Tripod selection

[citrinella]

In slightly similar mode to John, I am wondering how to select a tripod. This is for photography of all kinds, including birds. What factors are important ?

I look on the web, and there are millions.

Roughly what weight is most appropriate, given that I am young and in good shape ?

What sort of head should I use ? I fear that if one lock does all directions, it will be difficult to pan without lsong vertical alignment. However, if it doesn't, while I am busy panning the bird might have to fly level ! Should I look for a head where I can set up a nicely damped pan, and control the vertical lock while I am panning ?

Money matters, but I'll save up rather than buy something nearly useless.

TIA,
Mike.

[Andy Bright]

Hi Mike, you can get a good idea from seeing what the pro's use... invariably Gitzo mountaineer range with either a first class fluid head or for those with very large lenses, the full Wimberley gimbal type head... so you can be talking the best part of £1k

If you are as young and fit as you suggest, weight of the tripod is not a big factor and you can purchase something very solid .... Benbo springs to mind, as do some of the alloy Manfrottos that are often discussed in these forums.

Unless you have a 500 or 600mm f4 lens, I'd suggest a fluid head... the Manfrotto 501 or 503, or the Gitzo Fluide range, these are very capable heads. Hopefully someone with more expertise will come forward to suggest other/better choices.
regards,
Andy

[Geoff Brown]

I have a Manfrotto Mdeve and the 700rc head. Not cheap but very good. Built in levels keep the horizon nice and straight - not sloping! They will last my life time!

[Kevin Mac]

Just make sure the tripod is suited to your height. If you're very tall your options are greatly reduced. Check out the tripods and heads forum for lots of advice.

[Doug Greenberg]

I think the moderately priced Bogen aluminum tripods are quite adequate. I currently use a model 3221. The carbon fiber tripods give you slightly more stability for the same weight, but they are very expensive and unless every ounce of weight is significant for you, I think it's an extravagance.

As for tripod heads, I have never been able to settle on a single system for all of my needs.

Are you digiscoping, or using an SLR or DSLR? I have found that when using a telescope, my favorite head is a Bogen/Manfrotto fluid head model 3130. It's light, supportive, and adjusts easily. For digiscoping it is ideal.

However, for my SLR rig this just isn't adequate. My biggest lens is a 500 f4, and I sometimes use teleconverters. For this rig I use an Arca-Swiss B1 ballhead, usually in conjunction with a Wimberley Sidekick. Were I starting from scratch I might well have purchased a Markins ballhead instead, as these are magnificent pieces of gear and the price is quite affordable.

I actually tried using the Arca/Wimberley system for my telescope for a while, but I never really liked it. So lately I've been packing two tripods in my car or else switching the head from one to the other system as needed. What a pain! I guess that's not something I would recommend, but it's what I do.

[citrinella]

Thanks everybody. Sorry about the delay in replying - I have been offline.

Can you please describe the attributes of the different types of head - i.e. what makes them suitable for certain tasks ?

Cheers,
Mike.

[cthomas]

As for tripod heads, I have never been able to settle on a single system for all of my needs.

However, for my SLR rig this just isn't adequate. My biggest lens is a 500 f4, and I sometimes use teleconverters. For this rig I use an Arca-Swiss B1 ballhead, usually in conjunction with a Wimberley Sidekick. Were I starting from scratch I might well have purchased a Markins ballhead instead, as these are magnificent pieces of gear and the price is quite affordable.

I actually tried using the Arca/Wimberley system for my telescope for a while, but I never really liked it. So lately I've been packing two tripods in my car or else switching the head from one to the other system as needed. What a pain! I guess that's not something I would recommend, but it's what I do.

Doug, I'm kinda like you. I'm still trying to find the right tripod head. I started with a Manfrotto 700 RC2 on Manfrotto/Bogen 3221 GN3 tripod, then I got thw Acratech Ultimate ballhead and now I'm using the Wimberley Sidekick with the ball head.

My set up is a Swarovski ATS 80 HD with a Coolpix 4300 which I don't like for digiscoping. I sort of like the Sidekick with the ball head. Why did you not like the Sidekick for digiscoping?

After two and maybe a third back operation I'm also looking for a good light tripod.

[Kevin Mac]

I have a Markins Q-10 ballhead. Love it, it's very compact and light. I use it for my Swaro st80 scope. great quick release. It would be outstanding for photography.

[dickiebird]

Hi- I looked around extensively at tripod/head combos and found that (for me) the optimum weight for everything (scope, head, and tripod) should be ideally between 8.5 and 10 lbs. I settled on two combos for use with my Swarovski 80mm scope. A Manfrotto/Bogen 3001 BN aluminum tripod/128RC non quick-release fluid head (about 9.5 pounds with scope) and the second combo being the Manfrotto/Bogen 3443D carbon fiber tripod with the gimbled Wimberley sidemount head (available at birdwatching.com). The second combo is a tad over 9 lbs. The well constructed gimbled Wimberley tripod head is absolutely fabulous and allows quick and easy movement of the scope in virtually any direction. The Manfrotto 3443D tripod is very stable and vibrates considerably less than the 3001 aluminum tripod. Both tripods are more stable with spiked feet (an option). I find the advantage to the carbon fiber tripod is NOT the weight difference (only .5 pounds) but rather its the increased stability and lower transmission of vibrations to the head and scope. As for the Manfrotto 128rc head, I decided to get the non "quick-release" version as I've seen one too many scopes accidentally released!! (Its a long trip back to the Swarovski factory in Austria for repairs!!). As always, I attach a tightly cinched 1/8th inch nylon cord around the base of my scope and clip it into the tripod strap holder as a precaution. If my scope does come loose, it falls 6 inches instead of 6 feet!

Regards,
Tom

[Kevin Mac]

I'm over 6' so I need a tall tripod. I got the Manfrotto 055 pro with a Markins ballhead and a Swarovski st80 scope. Total weight with strap is just under 10.5 lbs. The tripod is 5.5 lbs but I don't think I would save alot of weight if I got a tall carbon tripod. Maybe 2 lbs for $300 more than what I payed for the 055.