Tripod sizes

What are your recomendations?

If the tripod is a bit smaller than its more portable, lighter and my favorite...cheaper.

If its taller than I wouldnt need to bend over ( im 6ft) but its heavier and more expensive. Since I dont have one yet Im not sure if this would be a issue. If taking a head shot etc of a taller person would the tripod ( including head and camera setup) being smaller than the persons eye level make for a bad angle. obviously aone inch difference shouldnt matter, but what about a foot difference? etc etc

I usually shoot portraits hand held...

In the studio, it is absolutely no problem because the electronic flash freezes all camera shake and subject movement.

Outdoors, I have no problems with holding the camera steady and usually for portraits, the subject isn't moving at all.

Now for your question as to the height of a tripod.

I use two tripods because I just haven't found one that will fulfill all of my needs.

The Giottos MT-8180 is a tall and sturdy tripod that easily expands up to a height I can easily use (I am 6'1" tall) and this tripod is extremely sturdy allowing me to use a Manfrotto 393 gimbal mount with a 400mm f/5.6L lens with ease. The rig could support a heavier package if I ever decide to get a heavier lens/camera combination. The MT-8180 also articulates fully allowing me to place my camera just about anywhere for macro or close-up photography. When I am shooting in this mode, I use the Giottos MH-1300 head with the MH-657 Arca Compatible QR.

The Giottos is an extremely solid tripod. I recently used it in what felt like gale force winds at Bryce Canyon, Utah. It had no problems supporting my camera/lens. However, although the MT-8180 is carbon fiber, it is too heavy for me to carry everywhere - especially when boonie-tromping.

I use a modified SLIK Pro 330DX tripod for boonie tromping. I replaced the long center column with an optional shorter column (present black colored 330DX tripods are equipped with two piece center columns so you can have a choice of using in in a standard or shorter mode). With the shorter column installed, the legset weighs exactly 2-pounds without a head.

I switched from the standard SLIK pan-tilt head to an 11-ounce Adorama Flashpoint Magnesium Arca Compatible Ball Head. This little head is fully capable of supporting a 40D and 70-200mm f/4L IS lens which is the heaviest package I ask it to support. The legset is also capable to supporting that package.

Sure, it is shorter than I would really like (49" with head and without center column extended). But, I have no problems either stooping a little (the height of the camera adds a few inches to the level of the viewfinder) or I will use my right angle finder. Since I am an old twin-lens-reflex user, I am very comfortable with looking down to compose my shots.

I would NOT choose this tripod as my only one. Being short, it is difficult to follow moving subjects and the tripod doesn't allow much flexibility in camera placement. However, for my uses it is great. The Arca Compatible ball head allows me to use a RRS L-bracket which mounts a non-tripod ring equipped camera/lens more securely. This is especially true in the portrait position where the L-bracket keeps the camera right over the apex of the tripod, not cantilevered over to the side.

The tripod/head combination weighs only 2 pounds 11 ounces so I can take it anywhere and everywhere with ease. I have been using a tripod much more often since I developed this little jewel.

The tripod as I use it cost about $125 which at one time I would have considered very expensive but, is a reasonable cost for a tripod now. Other tripod/head combinations this light and this sturdy cost several times that amount.

I'm 6' tall and have the Manfrotto 055xprob. With a ballhead, it's at eye level with the center column down (where you want it to be). Problem is, when I want to point the camera downward or check/change the settings on the top LCD of my 40D. Sometimes I think I should have bought the 190, which is shorter, lighter and a bit cheaper. My back is not the strongest, so the bending over using a shorter tripod may have turned out to be a real PITB.

And another post about how tall the photographer is in relation to the length of the tripod.

Who cares?

I let the subject determine shooting height.
Might be different for birds in flight, or shooting airplanes or so, but for most subjects (landscapes, portraits, architecture, whatever) camera height can be a major factor....

I have a Gitzo 1325 now.
Goes from almost flat on the ground to about my height, without the center column raised. Center column broke once, so it's (way) shortened anyway.
I want to get a top plate, so I can get the tripod even lower, and a new center column, so I can get higher if needed.
If I ever buy another tripod, it will be taller (3540XLS or so), since I need the camera higher at times. I'll need to bring a ladder for myself then, yes. So?

René Damkot wrote in post #6559669
And another post about how tall the photographer is in relation to the length of the tripod.

Who cares?

I let the subject determine shooting height.
Might be different for birds in flight, or shooting airplanes or so, but for most subjects (landscapes, portraits, architecture, whatever) camera height can be a major factor....

I havent seen any posts like that, but honestly if nobody asked the same question this forum would be quite dead

Anyways the second part of your answer begins to address one of the questions I had. How do you determine what is a good height when dealing with portraits? I was talking to a dealer yesterday and his recommendations was either a bit taller or a bit shorter than the person your shooting. He said this is the most acurate reflection of your eye view.

The main reason im buying a tripod is for night time photgraphy and I dont want to use flash.

elitejp wrote in post #6560586
I havent seen any posts like that, but honestly if nobody asked the same question this forum would be quite dead

True, true

elitejp wrote in post #6560586
Anyways the second part of your answer begins to address one of the questions I had. How do you determine what is a good height when dealing with portraits? I was talking to a dealer yesterday and his recommendations was either a bit taller or a bit shorter than the person your shooting. He said this is the most acurate reflection of your eye view.

Depends: If you are higher then eye level:

• You are "looking down on" the subject
  
• The subject raises their head (prevent double chin )
  
• subject might look smaller
  

• Subject looks down on you (might look "arrogant")
  
• Subject might get a double chin
  
• might look "tall"
  

elitejp wrote in post #6560586
The main reason im buying a tripod is for night time photgraphy and I dont want to use flash.

Don't write off flash.
Just don't think of it as adding light quantity, but rather as influencing light *quality*
A little fill can help a lot, even with the camera on a tripod. So you might need both.

René Damkot wrote in post #6559669
And another post about how tall the photographer is in relation to the length of the tripod.

Who cares?

I let the subject determine shooting height.

YES

bohdank wrote in post #6558591
I'm 6' tall and have the Manfrotto 055xprob. With a ballhead, it's at eye level with the center column down (where you want it to be). Problem is, when I want to point the camera downward or check/change the settings on the top LCD of my 40D. Sometimes I think I should have bought the 190, which is shorter, lighter and a bit cheaper. My back is not the strongest, so the bending over using a shorter tripod may have turned out to be a real PITB.

i'm 5' 10" and i use a 1d camera. on the 055 manfrotto i found the height to be tallish too.

what i did recently was buy a tripod based on the height and weight that i wanted. i installed a short column that gives me an additonal 1.5" if i need it.

with the short column extended i'm still an inch or two lower than the manfrotto 055 which is perfect for me.

ed rader

I don't have a tripod but I have a question...
Do you have to use a tripod with the legs all of the way out?
I mean, can't you buy a tall tripod and adjust the height down to a workable size by adjusting the legs?

[QUOTE=krs2fer;6564417​]I don't have a tripod but I have a question...
Do you have to use a tripod with the legs all of the way out?
I mean, can't you buy a tall tripod and adjust the height down to a workable size by adjusting the legs?[/quote]

you can but it's a major hassle if you have to do it all the time.

ed rader

krs2fer wrote in post #6564417
I don't have a tripod but I have a question...
Do you have to use a tripod with the legs all of the way out?
I mean, can't you buy a tall tripod and adjust the height down to a workable size by adjusting the legs?

You don't have to extend any section fully, nor do you have to extend all of the sections...I don't understand the concept that a tripod is 'too tall'. I have a heavy duty studio tripod that permits almost 14" more height than the Manfrotto 055, I am well under 6', and I do have need for extending the tripod all the way up sometimes (using a ladder) and not other times!

Where is the hassle of partial extension?

I'm under 6ft and late last year and early this year I was using my fathers Manfrotto 190XPROB, with the head and camera attached I found myself hunched over all the time as fully extended it didn't reach my eye level.

I decided to go for the Manfrotto 055XPROB & 488RC2, now, full extended I have to go on tip toe on a level surface just to peer through the view finder.

All I can tell you is the positives of the 055XPROB based on my use, since a child I have suffered with back problems, therefore it's an advantage to me to have a tripod that I can adjust to eye level on a level surface when required.

It's also come in handy for landscape photography where it's been fully extended on a multilevel surface, usually different levels or rocky surfaces.

However, with that being said I also find myself hunched over and close to the ground for certain situations.

Therefore I believe a decent tripod which offers a height greater than your eye level can be advantageous - This is based on my limited but own experience.

I agree... bad back. Being hunched over for any period of time does not work for me.

I'd buy the 055 all over again.

Excellant review of the 055xpro here https://photography-on-the.net …highlight=055XP​ROB+Tripod which led me to buy the same rig and am very happy with it.