055 - large, 190 - mid; 290 - a smaller 190, BeFree - small/travel; XPRO - the column can be placed horizontally; 3 or 4 at the end of a product's name - number of leg sections
I wonder if DP Review is patting themselves on the back for being so smart on getting Chris and Jordan on their staff? The best duo out there to show us gear.
Tripod legs, like any structure, have resonant frequencies. I think that by using a massager with a single frequency you're basically just measuring which tripods' resonant frequencies are/aren't close to that fixed input. It doesn't tell you much about what would happen across a broader range of scenarios IMO. Also, direct vibrational inputs to the legs are fairly rare IMO. We're usually more interested in what happens in a heavy wind, for example. I guess the takeaway here is that lighter/whippier tripods are best if we want to take pictures with a personal massager strapped to your shaft?
I’ve recently become interested in professional chess.. and now I can’t unsee the resemblance between Chris and grand master chess player Hikaru Nakamura 🙈
I still own some RRS products, love them, always have and always will, but Pro Media Gear makes the best large tripods. I have their TR42ML the 42mm diameter and 81inches tall monopod but with an RRS MH-01 monopod head with 80mm lever release clamp. I eventually wanted the matching tripod the TR42L I believe it is, it's also 42mm diameter legs and is about 77inches tall, it is a real beast. I've seen a grown man hang from this tripod, feet off the ground! RRS makes great stuff, but they just can't compete with PMG these days. Both made in the USA and both well made, but PMG has the tallest and widest diameter legs of any tripod or monopod. Sure they are expensive, but when you're putting $12k lenses on them, worth every penny. Unfortunately they went up in price, the tripod I have now is about $1,400 and I paid $1200 not too long ago. The monopod setup I have alone is about $850, but it's absolutely worth it if you ask me. I also highly recommend all of the Zenelli carbon fiber Gimbal Heads and carbon fiber lens feet! Also very expensive but worth every penny. Crazy to have a $2,800 tripod setup, but it does pay to buy the best once and never have to upgrade again.
@@patricksmith2553 Really Right Stuff TVC-45 has 40mm legs and goes to 85.4inches in height 5 leg sections. Weight limit 80lbs. $1555 Leofoto LM-404cl has 40mm legs and goes to 84.1 inches in height. No center column. Weight limit 88lbs $740 The LM-324cl has 32mm legs and goes to 79.5 inches in height. No center column Weight limit 55lbs I agree the ProMedia TR42L is a stronger tripod though. I did like a couple features better on the Leofoto though. The big one is on the bowl head the top of the plate having the simple bubble level offset to be able to level the bowl with any head on it. Some of LeoFoto's additions for slinging it over a shoulder and mounts to put a SurfacePro teathered to the camera mounted on the tripod are awesome too.
@@mverick160 Yeah to each their own and whatever works best for you, you know. I had bought a Leo Photo years ago and a Surui and both were not bad, but I returned the LeoPhoto right away and sold the Surui after about 6months. I learned my lesson and wasn't about to keep making the mistake of buying $500-$700 tripods over and over. I'm just glad I bought the Pro Media Gear monopod, because it was and is so awesome and it lead me to buy the matching tripod. RRS has 40mm legs now I guess, but still PMG is leading them there with 42mm diameter legs and a much higher weight for payloads. I saw a picture of a grown man hanging from the center of a PMG tripod. That guy weighed more than the payload limit by at least 50lbs and it held up. Not many tripods can support the weight of a grown man hanging from the center lol. I must admit that I do like the finish of RRS better, their carbon fiber and it's pattern seem just slightly better/cooler. The PMG might be stronger and wider in diameter but the RRS just has a little bit better manufacturing as far as finish and looks. I absolutely love my RRS MH-01 with the 80mm lever release clamp. I also have the RRS B2-FABN Micro clamp with strap lugs that attaches to the bottom of my Zenelli Carbon fiber lens foot. I have PeaKDesign anchors attached to the RRS micro clamp and I then attach my included Nikon padded long lens strap to the PD anchors. It's very secure and it does not get in the way when mounting to my RRS clamps. I have the Nikon 500mm f/4E VR FL and previously had the 400mm f/2.8E VR FL. I got the 500mm because of the weight (6.5lbs), but I wish Nikon would catch up with Sony and Canon. I do prefer the 400mm f/2.8, but it's still heavy compared to the 6.5lbs competition. I'm spoiled with the 500FL, it's so light and well balanced that it feels like nothing.
Hi, between Sirui and Benro, is it better to choose Sirui? Are they built well? Have you also had the chance to try the Benros in the store? Thank you! Greetings....
Even without the high accuracy, incredibly scientific TSVT (Tripod Standard Vibration Testing), the Sirui seems to be the best option here, offering the most bang for the buck.
You need to test the gear as you use it. Do you need tripod for vibrator? Go for Sirui. The scientific test should include powerful fan, blowing from the same distance. The camera should be the same. Testing on different height.
I've got a twelve year old Gitzo 2531 and it's considerably less vibration prone than a Leofoto 284 I bought last year. In a "tap test" the Gitzo settled down in just over a second while it takes a good 3-4 seconds on the Leofoto. But of course Gitzo tripods are quite a bit more expensive, so they should be better.
I agree about Leofoto being comparable in quality to the Big Boys like Gitzo and RRS. I have 2 models and the LS-365C with LH40 ball head (No center column) is the most solid and stable tripod I’ve used in 50 years of photography….at about half the price too! Chris, it would have been interesting to have included RRS in this comparison, but I realize “time” was short…pardon the pun. 😅
Came here for tripod comparisons and left with them being molested with leg spreaders and pixelated personal massagers, lol. Always entertaining guys 👍🏻
Guess pixelating the "test-equipment" was for international audience (meaning the US)? Always thought Canada would be similar relaxed about such things, as Europe... damn - we have ads of "private toys"-shops in the public evening program after newstime in Germany 🤣 ... and also nobody ever got blinded by seeing a women's nipples as far as I am aware... you won't find "sex sells" ads in the evening-program... but if e.g. you are advertising a shower-gel usually the model is not showering in a full bodysuit...
I'd say Canada does traditionally have a more relaxed cultural opinion about sex, somewhat like most European countries. To be completely honest though, we only blur this video for comedic effect. It plays way better.
Perhaps it’s a good time to make a photography safety video! As you have proven, there are lots of hazards when enjoying a leisurely day taking photos.
got the same 055 mag fibre but with a Markins ball head... other tripods have come, and most of them have gone.... the manfroto was just dull boring and totally functional
I've looked at a lot of tripod none of those are compairing are compact enough peak design makes a nice compact tripods Leofoto LS-225C Leofoto VH-30 Two-way Head Light Weight Panoramic Head for Bird Watching
Could you cover the best video lenses for Fuji, third and first party? The sensor is amazing but I wanna pick up some lenses that are better suited for video than the few I have.
Maybe one day but this review is useless to me these things are way too expensive a budget tripod from London drugs it’s good enough for this cat… I think there’s very few photographers out there that a vibration test is even remotely relevant.
How about some love for a Canadian company? I have a FLM CP30-L4 II tripod ($459 USD) paired with a RRS BH-40 ballhead. I believe Gavin Hardcastle (@fototripper) has a similar combo. Great tripod, light but sturdy, and very versatile. It has no center column but it extends up to 68" and down to 3.5" (not counting the ball head).
Lever locks have one basic advantage over twist locks: you can tell if they're engaged at a glance, which minimizes the risk of the tripod collapsing when e.g. one of the twist locks wasn't quite secured even though you thought it was (oh, Chris mentions it at 13:52). Edit: Also, in below zero Celsius temperatures, it's easier to operate lever locks than twist locks, especially if moisture gets in and freezes on the threads.
Wouldn't logic suggest using a high velocity fan over a 'personal massager' to test stability considering that wind and not earthquakes influence accuracy the most?
Very good review, but your testing was flawed! How much an object vibrates depends on the vibration frequency and the object's response to the frequency. There will be points along the object (like a strummed guitar string) that will be stable (nodes) and at all other points it will vibrate to greater or lesser degrees. A tripod column will react the same way, with little vibration when the head end is at a node and more vibration when extended at other lengths so the head is not at a node. Change the vibration frequency, and what was a length of extension to a stable node now begins to vibrate, because different frequencies can establish nodes at different points on the column. (Harmonic frequencies can share nodes, so when testing at two harmonic frequencies you'd find nodes they have in common and nodes for one frequency that doesn't have a matching nodal point in the other. Higher frequency vibrations have shorter wavelengths than longer frequencies - frequency and wavelength are inversely proportional to each other - so higher frequencies will have more nodal points than lower frequencies along the length of the same object.)
Admirable effort on the vibration test. Take the results with a grain of salt though. Vibration frequency can dramatically change the results. Each tripod will have its weak spots at specific frequencies depending on the geometry and materials. A more scientific approach would be to test across a range of frequencies and draw a "response curve" for each tripod: x axis=frequency. y=response amplitude.
I will say Lever locks are a bit easier to use at extreme cold temps (think thick gloves on). Living here in Alaska that is often the case for 5-6 months of the year. I would love to see you do a heavy tripod comparison (for those of us that shoot bigger systems (like large format, or medium format digital).... could look at brands like Feisol and Photoclam, as well as Manafrotto, Gitzo, etc.. I would also love to see a review comparison of some geared head options. Arca Swiss, Photoclam, Rogeti, and Manafrotto all make geared heads for us "Gear heads" in different weights and sizes.
The stiffer the tripod is, the better it will transmit the vibrations you induce on one of the legs to the camera. You are testing the exact opposite of what you think you are. Plus, if the frequency of your "testing device" happens to match the resonance frequency of the tripod you'll be observing just that: resonance, which is definitely not the same as stiffness or stability.
I know this video is kinda old now, but a couple of thoughts... I'd be interested to see how the Leofoto LQ-324C would stack up. Since the one tested was so light and compact, you could up it to the 32mm thick legs and have a taller tripod at similar weight to the others and no doubt even more stable than the tested tripod with the 28mm legs. It seems to be it would have been a much closer match than the shorter LQ-284C that was tested. To me the interest here is between the Sirui and Leofoto. Both seem to have some pros and cons. Having said that, in this review there is a lot of emphasis put on shooting at a standing eye level. I feel like I'm rarely shooting like that. I guess it depends on your use. But I'm either in the studio doing table top photography and often well below eye level... or I'm out doing some landscape photography and sitting down on a rock with the tripod in water getting down nice and low. Unless I'm trying to shoot over a barrier or railing next to a path or something, I rarely have a tripod set to towering heights (I'm about 6'2").
I've drifted away from the big photo tripod manufacturers to the iFootage Gazelle. I'm 6'3" and can comfortably use it at face height without a center column. And leveling it for panos is faster than any tripod in the world.
I have the Ifootage TC9 Gazelle. The largest one. What I was upset is the leveling glass for the ball head is mounted on the flat you mount the head to. So you can't see it. I contacted Ifootage about it to see if on future bowl mounts they'd put it hanging off the side so we could level. They said I could always remove my ballhead. And a lot of ballheads had a bubble level to level off of. Then why do they even put one on it. I like the quick disconnect of the ball. But to be honest I've never used it. Take the camera off the head and leave the head on the tripod. I went to the Leofoto LM-404CL It has the bubble off to the side so you can still use it when your ball head is mounted and allen bolted to it so it can't move. I'm 6'3" and the LeoFoto goes taller then I need. Leg sections are larger then the Ifootage TC9 and some cool options for a carrying strap.
While funny I think using a vibrator to measure stability is giving the opposite result for the data you're looking for. A stiffer tripod is going to transmit the vibration better, while a more flexible one will absorb it. So, the "worse" performance is actually the better tripod. I think a better test to give a more realistic scenario would be to get some wind, like a leaf blower pointed at the camera.
I would really love to see a comparison of tripods specifically for tall people. Maybe do it by price range or something to organize it. A bang for the buck challenge type thing.
I wanted the Gitzo to win, being the Rolls Royce of tripod manufacturers and it’s price point. But as usual for many of its products, it doesn’t do as well as the competition in the absorption of vibrations (the main raison d'etre of a tripod!) not quite as flexible as the Leofoto and Sirui tripods here either. I think it’s a toss up between those two for the victory stakes here. If on bang for your buck…it’s the Sirui.
I hope the test is more for entertainment. I think it shows Gitzo could be stiffer, translating the vibrations more. A better test would be a windy day with a very long lens.
It's a sign of how high quality your presenting, videography, and pacing is that despite not wanting to buy a new tripod at ALL, I watched every second of this video and loved it
Actually by having more legs you are de-coupling the members. Each leg can then in theory absorb some of the ground movement or shaking. There are many factors like design, however the basic concept is similar to how bridges and also sidewalks dare built. Every so many feet they are physically separated from each other. Buildings also can share some of this with floating floors, etc. Sound studios decouple the walls so the vibration (sound vibrates) is interrupted. You said you subjectively like 3 legs but this was a real world test- despite your comment to the contrary. More legs, in these conditions at least and with these tripods proved to be more stable. 3 legs are more convenient but that is about it. Strength, Rigidity and Vibration are 3 different things. A steel pole would be very strong but it would also translate a lot of vibration. I don't know much about these things but it would seem like the best bang for the buck would be to grab the Leofoto (even pre-owned for
@@ThisMoose they do have a optional center column.. They also produce models with.. I'm just saying cause my really right stuff 34L was crap, and literally exploded in use in normal conditions, was only my 4th time using it, I almost lost my camera lens and bag with additional lenses...( no I don't abuse my gear, I maintain everything in Prestine condition) Everything they showed cost more for tripod only than my rt-90c, with center column and 56mm ball head.... Its not always about cost for quality.. I love sirui, I own their traveler 5c and used to own their n-2204sk with k30 ball head ( good setup) .. Great tripod but the n-2204sk wouldn't hold a candle to even the rt-80c from innorel for way lower price with ball head... Even their model with the center column ( rt-7*). Point is I've used all 3 of the innorel setups, have a rt-90c and a rt-80c on the way... I paid basically $2000 for my really right stuff and ball head, and for 1/4 the price I feel I got a stronger, beefier tripod that has and will last longer than my 34L ever did.. At the time when I searched, leofoto didn't have a version to the same specs as the Rt-90c. I search for over a week, comparing everything for every brand I could get through Amazon, leofoto was one of them. And they do have good options as shown. But they didn't have a comparable model at that time.... ( they may now but not a year ago.)
These are god tripods, but I recently bought an iFootage tripod and monopod. So much better than more conventional tripods. The iFootage tripods and Monopods are what I would call system tripods.
I love these videos that are more of a resource to come back to and check out before making a purchase. It's rare that any one piece of gear is "the best", more about something being the best in one situation, and having some trade-offs in others. These kinds of videos are great for explaining that kind of stuff.
Nice review, Thank you....Maybe do a video reviewing Leofoto Ranger line. Presently using the Manfrotto and I rarely ever used the center column. Thanks
Personally, even though I have a carbon fibre 3LT tripod, for the vast majority of my work I use my old 055 Pro aluminium tripod, which is heavier but is much more stable in my experience and whilst it is quicker to undo twist locks, I much prefer the lever lock because I know when they are locked properly. If out and about though, the vast majority of time, I won't take a tripod, I just find them too cumbersome when out all day. The exception is when I have pre-planned a shoot and know I will either be shooting long exposures or light painting and also when I am on an environmental portrait shoot, where I will set up the shot from the tripod and then once, I have captured the shot, then play around with the camera off the tripod.
A couple of disappointing points. No mention the Gitzo can be bought as a three OR four section product that allows the folded product to be smaller. Also no mention that every tripod can be bought with OR without a bundled ball head so the you can get the same ball head for any of the four you tested if you have a preference. You might want to follow up with a comparison of various quality ball heads. Take care.
I would still call these "lightweight" tripods to be honest. Medium weight starts with the Gitzo series 3 and its peers IMO. My backpacking tripod is an old Gitzo 1348 (series 3 mountaineer), but my daily drivers are a Gitzo 5543 XLS (4 part legs, goes to 78") and a Sachtler Flowtech 75. I'd call all of those "medium weight". "Heavy" tripods have 100 or 150 mm bowls.
These tripods are perfectly matching "Travel" category. Lots of people travel with rather heavy equipment in different weather conditions, so these are the most basic tripods for them. these tripods sits fine inside or outside backpack, weight a liitle. Large tripods starts from Gitzo Systematic 3. And what you mentioned as "travel tripod", I'd say they are more for everyday usage, when you want to cary smaller bag or backpack.
Still rollin with the Gitzo 1325 as my daily driver. I'll keep using it until it breaks. So far, it still works as well as the day I bought it. When I saw "large" tripods I thought you meant "large" tripods. I still have a Gitzo 1548 that I bought to go with a 600mm lens and Wimberley gimbal. The lens and gimbal are long gone, but I still have the tripod. Since it's big and heavy, I use it for studio work these days. The thing about good tripods is that they last forever and you can always retask them for other purposes.
@@niccollsvideo sure, but rubber feets will be okeish too for rocks. But you on on the grass, fallen leaves, the spikes are essential, even nice heavy tripod will woble without it. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-poG__6af9ok.html
I've been really impressed with my Leofoto LS-365, collapses down pretty compact as it's got 5 sections but still really stable because of the 36mm upper sections, also brings the camera up to just above my eye level and I'm around 5'11. It's the only tripod I found that gave me what I wanted when I tried loads out at a photography show a couple of years ago.
@@BoyarsMedia Yes it does undoubtedly take a little longer but I dont think it's enough to put anyone off, I dont doubt that it also transmits a little more vibration through it too for having more sections. I've been really impressed with its stability though and love how much more compact it is than my old 3 section tripod
I've always felt the lever lock was more durable because it can be tightened as the pieces age. My limited experience with twist locks has shown me that the parts break/fall out and I cannot for the life of me get them back in how they should be. Hopefully that's not the case with a $500 tripod, but the levers have never failed on me, so I'll go with the "don't fix what isn't broken" approach.
@@DavidDatura Yeah, I'm 5'9'' myself as well. I guess that makes Jorden a giant. (Hi Chris, if you are reading this, this is by no mean personal. It is only natural human curiosity.)
@@niccollsvideo lol, by the way, I'm a huge fan of the channel. You and Jordan are my go to for camera gear reviews. I really love the duo. Keep up the amazing work. I apologize for being an a-hole.
I like choices with cameras and lenses... but there are WAY too many choices with tripods. That said... I liked your comparison... and it brought up some thing that hadn't occurred to me before. However I have to agree with a few other folks that I thought the "stability and vibration" tests were not great. (I have the exact same criticism of the same tests I've seen by lots of other folks.) I'm generally going to assume that the main purpose of the tripod is to hold the camera steady... This means that I want the tripod to keep the camera from moving due to wind, or shutter snap, or accidental bumps... But, most importantly, when I take pictures, I expect the GROUND to be solid and not vibrating. And I would expect a VERY STIFF tripod to do the best job holding the camera still in relationship to the ground... (If I'm standing on a structure that is vibrating then I would want some sort of ISOLATION mount and not a tripod.) However, if the ground is vibrating, then a softer or more flexible tripod will do somewhat better at NOT transferring that vibration. And optimizing the tripod to avoid jostling the camera if the tripod ITSELF is bumped or vibrated is different yet. (So, if you're going to vibrate the tripod, or the ground, I would expect an otherwise "better" tripod to test "worse".) It seems to me that the best test would be to apply a gentler vibration or tapping TO THE CAMERA ITSELF... And, perhaps, then applying a steady slow sideways pressure pulling sideways with a rubber band, to simulate "wind". And then, with solid ground, see how well the tripod does at "holding the camera steady". (or maybe use an older camera that was specifically known for causing a lot of mechanical shutter slap...) I would expect carbon fiber tripods to do well in these sorts of tests due to their superior stiffness.
Let me tell you the best tripod I can recommend, is the sirui AM-284 with the sirui K-40x, carring this tripod it's kind of confusing because makes you feel you forgot your tripod, real lightweight, attachment on the head base, I never use this but great future, the head with a load capacity of 70 lbs. Why to pay for a gitzo or linhof head 1,200 plus, that's what I paid back in 2008, I sell me tripod and I went for a manfrotto tripod with a manfrotto head, then I got the sirui head 3 years ago, I can compare with my linhof, so smooth, light and very, very sturdy ballhead, I love it, last month I bought the sirui legs AM-284 and I put for sale my manfrotto mt055 xpro 3. I personally I recommend this Sirui AM-284 with Sirui K40x head. Been in Photography since 1979, I know what I recommend after I had the best tripods around, now I know once I just paid for the name and that's gitzo, one thing for sure, the best tripod won't make the best photographer, once I meet this lady who used to work with a home made wood tripod and had beautiful images, been around with rich photographers carring gitzo and nikon d5 with horrible work. Don't make a mistake, don't waste your money, invest it.
Why you would only include your 2 generations old Manfrotto in your “overview/not a review” and not the new version of the Manfrotto appears odd? I’ll stick with my Manfrotto 055 CXPRO3 @ 2kg and a very slick centre column thanks…hey, maybe that’s why it wasn’t included, it’s just so much better than the ones you tested, which leads me to wonder why you selected the ones you did…payola? Cheers,
I'm certainly glad to have found this even though it's been a couple of years... I'm thankful that I mostly have to cope with wind instead of such, uhm, "tremors", in the wilds of the northern Plains/Rockies! lol Seriously, though, this was a great comparison demonstrating the pros and cons of each line. I'm leaning towards a taller Leofoto minus the center column but was glad to see the general comparisons between these manufacturers.
Unless I missed it, I didn’t hear anything about load capacity of given heads & legs. I’m on an average of 5Lbs of 35mm & 10Lbs Medium & large So I would like a higher weight headroom in my gear. I’ll carry the extra weight
No sane person would use an old outdated tripod like this Manfrotto for a reliable review. Why didn´t you take the actual MT055CXPRO3 Carbon from Manfrotto instead? You lost your reliability, DP Review!
just got the Sirui W 2204 used and it's the best i've ever had. the only issue is the weight with a leveling adpator and manfrotto fluid head - total close to 7# - ??? will look for another head maybe a mono pod two way - any suggestions welcome.
I have an aluminum ART 055 that is well over 30 years old. No interest in upgrading; like the stability of the heavy metal, and it's likely to outlive me. I'll spend my money on cameras and lenses, thanks.
I understand you guys get excited with vibrating toys..... but why not use a high power leaf blower, long exposure and something to interrupt the airflow to create real wind variation on the camera.
Got the Sirui ST-125 with the ST-10 head.ö for travel and that is really great, relatively light and stable. Also Sirui adopted the triangulare center column. And has spiked feet in it and move out with a twist on the feed
so i understand that photography is for the rich and privileged- you guys seem to be hard working folks and yet it seems like you are so far away from what actual working professional and just starting out photographers carry and use. start reviewing more affordable gear, the kind people actually use and not youtubers.
