tripod/head recommendation

I am looking for recommendations on a tripod and versatile head. I use a D1x and 80-200mm and 300mm are my biggest lenses, at the moment anyway, perhaps a 500-600 in the future).

It should be lightweight (for hiking) and easy to set up, I have seen tripods with flip buttons for leg extension that seem easy to use especially in cold weather. It should be relatively easy to attach the camera. I would like not to have something semi-permanently mounted on the camera for quick release, but don't know if I have choice on that when it comes to easy mounting. It would be nice if it could hold the camera up even if I am lazy and attach at body rather then at lens mounting point (I probably should just mount on the lense though, but...). I don't know if 3 or 4 legs are better, or if it matters. I also don't know if I need multiple heads, but I really would like to only carry one if possible. I like the ease of adjustment of the trigger-type heads I have seen in pictures but don't know if those are practical for a large camera/lens. It would be used for hiking/landscape/nature shots mainly as well as occasional indoor use. I might want to do panorama too but am willing to use a different head if that is required for that purpose.

I currently use an old Bogen which is heavy and a pain to set up especially in cold weather (winged screw caps for leg adjustment) but it is steady as tripods get. The head also sags slowly (no matter how much I tighten screws) when I have a long lens on [but mounted at camera body].

Cost is not the over-riding factor but I don't want spend $ for the sake of just spending it either.

I would greatly appreciate any recommendation or advice folks have to offer.

-Tom

Tom,

I just read a great review that would probably answer your questions:

The review is titled, "Serious Support."

Hope this helps.

JW

tae said:

I am looking for recommendations on a tripod and versatile head. I
use a D1x and 80-200mm and 300mm are my biggest lenses, at the
moment anyway, perhaps a 500-600 in the future).

It should be lightweight (for hiking) and easy to set up, I have
seen tripods with flip buttons for leg extension that seem easy to
use especially in cold weather. It should be relatively easy to
attach the camera. I would like not to have something
semi-permanently mounted on the camera for quick release, but don't
know if I have choice on that when it comes to easy mounting. It
would be nice if it could hold the camera up even if I am lazy and
attach at body rather then at lens mounting point (I probably
should just mount on the lense though, but...). I don't know if 3
or 4 legs are better, or if it matters. I also don't know if I
need multiple heads, but I really would like to only carry one if
possible. I like the ease of adjustment of the trigger-type heads
I have seen in pictures but don't know if those are practical for a
large camera/lens. It would be used for hiking/landscape/nature
shots mainly as well as occasional indoor use. I might want to do
panorama too but am willing to use a different head if that is
required for that purpose.

I currently use an old Bogen which is heavy and a pain to set up
especially in cold weather (winged screw caps for leg adjustment)
but it is steady as tripods get. The head also sags slowly (no
matter how much I tighten screws) when I have a long lens on [but
mounted at camera body].

Cost is not the over-riding factor but I don't want spend $ for the
sake of just spending it either.

I would greatly appreciate any recommendation or advice folks have
to offer.

-Tom

Click to expand...

PS

The review is at http://www.bythom.com/support.htm

JW Legler said:

Tom,

I just read a great review that would probably answer your questions:

The review is titled, "Serious Support."

Hope this helps.

JW

Click to expand...

Yes, as Thom said in his article, buy the right one the first time and save a bunch.

I recommend Gitzo 1329 ($600+). It is light (carbon), but can load up to 26 lbs, which is sufficient for any big lenses, a 600AFS or two, and beyond.

Must have spent more than a thousand buying different tripods over the years, and after I bought this baby, I realized it covers all my needs, and save me the pondering every shoot about whether to take this tripod, or that tripod, etc. And not to mention the money.

JR

JW Legler said:

PS

The review is at http://www.bythom.com/support.htm

Click to expand...

Da, I should have know to look at Thom's site!

At least I am only guilty of the Bogen step before asking. I got it used for $75 about 10 years ago. This makes me feel much less stupid now ;-)

Thanks for the pointer, and of course, thanks Thom...

-Tom

Hah! That's a pretty funny article. I think it's pretty pompous and narrow minded, but funny.

It always amazes me when people say, "Don't buy the $300 solution - just go straight to the $1,000 solution...you'll get there anyway." Where does that logic end? "Don't buy the 18-35/3.5, just go for the 17-35/2.8. You'll save money in the long run." Maybe $700 isn't a lot to some people, but it's a month's rent to others. A lot of people just can't afford to buy the top end all the time, and they may never be able to afford it.

You can get good, solid tripod and head setups for under $300 that will make all but the longest telephoto lenses look great (the Bogen 3021 with 3275 geared head is a nice $300 setup). You don't need to go straight to the $1,000 carbon fiber rig.

For many people, the $300 setup is going to be enough for a very long time. But if someone decides to upgrade to a nicer head or sticks two years from now, does that mean the original purchase was a waste? Of course not.

Dave
---

tae said:

JW Legler said:

PS

The review is at http://www.bythom.com/support.htm

Click to expand...

Da, I should have know to look at Thom's site!

At least I am only guilty of the Bogen step before asking. I got
it used for $75 about 10 years ago. This makes me feel much less
stupid now ;-)

Thanks for the pointer, and of course, thanks Thom...

-Tom

Click to expand...

I have been using the Bogen 3021 with a Benbo ball head with the Kirk quick release plates .

Has worked great with my F5 and a Nikkor 500 f4 P with a dedicated 2x. Just got a new plate
for my D-100.

James Riley said:

Yes, as Thom said in his article, buy the right one the first time
and save a bunch.

I recommend Gitzo 1329 ($600+). It is light (carbon), but can load
up to 26 lbs, which is sufficient for any big lenses, a 600AFS or
two, and beyond.

Must have spent more than a thousand buying different tripods over
the years, and after I bought this baby, I realized it covers all
my needs, and save me the pondering every shoot about whether to
take this tripod, or that tripod, etc. And not to mention the
money.

JR

Click to expand...

I've been using a Bogen for several years but have wanted something lighter for hiking. Since I'm tall, a small tripod isn't the solution. I was very close to spending big bucks on a Gitzo CF and then I saw a Hakuba CF in a store. It is very lightweight but seems able to handle most 35mm setups. It has twisting leglocks like Gitzo; I like them because there is nothing to bang your shoulder if you put it over the shoulder. For $300, I got a well made CF tripod, tall eough for my needs, with short and long center columns, a high quality bag (much nicer than the Bogen bag I paid extra for) and a magnesium pan head. Will I be regreting it a year from now? Who knows, but right now I'm happy.

tae said:

I am looking for recommendations on a tripod and versatile head. I
use a D1x and 80-200mm and 300mm are my biggest lenses, at the
moment anyway, perhaps a 500-600 in the future).

It should be lightweight (for hiking) and easy to set up, I have
seen tripods with flip buttons for leg extension that seem easy to
use especially in cold weather. It should be relatively easy to
attach the camera. I would like not to have something
semi-permanently mounted on the camera for quick release, but don't
know if I have choice on that when it comes to easy mounting. It
would be nice if it could hold the camera up even if I am lazy and
attach at body rather then at lens mounting point (I probably
should just mount on the lense though, but...). I don't know if 3
or 4 legs are better, or if it matters. I also don't know if I
need multiple heads, but I really would like to only carry one if
possible. I like the ease of adjustment of the trigger-type heads
I have seen in pictures but don't know if those are practical for a
large camera/lens. It would be used for hiking/landscape/nature
shots mainly as well as occasional indoor use. I might want to do
panorama too but am willing to use a different head if that is
required for that purpose.

I currently use an old Bogen which is heavy and a pain to set up
especially in cold weather (winged screw caps for leg adjustment)
but it is steady as tripods get. The head also sags slowly (no
matter how much I tighten screws) when I have a long lens on [but
mounted at camera body].

Cost is not the over-riding factor but I don't want spend $ for the
sake of just spending it either.

I would greatly appreciate any recommendation or advice folks have
to offer.

-Tom

Click to expand...

tae said:

I am looking for recommendations on a tripod and versatile head. I
use a D1x and 80-200mm and 300mm are my biggest lenses, at the
moment anyway, perhaps a 500-600 in the future).

Click to expand...

If you really want something for hiking, how about Cullman Magic 2. It folds up flat, light weight, close to full size, tag on a tilting quick release like Bogen 3229 and you are set.

--
JR

Thom's article has some valid points in that you should give some consideration to future photographic needs. His basic premise is that if you are willing to spend thousands for camera/lenses it only makes sense to provide sufficient support to obtain optimum quality from your gear. On the other hand after laying out thousands for camera/lenses the bank account may be too strained to spring for the higher end stuff.

I started with an F100 and 80-200mm f2.8 Nikkor as my largest lens. The support system I chose was the Bogen 3021 with a pan/tilt head. I opted for a pan/tilt because it is easier to use shooting macro. This I learned from reading John Shaw's 'Closeups In Nature'. This tripod/head has served me well for landscape/nature shooting (now use a D1x) but would probably be the pits for sports where adjustments of your setup requires speed.

I recently purchased a used Nikon 400mm AFS and now must consider different support options because of the weight - about 19 pounds with camera and head. My tripod choice is now a Gitzo - aluminum or CF - and either a Kirk ballhead with the Wimberly Sidekick or possibly the Wimberly head alone.

It is extremely important to consider the setup you plan to use in buying a tripod/head combo. Your equipment is at stake.

--
Have a great day,
Roger
My humble gallery: http://www.pbase.com/light_n_dark

Gitzo G1228 MK2 and Velbon PH-273... light compact but strong enough for heavry work.

tae said:

I am looking for recommendations on a tripod and versatile head. I
use a D1x and 80-200mm and 300mm are my biggest lenses, at the
moment anyway, perhaps a 500-600 in the future).

It should be lightweight (for hiking) and easy to set up, I have
seen tripods with flip buttons for leg extension that seem easy to
use especially in cold weather. It should be relatively easy to
attach the camera. I would like not to have something
semi-permanently mounted on the camera for quick release, but don't
know if I have choice on that when it comes to easy mounting. It
would be nice if it could hold the camera up even if I am lazy and
attach at body rather then at lens mounting point (I probably
should just mount on the lense though, but...). I don't know if 3
or 4 legs are better, or if it matters. I also don't know if I
need multiple heads, but I really would like to only carry one if
possible. I like the ease of adjustment of the trigger-type heads
I have seen in pictures but don't know if those are practical for a
large camera/lens. It would be used for hiking/landscape/nature
shots mainly as well as occasional indoor use. I might want to do
panorama too but am willing to use a different head if that is
required for that purpose.

I currently use an old Bogen which is heavy and a pain to set up
especially in cold weather (winged screw caps for leg adjustment)
but it is steady as tripods get. The head also sags slowly (no
matter how much I tighten screws) when I have a long lens on [but
mounted at camera body].

Cost is not the over-riding factor but I don't want spend $ for the
sake of just spending it either.

I would greatly appreciate any recommendation or advice folks have
to offer.

-Tom

Click to expand...

--



http://www.pbase.com/goldenhammer
Nikon D1x, FM3A
Nikkor 18mm/f2.8 AFD
Nikkor 28mm/f1.4 AFD
Nikkor 45mm/f2.8 P
Nikkor 85mm/f1.4 AFD
Nikkor 200mm/f4 AFD Micro
Nikkor 300mm/f4 AFS

tae said:

I am looking for recommendations on a tripod and versatile head. I
use a D1x and 80-200mm and 300mm are my biggest lenses, at the
moment anyway, perhaps a 500-600 in the future).

It should be lightweight (for hiking) and easy to set up, I have
seen tripods with flip buttons for leg extension that seem easy to
use especially in cold weather. It should be relatively easy to
attach the camera. I would like not to have something
semi-permanently mounted on the camera for quick release, but don't
know if I have choice on that when it comes to easy mounting. It
would be nice if it could hold the camera up even if I am lazy and
attach at body rather then at lens mounting point (I probably
should just mount on the lense though, but...). I don't know if 3
or 4 legs are better, or if it matters. I also don't know if I
need multiple heads, but I really would like to only carry one if
possible. I like the ease of adjustment of the trigger-type heads
I have seen in pictures but don't know if those are practical for a
large camera/lens. It would be used for hiking/landscape/nature
shots mainly as well as occasional indoor use. I might want to do
panorama too but am willing to use a different head if that is
required for that purpose.

I currently use an old Bogen which is heavy and a pain to set up
especially in cold weather (winged screw caps for leg adjustment)
but it is steady as tripods get. The head also sags slowly (no
matter how much I tighten screws) when I have a long lens on [but
mounted at camera body].

Cost is not the over-riding factor but I don't want spend $ for the
sake of just spending it either.

I would greatly appreciate any recommendation or advice folks have
to offer.

-Tom

Click to expand...

--

I would suggest the Gitzo 1348 over the 1228 and suggest the Gitzo 1377 ball head for short lenses. For big teles the only head is the Wimberley Head. Tried the Wimberley Sidekick and sent it back. The 1348 is a good compromise between portability and stability. Skip one with a center column.

JT

Dave Harpe said:

It always amazes me when people say, "Don't buy the $300 solution -
just go straight to the $1,000 solution...you'll get there anyway."
Where does that logic end? "Don't buy the 18-35/3.5, just go for
the 17-35/2.8. You'll save money in the long run."

Click to expand...

You might want to read my work a little more carefully. I've long said DON'T buy the 17-35mm unless you absolutely need the 17mm, the f/2.8, or the AF-S. The 18-35mm is just as sharp at equivalent apertures except perhaps at 35mm, where the corners are a bit soft. Indeed, I was one of the first one's touting the 18-35mm against a sea of "buy the 17-35mm" cries. And that's actually part of the point of my article. Most people would be better served by buying good legs, a rock solid head and quick plates with the 18-35mm than they would to buy the 17-35mm and try to handhold it or mount it on a lessor pod.

Dave Harpe said:

Maybe $700
isn't a lot to some people, but it's a month's rent to others. A
lot of people just can't afford to buy the top end all the time,
and they may never be able to afford it.

Click to expand...

Point taken. But if they're here, they spent at least $2000 on a camera body, and you might have noticed that an awful lot of them are claiming their camera "isn't sharp." As many of you know, I get bombarded with emails asking for advice, and I used to look at sample pictures before the virus situation just sprawled out of hand (people, if you're not going to email me, don't put me in your address book, especially if you're not going to run virus protection). And the #1 thing I saw (and still see at workshops) is that too many people think that any 'ole tripod (or none at all) is good enough to get shots that are sharp like the pros. 'Taint so.

Dave Harpe said:

You can get good, solid tripod and head setups for under $300 that
will make all but the longest telephoto lenses look great (the
Bogen 3021 with 3275 geared head is a nice $300 setup). You don't
need to go straight to the $1,000 carbon fiber rig.

Click to expand...

I have nothing at all against the Bogen 3021 legs--they're darned solid, albeit a bit heavy. The geared head, well, I'd advise against it.

--
Thom Hogan
author, Nikon Field Guide
author, Nikon Flash Guide
author, Complete Guide to the Nikon D100
author, Complete Guide to the Nikon D1, D1h, & D1x
http://www.bythom.com

RogerB said:

I started with an F100 and 80-200mm f2.8 Nikkor as my largest lens.
The support system I chose was the Bogen 3021 with a pan/tilt head.
I opted for a pan/tilt because it is easier to use shooting macro.
This I learned from reading John Shaw's 'Closeups In Nature'. This
tripod/head has served me well for landscape/nature shooting (now
use a D1x) but would probably be the pits for sports where
adjustments of your setup requires speed.

Click to expand...

Forgot about that point. Yes, a pan/tilt head often makes macro shooting easier than a ball. But...I've yet to find a pan/tilt head that can take the seriously strange angles that I sometimes have to shoot at. Get the 200mm or 70-180mm Micro-Nikkor hanging off the front at steep angles and you just can't lock a position down to the pixel and know it will hold.

rogerb said:

I recently purchased a used Nikon 400mm AFS and now must consider
different support options because of the weight - about 19 pounds
with camera and head. My tripod choice is now a Gitzo - aluminum or
CF - and either a Kirk ballhead with the Wimberly Sidekick or
possibly the Wimberly head alone.

Click to expand...

If you had said 600mm, I'd say skip the Kirk+Sidekick and go straight to the full Wimberley. If you'd have said 300mm f/2.8, I'd say get the Kirk+Sidekick. You're in that midrange where you can go either way, though if you're shooting birds or fast moving objects with that lens the choice becomes the full head.

--
Thom Hogan
author, Nikon Field Guide
author, Nikon Flash Guide
author, Complete Guide to the Nikon D100
author, Complete Guide to the Nikon D1, D1h, & D1x
http://www.bythom.com

Thom Hogan said:

Thom Hogan said:

I opted for a pan/tilt because it is easier to use shooting macro.
This I learned from reading John Shaw's 'Closeups In Nature'. This
tripod/head has served me well for landscape/nature shooting (now
use a D1x) but would probably be the pits for sports where
adjustments of your setup requires speed.

Click to expand...

Forgot about that point. Yes, a pan/tilt head often makes macro
shooting easier than a ball. But...I've yet to find a pan/tilt head
that can take the seriously strange angles that I sometimes have to
shoot at. Get the 200mm or 70-180mm Micro-Nikkor hanging off the
front at steep angles and you just can't lock a position down to
the pixel and know it will hold.

Click to expand...

Oh, how true, how true. I have indeed experienced that phenomenon with my 80-200mm when the camera is turned 90° for verticals.

Thom Hogan said:

Thom Hogan said:

I recently purchased a used Nikon 400mm AFS and now must consider
different support options because of the weight - about 19 pounds
with camera and head. My tripod choice is now a Gitzo - aluminum or
CF - and either a Kirk ballhead with the Wimberly Sidekick or
possibly the Wimberly head alone.

Click to expand...

If you had said 600mm, I'd say skip the Kirk+Sidekick and go
straight to the full Wimberley. If you'd have said 300mm f/2.8, I'd
say get the Kirk+Sidekick. You're in that midrange where you can go
either way, though if you're shooting birds or fast moving objects
with that lens the choice becomes the full head.

Click to expand...

I'm leaning toward the full head since the reports of ball heads freezing worries me. Also, the price of the full head is cheaper (there's that word again) than the ball + sidekick. Are there other advantages regarding the ball I'm missing?

Thanks for joining the discussion and the advice.

--
Have a great day,
Roger
My humble gallery: http://www.pbase.com/light_n_dark

Jim Trunck said:

I would suggest the Gitzo 1348 over the 1228 and suggest the Gitzo
1377 ball head for short lenses. For big teles the only head is
the Wimberley Head. Tried the Wimberley Sidekick and sent it back.
The 1348 is a good compromise between portability and stability.
Skip one with a center column.

Click to expand...

Thanks to everyone who has repsonded, all good points to consider.

I am curious why you say to "skip one with a center column" and exactly why you would pick the 1348 over the 1228? I do quite a bit of hiking and I was leaning towards the 1228 or similar since it is small and light. The 1348 is 3" bigger when folded, not too much, but it is quite a bit heavier. Given the weight of the camera gear every pound helps.

-Tom

Others may disagree, but here are a few of my rules for proper camera/lens support:

(1) If you plan on doing any macro work, stay away from tripods with center columns.
(2) If weight and cold temperatures are a factor, go carbon fiber.

(3) Use ball heads with the Arca/Swiss style quick release.

(4) Use only quick-release camera and lens mounting plates with anti-twist flanges.
(5) For any lenses larger than a 300/2.8 use the full Wimberley head.

I dearly love the Bogen Pistol grip.I have it on the Bogen 3221. I like it. Even holds My RB When I need to, although I don't usually put it on. It's always worked for me.

DAve

tae said:

I am looking for recommendations on a tripod and versatile head. I
use a D1x and 80-200mm and 300mm are my biggest lenses, at the
moment anyway, perhaps a 500-600 in the future).

It should be lightweight (for hiking) and easy to set up, I have
seen tripods with flip buttons for leg extension that seem easy to
use especially in cold weather. It should be relatively easy to
attach the camera. I would like not to have something
semi-permanently mounted on the camera for quick release, but don't
know if I have choice on that when it comes to easy mounting. It
would be nice if it could hold the camera up even if I am lazy and
attach at body rather then at lens mounting point (I probably
should just mount on the lense though, but...). I don't know if 3
or 4 legs are better, or if it matters. I also don't know if I
need multiple heads, but I really would like to only carry one if
possible. I like the ease of adjustment of the trigger-type heads
I have seen in pictures but don't know if those are practical for a
large camera/lens. It would be used for hiking/landscape/nature
shots mainly as well as occasional indoor use. I might want to do
panorama too but am willing to use a different head if that is
required for that purpose.

I currently use an old Bogen which is heavy and a pain to set up
especially in cold weather (winged screw caps for leg adjustment)
but it is steady as tripods get. The head also sags slowly (no
matter how much I tighten screws) when I have a long lens on [but
mounted at camera body].

Cost is not the over-riding factor but I don't want spend $ for the
sake of just spending it either.

I would greatly appreciate any recommendation or advice folks have
to offer.

-Tom

Click to expand...

Thom Hogan said:

You might want to read my work a little more carefully.

Click to expand...

Fair enough. I threw the lens example in not as a direct reference to you, but a general statement. I've seen that argument a lot and I unfairly grouped you in with them. My apologies.

Thom Hogan said:

I have nothing at all against the Bogen 3021 legs--they're darned
solid, albeit a bit heavy. The geared head, well, I'd advise against it.

Click to expand...

Ah, I should have mentioned that I do a lot of macro work. The geared head is great for what I do. I can see where it might be a bit cumbersome for general use. I was impressed with how solid it feels...

Dave

tae said:

I am looking for recommendations on a tripod and versatile head. I
use a D1x and 80-200mm and 300mm are my biggest lenses, at the
moment anyway, perhaps a 500-600 in the future).

Click to expand...

That's a good amount of weight. Bound to be a trade-off here. You won't find a lightweight, hiking style tripod that can easily carry a D1x and the 300. It can be done, true, but your best bet would be carbon fiber. I have Gitzo carbon fiber with an Arca-Swiss head and a Linhof head. I also have a Slik, though, the 500DX, which they don't make anymore. A 700DX or - it's probably too light for your setup - a 330DX, might do the job for under $130. Not a bad deal. Heavy, it's a panhead, but it's rugged as hell and will do the job. I use mine a lot.

tae said:

It should be lightweight (for hiking) and easy to set up, I have
seen tripods with flip buttons for leg extension that seem easy to
use especially in cold weather. It should be relatively easy to
attach the camera. I would like not to have something
semi-permanently mounted on the camera for quick release, but don't
know if I have choice on that when it comes to easy mounting. It
would be nice if it could hold the camera up even if I am lazy and
attach at body rather then at lens mounting point (I probably
should just mount on the lense though, but...). I don't know if 3
or 4 legs are better, or if it matters. I also don't know if I
need multiple heads, but I really would like to only carry one if
possible.

Click to expand...

You only need one head and would be better off carrying an extra lens or film or batteries or whatever other gear you can carry. Water, for that matter.

Lightweight? Carbon fiber. I do like the snap-type legs, but three of my four tripods are Gitzos, and they sometimes annoy me, sometimes don't. I guess I must think they're okay. The slik come with a bulky QR (quick release) plate. The Arca-Swiss style are by far the most streamlined and you can leave a Kirk or RRS one on the camera all the time. Three legs are generally more rigid than four. Four usually fold up a bit shorter.
I like the ease of adjustment of the trigger-type heads

tae said:

I have seen in pictures but don't know if those are practical for a
large camera/lens. It would be used for hiking/landscape/nature
shots mainly as well as occasional indoor use. I might want to do
panorama too but am willing to use a different head if that is
required for that purpose.

Click to expand...

tae said:

Cost is not the over-riding factor but I don't want spend $ for the
sake of just spending it either.

Click to expand...

You get what you pay for in terms of weight and tripods. Slik actually makes a CF one that's cheaper than some others, but I have never used one in the field, only fondled it in B&H, along with every other tripod there.

If you go Gitzo, check out Robert White's site and consider buying it from them and having it shipped here from the UK. On Gitzo equipment, they beat everyone.

Don't get hooked into the Arca Swiss B1 thing. They're good, but other heads are fine, as well, and cheaper.

And, as with everything, run some searches here. Do the work. There're TONS of posts on this subject. Go search for them, read them, and one day you can add to them!

Good luck.