Tripods - how sturdy does it need to be?

Hi all, I am looking for a tripod to fit lenses up to and including my 300 f/4.


I have a question: How sturdy does it need to be? I do wildlife and macro photography and have had a hard time w/o a tripod. I have been exploring my different choices and posted a poll on TDP. The 2 top vote getters, and now my two decisions are:


1. Get a Manfrotto 055XPROB or similar aluminum tripod - $200, weight rating 15lbs.


2. Save, and blow it on a Gitzo 3 series CF.


My question is, Will the Manfrotto be sturdy enough to handle a 300 f/4 on an Acratech GP ballhead without too much vibrations? Will I notice a lot of stability problems? Will I be able to use the horizontal center column feature easily? I know, obviously that the Gitzo is a far better tripod, but I honestly can't justify the cost unless my setup requires such a tripod to some extent. Yes, I know I could do with 2 series Gitzo, but if I am spending $650 I will just go for the 3 series at $700.


What are your thoughts??? [:P]


brendan

How about a third option: spend half as much on a carbon tripod from Induro. They can handle the weight just fine and seem to have a pretty good reputation.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bburns223

How sturdy does it need to be?

---

How sharp do you want your photos? [:D]

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bburns223

Will the Manfrotto be sturdy enough to handle a 300 f/4 on an Acratech GP ballhead without too much vibrations?

---

In some conditions, yes. In others, no. For example, if you anchor the Manfrotto with extra weights, don't have any wind, use a shutter release, and allow for a short time after camera movement, then it will be fine. But if you don't anchor it, use it in heavy wind, and shoot in rapid paced circumstances, then it will not be enough.

I like big heavy tripods that don't get knoocked over or move in strong winds. I'm in the minority; but I want the heaviest model available. I'm using the Manfrotto 058B tripod and the Manfrotto 501HDV head.


You won't "need" anything this heavy, but it sure achors everything down when the wind is blowing or when you have people walking all around your tripod at an event.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Daniel Browning

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bburns223

How sturdy does it need to be?

---

How sharp do you want your photos? [img]/emoticons/emotion-2.gif[/img]

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bburns223

Will the Manfrotto be sturdy enough to handle a 300 f/4 on an Acratech GP ballhead without too much vibrations?

---

In some conditions, yes. In others, no. For example, if you anchor the Manfrotto with extra weights, don't have any wind, use a shutter release, and allow for a short time after camera movement, then it will be fine. But if you don't anchor it, use it in heavy wind, and shoot in rapid paced circumstances, then it will not be enough.

---

Are you saying that the sharpness of my shots in general will be very different if I use gitzo 3 series or manfrotto? Well, I know it'll be different, but dramatically different? Since the Gitzo is 3x more expensive, is it 3x better? Is it that big of a deal? [^o)]


brendan

I know theres a lot of Bogen fans out there but you need to look at the Giottos MTL 9371B. It's purley awesome and its as close to a Gitzo as you can get for under $200. Adorama website: http://www.adorama.com/GTMTL9371B.html?searchinfo=MLT+9371B


The carbon fiber is for show where a good quality aluminum like this one is rock solid and surprising light weight. I could not justify spend 600 to 1000 dollars on a tripod. I now that those tripods are worth their cost for the right people but I've got to many other things that I have to buy.





Advantages:


-Opens up to almost seven feet tall, a must have in my opinion


-padded legs for when it freezing outside


-flip lever leg locks


-panning lock


-small bubble level


-comes with additional short center column so you can almost shoot at ground level


-multi-position center column for shooting macro subjects and other type work


-rated max load 22 lb


-comes with little tool pouch to maintain all the special nuts and bolts on your rig


-ability to change between 1/4 and 3/8 camera screw stud


-matt black finish

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by freelanceshots

I know theres a lot of Bogen fans out there but you need to look at the Giottos MTL 9371B. It's purley awesome and its as close to a Gitzo as you can get for under $200. Adorama website: http://www.adorama.com/GTMTL9371B.html?searchinfo=MLT+9371B


The carbon fiber is for show where a good quality aluminum like this one is rock solid and surprising light weight. I could not justify spend 600 to 1000 dollars on a tripod. I now that those tripods are worth their cost for the right people but I've got to many other things that I have to buy.





Advantages:


-Opens up to almost seven feet tall, a must have in my opinion


-padded legs for when it freezing outside


-flip lever leg locks


-panning lock


-small bubble level


-comes with additional short center column so you can almost shoot at ground level


-multi-position center column for shooting macro subjects and other type work


-rated max load 22 lb


-comes with little tool pouch to maintain all the special nuts and bolts on your rig


-ability to change between 1/4 and 3/8 camera screw stud


-matt black finish
<div style="CLEAR: both"]</div>

---

You sold me! I don't see me ever being able to spend over $500 on a tripod and still be able to come of with the $$ for the ballhead, etc. If this is really as good as sounds, it works for me and is on my next item to buy list!


Denise

Brendan,


Here is a link that has some goodpictures &amp; set-upcapabilitiesof the Giottos MTL 9371B that freelanceshots recommends. If it will hold my T1i, 300mm f/4L with extender and my speedlite, it is definitely the one I'm focusing on.


http://www.cameralabs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=172184&amp;sid=f2802d7f2dfc023003d b0f8ac769f5c1


Denise

Here is the Giottos website (http://www.giottos.com/) where you will want to go to the professional tripod systems and then to the MTL9 Series. They have good quality info there. They make the higher dollar carbon fiber versions as well but they jump up in price of course. They also make some pretty nice ball heads but I opted to go with a less expensive manufacturer that works great. Might pick up a Giottos ball head in the future as they look very nice and if they are built like the tripod then they will be a definite deal.

I found a Benro tripod ~ C-358EX. It's a 4-section (is 3 section better?), carbon fiber tripod rated to 40lbs of weight. Plenty solid. Same weight rating and strength as the Gitzo, just $450 instead of $700. Would this provide the same functionality of the more expensive Gitzo?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bburns223

Are you saying that the sharpness of my shots in general will be very different if I use gitzo 3 series or manfrotto? Well, I know it'll be different, but dramatically different? Since the Gitzo is 3x more expensive, is it 3x better? Is it that big of a deal? [img]/emoticons/emotion-40.gif[/img]

---

It's not 3X better -- the returns diminish the more and more you spend on the tripod. Going from no tripod to a $30 plastic junky one is the biggest improvement. From $30 to $90 is also a big improvement, but not as big as going from no tripod at all. Then $90 to $300 is another big deal, but again not as big as $30 to $90. Then $300 to $900 gets you something that is good enough for most conditions. $2700 will get you the best. In each case the returns diminish.


That said, the difference can be dramatic, but it really depends on the circumstances. I can get much sharper pictures with a $300 lens and a $5000 tripod than a $5000 lens and a $300 tripod.


Consider that a good tripod can last 30 or 40 years.

save some money and buy a reallllyyy scratched up gitzo that is worth like 800 dollars new and by it for like 300 dollars thats what i did. I got a gitzo reporter (not made anymore) for 120 dollars when new they are around 700 plus a brand new ballhead... they work the same as long as there are no dents in the frame...

I wish somebody would come up with a chart rating where each tripod on the market stood when stability and load are considerd.


I have a Slik Pro 700DX. I feel like its really solid. But when somebody says a $300- $1000 pod is whats needed .... I still wonder.


Just how does a Slik Pro 700DX stand up to one twice or three times its cost?[^o)]

I rarely use a tripod except for interiors and the occasional landscape. Then it usually just supporting a 5DmkII and a 16-35II lens.


I have a Manfrotto 190XPROB and 488RC0 ball head. Together cost about $300. I used it to shoot a shuttle launch with 5DII and 100-400 extended out to 400 and it was very stable. I know it's not the best, but very capable of serving my needs.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Daniel Browning

I can get much sharper pictures with a $300 lens and a $5000 tripod than a $5000 lens and a $300 tripod.

---

As usual, Mr Browning makes "the point". I have recently found his point to be the case and decided to spend as much on a tripod/ballhead as I would on an "L" series lens.


A test---(I know, some of you have read this before, but perhaps this member hasn't)


1. Set up on your current tripod with your longest lens. ---2. Go to Live view (If Available)and magnify times 10.---- 3. Manually focus on some distant object---like a business card, or something else that will show detail. 4. If you observe vibration, get a bettertripod.


I found this to be a problem with a $200 Bogan aluminum tripod so, after a little research and lots of questions, I realized that a High quality tripod and ball head was next on the wish list, even though there are several lenses that are in my sights.

good to know.


I've decided that although a good tripod may be expensive, I am now convinced it's worth it. I have two options for tripods:


Gitzo GT3531s - gitzo systematic 3 series tripod. supports 40 lbs, carbon fiber (duh), minimum height 4'', $680


Benro C-358m8 - 8 layer carbon fiber tripod, supports 40lbs, minimum height 15'', $460.





The benro looks like a quality, cheaper alternative. any thoughts?


The gitzo is 3-section, the benro is 4-section. Will this affect stability?





thanks to everyone for their help


brendan

A tripod with three sections per a leg will typically be more sturdy because of the size of the individual tubes. The downside to three legs instead of four is it will have a greater folded up height so it will be a little more cumbersome to carry around.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by freelanceshots

A tripod with three sections per a leg will typically be more sturdy because of the size of the individual tubes. The downside to three legs instead of four is it will have a greater folded up height so it will be a littl more cumbersome to carry around.
<div style="clear: both;"]</div>

---

Agreed. It's even possible to get legs with just 2 segments or even just 1. The latter tend to only be on the used market. Tripods from the good old days could be pretty big because photographers back then weren't a bunch of namby pambies like we are now. [:D]

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Daniel Browning

because photographers back then weren't a bunch of namby pambies like we are now. [img]/emoticons/emotion-2.gif[/img]

---

Heard that!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Daniel Browning

Tripods from the good old days could be pretty big because photographers back then weren't a bunch of namby pambies like we are now. [img]/emoticons/emotion-2.gif[/img]

---

I think photographers back then if given the option of tripods that collapsed to 1/4 of the fully extended size and less then 1/2 their weight and still supported there camera the same would have gone with the ones we use today but thats just what I think [;)]

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fred Doane

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Daniel Browning

Tripods from the good old days could be pretty big because photographers back then weren't a bunch of namby pambies like we are now. [img]/emoticons/emotion-2.gif[/img]

---

I think photographers back then if given the option of tripods that collapsed to 1/4 of the fully extended size and less then 1/2 their weight and still supported there camera the same would have gone with the ones we use today but thats just what I think [img]/emoticons/emotion-5.gif[/img]
<div style="clear: both;"]</div>

---

Yup... and your parents would have taken the bus to school instead of walking in the snow uphill both ways. ;)

Advantages of one over the other? ........ Ballhead Vs. 3 way pan/tilt .... sorry if we coverd this elsewhere.[A]

Ballhead:


simple workings, good support of weight, compactish. Kind of a pain to keep perfectly level and rotate unless you have a panning base (more $$), may become unscrewed from tripod if it lacks a locking feature.


Panhead:


independent movement of axis without throwing the others off, usually cheaper, good weigh support, best for video. Big annoying leavers, not as easy to operate as a simple ball head, harder to fine tune in a position.

So the ultimate setup would be a Wimberley Gimbal for action &amp; a 3way pan/tilt for everything else ....Including panos?


.... and if so, a great addition would be a nodal slide, plate&amp; L bracket from RRSfor the pan/tilt setup?

It depends on what you are putting on it. I started with a very heavy Bogan. I could sit on it and it would hold me up. I am over 200lbs. I am not telling how much over. I had a Bronica at the time. I let my 2 year old son play with it. He liked to put a blanket over it like a teepee. He broke one of the legs off. I have no idea how he did this. My dad always said I could tear up a steel ball. My wife thought he was terrible to say that till my son came along.


Bottom line, if you are letting your 2 year old play with it, it needs to be stronger than a steel ball. LOL


Mark

I've been told I could muck up an anvil. [^o)]


.... but screw him, hes only my boss.