I was taught in the old film days. We used 4x5 view cameras and medium format, I would use a tripod even on my medium format stuff just in case. Now with Super high resolution digital cameras with huge sensors I still will use my tripod it slows me down to compose the shot. The tripod I now use is the Really Right Stuff carbon with a RRS BH-55 head. Can't say enough great things about it.
This was SO useful for camera newbies like me. I had no idea about plates, ball heads etc and I’ve never heard of the Gitzo brand either. Thanks so much.
Great video Matt! Just to add my 2 cents: I think minimum height can also be an important factor (depending on your subject). Sometimes I like to get the camera really low to the floor for macro, infants or to get an interesting angle looking up.
also have to practice with the tripods after you get them. It's just like any other piece of kit. It is especially important if you are going to track moving animals or vehicles.
Excellent review Matt. I have see many reviews of tripod and I must say, this is one of the best where you gave all the info required for an individual to take a decision, based on their needs.
If you have a Manfrotto RC2 player you Can get a Black rapid FasternR D ring to Replace the one in your plate so you can use Your Black rapid strap and tripod and switch between both.
I have a great tripod and after years of owning it, I probably use it 3 times a year. I always use my monopod because of the weight difference. So from my experience would invest in a good monopod first.
Nice summary. You left out geared heads like an Arca Cube, Core 75, or Core 60 that many landscape and fine art photographers prefer ;) Also another important consideration, especially for wildlife and macro photographers is how low will it go - center column tripods, depending on their design, can be problematic in that area.
I own two tripods myself. One I’ve had for a decade and is versatile enough for most shooting scenarios, as it gets to be nearly 2 meters tall with only 3 leg sections and the standard ball head that came with it. The other is about 5 years old and is much more portable, and, though it only extends to about 1.5 meters, I can strap it to my 6L shoulder bag and take it with me on walks as a “just in case” measure. I think, between the two, I spent about US$500 total. I don’t think I could combine them into one without spending nearly twice that amount, and it’s also possible that such a tripod still might not satisfy all situations.
Great video, I am getting myself a second tripod and trying to get one geared for macro and so i have some ideas of what to think about in what i want in the tripod but some things you mentioned in the video I didn’t even considered, great video. Will probably watch this video a few times and bring some of the points to the stats of some tripods i am thinking of getting 🙂
I know you can’t mention everything, so let me just add a couple. I have a tripod with what they call retractable feet. They’re rubber feet, but if you turn them clockwise they’ll move up and reveal metal spikes. (Manfrotto #161mk2b). On some tripods it’s possible to reverse the center column, pointing it down instead of up which can be a big advantage for macro. And many wildlife photographers often prefer a tripod without any center column.
The Victiv T72 tripod/monopod combo offers incredible versatility and value for around US $47.00 on Amazon right now. Don't spend ridiculous money on a tripod unless you're a pro! The Victiv T72 is all 95% of us will ever need for both photography and videography. 😎
Tripod head wise - I just bought a Flexshooter mini.... which is like a gimbal head, but is actually a spring-loaded ball inside a ball head. I am thinking it is going to be good for everything because it can act like a gimbal.... but can be used as a standard ball head, or use the double ball head mechanism as a leveling base. Will let you know how it is (only got it on Friday)
Nice presentation, there is one other factor to consider is how low can you use it. In both landscape and wildlife having the option to shoot close to the ground not only gives you a different perspective but for wildlife your visibility profile is reduced.
Thanks for the informative video. I am considering a tripod (weight is important to me as I’m 75 years old) and I know nothing about them. This video was very helpful. I watch many of your videos and was surprised to see I was not subscribed. I remedied that today.
9:05 Absolutly wrong about 3-way heads. Common way of working with them is releasing the pan, and then holding two handles release them both, then point whenever you need, lock the handles simulteniosly, then lock the pan - actually very fast, and not "one by one axis". What great about 3-way is that you then can seperatly fix the horison. when shooting panoramic (6x17, or Xpan) it just the best head to use. I regret I switched to ballhead. Also fluid heads with halph-ball leveling are good for panoramic photography.
Can you recommend a tripod for a 11 lb pochade box for a plein air artists? I’m guessing I only need a pan and tilt head. I don’t want it to be plastic and I need a tripod that doesn’t have to go high . I’m 5’ 4” please help me decide. Can I get something decent under $200?
Hi great vid at just the right time as I need a new one. Question please I'm comparing a Gitzo GT5543XLS vs a Gitzo GT3543XLS One takes 40kg and the other 25KG. Ive seen a video from a pro tog who says that he uses the 3 series for his smaller lenses ie 70-200 and the five series for the bigger lenses 400 to 500. I cant afford both and really the 5 series is out of my budget so would you say the 3 series would be up to the job for wildlife photography. I have weighed my kit and Nikon D500 + 200-400 f4 + gimbal type head weigh in at 4.760KG which is weigh under the 25kg max. Am I missing something? Cheers
I learnt the hard way with tripods... I have 4... but only really use 2. I have one which is just over 4lbs, goes way above my head (is eye level before center column is raised), is stable as hell, and JUST fits in my carry on luggage. My other is about 2lbs and is small, light, but is short and not so stable. As much as I like my small tripod for its weight I mostly take the larger one because the smaller one is just not stable enough with a 100-400mm (and I was sad when I didn't get clear images of climbers going up El Capitan at Yosemite). I would urge people not to go too light if they have longer lenses. Lastly - what I have found helps most is to get a good bag. I use an Osprey Stratos 36 and you can really dial it down so you don't feel the weight...
@@agentcrm There is a big difference between supporting the weight and being able to take a high-resolution image entirely zoomed in at 560 (had a 1.4 TC on) and where you are focusing on a tiny detail. There is no small tripod with tiny legs that can get that level of detail. Even when I was taking those images the tripod legs were collapsed, the center column was down, and I had a 10 second timer on. Peak Design make good quality stuff... but they cant defy the laws of physics....
@@MeAMuse It was one of their lead engineers and he’d take that setup surf and bird shooting. I don’t have anything that heavy yet. But I do know they did a lot of testing to make sure it was actually capable of doing what they claimed. To the point that they used the ali centre column on all tripods because it proved better than the carbon version.
@@agentcrm physics buddy.... I can take my small tripod surf and bird shooting.... it just does not give as sharp images as I get with my bigger, wider, thicker-legged, heavier tripod. Any tripod is going to be more stable than hand-holding. And of course the lead engineer wants to tell you its the perfect tripod...
@@MeAMuse Never said it was perfect, just that it was worth looking at. That said I probably wouldn't use it fully extended with a large lens anyway. It also wasn't internal testing that bought about changes, it was external testing. This review has repeatable stability tests so you can compare it to what other tripods are like, if you want. thecentercolumn.com/peak-design-travel-tripod-review/
My tripod let me down quite literally last weekend... i was looking back to the other side of the marsh.. when i looked back at the camera my tripod and camera was in the water 😫... Always make sure to tight hard your tripod head when you have heavy lenses!... specially ball heads... 😩
@@mattgranger Right now the lens and camera are each inside a zip lock bag with silica gels, going to leave them there for about a week... the Nikon D500 seemed OK, there was no water inside the mount or the battery compartment, just a little by the memory card. the battery grip seemed OK too, i removed the screw to inspect the inside. and the sigma 150-600 in another hand... was making weird noises on the auto focus the day that it went to the water... so i'm hoping that will be gone when its completely dry.... but i'm worried about the lens.
I am a total amateur concerning tripods. Just this summer started some astrophotography shots. My tripod is a 20 year old Sunpak my daughter bought me for Christmas many years ago. It is way too short for me . I am just over 6' 3". I have read several posts stating the extension will be unstable allowing the photos to be out of focus. I am having a difficult time finding a tripod that is within my budget and also about 6' tall at the base or bottom of the ballhead. Can you give me any advice? Thanks
As you mention, there is no ideal tripod; I have at least 5. Each one has his usage. Don’t buy a cheap one. A tripod has a long life (Much longer than a camera body). I am not rich enough to buy a cheap one ;-)
Sorry to hear that. I have no idea? Are you subscribed on multiple email addresses? Please note I have 3 different websites, so maybe you are conflating them as coming from the one source?
If you prefer watching tripod videos than watch videos, I’m sure you’ll be able to identify the topic by the title and thumbnail and click on the right one. You can manage it.
