Tripod stability

Hi guys, been trying to figure out something.
So, I'm checking out Benro new MeFoto travel tripod and the thing is small, compact seems sturdy. I read some good reviews about it, decided to give it a try.
Went to a store selling those and since they couldn't find an available Canon to mount on it, we settled for Nikon D3x and 70-200, which is altogether a heavier combo than mine 5dm2 with 70-200, but the tripod is rated for 13 lbs, so I figured it should work fine.
Once the camera was mounted, you could see visible vibrations for a few seconds.
A light stomp near the camera was causing the camera to vibrate.
Even a delayed shutter made it to vibrate.
D3x - 2 lbs
Nikkor 70-200 - 3.2 lbs
This totals to 5.2 pounds. The tripod and a head are rated for 13.2 lbs. Why does it vibrate?

I've tried Gitzo 1541 legs with the same setup and vibrations were dampened within a second. Yes, I understand this is $600 tripod, but what really do those weight ratings mean?

I have also tested Benro C0190T, which is CF and also rated for 13.2 lbs, but mounting 5D with fairly light 50L would it cause it to vibrate like crazy.
In comparison, my old aluminum Induro (rated at 9 lbs) handled mounted 5D with 70-200 just fine with virtually no vibrations.

So, what's the deal here - the stated supported weight doesn't take vibrations into the account?
Does it mean, I won't be happy until I get Gitzo, because all other travel tripod aren't capable?

Thanks

Aleness wrote in post #14851763
H
This totals to 5.2 pounds. The tripod and a head are rated for 13.2 lbs. Why does it vibrate?

13.2 lbs is just marketing, and maybe what you can load the tripod with, before it brake down.

This is a thread about max load for tripod heads. I think much of it is the same for tripods: https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1191182

You get what you pay for. Load rating does not equate to vibration damping. For all you know it is a vertical load without any moment applied to the head of the tripod.

Eight_Blade wrote in post #14852201
You get what you pay for. Load rating does not equate to vibration damping. For all you know it is a vertical load without any moment applied to the head of the tripod.

This. And yes, there is a reason why we pay big bucks for nice things. Not always, but in the case of photography gear higher cost usually means better product. Get the Gitzo and sleep well knowing you have a top of the line setup and all the benefits they bring.

I just bought a benro mefoto CF tripod and I got to say that I have a different experience then you had,
so far I'm very pleased with it, took some 30 sec and 45 sec exposure the other day and they turned out great (even printed them 27" by 18" and 12" by 36")
That being said my dad has a Gitzo and it is a great tripod, it's more sturdy and better built but it's more then twice the price of the benro (and it's not as compact) which to me isn't worth the price difference compared to the quality difference
Hope that helps your decision

eyalha wrote in post #14852601
I just bought a benro mefoto CF tripod and I got to say that I have a different experience then you had,
so far I'm very pleased with it, took some 30 sec and 45 sec exposure the other day and they turned out great (even printed them 27" by 18" and 12" by 36")
That being said my dad has a Gitzo and it is a great tripod, it's more sturdy and better built but it's more then twice the price of the benro (and it's not as compact) which to me isn't worth the price difference compared to the quality difference
Hope that helps your decision

That's why it's twice the price and probably twice as stable as the benro, regardless of your results. And will last a lifetime.

After much experience, I'm a big believer in the expression that you get what you pay for.

Yes, the only thing left is justification of spending $600 on legs.

Aleness wrote in post #14853853
Yes, the only thing left is justification of spending $600 on legs.

The chance for sharper shots under non-ideal conditions, and a lifelong investment?

tvphotog wrote in post #14853863
The chance for sharper shots under non-ideal conditions, and a lifelong investment?

Not bad. I think I can work with it.

I don't think we talked of Manfrotto aluminum tripods. They're much cheaper than Gitzo, but just as stable and will last a lifetime. They're heavy, though. However, they are super stable.

Depends if you will be carrying it around.

Like everything else in photography it's all about compramise, when you buy a lighter tripod it wouldn't be as stable as a heavier one, but there is a reason why it's called a travel tripod
In the end it all comes down to what you need and what you're willing to sacrifice (price, weight, size, stability...)

Aleness wrote in post #14851763
Hi guys, been trying to figure out something.
So, I'm checking out Benro new MeFoto travel tripod and the thing is small, compact seems sturdy. I read some good reviews about it, decided to give it a try.... the tripod is rated for 13 lbs, so I figured it should work fine.
Once the camera was mounted, you could see visible vibrations for a few seconds.
A light stomp near the camera was causing the camera to vibrate.
Even a delayed shutter made it to vibrate.
D3x - 2 lbs
Nikkor 70-200 - 3.2 lbs
This totals to 5.2 pounds. The tripod and a head are rated for 13.2 lbs. Why does it vibrate?

I've tried Gitzo 1541 legs with the same setup and vibrations were dampened within a second. Yes, I understand this is $600 tripod, but what really do those weight ratings mean?

I have also tested Benro C0190T, which is CF and also rated for 13.2 lbs, but mounting 5D with fairly light 50L would it cause it to vibrate like crazy.
In comparison, my old aluminum Induro (rated at 9 lbs) handled mounted 5D with 70-200 just fine with virtually no vibrations.

So, what's the deal here - the stated supported weight doesn't take vibrations into the account?

First of all, the 13.2 lbs. capacity seems to not be valid. A desciption of the MeFoto on the B&H and the Benro web sites say, "This solid aluminum tripod extends to 4.26', supports up to 8.8 lb, and folds down to a smidgen over one foot (12.6"). " Fuurthermore the Benro web site goes on to say, "for the latest generation of lightweight cameras and compact camera systems."



Looking at the photo I can see that there are FIVE leg sections. Because of that fact, the innermost one is a very narrow section diameter tube, which has inherently less vibration dampening properties than larger sections.

Lastly, there is absolutely no industry standard about claims from different tripod companies about any weight capacity claims...the numbers are rather valueless as there is no uniform standard of test to support such claims.

Like Wilt said, you're comparing a 4-section to a 5-section. You're also comparing the Gitzo to the skinniest legs that Benro makes. I wouldn't be surprised by your results.

Another thing to consider is also what the tripod stands on. If using a tripod in a house with a floor of wood, the floor will flex when a person walks.

Some of the issues with the legs can be reduced by hanging a weight from the central column. And that weight can often be the camera bag. But it is still clumsy. And will not help if the upper part of the tripod, or the head, have issues.