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Tripod with or without center column?

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Kiawahgolf

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Hello, for those of you with more experience, is the center column on a tripod setup an added benefit or just something else to get in the way? I am looking to purchase my first tripod, most likely a Gitzo, and don't know which line to look at. Thom Hogan seems to like the Mountaineer 35XX line. Obviously, if there is another option out there such as Feisol that would be close in quality for much cheaper I'm all ears! Just don't have the $$ to not be happy the first time!

Initially, I was going to purchase a 70-200/2.8 as I have wanted and needed a good lens in this range for a while; but for the money I could get either an 80-200 or Sigma 150-500 AND a really nice tripod and trigger release, which would allow me many new opportunites to photograph that I'm not capable of now.

Thanks for your thoughts!
--
Jordan
 
My Gitzo CF G2258 has a center colum with a Manfrotto 322RCZ head.

For years I had many cheap aluminum tripods and in the end did the right thing.
Wish I would have bought a good one to start with, now I have a one.

You can do many things with the center colum but a big plus is bringing your
camera up to eye level so you are not bent over......;-)
.

--
Jon in Thailand

http://www.flickr.com/photos/af2899/
.
 
That was actually going to be my next question is the importance of tripod height. I am 6'0 tall and have never owned a tripod, so I didn't know if having one with a maximum height of less than 6'0 would be a problem. Also, if the specs say maximum height of 63" or 72", is that with or without the center column extended?

Has anyone tried the Flashpoint carbon tripods from Adorama? They seem to be rated very highly and would be more pleasing to my wallet.

Thanks,
--
Jordan
 
If I had money to burn I would just get Gitzo and not bother doing any research, but since that is never my situation (if it were I'd already have a D300S) I have to find the best value for my money. I did a ton of research last Fall and ended up getting a Feisol tripod CT-3342 and a Markins M10 ballhead last Dec. Feisol is rated very highly among the Gitzo substitutes, in addition to the Dpreview forums, check out Nikonians (many of them prefer Feisol to Gitzo if you can believe that) and Fred Miranda forums have loads of fans. I got a three section for more stability with the bottom section having a larger diameter than four section legs. I don't do a lot of traveling so fold up length is not a big issue for me. Initially I didn't get the center column for several months, because as I'm sure you've read, it "compromises" stability, but a few months back I added the center column to make micro adjustments for macro work easier. It's a snap to remove or add the center column on a Feisol so if I had it to do over again, I'd get it from the get-go. As far as height goes you have to remember than you would ideally want the max tripod height to at least match your eye level and possibly have some extra for setting the tripod on a lower surface if necessary. You need to subtract about 5 inches from the top of your head to your eyes and about 7-8 inches for the camera viewfinder height on a ballhead. At 6ft tall, you would want a tripod that goes up to at least 59 inches fully extended.

All my research paid off, love the combo I have, the Feisol is rock solid and super light weight and the Markins is a solid silky dream to use. Check them out and if you decide to go with Feisol buy from Kerry at Really Big Cameras. His website is not impressive and you might have to email him to buy, but he is a totally honest reputable guy that lots of people have dealt with because of the excellent service he provides. He will save you some on the shipping too as opposed to buying elsewhere...

In answer to your last question, if the tripod you are looking at has a center column then the max height includes the center column fully extended.
--
Lora

I've been on Dpreview since June 2006. Unfortunately, some posting history has been lost along the way...

 
Without.

I am 6'2" and I ended up going with the Gitzo 3540XLS. It does not come with a center column, but you could add that if it is wanted. I wanted a stable tripod that I could get up to my eye level even in steep terrain that did not have a center column. The 3540XLS fits the bill perfectly. I matched that with a Markins M20 and I am now in tripod heaven. Unfortunately, this was not the first tripod I bought so it ended up costing a lot more than it should have (I wish I got it right off the bat).

Good luck with your search...
--
John
http://www.strockphotography.com
 
For years I used a big heavy Bogen (3021) with a 3-way pan head on center column. Also used smaller tripods, all with center columns. It was clear to me that when I used a smaller tripod and extended the column that it was not very stable.

I decided to finally get a good tripod, and one that I wanted (regardless of cost). I settled on a Gitzo 3530. I like the twist locks - I can unlock all of them at the same time on each leg with a single twist. (And I disliked the flip locks of the Bogen after years of using them). I wanted 3 legs, instead of 4, for maximum stability, and one less leg section to unlock/lock and deal with. No center column, again for stability, though I can add one if I need to.

I'm 6'2", so I needed a tall tripod. The 3530LSV was the only 35xx 3-section one at the time that reached high enough. The V is for video bowl, which I promptly removed and lost.

I added a RRS BH-55 ballhead, and the combo is pretty near perfect for me, except if I try to shoot upward at a steep angle. (I have to stoop down a bit to get under the camera then).

I don't miss the center column, except that they generally have a hook on them to add weight to for added stability.

The tripod and head have been great. Due to the size, (3-section legs don't pack as short as 4-section), I take the ballhead off and put the tripod in a suitcase when I travel. I probably could fit it into my largest suitcase at an angle with the ballhead on if I wanted to.
 
Kiawahgolf said:
Hello, for those of you with more experience, is the center column on a tripod setup an added benefit or just something else to get in the way?
Click to expand...
Center columns:
  • Add weight
  • Add cost
  • Reduce stability
They're handy if you're shooting portraits all day in a studio and need to constantly adjust height for different subjects. Otherwise, I'd generally suggest going without. However, your height is a consideration and I wouldn't rule it out entirely for that reason. But I would avoid a center column if you can.

Gitzo's are the best. But Feisol and Benro tripods are really excellent and will save you a load of dosh. I've seen mixed reports on the Flashpoint.
 
Most of the better brands list both but if they dont then its with it extended.

I opted for a manfrotto 055pro and not only does it have a center collumn but it can switch to being a lateral collumn. I dont use it that often but when I need it I am glad its there.
Kiawahgolf said:
That was actually going to be my next question is the importance of tripod height. I am 6'0 tall and have never owned a tripod, so I didn't know if having one with a maximum height of less than 6'0 would be a problem. Also, if the specs say maximum height of 63" or 72", is that with or without the center column extended?

Has anyone tried the Flashpoint carbon tripods from Adorama? They seem to be rated very highly and would be more pleasing to my wallet.

Thanks,
--
Jordan
Click to expand...
 
Like all things Gitzo, not cheap. But it might be worth getting. Hmm, I wonder if I can just rig a hook onto what I've already got!

Thanks.
 
The 3540 Mountaineer comes with a center column that is removable and you can have a fixed plate with a hook on the bottom. It's good for people over 6 feet and is short when traveling. I'm 6 feet and shoot landscapes and a 200-400 vr lens and have never regretted buying this tripod. Good luck!

Ron
 
Depends on what you plans are. I purchased a Manfrotto 055MF4. The center column is removable, and 95% of the time it is stashed in a pocket of my tripod case.

With the column removed, there is an open 6mm bolt hole in the bottom of the top section, to which I am fashioning a ballast hook.

I am just shy of 6' tall, and with my ball head & lens foot the tripod is plenty tall for shooting most of the time, and it squats down to mere inches above the ground when necessary.

The only time I really use the center column is occasionally shooting over an obstacle, or occasionally on a relatively steep incline where one or more of the three legs are retracted to make a level platform. But this is the exception, not the rule.. so my center column is not used very often for landscape work, birding etc..

I've recently started exploring shooting the macro world. The center column, mounted horizontally, comes in handy for close-up/copy work so you might give that some thought, also.
--
Phil
 
I have never owned a tripod and just want to get everything right the first time so I don't have upgrade anytime soon. I won't be using any Super Telephotos in the near future so I don't have to have the absolute best setup, but I would like to have something to grow into and one that doesn't leave me missing something.

I think I'm getting ready to jump on the Gitzo 2531 or something similar. This model does have the center column attached so I may look for a slightly different version. I am trying to make an informed decision as well on the ballhead, quick release plates, ect; either going with the RRS BH-55 or Markins M20. Should I use same brand plates? I like the looks of the RRS better mainly because it has the lever release, but have also heard it can get in the way.
--
Jordan
 
The center columns should be labeled like fire extinguishers "For emergency use only". You are buying a tripod presumably to give your camera sturdy support. Why would you want to spend a several hundred dollars on a tripod then stick the camera a couple feet up in the air on a flimsy single column?

I use a Gitzo 1327 carbon fiber tripod with a load capacity of 26.5 lbs and a height of 60" without the center column. I have removed the stock center column and replaced it with one that is about 4" long, just enough that I have some fine tuning room when I use it with a short lens. Usually I use the tripod with 400 and 500mm lenses and I want and need the stability.

--
John

 
Could someone please help me out with figuring out a ballhead setup. I am going to order the Gitzo2531 three section tripod and am leaning towards the Markins M20 over RRS BH-55. I do like the L plate offered by RRS and will most likely purchase it.

So should I purchase the quick release plate offered by Markins or go with one of the offerings from RRS?

Anything else I am missing?

Thanks once again!
--
Jordan
 
I guess I should have asked, Is it okay to mix and match the products from Markins and RRS? Just want to make sure they can be used interchangably.
--
Jordan
 
Kiawahgolf said:
Hello, for those of you with more experience, is the center column on a tripod setup an added benefit or just something else to get in the way?
Click to expand...
When I bought my tripod, I got one with a center column (Gitzo, I believe 1224) that was tall enough for me to use without raising the center column. With the column all the way down, I don't think you loose anything in stability.

Sometimes, the center column is useful and the trade-off with stability is worth it. I have used it to take photos from a higher vantage point than I would normally have. Sometimes it can also be convenient to change the exact height quickly.

I probably use the center column in less than 1% of my shots, but when I use it, I feel it is very much worth it.

Eric
--
http://www.lumenssolutions.com/
 
Getting the height right for you is very important. I would not even think about having to extend the center c. very much to get your desired height.

I started with a Manfrotto MF4 with center column. I am 6' even. Problem was that I had to have the column extended about 8"s which was too much for stability(I could see the column vibrate). At the time my longest , heaviest lens was the 70-200vr used with TC1.7. the setup was not good enough.

I went for the Feisol 3471(no center c.) and now shoot 300vr and 500vr. I use M-20 with sidekick and a full wimberley 200 depending on lens. The sidekick also works well on the smaller Feisol 3342(no center c) with everything up to the 300vr but not locked down.

The Manfrotto was not a waste of money since my wife(5'4") loves the flip locks and is a perfect height. She uses for macro with the column extended just a couple of inches but it does allow her to postion more easily. She uses the M-10.

I would have bought Gitzo but here in India they were very expensive!!! The 3342 works for the 70-200vr with a tc but just. Always a trade off in portability.

Cheers,
--
Tom
http://taja.smugmug.com/
 
So should I purchase the Markins M20 with same brand Quick Shoe attached, or does anyone with knowledge of both products know if the RRS quick releases are better? I know I'm going to purchase the Gitzo 2531 and RRS L plate, just looking into the quick releases at this point.

Is there anything else missing I will need to purchase?
Gitzo 2531 Tripod
Markins M20 Ballhead
Markins/RRS Quick Release
RRS L-Plate

Also, I know some of these questions are crazy and redundant, but do I need to purchase a lens foot/plate for either the Sigma 70-200, Sigma 150-500? I believe they are supplied with one but not sure if they are sufficient.

Thanks for helping a newbie!
--
Jordan
 
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