Tripods
Many photographers skimp on tripods and I think that is a mistake. I see this when traveling all the time, and sometimes in my classes. You see an expensive camera and lens on a low-priced tripod. Many photographers think nothing of spending hundreds of dollars for a lens, but complain about spending the same for a tripod. Yet a good tripod can make or break the sharpness of any lens. In my Olympus gear, I have lenses that cost anywhere from $500 to $2000. To me, the cost of my tripod and head, about $1000, was a very important investment and worth every dollar. You can get good tripods for less, but the really low priced tripods are not worth the price. A cheap tripod that does not do its job well is too expensive.
I recommend a carbon fiber tripod for its light weight and a lightweight magnesium alloy head. In addition, carbon fiber is not as hard on the fingers when it is cold — metal tripods will sap the warmth and energy from your fingers. A quick release head helps make using a tripod easier.
Manfrotto and Gitzo are always good brands, both imported by Bogen. Manfrotto tripods are solid units that are a good value for their money. Gitzo tripods are expensive, but their fine construction is a pleasure to work with. Both manufacturers also make good tripod heads.
I use a Gitzo Mountaineer GT1540 tripod plus a BH-40 Really Right Stuff head. What is more important than the specific models are the reasons that I use this combination. I think you should look carefully at your needs for a tripod as this will affect which ones you use. I got this tripod for its compact size and light weight for travel — it easily collapses to suitcase size. Plus, the Really Right Stuff head is quite light, too. So in the field, I am not carrying more than a very few pounds of tripod and head. I also like the Really Right Stuff tripod mounting plates which allow for secure, quick-release of camera/lens. That said, there are some new heads from Manfrotto and Gitzo that have come out in the past couple of years that I quite like and would easily consider them a challenge to the Really Right Stuff head. The Gitzo heads are very finely manufactured and a true pleasure to work with, while the Manfrotto heads offer a solid, great value for the budget-limited photographer.
If I did less travel, I would probably opt for a three-section leg tripod (mine is four), as they are just slightly sturdier and faster to set up (though my four-section legs are very sturdy) and a slightly heavier head. One thing that is quite nice for carbon-fiber tripods now is that you can tighten and loosen the knurled locking rings all at once and open and close legs, which is not possible with older styles (and some tripods on the market now — this is not a quality issue, but a convenience feature).
Bottom line for my tripod and head is that it is lightweight, compact and easily taken anywhere. You can have the sturdiest, most wonderful tripod in the world, but if you hate taking it with you, it is worthless. I have no problem making sure my tripod is always with me.
The photo seen here was taken in the Ancient Bristlecone National Forest near Big Pine, California, nearly 20 minutes after sunset, which meant a long exposure of many seconds. A tripod was a necessity. However, this tree requires a hike of about half a mile uphill from the parking lot. No big deal, except that this is at 11,000 feet and I live at about 100 feet above sea level. I exercise daily, but still, I felt the altitude and I was very happy to not feel burdened by my tripod.
November 1st, 2009 at 1:11 pm
In 1996 my wife and I photographed alpine wildflowers in New Zealand’s South Island. We bought Gitzo carbon fiber tripods with Kirk ball heads, and Kirk fixed the center post so that it could go to ground level. We have never regreted the expense. We have been through three or four cameras and still use and carry the same tripods.
November 4th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Yes, you are right. Photographers should not skimp on tripods as these are essential tools for the perfect image shot. Out in the market now are compass fluid heads. The stylish and operator friendly design incorporates features like awide payload range, selectable pan and tilt drag settings and illuminated bubble level in a low profile and lightweight fluid head.
November 5th, 2009 at 2:09 am
It was initially a tough pill to swallow, but with the amount of hiking I do, I wouldn’t trade my Gitzo GT2541 an RRS BH-40 combo for anything. I’m by no means made of money, but the weight savings alone was worth every penny over the “lesser” tripod this setup replaced.
November 10th, 2009 at 11:22 am
I was on a workshop recently where an older gentlemen was fighting with a cheap tripod and pistol grip type head. It was an unfortunate situation, because he would literally spend 15 minutes getting the tripod figured out and then not have much left for actually composing the shot. The ratio was pretty much 15 minutes tripod… 1 minute shooting. And these were not difficult tripod setups.