I do lengthy publicity pictures virtually solely, so I search for particular qualities in tripods. If I {photograph} a sequence of pictures for stacking for Milky Method pictures or two-hour lengthy star trails, I really want a tripod to do its job. So what qualities do I search for?
Juggling value, weight and stability
I agonized over my alternative of tripod greater than every other piece of drugs I’ve bought, wrestling with these three qualities: Price, weight and stability.
Need an inexpensive tripod that doesn’t weigh an excessive amount of? In fact you do! However is it going to be secure?
Need an inexpensive tripod that’s tremendous sturdy and takes excessive exposures in excessive winds? Certain. However it could be actually heavy.
Okay, how about one thing that’s actually sturdy and light-weight? That sounds nice. However now it’s very costly.
I’ve used my tripods for over six years. Throughout this time, I’ve owned 4 DSLRs. Nevertheless, I nonetheless personal the identical tripods and am proud of them, so I’ll have performed one thing proper.
Carbon fiber
I hike in to areas hauling a variety of gear, typically having two cameras in my backpack in addition to heavy extremely wide-angle lenses and equipment. Due to this, I favor light-weight tripods, so all of mine are carbon fiber.
If I may even shave a pound off when I’m mountaineering in for a number of miles, that’s cash effectively spent. Additionally, they don’t get almost as chilly as their aluminum counterparts — fairly a bonus within the winter months.
Alternative of locking mechanisms
This can be a matter of choice. In concept, I like flip locks. I do know when they’re locked down. Nevertheless, I believe perhaps I’m a little bit clumsy and tend to pinch my fingers with these generally whereas utilizing this at evening. I’ve additionally had them catch on my clothes earlier than when I’m carrying or maneuvering the tripod.
Consequently, I’ve chosen twist locks. These deploy rapidly and properly. Nevertheless, there are all the time sacrifices. Twist locks improve the possibility that you simply overlook to twist all of them the way in which. You do must take additional care in ensuring they’re locked down. Some can even can appeal to sand and start grinding, so chances are you’ll want to often take aside your tripod and provides it an intensive cleansing on occasion.
Rock stable stability
This could be crucial of all for me. I’ve photographed in extraordinarily gusty winds everywhere in the Mojave Desert, together with the insanely windy Owens Valley in California. Regardless of the wind, I’ve been capable of take stack 20 consecutive 15-second or 20-second exposures for Milky Methods or do hour lengthy star trails.
Consequently, within the wrestling match of value, weight and stability, I’ve arguably compromised essentially the most on weight. That stated, my tripods nonetheless actually usually are not that heavy.
Sturdy
This could in all probability virtually go with out saying, however minimizing flimsy plastic components similar to locks and clamps actually helps. I throw my tripods into vehicles, bang them round on airplanes and even worse, and get sand and grit labored into them within the desert and on the seaside. They get significantly labored. And so they maintain coming again for extra.
Different options
Tripods additionally include columns and hooks. I don’t use them. For my part, telescoping middle columns introduce instability and invite extra vibrations, significantly when they’re raised. They’ve their makes use of, however I really want rock stable stability.
I don’t use middle hooks both. I’ve discovered that the packs sway when there may be wind, which makes me slightly involved.
What I exploit
Years in the past, I made an try to buy tripods that I might use for years. And I tried to take action with out spending tons of cash, significantly since I regularly {photograph} with two cameras concurrently and would wish to buy two tripods. So what did I select?
Feisol CT-3342
That is the smaller of my two tripods. This folds as much as 23.2 inches, weighs 2.5 kilos, but has a load capability of a whopping 55 kilos. This holds any of my digicam setups, together with a slightly hefty Pentax Ok-1 DSLR with a 15-30mm f/2.8 extremely wide-angle lens mounted on it. That’s a heavy setup.
I strongly want to have the said load capability be significantly larger than what I really placed on the tripod. Some time again, I tried to get a very small journey tripod that folded as much as 20 inches. It seemed and felt flimsy. I assume I’m too spoiled with the steadiness I’ve. I despatched it again.
Certain, it could be a little bit giant for a journey tripod, however then once more, I’ve traveled to Iceland, India and everywhere in the southwestern U.S. with it. I purchased mine for $375, however immediately they retail for extra.
Feisol CT-3372
This can be a bigger tripod than most traditional individuals use. As a result of I {photograph} in locations that may get sudden robust gusts of wind and I exploit very heavy cameras, I’ve this as effectively. It folds all the way down to 24.8 inches, is 3.9 kilos and has a load capability of 66 kilos, though I really feel prefer it may maintain much more than that.
I’ve used this for gale pressure winds for photographing the Mobius Arch within the very windy Owens Valley in California. This retails for $575.95, which is some huge cash, however for this high quality, it appears like a discount.
Each of those hit the candy spot for value, providing prime quality with out being loopy costly. However who is aware of, chances are you’ll discover that one thing else fits you. There are such a lot of new designs since I bought this, together with Peak Design and such, which may supply up one thing that satisfies value, weight and stability. Actually, a particularly stable alternative is the Robus RTH-1050, which I write about right here.
And as soon as you buy it, you possibly can discover ways to use your tripod like a professional.
For the most recent pricing on the Feisol CT-3342 and Feisol CT-3372 tripods, go to B&H Picture & Video.
