Best Tripod and head for stability

[Colin Southern]

Colin,

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

You're welcome

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?

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

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

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!

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

"Sufficient!"

[Dave Humphries]

"Sufficient!"

So I see (& 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.

BTW, cheers,

[Colin Southern]

So I see (& 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.

BTW, cheers,

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!).

[Theron]

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

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.

[txfred]

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.

[wings4me]

I want that tripod!!!!

Laughing myself off my couch

[Theron]

I want that tripod!!!!

Laughing myself off my couch

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

[Colin Southern]

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

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.

[Theron]

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.

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

[Bm7b5]

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.

This is the site that 1st got me hooked.

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

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

[Colin Southern]

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.

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)

[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."

[Colin Southern]

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."

Sounds like the MoF is spoiling your fun again Bill!

[Bill44]

Sounds like the MoF is spoiling your fun again Bill!

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

[Bm7b5]

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)

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.


So now it has to be cash and carry.

[Colin Southern]

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

Good on ya mate

[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.

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

[Colin Southern]

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

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

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

[shreds]

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.

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).

[Class A]

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?