Best Tripod and head for stability

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Originally Posted by Theron

Colin,

You made me laugh tell my sides hurt. Thanks for the fun.:D That has got to be a keeper!!!!

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You're welcome :)

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Well I took your recommendation and laid down the green. I just came home with a new Gitzo GT5540LS. I can see I need to mail it to your testing plant.. What do you charge?

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Happy to test at no charge - return freight is very expensive though ;)

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It is rated at 55 lbs. If this will do what yours just did I am astounded. I surely hope it will.

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I suspect that that figure is the max when the legs are splayed more, but not sure. If not then obviously they under-rate it by just a touch!

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I like the looks of that ball head. Do you know what the weight rating is?

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"Sufficient!"

http://backup.cambridgeincolour.com/...3/original.jpg

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Originally Posted by Colin Southern

"Sufficient!"

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So I see :eek: (& LOL)

I also see you believe in weightlifting for kids! :)

Couldn't you loan her to Claude? (tell her it's a holiday)
Could solve two people's problems in one go. :D

BTW, cheers,

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Originally Posted by Dave Humphries

So I see :eek: (& LOL)

I also see you believe in weightlifting for kids! :)

Couldn't you loan her to Claude? (tell her it's a holiday)
Could solve two people's problems in one go. :D

BTW, cheers,

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BY her, I'm not sure if you meant the tripod or Jessica. If you're meaning the tripod then NO WAY! - In the case of Jessica, then yes - by all means (I'll even pay!) (just kidding - she's a great kid - just that she hides it well somedays!) (but I love her dearly) (they vow and declare that I love my camera gear more though!).

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Originally Posted by d3debian

Congrats Theron, with your new tripod!!
Please let us know what your experiences are after using a while.

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I'll sure do that. It might be a few weeks before I settle on the head but when I get that done I'll get right to it.

My favorite tripod is a big old GITZO Studex w/ a 475 Ball 4 head. I've been using it for years. Before getting into digital I used it with medium and 35mm film cameras. A few years ago we had an extremely rare heavy snowfall down here in South Texas. That night I got some great available light night shots using a rangefinder on that tripod and very long exposures. Keep an eye on estate and garage sales. I paid twelve dollars for the tripod at an estate sale.

I want that tripod!!!!

Laughing myself off my couch

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Originally Posted by wings4me

I want that tripod!!!!

Laughing myself off my couch

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I followed Colin's lead and bought the gitzo and ball head. I never used a ball head before and can't believe I waited so long to do it. Much easier to use and smooth!!!! The gitzo doesn't wiggle with my 500mm lens. I am very pleased with the results. My tripod shots are sharper.

I'm with you -- I'm still laughing about Colin on that tripod but he sure made his point and sold me on it.

Theron

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Originally Posted by Theron

I'm with you -- I'm still laughing about Colin on that tripod but he sure made his point and sold me on it.

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And the best news of all is that the indentation the tripod made in my fingers is hardly noticeable anymore! :)

Glad you're enjoying the combo - they're both great pieces of kit. The only other thing you might like to consider with longer lenses is a Wimberley head www.tripodhead.com.

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Originally Posted by Colin Southern

And the best news of all is that the indentation the tripod made in my fingers is hardly noticeable anymore! :)


Glad you're enjoying the combo - they're both great pieces of kit. The only other thing you might like to consider with longer lenses is a Wimberley head www.tripodhead.com.

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I can believe the fingers!!!!

I have looked at the Wimberley system and believe that will be the next thing on the list right after a new lens.

Thanks for the heads up.
Theron

I am pretty pleased so far with my 055XPROB legs, but less enthused with the 486 ball head, and I have a SERIOUS desire for the RRS BH-55 ball head. Whether that drives me to better legs remains to be seen, but I dream about that head. :o

This is the site that 1st got me hooked.

WARNING: View at your own risk....... ;)

http://regex.info/blog/2007-08-17/547

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Originally Posted by Bm7b5

I have a SERIOUS desire for the RRS BH-55 ball head. Whether that drives me to better legs remains to be seen, but I dream about that head. :o

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You could always use a technique thats worked for me for years; it's called "Buy now, justify later"!

(It's always easier to justify something once you have it) :)

Colin's suggestion is very much along the lines of my thinking when I was younger and braver.
"It's easier to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission."

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Originally Posted by Bill44

Colin's suggestion is very much along the lines of my thinking when I was younger and braver.
"It's easier to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission."

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Sounds like the MoF is spoiling your fun again Bill!

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Originally Posted by Colin Southern

Sounds like the MoF is spoiling your fun again Bill!

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No, you wouldn't believe how I'm milking the upcoming wedding of her brother.:D

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Originally Posted by Colin Southern

You could always use a technique thats worked for me for years; it's called "Buy now, justify later"!

(It's always easier to justify something once you have it) :)

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unfortunately I have already maxed that one out, having bought a Nikon D300, a extensive collection of lens, tripod, head, software, bag, remote shutter release, a dozen books,.......etc........


...on that plan. :o


So now it has to be cash and carry. ;)

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Originally Posted by Bill44

No, you wouldn't believe how I'm milking the upcoming wedding of her brother.:D

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Good on ya mate ;)

Has anyone ever tried modifying a survey/transit tripod for photography? The tripods I use with my Leica/Heerbrugg transits are extremely well made. It wouldn't be much trouble to draw the plans and machine a conversion plate to accept standard heads.

A fun idea would be to incorporate a gyroscope into the head design of a tripod.

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Originally Posted by txfred

A fun idea would be to incorporate a gyroscope into the head design of a tripod.

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Might be fun to try one of these too ...

http://www.ken-lab.com/mm5/merchant....tegory_Code=GS

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Originally Posted by txfred

Has anyone ever tried modifying a survey/transit tripod for photography? The tripods I use with my Leica/Heerbrugg transits are extremely well made. It wouldn't be much trouble to draw the plans and machine a conversion plate to accept standard heads.

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You mean like this....?

http://www.yorksurvey.co.uk/accessor...-elevator.html

At that price I think I will stick with the Manfrotto, even if it doesn't go to 4m.

Actually most survey tripods are not that expensive and nearly all are available with adapters so that a 'photographic' head can be fitted. (Have a look at others on that site).

I recently had a look at a MeFoto A2350Q2 tripod. Very similar models appear to be the Benro A2691T Travel Angel and the Hpusn 042XPRO.

Likes:

• good price
• folds to very small package
• ballhead supports panning
• centre column reversible for low shots
• legs spread wide for a low position
• one leg detachable to be repurposed as a monopod
• centre column has a hook for an extra weight
• Arca-Swiss Style plate

Dislikes:

• Maximum height (centre column extended) just 163 cm. Or is that normal?
• Legs just have two fixed angles
• Camera will be upside down for really low shots
• Stability?

The last bullet is the reason why I'm posting here. I've read that a good test to check out the stability of a tripod is to tap one of its legs and while looking through the viewfinder of the camera and check out the vibration. I had no camera with me, so I just watched the tripod thread.

Sure enough, the MeFoto tripod head visibly vibrated when I lightly tapped one of the legs. Most other light tripods in the store showed the same behaviour. A couple of Manfrottos didn't move at all.

Now is this "tap test" a good idea? Or does the tripod rely on some weight (camera and lens) to become fully stable? Are all these light tripods like that unless you hang a weight at the hook of the centre column?

I'd like a modern tripod that allows me to take macro shots (i.e., get low) but I don't want to spend money on something that isn't up to snuff in terms of stability.

I know about the Gitzo and RRS recommendation -- and I'll never forget your images, Colin :) -- but I cannot spend $600 on a tripod. Is there anything really stable for less?