Tripods

PSam

PSam

Active member
Dug up a couple old tripod recommendation threads but they were from '06 or '07 and some models linked were not sold anymore, so... what do you like for tripod? I'm about 6', want a light tripod that can be carried / strapped on a pack, so maybe 3 or 4 lbs.?

Looked at the Gitzo's, which I think would be optimal, but any other recommendations in case the Gitzo is out of the price range? I think $3 to 500 would be the max. Although I can always get a ball head myself and get the legs as the gift...? Ideas welcome. Thanks.
 
I could never understand the rage for Gitzo myself, and part of me didn't want to "jump on the bandwagon" (nor drop the serious cash). So instead, I slowly worked my way up thru a few different brands getting closer and closer to what I use now....a Gitzo :)
 
I like the Benbo myself, but it's (mk1) really heavy. But, I'm not hitting the trails for tank shots and it's certainly stable. It's fantastic for low-level macro.
 
yeah i spent a good hour yesterday digging on BH. I left with these as 'bookmarked', all of which happen to be gitzo. Lightweight is really key for me. under 3lbs. is great. any comments on them? Thanks.

GT 1541
GT 2540 G (heavier than I'd like)
GT 1531
GT 2531
 
The 2531 is the tallest of that bunch so given your height that'd be the best fit from those. The 1531 is almost as tall so it'd probably work too.

What you're going to be using for lenses most of the time might come into play too. If you're into big telephoto gear the 1531 might be a little light but would still do in a pinch.
 
Height was a big issue for me. I am 6'3 and I was tired of bending over all the time. Also, I found myself raising the center column a lot so essentially it was a monopod.

It may not be realistic for you, but I ended up buying two. A reall tall sturdy one and a smaller one I take hiking etc. You can swap the heads back and forth on them.
 
I do have one, it's an old aluminum hunk with a big lever to pan the camera. Got it from my dad - he bought it about 40 years ago. I'm in the market for portability. What <hiking> tripod do you use IPT? So far, I'm about sold on the Gitzo 1531.
 
That one looks good. For my out and about type shooting I have the Gitzo 1540 - it has 4 sections instead of 3 so it fold down to be about 3" shorter. I wanted that so I could stick in a small backpack for day hiking, skiing, or snowshoeing. I am a lot more likely to take it if it's small. It's also 2"s taller fully extended (w/o center collumn being used) than the 1531. Same weight I think. Strange on B and H it says discontinued but if I click on it it brings me to a 1541 (which seems to have the same specs). I think it was about $50 more than the one you are looking at.
 
A friend of mine has Feisol carbon fiber legs. I think he had a RRS ballhead on top. The whole setup is very sturdy, lightweight, and costs a fair amount less than the similar Gitzo. I really like it and plan to get the same setup. Neither of us shoots super telephoto so I can't say how well it would work with extra large lenses.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13978740#post13978740 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by IPT
So PSam, any decisions yet, or are you waiting to see what Santa brings (:)).
Click to expand...

Well, Santa skipped the tripod, and I haven't had any real need for one but I'm heading to Utah soon, so I will be ending up with the Gitzo 1541T and their ballhead package. Has a $100 rebate on BH, always a plus. Can't wait for it to arrive... a bit shorter than I might have liked, but 16" folded can't be beat! Thanks everyone for the suggestions...
 
Contratulations! You'll have that set of sticks for a long, long time.

I'm not a big fan of the Gitzo BH but that's something that you can certainly upgrade later if you find it lacking.
 
Thanks! Yeah, I figured as much re: the ball head. The really right stuuf many of you seem to like was a bit more than I want to spend right now. We'll see, at least until I know how much use I get from the set up & if I like the gitzo BH.

Now, how about some landscape photography tips?! Heading to southern UT (bryce, escalante, hwy 12...), can't wait & I think the tripod is definitely going to help out. No more setting the camera on hood of cars, or balancing on rocks...
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14963067#post14963067 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PSam
Now, how about some landscape photography tips?! Heading to southern UT (bryce, escalante, hwy 12...), can't wait & I think the tripod is definitely going to help out. No more setting the camera on hood of cars, or balancing on rocks...
Click to expand...

How much time are you spending in SU? Are you going to be concentrated on the west side of the state? If you have enough time, you should swing by Zion for a few days too. I've always been partial to Bryce, since that's where we spent our honeymoon. And if you have a lot of time, go east and hit Arches and Canyonlands (if you can swing a few days in the back country, off of the main paths, phenomenal).

Going to that area is what I miss more than anything else about living in Utah. I hope you're getting out there soon before school lets out. Those places are so much better empty; one of the times we went to Bryce in the winter, it was snowing, and there was literally one other car in the entire park. Last time I was at Escalante was before it was a national park.

Try to get out on the trails before the sun comes up. That will give you a chance to set up in time for the best lighting, and it will give you the best shot of getting pictures without a bunch of people in them. I'll let the people with better photography skills give you the camera side of the details.
 
Will be staying in Sandy on a Wed. then I have just 3 full days to travel around - thru Sat. night flying out the Sunday, unfortunately, so Arches & Zion will be for another time. Bryce is (and always has been!) the top on my list, then escalante, calf creek, etc. Any highlights around those areas I should not miss?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14963707#post14963707 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PSam
Will be staying in Sandy on a Wed. then I have just 3 full days to travel around - thru Sat. night flying out the Sunday, unfortunately, so Arches & Zion will be for another time. Bryce is (and always has been!) the top on my list, then escalante, calf creek, etc. Any highlights around those areas I should not miss?
Click to expand...

With that schedule, I would probably do one day in Escalante/calf creek and two in Bryce (but, as I mentioned above, I'm biased).
For that little time, Goblin Valley will be a little too far out of the way, since it's closer to Moab (IIRC, but you could look that up to be sure).

As for the others, I like to hit either the east or the west side, so if I'm going east, I'll go with Arches and Canyonlands. West I'll go Bryce and Zion mainly. For longer trips, if I'm going between those areas, I'll hit goblin valley, capitol reef, natural bridges, and a few of those places.
 
That's my favorite part of this country. I've spent weeks exploring the back country and canyons in Southern Utah/Northern Arizona.

If you are camping, I would highly recommend the Utah state parks over any of the National Parks. Me and a few (quiet and humble) friends got literally kicked out of an empty Bryce Canyon national park campground cul-de-sac because we had too many tents (3 single man tents) on one site. I know that may sound petty, but I get irked when people in RV's running generators are accepted in the wilderness and I'm not while striving to have a minimal impact on the environment.

We went to Kodachrome state park and had our own campsite on a little mini-island-plateau connected by a small bridge, free firewood and hot showers...and they didn't kick us out at 5am because we *gasp* had three small tents setup. It was like night and day. I think Utah pumps a lot of money into their state parks and it shows.

-Tre
 
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