Tripod Question again

[Tareq]

Hi all,

I am planning to get a new tripod rather than my Manfrotto 190XPRO, so what do you recommend?
I want one very sturdy, and CF as well, and minimize it to Gitzo and Bogen only [i prefer Gitzo], and i want to use it for landscapes, as i was using my Manfrotto 190 oneday in the beach and it was windy day and i found that the tripod was not very sturdy [mostly with sea waves where i was placing it very near to waves and the sands got wet and loosy].

If you can recommend me a head as well then it will be nice from you, but i care about the tripod now, and i want to get it once as i will use it for nature and sports and general things [not travel] later so be specific and accurate in the recommendation of choice.

[Jon]

If the problem with the 190B not being sturdy was only while you were in or near the wave zone, that's not the tripod. The water in the sand tends to "float" the sand so things move. Think quicksand. But no tripod's going to be steady when it's not on a stable surface.

[scot079]

If the 190 is like the 055, it doesn't have a hook on the center column. If you could fashion a way to weigh the tripod down, maybe by hanging something on a hook, it might work. Of course the hook would have to be removable to allow for horizontal column feature.

[Tareq]

ok, thanks for the answer.
About the sand moving i tend to agree that no tripod gonna be sturdy in this case, but i feel like that time where there was a wind s the tripod was not steady enough or that what i thought, so just to be sure 100% i want to get another tripod that it will be so sturdy even in windy days, in all cases i feel this year i may get something heavy like a long telephoto or so, so in this case i want to get one to serve me in all occasions, my Manfrotto tripod 190XPROB is excellent and i think it is my mistake to place it so close to the sea wave so the waves and the sand got wet for sure will cause some shaking to the tripod, but i felt it was not stable on some angles and good that i held the tripod once from falling down because i placed it wrong way and the wind was little strong for couple of minutes, but do you really advice me to get another tripod? still i do landscapes but i may do more later for now.

[jhom]

Once you start talking about long lenses then you need to consider better legs and head. My suggestion is start your search with the Gitzo 3 series. Depending on the long lens, then you will need to consider gimbal and ball head. Up to a 300, I would recommend a Gitzo 2 series and Markins ballhead.

[Wilt]

The Manfrotto 190 series is like the Bogen 3001 used to be...most light weight, not so sturdy, not as tall.

The Manfrotto 55 series is like the Bogen 3021 used to be...heavier, but very sturdy and taller.

Ten years ago, the recommendation was 'get Bogen 3001 if you need portability, get 3021 if you want a sturdy tripod which does not force you to stoop down to look thru the viewfinder as much'

[Tareq]

I think i have to think about Gitzo series 3 or 5 seriously now as i may add 600 or 400 to my list.

[Tareq]

OK, I will buy Markings Ball head for my Gitzo traveller.
Now, i was looking to get sturdier tripod than my 190XProB, i was thinking about 055 series, but i was thinking to go directly to Gitzo 3-series or 5-series, so what are your recommendations?

I want to use that new tripod [if gitzo] for landscapes in normal and windy days, so i don't know which head i should get, but is it logical to get that Gitzo tripod for landscapes or even macro or whatever then later i can use it for extreme conditions or let's say for wildife?

I want to but that Wimberley Head for using with 600 and 400 no doubt, but until i got those glasses i want to stuck with small or medium sizes of gear to use, i don't feel i want to get Manfrotto 055 then again upgrade to Gitzo, what do you think?

[jhom]

Given your scenerio, the Gitzo is the way to go. Most would recommend a 5 series for the 600. Obviously it would hold the 400 without problems.

[Tareq]

Given your scenerio, the Gitzo is the way to go. Most would recommend a 5 series for the 600. Obviously it would hold the 400 without problems.

ah ok, in fact i was looking for or thinking about Gitso 5-series over 3-series but many here and somewhere else prefer that 3-series, enough for most of what they do, but really i feel i should get 5-series, not sure what heavy gear over 400 i can get in the future as well.

OK, so two things or 3 i am sure about right now:

- Markings Head
- Gitzo 5-series tripod
- Wimberley [for heavy gear]

Now if i will get that Gitzo 5-series tripod, which head should i try for landscapes and those medium gear [1Dxxx/5D + 24-70/16-35/70-200 .... ]?

[jhom]

I think a Markins M20 would do you well.

[Tareq]

I think a Markins M20 would do you well.

OK, thanks
i will buy 1 or 2 things before, then when i will be sure i will add more.

[jhom]

OK, thanks
i will buy 1 or 2 things before, then when i will be sure i will add more.

Good plan.

[RPCrowe]

If I understood your post correctly, you were asking about the stability of a triopd when used on loose sand (snow would have the same effect) due to the tripod feet sinking into the sand.

I use a Giottos MT-8180 Tripod. Giottos supplies accessory feet for use in sandy or snow conditions. The feet give a broader profile to the tripod legs just like snow shoes provide a broader profile to your feet and prevent them from sinking in the snow.

http://www.adorama.com/Search-Results.tpl?page=searchresults&searchinfo=Giottos%20shoe

I would suspect, but do not know, that other tripod manufacturers may provide the same general type accessory feet.

[Tareq]

Good plan.
Thank you

[Tareq]

If I understood your post correctly, you were asking about the stability of a triopd when used on loose sand (snow would have the same effect) due to the tripod feet sinking into the sand.

I use a Giottos MT-8180 Tripod. Giottos supplies accessory feet for use in sandy or snow conditions. The feet give a broader profile to the tripod legs just like snow shoes provide a broader profile to your feet and prevent them from sinking in the snow.

http://www.adorama.com/Search-Results.tpl?page=searchresults&searchinfo=Giottos%20shoe

I would suspect, but do not know, that other tripod manufacturers may provide the same general type accessory feet.

Yes, exactly, but i think all tripods will face same problems, but i felt that the tripod is not sturdy enough, i tested it again and found it is not very stable where there are so leaning with sands and wind, not ignoring the waves if that will have an effect as well.

I think it is time to get new tripod maybe ;) hehe

[amfoto1]

Hi, I think there are accessory feet you can get for most any tripod. Or, might be something that could be home made.

I use a Gitzo 1325. It's an older model, they call it something else now. Carbon fiber is not only lighter, it also dampens vibration better than metal and is kinder to your hands working out in cold weather.

For maximum stability, choose a tripod with the minimum number of leg sections. It's also faster to set up. Trade-off with fewer leg sections is that it's less compact.

Also for maximum stability, try to avoid using a center column, if at all possible. My GItzo is plenty tall without one at all. This also allows the tripod to go lower, with the legs wide spread, for macro and other near ground level shooting. Down side is that the tripod is less compact when folded up, if there is no center column. Also there's no direct means of hanging weight from the tripod, to help stabilize it.

I use a Kirk BH-1 ballhead, a Gitzo leveler, and a Wimberley Sidekick with my tripod. It's also got "leg pads" on it, mostly to make it more comfortable to carry over a shoulder. I also have a Tamrac bag to hold it all, with a pocket for some small tools and spare parts.

Since you mentioned the Wimberley and in case you haven't used one, there are a couple designs. The Sidekick works in conjunction with the ballhead, simply slips into the Arca-Swiss style quick release. The Sidekick is usable on lenses up to 300/2.8 and 500/4, or smaller.

It's not recommended for 400/2.8, 600/4 or equally large or larger/heavier lenses. For those, a full size gimbal head should be used instead. This completely replaces the ballhead on the tripod. Since you need tools and a little time to switch it back and forth, I think the tripod becomes pretty much dedicated to use with only those long lenses. (Shorter teles with a tripod ring can be mounted, of course.)

The Sidekick, on the other hand, can be installed or removed in a few seconds with the twist of a single knob.

Also, after getting it I discovered the Sidekick works very well to mount a camera with a short lens in a vertical orientation, too. This requires a camera quick release plate, but I already had those installed anyway, for use on the ballhead. This saves needing to install QR L-brackets on the camera, which add bulk, weight and cost. The full size gimbal head cannot be used this way.

[Wilt]

There are accessory feet for tripods, which are the tripod equivalent of duck's feet...a broad surface that remains on top of the sand rather than small foot which sink in.

[Tareq]

Thank you very much people, i didn't know there are feet that can be used for tripods to keep it over the sand or snow and or any loose surface.
Anyway, all what i am sure about is that i will buy Gitzo 3 or 5 series tripod to use it for everything, only the head will be and issue for different type of photography and the gear used [if heavy or less].

[Wilt]

Here is an example of a special foot for Manfrotto tripods

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/269948-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_055SCK2_055SCK2_Suction_Cup_Set.ht ml


And here is one of the ones available for Gitzo

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/193843-REG/Gitzo_G1220130B_G1220_130_All_Terrain_Shoe.html

[Tareq]

Here is an example of a special foot for Manfrotto tripods

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/269948-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_055SCK2_055SCK2_Suction_Cup_Set.ht ml


And here is one of the ones available for Gitzo

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/193843-REG/Gitzo_G1220130B_G1220_130_All_Terrain_Shoe.html



Ah great, thank you very much :)