A Tripod is not just a Tripod:

[AB26]

Hi All,

Some time ago I posted a thread about getting tack sharp images using a tripod. I realized the importance of using a good tripod in getting your images as sharp as possible. (Ok you need to do some post sharpening to get it really sharp, however starting out with a sharp image makes it so much better.) At the time I was using my “crappy” (and I was gunned for using “crappy”) Vivitar tripod, trying to figure out ways to make the tripod as stable as possible with a camera mounted on top of it.

A very good Taiwanese friend of mine decided to offer me a gift – guess what. Yes a tripod! Not just any tripod. A good tripod. A Redged: carbon fiber tripod with a ball head. Mounting my D200 on this tripod is like having a new camera. What a world of difference between a “crappy” cheap tripod and a proper good quality tripod.

A tripod is not just a tripod, a good tripod just makes so much sense. Do not skimp when buying a tripod it is really worth getting the best you can afford.

“The proof of the pudding is in the eating.” Using a Sigma 70-300mm lens, not the best you can get, on a Nikon D200, mounted on the tripod, using a cable shutter release.

[gregj1763]

Yep thats sharp Andre. Watch you don't cut yourself.
Nice one

[Mike Buckley]

One of your best images!

[Brownbear]

Gorgeous image Andre... I am going to purchase a better quality tripod...

[DanK]

Beautiful shot. I agree with you about getting a reasonable tripod, but: to be fair, some of the credit for this shot goes to the person standing behind the tripod.

[tbob]

A good tripod, with no centre post, that extends to my eye height or a bit more is next on my gear list.

[rpcrowe]

A good tripod, with no centre post, that extends to my eye height or a bit more is next on my gear list.

Actually, Trevor... Although I don't use the center post on my lightweight travel tripod (see images)



I do like the fact that my full size Giottos MT8180 (no longer being offered) has a center column. The tripod can be articulated to place the camera in virtually any position I need for close-up and macro shooting. This Giottos image is not my tripod but, it shows how the transverse center column articulates.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Giottos-MT-9...item588a0f7ef7

The Giottos tripod is quite hefty and is extremely stable and solid.

I would advise anyone who is willing to spend a goodly sum for a tripod to get a head that has an Arca Compatible Quick Release system. I have Arca Compatible quick release on both my tripods and a tilt-head with an A/C quick release on my monopod. The A/C Quick Release is great and combined with an L bracket (for non tripod ring eqipped setups) it is better than sliced bread...

[Polar01]

Trevor as you are in B.C. check out the FEISOL tripod, the supplier is in Vancouver I will add a link at the end. I have the CT-3472LV, also go their ball head CB-50DC only mod I made was to remove their clamp,replaced it with a RRS quick release clamp as I use the RRS L-brackets on my D600 and D7000. Have been happy with it since I got it.

http://www.feisolcanada.com/

Cheers:

Allan

[rpcrowe]

I neglected to mention (Allan did) that on some heads, you can switch the OEM quick release (if that is not an Arca Compatible) release with an A/C release from RRS. BTW: Kirk Enterprises also has A/C quick releases that can fit on many heads....

[FootLoose]

Very nice, Andre. Next you will be processing in b&w

[AB26]

I wish to thank you all for the very nice compliments.

Do I dare say the photographer cannot take all the credit, equipment does matter, very much. Knowing how to use the equipment also matters. Having nice people, like the folks here at CiC, guiding you in the right direction with comment and critique, is encouraging and contributes very much to improved results.
It is a matter of tying up lose ends by experimenting and practicing, building a complete package.

[skilsaw]

... some of the credit for this shot goes to the person standing behind the tripod.

I don't know, looks to me like someone let a nut loose on the shutter release.

[dubaiphil]

By cheap and buy twice has never been more applicable than in the realms of tripods

[HaseebM]

I like my 055XPROB and the plethora of adjustments one can do with it. Good payload of 8 kgs too.

[Venser]

Do I dare say the photographer cannot take all the credit, equipment does matter, very much.

Going to have to disagree with this statement. Unless you're doing something extremely specific (macro, tilt-shift, ...) the gear is mostly irrelevant. Just take a look at the Pro Photographer Cheap Camera series.

[HaseebM]

Going to have to disagree with this statement. Unless you're doing something extremely specific (macro, tilt-shift, ...) the gear is mostly irrelevant. Just take a look at the Pro Photographer Cheap Camera series.

Agree and disagree. Agree that equipment does matter. Disagree that photographer cannot take all the credit. After all, its the photographer that decides the best means for a perfect picture. If that means handheld, cheap camera, Dslr, tripod, focus rails, lighting set up etc., so be it. Important thing being, its the photographer that makes the correct choice in bringing out the image he / she intends.

[Venser]

Agree and disagree. Agree that equipment does matter. Disagree that photographer cannot take all the credit. After all, its the photographer that decides the best means for a perfect picture. If that means handheld, cheap camera, Dslr, tripod, focus rails, lighting set up etc., so be it.

Still going to say the equipment only matters in a handful of situations; all very specific. The gear may facilitate what you're trying to accomplish, but it can probably be done with lesser equipment or a lot more post work.

Even the two examples I gave, macro you can do by reverse mounting a lens and tilt-shift by taking the lens off the mount.

[AB26]

Going to have to disagree with this statement. Unless you're doing something extremely specific (macro, tilt-shift, ...) the gear is mostly irrelevant. Just take a look at the Pro Photographer Cheap Camera series.

I guess we can add to the list of specific photography: Weddings, Landscape, Nature, Wildlife, Avian, Portraiture, Under water, Aerial, Sport & Action, etc. None of these are possible without proper equipment, IF you intend doing it well.

Sebastian Vettel might be good at what he is doing but without the equipment and the team he will get nowhere.

[Green Mountain Girl]

A good tripod, with no centre post, that extends to my eye height or a bit more is next on my gear list.

I am also looking at tripods, was wondering what the reason for no center post might be. The tripod I have now has one, which I seldom use, although it does have a hook on it for attaching something heavy as a stabilizer. I do know that extending the center post can make the tripod more top-heavy, thus less stable.

Also, am wondering if the type of leg adjustment is better one way or another, or is it just a matter of preference. I have the lever type, and am wishing I could extend/retract the legs by just pushing a remote control button!

From what I see, Feisol makes this type almost exclusively at a very good price. Available at Adorama. (See posting here from Alan/Polar01.)

Susan

[Green Mountain Girl]

Trevor as you are in B.C. check out the FEISOL tripod, the supplier is in Vancouver I will add a link at the end. I have the CT-3472LV, also go their ball head CB-50DC only mod I made was to remove their clamp,replaced it with a RRS quick release clamp as I use the RRS L-brackets on my D600 and D7000. Have been happy with it since I got it.

http://www.feisolcanada.com/

Cheers:

Allan

Hi Alan. I was looking at the Feisol tripods, and they actually start at a very reasonable price ($271 at Adorama), going up to $657. Not sure I want to go to the most expensive, but it looks to me like the $399 "Feisol Tournament CT-3442 Rapid 4-Section Carbon Tripod" might be a good choice. It has good weight-bearing capacity, reasonable folded length, good maximum height. The main thing to figure out is stability - my current tripod is aluminum, and I always use a remote cable shutter release to help reduce any vibration. With macro, I use mirror-up as well.

Your opinion would be appreciated. (I am also thinking the center column is something I will be happy to do without. It limits how close to the ground I can get the camera.)

Thanks.

Susan