company in Arizona for $75, which I thought was a good deal as it gives me a second functioning tripod. I found both tripods to be sturdy and functional, although they are a bit short. I can't drag around a huge tripod as it would be too heavy for me. I did order one years back that Steve recommended but I found it to be just too much for me and I sent it back. I really like to shoot hand-held if possible although sharpness may suffer at times. When shooting wildlife I pop on a "sidekick" and that does the job for me, giving me a lot of control but also a lot of flexibility with the ball head in case I want to do landscapes. I think you have to figure out what works best for you. I also believe in photography that many of us "work our way up," although that might cost more in the end.
The Acratech very interesting, gives you more versatility than having a ball head. Thanks for sharing.
jhorsch
Active member
This largely depends on the type of photography you're doing and the size/weight of your gear. I bought a Sirui medium-sized tripod and ballhead early in my photography journey. I've since gone with RRS for the heavy-duty gear but the Siruis are very good products for the money and I've kept them. As pointed out by others though, if you buy the heavier Gitzo or RRS products they'll likely never need to be upgraded/replaced.
I have a Gitzo Series 3 3542XLS with either a 40 mm ball head or a Benro Gh5C gimbal. This set-up seemed very stable when I was shooting with a D850 and 500 mm PF lens. I now have the 400 mm 2.8 TC S mounted on a Z9. This the heaviest kit I have ever owned. The Gitzo tripod seems a little less stable now when the wind kicks up. Have others had experience using the 3542XLS with 10 lb or heavier camera/lens combination? Were you satisfied?
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