Tall guy needs a tall tripod, any suggestions?

Hey guys, I've finally determined that I need to get a tripod. I'm 6'8" so the height thing seems to be a problem for me with most tripods.

(Yes, I've heard the argument that you shouldn't buy a tripod based on how tall you are but rather on how the shot should be composed, I don't care.)

I figure that a tripod 60-62" tall with the column down would be best for me, that would put the viewfinder at a comfortable "full-standing" height. I could probably make it work with a 58-60" tripod if I used an inch or two of the column, but that wouldn't be ideal.

Anyone have any suggestions?

What's your budget? Carbon fiber or aluminum?

I'd say $500-600 is what I'd be comfortable with. Prefer CF, but could do aluminum.

Well that price range kinda puts you out the the Gitzo and RRS tall legs. I was going to suggest you check out the GT3541L.

Lots of information in these earlier threads:

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=515107

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1105147

The Manfrotto 055XPROB is one option for aluminum tripods.

HuskyKMA wrote in post #13490125
I'd say $500-600 is what I'd be comfortable with. Prefer CF, but could do aluminum.

I'm 6"5 and have the Manfrotto 190xdb legs. They're nowhere near long enough, but personally I never use it with the center column extended and I have no problems using it, nor do I find it inconvenient or something to use.

Benbo Classic No 2 is over 2.5 metres when fully extended.

You've come to the right place. https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=929662

Instead of trying to get a tripod to "fully extend" to suit you - you might want to try thinking outside the box and go to a fabrication shop and have an aluminum "extension" or "riser" made up. Shouldn't be too hard as it could be as simple as a aluminum beam 6" or so - milled on each end to a matching flat even level surface with a 1/4 X 20 threaded hole in one end and a captured 1/4 X 20 knob bolt on the opposite. The no matter what tripod you choose - or upgrade to in the future it will fit. This might only be a good suggestion if photography is going to be a long term thing for you though.

Just thinking outside the box!! LOL!!


Hillbille

ben_r_ wrote in post #13490263
Well that price range kinda puts you out the the Gitzo and RRS tall legs. I was going to suggest you check out the GT3541L.

I saw the GT3541L when browsing Gitzo's website. Looks like the closest thing to what I need. At $800, I'd probably have to save up for awhile longer if I went that route though.

PixelMagic wrote in post #13490312
Lots of information in these earlier threads:

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=515107

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1105147

The Manfrotto 055XPROB is one option for aluminum tripods.

TijmenDal wrote in post #13490322
I'm 6"5 and have the Manfrotto 190xdb legs. They're nowhere near long enough, but personally I never use it with the center column extended and I have no problems using it, nor do I find it inconvenient or something to use.

The Manfrotto tripods just don't seem to be tall enough. I just checked thier website and the 055XPROB looks like it's their tallest at 56". That would put the viewfinder at my neck, and I'm worried that if I got it I'd be kicking myself everytime I had to bend over to use it.

tvphotog wrote in post #13490829
You've come to the right place. https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=929662

Looks nice, if it was about 2" taller I'd buy it today. While taller than the 055XPROB, I kinda have the same reservations about it.

Anyone know of something similar in size to the Gitzo GT3541L but at a lesser price? My bank account is going to hate me if I buy the Gitzo, but I'm almost leaning towards doing it if I have to.

Dang, I see an open box GT3541L went for about $630 on eBay last week. That would have been perfect.

I'm 6' 7" and I use a Manfrotto 3021 (the model that was replaced by the 055XPRO line) and I don't find that I have to bend over excessively. The head I use most is approx. 5 inches tall and my cameras (1D models) add another 6 inches (to viewfinder level). If I absolutely must, I raise the center column about 6 inches.

At our heights the selections are quite limited and even the tall CF tripods like the Feisol CT-3371 weigh just as much as the aluminum tripods.

Okay, I'll have to go find a store with the Manfrotto and a Gitzo tripods and do a little hands-on to see if I really need to spend the extra on the Gitzo right now.

Also take a look at Feisol carbon fiber tripods here: http://www.reallybigca​meras.com. And if you search around this forum you'd see the Feisol brand is very well regarded.

PixelMagic wrote in post #13491522
Also take a look at Feisol carbon fiber tripods here: http://www.reallybigca​meras.com. And if you search around this forum you'd see the Feisol brand is very well regarded.

Thanks for the link! The Feisol CT-3371 sounds like what I'm looking for.