Tripod max height at eye level.

[danielyamseng]

I had a tripod which the height is only at the waist level. Use it for a prolong time, felt not comfortable. I had to bend down for few hours for shooting.

Thinking of getting a tripod with max height at least 5'.

Any value for money but stable tripod to recommend with?

Is it possible there's such a tripod can could be carry for travelling?

My current tripod weight less than 2lbs and it's ok for me.

[John Z. Goriup]

I had a tripod which the height is only at the waist level. Use it for a prolong time, felt not comfortable. I had to bend down for few hours for shooting.

Thinking of getting a tripod with max height at least 5'.

5' max. height is good, but don't buy a tripod that's just right for eyelevel viewing and shooting when everything is perfectly flat and level in the showroom at the dealer. For every ideal situation like that, you'll be faced with having to shoot on a steep, irregular side of a mountain where one leg needs to be extended all the way out, the other 3 feet and the third is at 4 feet in order to get the camera at eyelevel.

Bigger and sturdier is always far better than playing the minimalist game. If it's light you need / want, get a carbonfiber Travel model with 3 or 4-section legs. I recommend you get a tripod with a center post. Cheap tripods have given center-posts a bad reputaion, but they are all but indispensible, and quality tripods won't have wobbly center posts.

JZG

JZG

[danielyamseng]

John, thus which value for money you'd recommend? Are you hinting that I just forgo the china made brand i.e slik, benro etc and just go for gitzo?

These gitzo 3 series looks like quite heavy. I'm not sure if I bring it for hiking it'd add more stress to my back.

Currently, I have load of 12lbs on average which is already quite substantial.

[RPCrowe]

1. A tripod which is too short is hard on the back. However, using a short tripod can be made quite a bit easier if you view using a right angle finder. That way, you just look down and don't have to bend down far enough to look straight through the viewfinder. However, it is not great viewing moving subjects in this manner!

2. A tripod which is too light will not provide a steady support however, a tripod which is too heavy will often be left at home. I use two tripods; a full size Giottos Carbon Fiber MT-8180 for most of my shooting and an extremely light weight modified SLIK Pro 330DX (short center column and Flashpoint F-1 Arca compatible head) which weighs just a little over two pounds for travel and boonie tromping.

3. Utilizing an Arca compatible head will allow the use of a L plate (L bracket). The L bracket provides better support for non tripod ring equipped camera/lens combinations because the camera is not hanging cantilevered over to the side. L plates are distributed by Really Right Stuff and Kirk. Arca compatible heads are distributed by many manufacturers.

http://reallyrightstuff.com/QR/05.html


4. When reading tripod specifications, be aware that many manufacturers list the height of their tripods with the center column extended. If possible, see the tripod and handle one before buying.

5. Occasionally, used tripods can be found at decent prices on eBay or other used equipment forums.

[John Z. Goriup]

Daniel, I'm not just hinting you should forego the chinese made tripods, I'm outright saying and recommending as strongly as I can that you should step up to the Gitzo. If you carefully review the attached link you may find you don't need to go to something as heavy and massive as a 3 series Gitzo. Lots of good stuff there.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=538298

Crowe makes an excellent point about the "L Braclkets". They allow positioning the camera directly over the vertical axis of the tripod, whithout the camera / lens combination being cantilevered out to the side, causing imbalance. I use the Really Right Stuff L bracket and am very happy with everything that company produces.

JZG