Two tripod questions re: quick-release & tilt columns

[xpatUSA]

Apologies if these have been asked before, I beg your indulgence.

Thinking about getting a tripod for use around my wooded property, tall trees, bugs, critters, flowers, possible landscapes just down the country access road (dirt), no traveling. Looking at carbon-fiber, 3-section, ~72" max height, ball-head. Sharpness is still my grail and also thinking about IR. No big zooms or big telephoto lenses.

The questions are:

1) For the above activities - is a quick-release head a bad thing?

(currently I use a Giottos ball-head: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...h_Sliding.html for bench-top work and would be quite happy to buy another, unless . . . .)

2) For the above activities - is a tilting column a bad thing, from the POV of vibration, lack of stiffness?

Thinking of this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...olumn_max.html

vs. this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ssic_lift.html (except for the 4-section legs).

I've also been looking at the other two major players but, right now, just considering Giottos since I already have one.

Thanks,

[DanK]

is a quick-release head a bad thing?

I can't see why. Almost all of the best heads come with Arca-compatible quick release clamps. My relatively inexpensive head does as well, and I retrofitted my Manfrotto geared head to have one also. It would be a real pain to use a tripod without one--e.g., simply switching from a short lens to a long lens with a collar would be a nuisance.

I have no data, but I suspect that when tilted, a tilting column probably does increase vibration under adverse conditions. Perhaps others have more information. However, I would really like one anyway, for macro use. I bought a tripod without one.

[Manfred M]

Ted - I had been using the traditional screw type plates, but have recently gone to a toggle style clamp. Both work, but find I like the toggle style better. With the screw type plate, when working in low light, there is a risk that I could release that camera, rather than making an adjustments (it has happened and I fortunately did not drop the camera)

I also recently upgraded my tripod to a tall (almost 60” without a column), rigid (3-section, with maximum leg diameter of about 1.5”) with a 26lb capacity. I ordered it with both a fixed plate (if I need super rigid) for long exposures and a tilt column. The column gives me a 76” height, so I need to stand on some apple boxes to go to that extreme. The tilt column is great for leveling the head; it’s a feature that video tripods have used for years and is invaluable for doing panos (just remember to get a bubble level that attaches to the tripod, rather than the ball head quick release plate).

Changing from the leveling plate to the fixed plate takes a couple of minutes (and three Allan screws).

My tripod specs are at: http://www.feisol.com/0823tripodsdetails.html (I have the Feisol 3372LV) and I went with the overpriced RRS BH-55.

[xpatUSA]

Thanks Gents,

I'm leaning toward the Giottos YTL8383 that I referenced in the OP. It comes with an additional (short column) that can take the camera directly, for what that's worth.

later,

[Glenn NK]

Apologies if these have been asked before, I beg your indulgence.

The questions are:

1) For the above activities - is a quick-release head a bad thing?

(currently I use a Giottos ball-head: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...h_Sliding.html for bench-top work and would be quite happy to buy another, unless . . . .)

2) For the above activities - is a tilting column a bad thing, from the POV of vibration, lack of stiffness?

Thinking of this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...olumn_max.html

vs. this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ssic_lift.html (except for the 4-section legs).

I've also been looking at the other two major players but, right now, just considering Giottos since I already have one.

Thanks,

Ted:

1) I have nothing but quick release heads (Arca-Swiss compatible). They are a good thing (I think).

2) I HAD a Giottos similar to the first link. What I found is that just when I thought I'd tightened it the angled arm, it would slip and the camera and lens would drop - scary. I put it up for consignment sale after I found a Gitzo with the same features - it DOES NOT slip unexpectedly.

The other feature I didn't like was the flip locks on the legs. Invariably I'd be out in cool weather (not cold enough for gloves, but cool enough for my fingers to be a bit numb). Then I'd operate the flip locks and get a finger under one - ouch. I much prefer the twist locks of the Gitzo. I also had two Manfrotto tripods with flip locks on the legs - they are gone too for much the same reason.

The drawback to Gitzo is that they are pricey - mine was an older model and was marked down quite a bit.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...bon_Fiber.html

There are more stable tripods (I'll be the first to admit that), but with macro, particularly things close to the ground, I haven't seen a better solution. I'm careful to use MLU or LV to eliminate shutter shake. It isn't highly stable in the wind, but the flowers aren't either so it's not a issue. The flowers moving in the wind are the real problem - it they don't move, the tripod is fine.

Glenn

[xpatUSA]

Thanks Glenn,

I've gone ahead and ordered Giottos stuff, the YTL8383 tripod and the MH7000-621 ball-head with sliding plate quick-release.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...olumn_max.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...h_Sliding.html

The ball-head and quick-release plate-thingy are both attractive due to simplicity (for this old man) and for their huge wing-nut style tighteners. As opposed to those poofty knobs with their arcane graduations

[killwilly]

I am unable to comment on your choice of tripod, but have recently bought a Giottos head with sliding plate, (see link) and have to say, it is brilliant, even with my Sigma 150-500 and 7D, it's rock solid.

http://www.parkcameras.com/9468/Giot...FRMRtAodLT4AnQ

[xpatUSA]

Thanks Alan,

I was in two minds to get that model 1300 but I already had the 7001-621 with two plates for my short tripod, so I decided to stick with the same again.

I lived in Lincoln for many years before emigrating - an honorary yeller-belly so to speak

[killwilly]

Thanks Alan,

I was in two minds to get that model 1300 but I already had the 7001-621 with two plates for my short tripod, so I decided to stick with the same again.

I lived in Lincoln for many years before emigrating - an honorary yeller-belly so to speak

Hi Ted.

I have lived in Lincolnshire since 2001 and live in the south of the county, almost on the boundary of Cambridgeshire.