Tripods

You wouldn't think there would be all that much to say about tripods, but you would be mistaken. There is probably nothing you can do (assuming you have high quality lenses) to improve your photographs other than use a tripod. There are lots of cheap tripods out there, and everyone should own and use one for a while so that they can appreciate a good one when they finally get one. Someone said that choosing a camera and lens family is a much easier job than choosing a camera support system and I am beginning to think that they knew what they were talking about.

Before I launch off, here are some links to some excellent articles:

One of Galen Rowell's 5 rules is to use a tripod whenever possible. At the close of my film/SLR era, my rule was to use a tripod, lens hood, and cable release whenever possible. To use a tripod without a cable release or equivalent negates at least half the point of using the tripod in the first place, so maybe that goes without saying. Lens Hoods, apart from shading the lens, also serve to protect the front element to some extent.

My present tripod is something that was purchased at a silent auction and given to me. A no-name 4 pound thing (Pro-master 135-E) with a big pan-tilt head and horrid center column. I am going to waste some time removing the center column (the column and pan head weigh 1.5 pounds) and adapting a different ball head to it, before I give up and buy a Manfrotto or Gitzo.

Tripod legs

In the world of quality tripods, you buy a set of legs and then you buy a head to go on them, not necessarily from the same manufacturer. Two companies dominate the world of quality tripod legs, namely Gitzo and Bogen/Manfrotto. Another company, Giottos, seems to be trying to also get into the game.

Bogen/Manfrotto

The Bogen/Manfrotto line are workhorses, and priced fairly. The 3021 is often mentioned, and the 3001 is a good lightweight set that could easily be tied onto a pack. At first glance, the 3001 looks like a good choice for a lightweight and portable unit. But it isn't that much smaller and lighter than the 3021 (you save 0.5 pounds and sacrifice 6.4 inches on the height with the column down.)

Bogen 3001

Also known as the Manfrotto 190. This "little" unit weighs 4.8 pounds. With a Bogen 3262QR ball head we measured 5 pounds. They are 46.8 inch tall with column down. A tall guy like me will have to bend over a lot. Just the legs cost $120.00 or so, depending on whether you get chrome or black. They don't seem to be available without the center column.

Bogen 3021

Also known as the Manfrotto 055. Here is the workhorse bang for the buck, tried and proven set of legs. Cost is $160.00 (not that much more than the 3001). They are 53.2 inches high with the column down, and again they do not seem to be available without the column. There are plates available (or there were) from other manufacturers to eliminate the center column. 5.3 pounds, so again not much bigger than the 3001. People use these for lightweight 4x5 cameras with success. John Shaw says this just might be the most tripod for the least money, but is a tad short if you are 5 foot 10 or taller. Also at the same weight, it is not as stable as the Gitzo G1340. This is recommended by Charles Campbell as his favorite tripod, but he mentions that for big telephotos (400mm and up) you will want a sturdy Gitzo (but then we aren't talking about backpacking anymore).

Gitzo

"No one ever regrets buying the best".
Gitzos simply seem to be the best ... and you will pay for it! On the other hand, John Shaw points out that his Gitzos have outlasted many cameras and he is still using the tripods he bought in 1977 (in 2000 or so), so the cost per year of use is pretty small.

Gitzo has a "basalt" line of tripod that is, amazingly enough, made of basalt! They actually are making fibers out of volcanic rock and then making tripod legs much as is done with carbon fiber!! Most of the gitzos have twist to lock legs, which many people dislike.

The Gitzo product line is absolutely bewildering, I don't know how anyone figures out which model is which, and their website is a disaster, I gave up even trying to use it.

Gitzo G1410

John Shaw mentions this model. A solid aluminum tripod, no centerpost. The literature says it is suitable for an 8x10 view camera (center post could be added). $389 for these legs. With a 500mm lens, Shaw says he gets pictures that are definitely sharper than when he uses his 1340. Old model number 410. 8.4 pounds, 3 section legs. 64.6 inch tall

Gitzo G1340

John Shaw says this is his standard tripod for all around work. "If I could only own one tripod this would be it." Again solid aluminum and no centerpost. $357 for these legs. 6.4 pounds and 60.0 inches high. Flat plate for mounting head, or a column can be purchased and added. This and the above model use "wing lock offs" instead of the usual Gitzo twist to tighten and this is a plus when wearing gloves. (old model number 340)

Gitzo G1320

Also on Shaws list. Same legs as the 1340, but with a center column and the usual twist leg locks (which he suggests replacing). $360 7.3 pounds and 62.2 inches.

Gitzo G1224

Also on Shaws list. A 5 pound tripod, and the lightest aluminum Gitzo he recommends. Has a column.

Gitzo G1348

Current price here is $700 for a set of legs, but they are Carbon fiber legs and this thing weighs only 4.8 pounds. This might be the tripod to get if I win the lottery. Height is 65.7 inches and there is no center column! Shaw says this is absolutely the lightest tripod he can recommend. Note that the "4" in the model number indicates a 4 segment leg.

Gitzo G1324

I don't know anything about it, but it looks good to me. This has carbon fiber legs in 3 sections and weighs 4.5 pounds. Gitzo MK2 Mountaineer Inter Pro Studex G1325 $558. It has no center column, just a flat plate.

Gitzo G1228 Mountaineer

Another carbon fiber tripod, this time with a center column. John Shaw does NOT recommend this, he says it is so light that it blows around in the slightest breeze, and the bottom leg section is quite small in diameter, "about the only Gitzo I do not recommend" says Shaw. Price is $460 with the "rapid column". 3.4 pounds. Jim Doty says it is the size and sturdiness of the Bogen 3021, but with half the weight. 52.0 inches with column down. You decide if saving 3 pounds is worth $300.00 Galen Rowell used this and the G1348.

Gitzo G2220 Explorer

I have heard some glowing reports about this. Aluminum legs and a price tag of $240.00 Weighs 4.9 pounds and 50.0 inches with column down. extends to 64 inches. A strange, but well regarded highly versatile design. This one has 3 segment legs and closes up to 25 inches. It has an extremely versatile center column well suited for macro photography. Weighs 6.2 pounds with the Slik Pro 800 Ball head on it. Comes with many recommendations as being an amazing bargain for a Gitzo. I am thinking of getting this instead of the 3021 It folds to 25 inches (the 3021 folds to 25.5 and is just a tad heavier at 5.3 pounds). The 3021 is 53 inches w/ column down (just 3 inches higher than this) and extends to 69 inches (just 5 inches higher than this).

Giottos

The Giottos seem to be trying to make a mark in the market held by the above two outfits, they make what seem to be nice products at a price that seems wonderful after you have been looking at Gitzos.
Giottos also has some economical ball heads.

Giottos MT8180

The MT8180 is a nice big set of carbon fiber legs for $310. 5.7 pounds and tall enough I don't have to bend over using it with the column down. (I measured 60.0 inches at the top of a Manfrotto 3262QR ball head mounted on the one I played with). With the ball head, the one I played with weighed 7.5 pounds. 4 sections, but sturdy.

Giottos MT9180

The MT-9180 is an aluminum equivalent to the MT8180 for $155 that might be great. The legs are 6.6 pounds, which isn't all that much more than the carbon fiber MT8180.

Tripod Heads

The better heads use a beefy 3/8-16 thread stud. Some use a good old 1/4-20 stud. Some legsets have a stud you can flip around to accomodate any kind of head, but it might be wise to investigate head-leg compatibility issues.

Arca Swiss B1

This is the legendary ballhead by which all others are judged. It also costs $400.00 when you include the QR plate. If money is no object, you get this on top of a Gitzo. They say it can hold 90 pounds. People say that you will ultimately end up buying it, so just get it over with and you will save money in the long run.

Kirk BH-1

A very good ballhead modelled after the infamous B1. Weighs 30 ounces (has a 2.125 inch ball) $355 direct from Kirk enterprises.

Kirk BH-3

Lighter than the BH-1 with a 1.65 inch ball. Weighs 19 ounces and costs $255.00, made to order by Kirk enterprises.

other Kirk Products

Kirk enterprisesmakes Arca style release plates for the Canon 20D ($55.00) as well as for the EF 70-200/f2.8 ... for $52.00, and lots of other interesting stuff. See however, Really right stuff below, who also make plates and such and may be a tad better.

Really Right Stuff BH-55

This is a well regarded, very nicely made ballhead from Really Right Stuff (who make a lot of camera mounting plates and high quality special products. Here is a review of the BH-55 from the Luminous Landscape. The price is $415 in the "Pro" configuration.

Other stuff from Really Right Stuff

They have a BH-40 head for $345 (and a BH-25 is $145) Their plate for the Canon 20D costs $55.00 (as does the plate for the EF 70-200/f2.8) Same price as the Kirk plates and rumors indicate that some people think their plates, especially for cameras, are superior.

Acratech Ultimate Ballhead

Sells for about $280 in a multitude of versions. Has a calibrated azimuth motion and weighs less than a pound. Anodized aluminum and compatible with arca-swiss style QR clamps.

Slik Pro Ball 800 w/ quick release 618708

It has two knobs, so you can't really say it is no frills. Weight is 1.68 pounds which is a bit alarming. Rated to hold 6.6 pounds. The QR plate is round, which is said to be a good thing. $80.00 Extra plates cost $15.00 Said to be just fine for 35mm to lightweight 4x5. I just ordered one (my first ballhead!) and it arrived today. What a monster! I can well believe it weighs nearly 2 pounds. So far I am impressed based on playing with it sans camera. If this is what you get for $80, I can't wait to hold a B1 or BH-3 in my hot little hands.

Slik Standard Ballhead II

Back to one knob, no quick release and 11.2 ounces. $50.00

Canon Professional Ball Head

I don't know if this thing still exists, but one report says it is cheap ($60 at Adorama) and "just super".

Bogen 3-way heads

The Bogen 3025 and 3028 are nice 3-way heads (without the big shift lever thing every tripod I have ever owned came with). The 3047 is a large 3-way pan head with big knobs that you might want for a large view camera. Many of the Bogen heads have new Manfrotto numbers to confuse you and make it difficult to use recommendations you may find online reading reviews.

Bogen Ball Heads

The Bogen 484RC2 is a quick release model that seems just fine and sells for $55.00. The 486RC2 is a bit beefier and sells for $65.00. I have handled the Bogen/Manfrotto 3262QR and it is a simple no frills ball with a nice decisive quick release. However, it is now discontinued (replaced by the 484RC2) Philip Greenspun makes some disparaging comments about this head, including the rather final "I wasn't sorry when it was stolen". weight is 10.6 ounces and can handle 8.8 pounds. Expects the tripod to have a 3/8 inch stud. The next step up is the 486RC2, which handles 13.2 pounds and itself weighs an even 1 pound, for $65.00 One change in the newer models is that the ball is now made of plastic (or as they like to say: polymer). Whether a polymer ball is better or worse I cannot say, it could well be better. The bigger Bogen heads are the 3038 Super Ball (particularly sturdy) and the 3055 Heavy Duty Ball Head.(using their old numbers).

Wimberley Head

The Wimberley Head with Acro/Swiss type controls, is not a ball head, but a big unique head designed to move really big telephoto lenses around their center of gravity. (see Wimberley) Just the thing if you are photographing wildlife with a 600mm lens.

Foba ball heads

Charles Campbell loved his Foba Super Ball. Philip Greenspun hates his and has turned to the Arca Swiss B1, saying that the B1 is half the weight and better. I have heard some horrible things about these, as well as great things.

Gitzo ball heads

Gitzo has its own line of ball heads (in a confusing variety as always), but I don't hear much about them on the photo forums. It would seem that people buy Gitzo legs and if they are spending that kind of money, get the Arca Swiss B1 ball. The Gitzo G1178M looks like a nice ballhead with a quick release, and a Gitzo price of $158.00.

What follows are some lists of recommendations and gear that some friends have: sorting out.

HL recommends the following:

DH has:

Galen Rowell (in 1993) recommends:
Apparently these Gitzo models are items of history.

In the online list of his gear, he is said to be using the Gitzo 1228, as well as the 1348 with Arca-Swiss and Kirk ballheads, along with Arca-style release plates made by Kirk and Really Right Stuff. He used the ultralight Gitzo 001 on trail runs.

This fellow has some good information on bogen tripods and several heads.

The photo.net forums have had extensive discussions of ball heads in the Nature Photography forums.

Take a look at the LowePro off trail 2 Holster style belt pack for 35mm SLR ($60.95 at amazon).

Feedback? Questions? Drop me a line!

Uncle Tom's Photography Info / tom@mmto.org