Tripod question....

I know this has been asked probably 100+ times. I've read and read and read, but still do not know which tripod/head combo to go with. At this time, I do not have a tripod set-up. After much reading, I'm pretty much sold on a Gitzo tripod and have no idea as to which ball head to pick. I'd like some honest opinions and guidance so that I do not end up with something that will need replacing in a short time.

My specifics are:
I'm 6' tall
I enjoy shooting just about anything but lately have been wanting to do some longer exposure shots. Star trails, nighttime photos, etc.
I use a 5D classic with my longest lens being a Sigma 50-500 OS.
My budget is $1000.00 give or take a little.

I'd appreciate your thoughts on a nice set-up.

thank you
Tim

I would start off by thinking about how portable you need it to be. If you aren't going to be hiking with it, etc., you can get a more stable and taller tripod vs. needing a travel tripod. On the other hand, if you are walking around the tripod often, every ounce starts to count.

Also think about how tall you need it to be. The important number is the max height without needing to extend the center column. If you get a tripod that has a center column, you still don't want to count on that for the height you need because it makes it a lot less stable when extended. The height you need is going to vary a lot depending on your shooting styles, how tall you are, and if you are willing to bend down a little in order to get a shorter portable tripod.

I like my gitzo setup and appreciate the quality but I don't have any advice on the specific models since the tripod and head I have are older and not current production stuff. Gitzo does have some nice ball heads too, but as it looks like you've seen, most people that use them for the tripod seem to go with Really Right Stuff or other brands for the head.

If you're going to shell out for some quality gear get a Gitzo with no centre column. I've had my GT3542LS for a little over a week and the build quality is amazing. Any tripod with a centre column is giving up stability to provide more reach so I'd be looking at the systematics. The other option I was considering here was RRS but went with the Gitzo purely because I could get them locally.

I've got a decent head earlier this year, I opted for the RRS BH-55. I was also keen on the Arca Swiss Monoball.

Rock solid combo. I was keen to get out this weekend and do some long exposures but the weather is supposed to turn bad.

Here is what I use, and This company makes a nice tripod and gimble.
http://www.amazon.com …12&keywords=ind​uro+tripod

http://www.amazon.com …creativeASIN%3D​B002SAP1BI

You will also need a L bracket.

This a great set up its smooth and user friendly.

Farmer

El Pedro wrote in post #17097226
If you're going to shell out for some quality gear get a Gitzo with no centre column. I've had my GT3542LS for a little over a week and the build quality is amazing. Any tripod with a centre column is giving up stability to provide more reach so I'd be looking at the systematics. The other option I was considering here was RRS but went with the Gitzo purely because I could get them locally.

I've got a decent head earlier this year, I opted for the RRS BH-55. I was also keen on the Arca Swiss Monoball.

Rock solid combo. I was keen to get out this weekend and do some long exposures but the weather is supposed to turn bad.

That's more like $1400 I think, but I agree, this is what he NEEDS!

Thank you for chiming in, guys. Does anyone have thoughts on the Gitzo GT2543L? It's in the Mountaineer series and does have the center shaft, but reads that it can be removed if necessary. The height is suitable for me, and the load capacity is just shy of 40lbs. With the August rebate, it would sell for $605.00. Do you feel that this tripod, paired with a good head, would be the ticket for me?

Tim

clickertim wrote in post #17098147
Thank you for chiming in, guys. Does anyone have thoughts on the Gitzo GT2543L? It's in the Mountaineer series and does have the center shaft, but reads that it can be removed if necessary. The height is suitable for me, and the load capacity is just shy of 40lbs. With the August rebate, it would sell for $605.00. Do you feel that this tripod, paired with a good head, would be the ticket for me?

Tim

I'd rather have a 3 section tripod, with no center column at all.

Like so many here, I have 4 tripods: the first three were annoying to use. I finally bit the bullet last year and got an RRS TVC-34L, TA-3-LB-HK leveling base, and BH-55 Pro ball head. Was it expensive? Of course, but I got tired of fussing around with things in the field. I couldn't be happier.

I'm sure the same goes for the Gitzo systematics. They are quality tripods and will also be a pleasure to use for a long, long time.

hiketheplanet wrote in post #17098010
That's more like $1400 I think, but I agree, this is what he NEEDS!

The legs are $800 and you could get the bh40 for 350, so could get closer to the $1000 budget.

If you're prepared to spend that much you may as well go a little bit more and spend it right.

I think the Gitzo Series 3 tripods are a better investment. Their series three Systemics have no center column which makes them extremely stable, and are available in multiple heights and leg sections. Three sections is most stable, but if you're traveling with it as I do, then the four section sticks fit into bags much better.

The Series 3 can handle pretty much up to a 500mm prime lens which is quite heavy, and will serve you if you want to expand your lens selection upward. The 3's are about half-way up the Gitzo selection, are a good balance of reasonably light weight and fantastic stability. I use a Markins M20 ballhead (I think it's now called the Q20) which will handle any heavy prime lens and certainly what you have. I've also carried the sticks on my shoulder with camera and lens attached over long distances without any issues. Just get LensCoat leg foam bumpers for the upper sections.

Budget sounds about right. Should be the last tripod you buy, unless you want a small/lightweight one for travel as well.

El Pedro wrote in post #17098357
The legs are $800 and you could get the bh40 for 350, so could get closer to the $1000 budget.

If you're prepared to spend that much you may as well go a little bit more and spend it right.

Hey I'm with you, if you're going to spend $1000, stretch it a little and don't compromise, especially on tripods.

I know I had a problem justifying a costly tripod, but in the end, as so many tried to tell me, if you do a lot of outdoor/nature photography, you'll eventually need one. My set up was around $1700 but that included the leveling base.

I agree with the previous posts... the Gitzo Series 3 systematic is another fine choice. I chose RRS because of people here who raved about them. But there are even more people who love their Gitzo systematics as they've been the industry standard for still photography for decades.

Tim, if you're after a Gitzo systematic you may have seen their chart that summarizes the height/weight specs and suitability for various lens length. If not, here it is again:

clickertim wrote in post #17098147
Does anyone have thoughts on the Gitzo GT2543L? It's in the Mountaineer series and does have the center shaft, but reads that it can be removed if necessary.

I'd stay away from the Mountaineer series for superstitious reasons if nothing else. You may have read about Gitzos breaking on this forum and it appears to be the 2-series tripods with center columns that are the main culprits. Their systematics are much more solid in the area where the legs are bolted to the base and there are many thousands of systematics out there that have given sterling service. If you want the flexibility of a center column you can always add one, I got one for my 3541LS just to have one but I haven't used it in three years.

WRT a ballhead I've used an Arca-Swiss Z1 coupled with a RRS leveling base and found that to be a wonderful combination with the Gitzo for a DSLR with big glass. I mostly use small and medium format cameras and last year got an Acratech GP which is a combination ballhead and leveling base at a much lighter weight.

I use 2 Gitzo mountaineer and 2 Gitzo systematic tripods and have had them for a fair time. They are subjected to all sorts of abuse, used as walking sticks/balance poles and frequently subjected to my (not inconsiderable) weight - issues = zero. If people are breaking them then I would be interested to know how or more importantly why!
A 2 series mountaineer would be fine for your gear though a systematic is a bit more rigid which may help with your 50-500 Sigma. If you went for a 3 series then either style would be fine.