How bad are center column and leg sections for tripod stability?

Something about that composition thing.... I mostly do bird photography and most of them are in trees above my head, I could use a taller tripod. Often they're pretty far away on a lake or field and height makes no difference. Sometimes if I'm doing ground birds I'll set the tripod really low and sit or lay down to shoot. I've even sat on the ground with the tripod lowered and the head pointed almost straight up to get a shot. It's all a matter of what you're shooting. One size doesn't fit all even for one person. I really need a tripod that goes from about 7' to 1' tall with head and body, depending on the subject.

To Wilt, for me height more often than not doesn't matter for composition. Again, it depends on what kind of shooting you do. If I were doing landscapes/portraits that would change.

luciddreamer wrote in post #14298248
Something about that composition thing.... I mostly do bird photography and most of them are in trees above my head, I could use a taller tripod. Often they're pretty far away on a lake or field and height makes no difference. Sometimes if I'm doing ground birds I'll set the tripod really low and sit or lay down to shoot. I've even sat on the ground with the tripod lowered and the head pointed almost straight up to get a shot. It's all a matter of what you're shooting. One size doesn't fit all even for one person. I really need a tripod that goes from about 7' to 1' tall with head and body, depending on the subject.

To Wilt, for me height more often than not doesn't matter for composition. Again, it depends on what kind of shooting you do. If I were doing landscapes/portraits that would change.

Terrific, you're aware of the need (and use) variable height for tripod set! Yes, many subjects are such that height does not matter, or that there is a preferred height for comfort. And, as you said, it depends on what kind of shooting you do.

Wilt wrote in post #14298285
Terrific, you're aware of the need (and use) variable height for tripod set! Yes, many subjects are such that height does not matter, or that there is a preferred height for comfort. And, as you said, it depends on what kind of shooting you do.

I'm well aware that height often matters. I think most even somewhat experienced photographers are as well. I kind of have a little laugh when I read on here from some who seem to think that their style is the only style of shooting and hence think the tripod should be at 3' or whatever all the time. One size doesn't fit all and I highly recommend getting a tripod that is at least eye height for you. As Frank said, you can always make it shorter. My next one will be taller than eye height but I make do for now.

Lowner wrote in post #14297141
Preeb,

I'm 6'2" as well, but my 055 tripods have both been fine. My natural eye-line IS 6" under that which by the time I've added the ballhead and QR system plates etc they can easily manage.

A pro landscape 'tog has very recently suggested I use a bungee cord between the head of the tripod and my backpack which should lie on the ground benead the 'pod. It stabilises it very nicely apparently. He was told to do this by another pro.

hollis_f wrote in post #14297236
I keep reading comments like this, and I keep having problems believing them. The 055 series goes up to around 137 cm with the column down. Add on 11 cm for the ballhead and 7 cm for the camera and the viewfinder will be at 155 cm - or 61". That's just over 5 foot!

Unfortunately I believed such comments without actually checking and bought an 055 - only to find that it was way too short for me at 6' 5".

Lowner wrote in post #14297298
Frank,

I assume you suffer with back problems? Luckily I don't. With the camera level and minus the centre column stuff, my viewfinder is 61.75", as you say 5 feet 1.75". At that height I'm not even aware of having to lower myself its so automatic.

The general rule of thumb when selecting a tripod is to select one that is no more than 6-10" shorter than your overall height...with this arrangement, you shouldn't have to bend over to look through the viewfinder.

Wilt wrote in post #14298285
Terrific, you're aware of the need (and use) variable height for tripod set! Yes, many subjects are such that height does not matter, or that there is a preferred height for comfort. And, as you said, it depends on what kind of shooting you do.

I don't think that any of us ever said that we never use the tripod at different heights. When I am using it at full height I want one that is as tall as I am. That doesn't mean that I never use it shorter. In fact I often do. I often use one leg a lot shorter than the other two (see below). I've used it as a tabletop tripod too, even as a sort of monopod with the legs extended but not spread - whatever is needed.

Having read a number of threads from folks who wonder, "How do I deal with the tripod being taller than I am, when fully extended?!", one cannot assume that everyone reading a thread like this necessarily thinks/understands about lowering their tripod to lower elevations, and instead worry only about "Is it tall enough for me?!" as if using it at that height 100% of the time. Just covering all the bases for the unknowledgeable.

I like the direction this thread has headed. Being very tall, 6'5", this is all great advice and help.
Personally I don't mind bending over to look through my viewfinder. I have a pretty strong back and don't have any back-problems whatsoever and the main (maybe even only) thing I've been using my tripod for are land- and cityscapes.

OP, I just got a Feisol CT-3341T tripod and it is a steal for such a great piece of equipment! The bottom leg section (of 4) is larger in diameter than most 3 section tripod middle sections! I have noticed that the tripod is very stable in every situation I have put it in so far...have not used the center column at all since it is so tall...

You could also take a look at the 'Tournament' series that Feisol offers. The 3442 (I think) has the same legs as mine and no center column, the best of both worlds it sounds like for you!

Take a look around, you won't find many people complaining about the quality or build of a Feisol. I actually couldn't find anyone complaining about the CT-3341T.

bsp wrote in post #14341417
OP, I just got a Feisol CT-3341T tripod and it is a steal for such a great piece of equipment! The bottom leg section (of 4) is larger in diameter than most 3 section tripod middle sections! I have noticed that the tripod is very stable in every situation I have put it in so far...have not used the center column at all since it is so tall...

You could also take a look at the 'Tournament' series that Feisol offers. The 3442 (I think) has the same legs as mine and no center column, the best of both worlds it sounds like for you!

Take a look around, you won't find many people complaining about the quality or build of a Feisol. I actually couldn't find anyone complaining about the CT-3341T.

I've also heavily been looking into feisol tripods as an alternative for the more expensive CF tripods. Thanks for the advice.

No problem, ask anything you want and I will measure or try and help out as best I can.

My old Gitzo 2530 has three section legs and a centre column. With the column down, the tripod is as rigid as anything of that size could be. With the column raised I suspect it isn't as rigid, but I seldom raise the column when the legs are extended. Where the centre column is EXTREMELY useful is when doing macro work.

So often you get into position, have found a good safe position for the feet, often with just a small amount of extension to the legs, then find you need to raise the camera an inch or so. Extending and repositioning the legs is a pain in the butt, and I have found that raising the column that inch or so, or even several inches, does not affect the stability.

The down side is that it adds weight to the tripod without contributing MORE stiffness, apart from a bit of mass of course, and I do notice the weight on a long trek. But hell, I carry it anyway!

Being 6ft 2" and recently getting a 055EXPRB tripod i find the fold out LCD on my 60D to be a real boon as i can shoot most things without extending the tripod to its full extent or having to crouch down.
In fact ive not used the VF on the tripod since i got it.

Hello Tijmen, I picked up the Gitzo 2531 Mountaineer tripod with the Markins M10 ballhead and TB-21 tripod base for the same concerns that you have, and it's been absolutely brilliant. 3-section legs does indeed feel extremely study, and having the tripod base in between the legs and ballhead allowed me to take out the center column to reduce weight and add another level of stability.

I'm about 6'1" and I was concerned about the balance between height, stability and weight, and I can safely say that my setup is very comfortable for me to use, with the 3-section legs awesome for quick setup/takedown, optimal stability without compromising height. Regardless of what you go with though, good luck with your search!