Tripod stability?

[ed2day]

I'm considering upgrading my garage sale tripod and have been reading up. Stability is usually mentioned as the critical feature. I'm just wondering what is meant by that--obviously you need to keep the camera motionless but what does the "stability" protect against? Wind? Ground vibrations? Mirror slap? Manual shutter release? Maybe all of the above, but what are the biggest problems? How much is helped by hanging added weight on the tripod?

Also I hear stability mentioned sometimes in the context of your camera not falling over. Is this a big concern?

I really can't afford $500 on a tripod right now so I'm trying to determine what will work for me.

Thanks.

[pcasciola]

I had the same concerns, including the cost. Based on all the recommendations here and elsewhere, I narrowed my sub $200 choices down to the Bogen 3021BPRO ($140) and Gitzo 2220 Explorer ($180). I decided to go with the Gitzo because it has a tilting column, and it is definitely rock solid. I like the twist clamps on the Gitzo too because they are less likely to get caught on stuff. If I had no use for the tilting column though, the 3021BPRO would have been my choice.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=55922&highlight=gitzo+2220

[cmM]

You don't need to spend $500 for a good tripod. Basically you want your tripod to protect the camera from all the above factors... wind, weight of camera, etc, and to keep it motionless.

Also, heavier tripods are not always more stable. A lot of times, but not allways.

[robertwgross]

With an ordinary camera and lens, it isn't too hard to choose a tripod that is stable enough. Where it starts getting complicated is when you have a rather heavy, long, zoom lens. The lens collar mounts on the tripod instead of the camera. Then, when you zoom the lens out long, it slightly changes the balance. If you had a really cheap-ass flimsy tripod, and if it wasn't set up just right, the whole rig can topple. All this is magnified when you have the thing set up to shoot at a really odd angle.

If I have to step away from my camera that way, I hang a ballast bag from the center column to hold it down.

---Bob Gross---

[CoolToolGuy]

A little 'war story' to illustrate.

I have a nice tripod left from the film days, but when I got into digital I wanted a new one, and I wanted to carry it on my shoulder bag via tripod straps. I looked around a lot, and found several references to the Velbon Maxi 343E as a great travel tripod. So, off we go, get one via eBay, and it fills the bill for carrying on the bag.

The first time I went to use it, I was on the beach with the wind blowing hard up the coastline. I set up the Velbon with my Drebel and 24-70 L, and noticed that the wind was blowing so hard that the legs were vibrating, and the camera was not stable. I had to hold the camera still to get the shot, when I was hoping to use the remote switch (cable release) to minimize any shake from my hands. Oh well, extreme case I thought.

The next time I used it I was in a theater setting taking posed pictures of the cast of a play. This time I had the column extended to get the height I wanted and every time I touched the lens to zoom it, the column would sway back and forth. There again, I had to steady the camera by hand.


The Velbon is not a bad tripod, but it is a lightweight unit and despite being able to carry it on my bag, it was very little use to me. It has since found a new home, and I got something more 'stable'.

Hope this helps.

Have Fun,

[Scottes]

Along with what Bob said.... It also matter if you like to get into weird positions. The movable center columns on the 3021B Pro and Gitzo G2220 let you hang a lens 2 or 3 feet from the center of the tripod. You'd better be able to angle the legs around so you can move the center of gravity closer to where the lens should be.

Or if you do landscapes from rough terrain... It's nice to be able to angle the legs out in order to find a very stable position. Sometimes just changing the length of the legs doesn't do it.

[WayneStPaul]

I also debated what to do for a tripod. I took a chance and was very happy with the results. I purchased the tripod on e-may from a www.amvona.com.

Nice and stable. Very similar to the more expensive tripods.

[dhbailey]

I just got the Manfrotto/Bogen 3021Pro and that is definitely sturdy, with the 20D and my 75-300IS USM lens on it. I bought a video head, since I also have a video camera to use with the tripod. I bought the 390RC2, since it allows for panning, tilting forward and back, and also allows flipping the camera upright, for portrait-mode shots. What a terrific combination! Rock-Solid!

[Eric DeCastro]

I got my bogen 3011 and bogen 486 ball head for 176 shipped from bh. great price and even better tripod. no need to spend 500 plus unless you want a carbon fiber tripod.

[Mac]

I used a cheapy tripod for a short time...but after a few shoots on rougher terrain, I had to get a new one. I went with the bogen 3021PRO and love it. One of the best purchases I have made since the camera...:)

[johneo]

I recently "invested" in a quality tripod and head and wish I had done so a long time ago. My old tripod, which is about as cheap as they come, I NEVER trusted and especially with my 10D and any lens, never mind the 100-400 L.

I bought the Bogen 3221WN with the 3047 3-way pan head ... Sturdy? Oh Yeah! Very well built and solid as a rock. Playing around I put the 100-400 with the 10D attached and locked it down ... you really have to work to get this thing to move or even vibrate slightly.

You don't have to spend $500 to get a good tripod. Mine was $240 and I'm sure you can get close to the quality I have for a little less. Thing is, I do trust putting my camera and lenses on this tripod and I know this thing will last a very long time ... thus, an investment!

[klynam]

Just another vote for Amvona tripods off eBay. I got the one with ball grip head and really dig it. Paid like $80 with shipping. Don't know that I'd call it a 'pro' tripod but I'm no pro either. Pros: Ball grip head is VERY convenient, bubble levels on the tripod and the head are nice too. Feels pretty rugged. Definitely better than the old aliminum one I bought second hand (or third of fourth more likely) from the 'pro' camera store. Cons: The little clip mount that connects to the camera doesn't fit as tightly as I'd like and the flip-grip leg clamps seem a little chincy. They have another model with the center post also being a removeable mono-pod. Had I been paying attention, I probably would have got that one for a few bucks more.

Cheers,

[marsred]

When I was in the advertising photography business the acid test for a tripod was as follows:


Confirm that each leg can be adjusted individually. You may find yourself in a situation where two legs are on a landing while the third leg (shortened and extended outward to a much greater extent) is resting on a step. An indoor situation similar to uneven ground
Ensure that the tripod has a place to hang your gadget bag or other weight
Extend the tripod to its maximum elevation (without a camera mounted)
Press down (with moderate pressure) on the tripod head and twist it in both clock and counter clockwise directions, look for wobble, sag, or movement of any kind
If the tripod passes that test (so few will) repeat the test using more than enough pressure to simulate the weight of the heaviest gear in your kit.