tripod recommendation

[bags27]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

While I'm on a roll with exciting threads (see my breathless lens hood report), I'd like to ask for suggestions for a new tripod. What I have (from the days when I was actually shooting slides from books for my lectures), is a very big and relatively heavy Slik. Still works great, and terrific for around the house and yard. But I wouldn't want to carry it out in the field.

 

What are folks liking these days?

thanks in advance.

[Leica Guy]

I’m sold on the Gitzo Traveler 1545T and a RRS BH-30 ball head, but its a really expensive solution. I bought mine 5 years ago and expect to use it traveling the rest of my photography days. There are many carbon fiber tripods available now and I expect someone will recommend a good one.

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[LocalHero1953]

I have the Gitzo GT0545T, their smallest, and a Markins Q3T head which is light and allows the tripod to fold small. It was bought for the M240.

I bought it a few years ago, and compared it mainly with the options from Sirui, which were excellent and much cheaper. The reasons I didn't get a Sirui is because the central column then could not be retracted fully when in use, and the legs didn't splay particularly wide, so I was concerned for its stability. I believe the designs have changed a bit since then, so worth another look.

 

With travelling tripods, there are always choices to make about the number of sections (which shrink folded length at the expense of stability and weight), and leg diameter (which reduces weight at the expense of stability). Taller tripods are also heavier and longer when folded. It comes down to what's important for you. The Gitzo GT0545T has the thinnest leg diameter at the smallest end than any of the other Gitzos, and four sections, but it folds up very small for packing in luggage.

Edited May 7, 2018 by LocalHero1953

[bags27]

Thanks to you both so much. This is quite helpful. I think the Gitzo would also be my last tripod, because my wife would kill me if she knew how much it costs. :-). Seriously, I appreciate not only the suggestions but the explanations. The Sirui looks quite intriguing and a very good bet for my purposes. Thanks again!

[HighlandK]

Thanks to you both so much. This is quite helpful. I think the Gitzo would also be my last tripod, because my wife would kill me if she knew how much it costs. :-). Seriously, I appreciate not only the suggestions but the explanations. The Sirui looks quite intriguing and a very good bet for my purposes. Thanks again!

 

Not wishing to hasten your end but Gitzo really are first rate. I have the lightweight version mentioned which works well with the Q and a series 2 for my D850. Admittedly I bought them a good few years ago when prices didn't seem so high. But it is a question of getting what you pay for in terms or construction quality, size/weight and stability. Manfrotto are also said to be pretty reliable and in fact Manfrotto actually own Gitzo now. I agree about RRS heads but certainly over here you incur shipping costs and en VAT on top of the actual item cost plus shipping - another 20%!

[Astropap]

Someone recently asked for tripod recommendations in the M10 section and I posted this:  I got this one last year. Sirui ET-2204 Carbon Fiber Tripod with E-20 Ball Head.   Very stable but lightweight, folds up to a very small package. Comes with a nice carry bag. I'm very impressed with it.

 

Amy

[LocalHero1953]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I should have added: I avoid Manfrotto because I find their quick-release heads fiddly, and they don't always secure instantly. I prefer Arca-Swiss QR heads.

[Tailwagger]

Gitzo.  I've had a mountaineer 2 series 2531 with a RRS BH40 for around half a dozen years now.  Might be a bit more coin up front, but with just a little bit of care with selection and maintenance, you only buy once.  The crucial thing, IMO, is buying the right model that fits your wish list.  I wanted a 3 section, not 4,  for simplicity, added stability and a bit less weight. The sacrifice, of course is that its not quite as compact.  For me, carrying a tripod, any tripod, is a pain in the butt.  So I didnt over rotate about size and weight, rather I was more concerned with maximum height as well as excess capacity and stability to future proof my purchase against any of the inevitable system changes I might make over the ensuing years.  Theres no doubt that this set of legs is overkill for any of my Leica gear, but it is a rig that has worked well with my Pentax 645 MF. It might be marginal in difficult terrain for a D850 with a 400mm, but short of that, its been fine. As such, I've never had a moment where I thought, damn I need another tripod for... 

 

The RSS head is excellent, but if I were buying today I'd take a closer look at the Arca-Swiss P0. 

[tgdinamo]

I have not bough it yet but will probably get this cheap Slik tripod - looks about perfect for someting as light as the Q where it weighs only 2.1 lbs, and with good max height which is critical to me because I'm tall.

 

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/614702-REG/Slik_611_849_Sprint_Pro_II_GM.html

 

 

And since you seem to be in spending mood , you may also take a look at this Leica tabletop tripod which is awesome but expensive (I have purchased this recently and it is as good as advertised):

 

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/features/things-we-love-leica-table-tripods-and-ball-heads

 

http://jeffmellody.com/blog/2014/4/21/leica-table-top-tripod-review

[Deliberate1]

For several years, I have been using a Gitzo 1228, that I inherited from a beloved uncle, which I paired with a Really Right Stuff (RSS) BH 30. I have used this combination with every box I own - from a 4x5 Toyo, 6x6 Rollei, Leica M9 and S 006. It has proved the perfect balance between form and function. It packs small and light enough to travel easily in checked baggage, and is compact enough to fit nicely on the side of my photo backpack. I have never felt it was either too much or too little tripod.

There is a difference in tripod quality. It matters, and it will affect whether you will use it or not. I have owned Manfrotto and Feisol legs. The first was made of metal and was clumsy and resistant in cold weather. The Feisol was carbon, and while not cheap, the construction was. The articulated joints failed, the locks were awkward to operate in a clutch and the legs cracked with light use. 

Shortly before my uncle's passing I purchased a Really Right Stuff tripod for big money. It is lovely, stout and bomb-proof. But way too big to travel with, and probably overkill for what I do. Conversely, the Gitzo has become one of those utterly dependable pieces of gear that I use intuitively. The locks are perfect and I have learned how to tighten them just so much so they do not extend unintentionally but instantly deploy, in quick sequence, when I am ready. It has worked flawlessly in snow and sand and everything in between, all without drama. People rarely discuss tripod technique because it is not very interesting. But the few seconds you may save setting up could mean the difference between capturing that fleeting shot - or not. Simply put, once I got the hang of it, I have never had  to fiddle with the Gitzo. And that leaves more time to fiddle with your camera.

I know that the Gitzo I have is no longer in production, but there are certainly others that would suffice. That said, I would not hesitate to get a used one for a fraction of the price of a new Gitzo (See: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Gitzo-G1228-w-G1275M-Carbon-Fiber-Tripod-Black-Gray/222973441359?epid=101644026&hash=item33ea40b54f:g:VXEAAOSwvtla8FLM). There is a lot of life left in a pre-owned Gitzo, no cosmetic angst and you can boast admirable financial restraint to your wife. All without compromise.

Whether you end up with this Gitzo or another, I highly recommend buying well, and buying once. A Gitzo with RRS head (with quick release plate) is a one-time buy and one you will not second guess. 

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

David

[LocalHero1953]

As well as the Gitzo Traveller with Markins head, for the SL I have a larger carbon Benro tripod with a centre column that can be angled like a horizontal extension, with an Acratech head. The construction of the Benro (which is often compared in price and quality with Feisol) is excellent. While Gitzo are superb tripods, I would certainly be happy to look at cheaper Chinese/Taiwanese alternatives.

 

Edit: I have avoided RRS here in the UK because it is impossible to find them in the flesh to look at. If RRS really want to sell here, they need to get their act together with a distributor with a showroom. I've bought a QR plate from Germany, but I haven't considered anything more complicated, for the prices they charge.

Edited May 12, 2018 by LocalHero1953

[Jk1002]

i have the sirui t025x for occasional use. Reason I picked it was the folded size and low weight. I wouldnt step far away from it in very windy conditions but for normal use am very happy with it.

[bags27]

Thanks all.

 

since my OP, I've also begun to think, not only about a travel tripod, but one that has a crossbeam that allows for very low and close macro work. One that seems pleasing to many is the Manfrotto MT055xPRO3. Any experience with that or any other similar tripod?

thanks!

 

 

[Gobert]

For me there is only one brand for tripods: Gitzo

And there is one brand for heads: RRS.

No compromises in the house of Gobert!

[rochus]

Cullmann DigiPod short 50007 with Novoflex Ball 30. Light, tiny Q travel companion for years now. Perfect if you don’t want to lug a tripod but have one available anytime. Catches even northern lights.

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Edited May 21, 2018 by rochus

[bags27]

Want to return to this thread for an update. In the end, I bought the Sirui T2205X with the matching 20x ball head. I couldn't be more delighted; fantastically good for <$400, around 1/4 of what the Gitzo/RRS would have cost.

 

my reasoning:

1. On the Miami Leica website, they sell two tripods: the Gitzo and the Sirui. That alone is an endorsement.

2. I am beginning to think that many current Chinese products are similar to Japanese products of the late 60s/early 70s. After WWII, with the (ironic) exception of cameras, "made in Japan" was  (rightly or wrongly) a symbol to Americans of cheap and shoddy. Gradually, the Japanese, using quality management techniques (zero defects) developed a reputation for extremely high quality/low cost products (pretty much destroying Detroit in the process). In the past 2 years, I've purchased 3 different Chinese produts that are vastly over-engineered and super high quality for their cost. This is one of them. 

[iTiki]

Really Right Stuff. Series 1 and ballhead.

[pico]

Tripods for 35mm need only be adequate. Adequate is an ambivalent term to many of us. Let us just say that an adequate tripod does the job without compromise. If compromise is not important, then neither are your pictures. We can tell immediately that a tall tripod with spindly, skinny legs is a mistake. If a tripod is light tall  and convenient with spindly legs, it is likely to be inadequate. Mount a camera on one of those, set camera to B, expose, and jump next to it. Fail.

 

In my modest experience, the fail point of most tripods is in the centre column. There is no rationale for a centre column. So, don't buy one with such, even if you do not use it.

 

IF you can find a suitable, stable platform Leica's table pod is very good. I use them. For other applications I will keep my preference to myself because it is unlikely to please mobile 35mm photographers.

Edited June 6, 2018 by pico

[bags27]

Thanks for this, Pico. I'll try to remember not to set my camera to B and then jump. :-) . But seriously, I have a an old, incredibly heavy and stable metal tripod and the new one seems to grip as well and be as stable as that.

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica Q

[jmahto]

There is no one tripod do it all. You will end up having multiple tripods anyway. One heavy duty, one for traveling (fits in cabin luggage), one for hiking, one table top....

 

Another thing I realized that cleaning/maintenance ease should be a factor. I have shot in sea water on the beach using a twist grip carbon legs tripod (cheap Chinese one but twist grip mechanism similar to Gitzo) and also with Manfrotto (quick release lever on Aluminium legs) and I can tell you that cleaning sand from carbon legs twist grips is PITA. Manfrotto's legs were so easy to clean.