Tripod Decision

DisrupTer911 wrote in post #10654138
How tall are you?

That should be a big determining factor in tripod purchase. You don't want to spend several hundred dollars only to have to stoop over every time to use it and get discouraged.

6' 2"

JohnJ80 wrote in post #10656049
Gitzo and Manfrotto are owned by the same company. Manfrotto is the more value priced line and with that comes higher weight. Gitzo is pretty much the gold standard in CF tripods. In fact, I don't think the Manfrotto is CF - they call it "mag fiber" whatever that is.

With no other criteria given, and the opportunity to spend the OP's money, Gitzo is the best choice.

J.

What other criteria are you looking for besides what I added in my OP?

DANATTHEROCK wrote in post #10655908
Agreed. I am 6'6" and choose the Feisol in my signature for this very reason. Rock solid, compact, light, goes to the ground for macro since there is no center column. Just a perfect tripod for me.

Haven't heard much about Feisol. I'll have to do more research.

Poe wrote in post #10746503
6' 2"



What other criteria are you looking for besides what I added in my OP?
.

Budget.

If money isn't an option, the get a top end Gitzo or Really Right Stuff tripod. You will be thrilled with them, they work exceptionally well, they are lightweight but they are not cheap.

If you need <500mm then a 3541LS with a Markins M20 is a great rig. If you will be less than 300mm then the 2540 with an M10 or Markins Q3. <200mm then a 1541 with a Q3.

Any of the Gitzos are better than the corresponding Manfrottos. Manfrotto is the more budget line from the parent company (can't remember the name) that owns both Gitzo and Manfrotto.

J.

"the parent company (can't remember the name) that owns both Gitzo and Manfrotto".

Vitec. They own Bogen, Manfrotto and Gitzo.

Lowner wrote in post #10748889
"the parent company (can't remember the name) that owns both Gitzo and Manfrotto".

Vitec. They own Bogen, Manfrotto and Gitzo.

That's it! Thanks.

J.

I'm liking the Gitzo mountaineer type 'pods because they have a hook on the center column that you can use to add additional mass. It doesn't look like Manfrotto has anything like this, or do they?

YOu don't need the hook for additional damping, that's why Gitzo doesn't provide it. The CF does the trick for you.

J.

JohnJ80 wrote in post #10806822
YOu don't need the hook for additional damping, that's why Gitzo doesn't provide it. The CF does the trick for you.

J.

But when it's windy, do you think using a bungee to hang your backpack from the hook increases stability in those sticks that have a hook? Or is this just the appearance, with no change in function?

You have to do what you have to do in high wind so it doesn't blow over. The comment was that the hook was there to add extra mass. Traditionally that has been done to provide more damping up from the legs. On the newer Gitzos it's not required and makes little if any difference - hence no hook.

Personally, I shoot in some very windy situations (25-40mph) and it is the extreme case where you have to worry about it blowing over.

J.