I'm taking a trip this summer and would like to take some panoramas. I'd like to get the lightest tripod I can get while still having stable support for a DSLR w/ 24-105L and a pano head & slide. I'm willing to spend to get light weight, robust support, and functionality. Currently looking at the Sirui T-25SK, just worried there may be something better I've overlooked. I use an Arca Swiss L-bracket, so Manfrotto is off the table.
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Lightest tripod for DSLR panoramas?
- Thread starter LostArk
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Solution
3dwag
Senior Member
If you are earnest about everything you’ve said thus far, then I recommend this Gitzo 2-series traveler, the GT2545T. The step down from this if you are willing to make a bit more compromise is the GT1545T.
These are both 4-section leg tripods, do not even consider a 5-section, nor one of those relying on a tall, telescoping center column to even reach bending-over height.
I had the previous generation larger Sirui T-1205X, and it was one of the most disappointing tripod I’ve ever owned - twist lock joints, apex, leg hinges, and legs all noticeably poorer rigidity than my FLM and Gitzo travelers. Of course, this was a 5-section but still my FLM 5-section is easily 3 times the stability of that Sirui.
The new generation Sirui replacing the T-120nX series includes the 4-section T-1204SK, which may or may not be an improvement in the twist locks, apex, etc.
Be sure to check out the stiffness test data comparisons at the Center Column.
Remember: Performance (i.e. Stability etc.), Portability, and Low Cost — pick any two. But also, know that not all brands and models are created equal, and neither are their usability, field robustness, reliability, and after-sale support (which can also vary by region).
I thought that from your description you already have a piano head, which I assume is AS compatible? So you need legs only, just make sure that the apex or column mounting platform and surrounding tripod structure accommodate your pano head without any interference with its controls.
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-Dennis W.
Austin, Texas
¯\_|’_’|_/¯
http://www.pbase.com/3dwag/image/97156660.jpg
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Solution
Fazal Majid
Senior Member
I've owned Gitzo Travelers since the first one came out, and I wouldn't recommend one for DSLR panos, specially with a bulky Canon body and relatively heavy lens.
The setup I'd recommend is a three-section series 2 Mountaineer or Systematic and a Gigapan Epic Pro motorized head (much less hassle than a conventional pano head, for about the same price).
My own setup is a Gitzo systematic 3542LS with a Gitzo leveling base and a Gigapan Epic 100 (because I shoot panoramas with a Leica M10 with 90mm lens, not a DSLR). If you are only stitching one-row panoramas, you could get away with a Gitzo 2532 and an Acratech GP head mounted reversed so as to use it as a leveling and panning head.
For spherical panoramas you'd need to get their pano head (but also need a leveling base), or the RRS PG-02, but once again for that price a Gigapan makes a lot more sense.
NancyP
Veteran Member
what is this "piano head"?
A leveling bowl or leveling base is the key feature you need for panorama, underneath your motorized (GigaPan) or manual (Nodal Ninja, for example) pano head.
Also, unless you have a really good set of bubble levels in the leveling base, a good quality (large) bubble circular level, preferably mountable on an Arca-type rail or small camera plate of the same quality and dimensions as your camera L bracket or plate. If you use cheap Sunwayfoto L bracket for your camera, use Sunwayfoto small camera plate for your bubble level so it fits into your clamp the same way.
A leveling bowl or leveling base is the key feature you need for panorama, underneath your motorized (GigaPan) or manual (Nodal Ninja, for example) pano head.
Also, unless you have a really good set of bubble levels in the leveling base, a good quality (large) bubble circular level, preferably mountable on an Arca-type rail or small camera plate of the same quality and dimensions as your camera L bracket or plate. If you use cheap Sunwayfoto L bracket for your camera, use Sunwayfoto small camera plate for your bubble level so it fits into your clamp the same way.
Sorry for any confusion, I'll use more precise terminology. I'm simply using a panning ball head with a nodal rail to eliminate parallax, and an l-bracket to achieve portrait orientation (I'm only interested in horizontal panos). As for leveling, I use a leveling plate. What I was asking is if it's better to use a dedicated panning clamp, such as the RRS PC-LR, instead of a panning ball head.
3dwag
Senior Member
Sorry, it’s that cursed auto-correction on my iPhone. I originally typed “pano head” in response to the OP. Upon re-reading the OP (original post), I may have assumed that the OP (original poster) already owned a pano head, but now I think perhaps was asking for advice for both a light travel tripod AND a panoramic head plus slide (or panoramic kit).
Although I agree with you on all these counts, the OP was clearing wa to g something g on the lighter side, obviously to travel with (assuming on an airplane). Hence my suggestion for the Gitzos, clearly in my own experience levels above the OP’s Sirui example.
3dwag
Senior Member
It was my iPhone’s auto-correction feature — when I typed “pano head”, it typed “piano head”. Curses. I should turn that off, but on my phone I’m more likely to gum up the simplest words in my haste.
Something like the RRS panning clamp would be very nice, but you still need a recommendation for a good ball head (or do you already have one?).
I assumed that you wanted the most compact but still not completely compromising tripod solution, if so I’d tend more towards something similar to the Gitzo 2-series traveler, that is the GT2545T, but you will need a head that the legs can fold back over for shortest travel length.
3dwag
Senior Member
Have you owned one of the latest (GTn545T) generation 4-section Gitzo travel tripods? IMO experience a level above the previous ones, and certainly way above the Sirui which the OP mentioned. Yes this is a heavier setup, but the OP is specifically looking for a lighter tripod.
If stability is the main requirement (and hang portability) then a Systematic would be the best solution. A Gigapan would also be really nice, but would you takes this setup on planes and trains?
Nice setups!
I have an original Markins Q3 I bought in 2012 or earlier, and it's worked flawlessly since. I think it may be the oldest and most used piece of equipment I own now that I think about it. A really nice piece of gear. Speaking of this, I'm not sure I'd want a ball head that doesn't have a tension adjustment like the Q3, so the BH-30 is out. Too bad the Markins Q3I w/ panning clamp is currently sold out.
Fazal Majid
Senior Member
No, I've owned the G1155T and still own the GT90TT in the Traveler line. I also have the G1127 and GT2532 Mountaineers, G2227 Explorer and GT3542LS Systematic.
The Epic 100 is not that large, but yes, the Epic Pro is. It's just that shooting a spherical panorama with a manual head is so tedious as to be unviable in my opinion.
Ans of course for travel something like the Ricoh Theta Z1 is a great option. I have one on order and also a Pocket Pano Compact for Ricoh GRIII:
https://www.pocketpano.de/english/pocketpano-compact/
Using my pano calculator, it should yield a quarter-gigapixel panorama in around 40 frames:
https://blog.majid.info/panorama-size/
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Fazal Majid (www.majid.info)
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3dwag
Senior Member
Yes, with a heavier camera rig such as yours I would recommend a head with a tension adjustment. I do have the RRS BH-25 for when I want to go as light as possible. The BH-40 has a tension adjustment knob, but I personally don’t like the positioning limitations from the bulge in the head which may also prevent some reverse-folding legs from fully closing for compact carry.
My other ballheads are made by FLM. The CB-32FT will just fit within the folding legs of the Gitzo GT1545T (with barely a degree or two of interference, which is in practice not at all an issue), and the larger CB-38FT may fit the GT2545T — I don’t know that for a fact but from photos it looks like it may; if for example you are buying from B&H in the USA they might be able to answer that question (or, someone here who own both). If you do buy an FLM head, get one with the simple platform and purchase the clamp separately, because FLM loctite their clamps onto their heads whenever the clamp is included with the head.
3dwag
Senior Member
Ouch, those are at least 4 or 5 generations old, including at least 2 major overhauls of the Traveler series since then which each I know have provided significant improvements (including stability). And that G1155T is also a 5-section, which itself is a significant impact to overall stability (with the 5th section extended).
Your GT2532 Mountaineer may be more similar to the current GT2545T in stability, as even though your GT2532 is only 3-sections, the newer GT2545T utilizes Gitzo’s latest carbon fiber tubing technology (“eXact”, or something like that), with the latest 4-section tripods rivaling the performance of the older 3-section models from what I have seen.
I have the GT3532LS, and it is really a solid performer, even better than my “old” 4-section GT3541S which it replaced (I was able to sell the 41S and buy the taller 32LS on a closeout deal for a net cost of about $50), but I’d never even consider taking it on a plane trip unless it was for some once-in-a-lifetime opportunity or paid work - perhaps
Absolutely understand for spherical panos, I would agree with you there.
That is still some serious panoramic work, way beyond anything that I do!
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-Dennis W.
Austin, Texas
¯\_|’_’|_/¯
http://www.pbase.com/3dwag/image/97156660.jpg
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Fazal Majid
Senior Member
Well, Gitzos are "buy it for life" tripods and I can't afford to keep up with each generation... As I mentioned, I was in from the 1st gen Traveler. B&H had the 100th Anniversary edition at the same price as the regular Traveler a few months ago on their Deal of the Day, I can't say I wasn't sorely tempted...
The GT2532 has the eXact tubing. The main difference is the GT2545T has the new low-profile Traveler G-locks. Gitzo's own ratings are 39 lb for the GT2532 vs. 26 lb for the GT2545T (and 4.4lb on the G1155T, 9 lb on the GT90TT, 10 lb on the G1127, 26 lb on the GT2541EX explorer I replaced my G2227 with, and 22 lb on the current series 1 GT1545T).
So you're right, it looks like there have been major improvements in the Traveler line and they may be able to support a pano rig, I've certainly shot some on the G1127 rated less than your G2545T (the main reason I got the GT2532 was to hold a spotting scope, at 60x magnification the G1127 is not stable enough).
I agree, it's most definitely a car trunk tripod.
The 3542LS is actually better at damping vibrations than the current 3543LS, so perhaps I am right in not always keeping up with the times:
https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Gitzo-GT3543LS-Systematic-Carbon-Fiber-Tripod.aspx
Gitzo used to make a "systematic traveler", the GT5562LTS, but it was discontinued. There is a series 4 version that is still current, the GT4553S. Here's an interesting article on hacking it to lighten the load (but sacrificing the Systematic interchangeable platforms, including the leveling base option I have permanently attached to my Gigapan for convenient swapping with a ballhead):
http://www.websiteoptimization.com/speed/tweak/travel-tripod/
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Fazal Majid (www.majid.info)
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Ellis Vener
Forum Pro
i have both a dedicated panning head (RRS PG-02) and panning clamps (RRS PC-LR) on my tripod heads.
in terms of versatility the panning clamp on a high quality head is better. It can be used for panorama work or as a standard head.
The panning head is slightly easier to use but requires a leveling base (75mm ball and socket or a large Manfrotto 308 three point screw drive base - don’t get a one of those small ones) underneath
i shoot both single row and multiple row panoramas With both types of set up.
DM me if you have more questions.
3dwag
Senior Member
Yes, I agree with that BIFL philosophy for a really good tripod. Actually, my first Gitzo was a 3-section aluminum Reporter in about 1979, and a few years later I bought a monstrously heavy (about 12 lbs total, way too heavy by my standards today) Manfrotto with 3-way head. Developed back problems over the years and the Reporter was not very portable anymore, and the Manfrotto I used mostly for studio type work and for video shoots.
In about 2007 I jumped at a closeout deal for a Gitzo GT3540S (I think I earlier said 3541, but now I think that it was the earlier Systematic) to replace my big Manfrotto and added a rapid column when I found the legs often too short, and I realized those limitations — thank goodness for my camcorders’ optical stabilization!
Then a few years ago I saw another Gitzo closeout deal, the GT3532LS which I mentioned earlier. I was able to sell my older Systematic and the rapid column for only about $50 less than I paid for my new GT3532LS, so I was satisfied.
Finding the ideal travel tripod has been a bit more daunting, and after going through a Benro, trying a Mefoto, and a Sirui, I ended up (long story) with an FLM and the aforementioned Gitzo travelers. I’m schizophrenic about these two, so for now and have and use both.
As I would have been, but I already had what’s is the standard production version of the same legs (which I had gotten for a rare sale price plus an eBay 15% coupon). I think at least a couple of people in this forum snapped up that 100th anniversary deal.
Ahh, I didn’t realize that with the Mountaineers the eXact tubing started with the GT2532, I had assumed it was with the GT2533. As you know, with the Systematics the eXact tubing started with the nnn3 series. The traveler series started using eXact tubing with the GT1545T etc.
That is a very interesting read! So, even more so that my GT3532LS is “for life” or until it starts collecting dust.
Thank you for all your information, I’ve learned a lot today.
Fazal Majid
Senior Member
Where are you getting the Q3i Tr from? Markins USA says they are sold out.
ZodiacPhoto
Senior Member
try Leofoto NB-34.
It fits perfectly between the Gitzo Traveler's legs folded, and it is very smooth and strong, with a top and bottom panoramas (here on the right):
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http://www.zodiacphoto.com
It fits perfectly between the Gitzo Traveler's legs folded, and it is very smooth and strong, with a top and bottom panoramas (here on the right):
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http://www.zodiacphoto.com
I considered this one, but I'm hesitant to buy directly from China due to difficulty getting service or repair, and I couldn't find this particular Leofoto from a reputable US seller. Looks like an unbeatable deal for a ball head & panning clamp, though!try Leofoto NB-34.
It fits perfectly between the Gitzo Traveler's legs folded, and it is very smooth and strong, with a top and bottom panoramas (here on the right):
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