Tripods and Vibrations

Hey all I just got my Gitzo as recommended here. Got the 3531(the 5 series was HUGE). It's a solid unit. Looks really well made too. Could not get a Wimberly as they were backordered. So I got a 468 Manfrotto ball head for now. B+H rules!!

Ok for my question...


I read that carbon dampens vibration. Sure I get that part. But what vibrations are we dampening? Earthquakes? hehehe

Sorry I just dont understand where they come from. I tried reading an article. but it was way to scientific for me. Can you explain vibration at the tripod PLEASE.

Thanks!!

Heffe wrote in post #5946207
what vibrations are we dampening?

Different sources, for instance:
Camera: Mirror slap and such. Then there is wind blowing on the rig, water flowing past tripod legs, or maybe a truck passing by

Ok. I get it. Thanks.

I found a better article too. Sorry for the thread.

Heffe wrote in post #5946435
I found a better article too.

Where? Link?

There is also vibration through the ground, like a truck driving by, the vibration from engines on a boat, stomping on the ground next to the tripod, the vibrations from windage on the "sail" of a lens and camera mounted on top, mechanical vibrations in the camera, your heartbeat and breathing, etc....

J.

I found link in tripod buying guide.

Had no idea vibrations like that mattered.

That's what really matters. a vibration of 5um (5 millionths of a meter) will blur one pixel. 50um is about 10 pixels. You can't see or feel this.

Many people give a tripod a whack to see how stable it is - which is completely meaningless. It is on the order of dropping the QE2 cruise ship into the bed of a 1 ton pickup truck and then expecting the tires to not blow out (literally).

J.

Oh no no no no... Why did you buy a 468 instead of a Markins M20 for a 3 series Gitzo????

ben_r_ wrote in post #5953256
Oh no no no no... Why did you buy a 468 instead of a Markins M20 for a 3 series Gitzo????

A 468 is a very capable ballhead, especially if you change out the clamp for a RRS lever clamp. Perhaps you are confusing the 468 (capable) and the 486 (very low end)?

Here is the 468:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …Go.x=14&Go.y=11​&Go=submit

Here is the 468:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …act_Ballhead_w_​Rapid.html

J.

JohnJ80 wrote in post #5953453
Perhaps you are confusing the 468 (capable) and the 486?

That's not that hard to do, as you nicely demonstrate with your description of the second link

Arghhhhh

1st link is 486. 2nd link is the 468.

J.

Sorry John, but you did it again...

Ok, I'm giving up. It's hopeless.

the two links show it and I can't type.

J.

LOl that was funny, yea I knew which head was which, what I didnt know was how much less the 468 was compared to an M20 or M10. That kinda of makes my comment N/A as that would be the obvious answer to my original question of why not: money.

The 468 is a pretty good head, and there are those that swear by it. It is a long way from the 486, which is a cheap budget head. The 468 is closer to the Markins stuff than it is to the 486.

See? I did that right, didn't I? maybe there is hope for me yet!

J.