Comments on: How to Buy a Camera Tripod: Stress-Free Guide

By: Darlene Hildebrandt

Darlene Hildebrandt — Sat, 30 Sep 2017 00:43:00 +0000

In reply to SupraHornets. Buy a spirit level for like $3 on amazon that goes on the hot shoe. That will help

By: SupraHornets

SupraHornets — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 05:52:00 +0000

Yes, that’s the one. Agree that it’s an overkill. But I just can’t go back to a ball head any more. Maybe I’m not using the ball head correctly. I find that I want to make lots of minor position adjustments. Pushing against the friction of the ball, I often push too far.

Maybe I should zoom out a bit more and then crop in post processing. That may eliminate the need for fine adjustments on the ball head. But I do level my camera prior to every shot. Often, there is no clear reference of the horizon in the picture. So, I don’t know how to level it in post processing. Maybe it just doesn’t matter in those situations.

Need to think about this some more, but sure would like to hear your thoughts.

By: Darlene Hildebrandt

Darlene Hildebrandt — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 01:37:00 +0000

In reply to SupraHornets.

Sure this one? https://amzn.to/2fUO55u

That’s a big one. I used to use something like that in studio work with a large format camera. I’d say it’s probably overkill for most amateurs but certainly has its uses.

By: SupraHornets

SupraHornets — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 01:00:00 +0000

Great article, Darlene. May I suggest updating the article to include the Manfrotto 410 geared head. You can make fine adjustments very precisely. The head is also rock solid, so you can carry the camera mounted on the head/tripod with confidence. The downside is that it’s slower (to adjust) and heavier than a ball head. But the upside is so much greater.

By: Darlene

Darlene — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 03:53:22 +0000

In reply to mike. Thanks Mike, glad to have helped post purchase! Good choice, that's the cadillac!

By: mike

mike — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 03:33:50 +0000

thank you for the tips Darlene.
I am honestly opening my new Gitzo as I read your advice.
I have done my homework for quite awhile b/4 I was going to
plunk down a good chunk of my paycheck on a tripod.
EVERY word you said was spot on as to what I took into
consideration. Thank you for validating this amateurs choices.
mike

By: Fraucha

Fraucha — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 18:14:05 +0000

In reply to Darlene.

Hummm…it took me years to get used to carrying just one lens and a small bag. But somedays I fall back and pack up a ton of junk… But I still use hyperfocal about half the time!

By: Darlene

Darlene — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:32:44 +0000

In reply to shelle singer. Good advice, thanks Shelle!

By: Darlene

Darlene — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:32:26 +0000

In reply to Fraucha. Deardorff, nice camera! He he, yes thanks for that perspective Fraucha! We've certainly come a long way. Or have we? ;-)

By: shelle singer

shelle singer — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:27:30 +0000

I used to have a heavy Manfrotto “back in the day” and then numerous less expensive but not great tripods. I finally bought a carbon fiber (gitzo) and Really Right Stuff system. Expensive? Hell yes. It will be the last tripod I will ever buy. I should have done it years ago.

By: Fraucha

Fraucha — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 10:33:48 +0000

I started with an 8×10 Deardorff a long time ago. I used to lug it around Northern Turkey taking land and and cityscapes. It had a tripod that weighted about 25 pounds. All told it took two of us to schlep around the 70 pounds of camera, tripod and 8×10 filmbacks and “stuff”, including food and water. Today I have a Manfrotto 055CRXPRO4 with a ballhead and leveling base, it weighs about 6 pounds….when I THINK it is a pain in the butt and too heavy I just think back to Turkey and grab the Manfrotto with a smile.