Tripods - how sturdy does it need to be?

[Brendan7]

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

[IAMB]

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.

[Daniel Browning]

How sturdy does it need to be?

How sharp do you want your photos? []

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.

[Dallasphotog]

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.

[Brendan7]

How sturdy does it need to be?

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

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

[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

[ddt0725]

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
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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

[ddt0725]

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

[freelanceshots]

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.

[Brendan7]

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?