Tripod for E-10

[Ilia Loubenski]

After using E-10 for some time I decided that I need a tripod to use it potential fully, at least a table-top tripod.

As Inever had one before I can only assume that particular model should be chosen to match the camera (at least the camera's weight). I looked through couple of on-line shops catalogs, but did not find tripods amongst recommended accessories for E-10.
Can anybody give me a recommendation.

Thank you--Ilia

 

[Ger Bee]

For tabletop work try a beanbag.

Tiny tripods are available, handy dandy things they are too. I used them with my F4 straight up, no vertical shooting and was fine if top heavy and could topple over easily but did work quite well.

I find now I use anything to hand, tablecloths, napkins, my hat, books and newspapers etc -- but a beanbag would be better.

After that the only tripod I could recommend is a full sized professional job, heavy, sturdy, stand-up-in-a-gale, rust and water proof and unless you drive the jeep over them, everlasting. But, will you carry it and will you deploy it, if you won’t don’t bother with the slim, sexy bendy knees types, they are more heartache and in the beginning years caused me to loose three cameras by breaking their legs and tossing the things into ravines or rivers, these (potential) incidents still happen today but now when I grab my toppling over tripod by a leg it holds onto the camera and the leg does not snap off, I duuno the name as it is weathered off, but I remember it cost more than the current camera at the time.

On the subject of tripods there are two distinct types, one traditional three legs plonked firmly on the floor and designed for indoor or flat ground use. The other is a variety of outdoor rugged jobs (Bembo (?) being one), which splay their legs in all directions to accommodate all terrains; these are good in the field but awkward in the dancehall.

After using E-10 for some time I decided that I need a tripod to
use it potential fully, at least a table-top tripod.
As Inever had one before I can only assume that particular model
should be chosen to match the camera (at least the camera's
weight). I looked through couple of on-line shops catalogs, but did
not find tripods amongst recommended accessories for E-10.
Can anybody give me a recommendation.

Thank you
--
Ilia

 

[Joe Hawblitzel]

I am very pleased with the JTL ET-11. I auditioned a lot of tripods and found this to be very sturdy and considerably cheaper (US $90) than some others. Two important things for me:

1. No plastic

2. A quick release plate - also sturdy metal, which is black and matches the camera - I leave it on my E-10 all the time. It doesn't block anything on the bottom.

I'm not sure where you can get it - I got mine at a local "mom and pop" shop. Also, if you need a monopod, their monopod is nice (US $50) and uses the same quick release plate. Both tripod and monopod come with heavy, strapped, padded canvas bags. Normally I think bags just get in the way, but they might be useful for travel.

http://www.jtlcorp.com/

Joe Hawblitzel

After using E-10 for some time I decided that I need a tripod to
use it potential fully, at least a table-top tripod.
As Inever had one before I can only assume that particular model
should be chosen to match the camera (at least the camera's
weight). I looked through couple of on-line shops catalogs, but did
not find tripods amongst recommended accessories for E-10.
Can anybody give me a recommendation.

Thank you
--
Ilia

 

[geesbert]

for a table tripod there is none better than the one from minox. yes, they make the famous spy cameras, but they also make this extremely nicely engineered piece of equipment. the legs screw into each other and so it doesnt take much more space than a large pen. assembled it boasts with unsurpassed rigidity and even a very useful ballhead strong enough to hold the e-10 (it even didn't give in to my old bronica)
you fix the ballhead by twisting a leg, helped by insertion of a coin.

not really for use with digicams is the built in cable release, but i still love to unscrew it out of the thinnest leg.

mine is at least 35 years old, full metal, but i believe minox still does them or did them until recently.
i always collect big aws if i produce it out of my camera bag.

on request i will send pictures of my favourite gadget

stefan

 

[Rich in NEPA28469]

I'm sure this could cause considerable debate, but IMO there is only one name that defines high-quality tripods: GITZO. I own 8 different Gitzo models in various sizes, some I've had for 30 years and they are as smooth and tight as the day I bought them.

http://www.gitzo.com/

My personal favorite is their model G1224-MK2 Reporter Industrial. It's heavy enough for studio work (up to 35mm and "light" medium format), and yet I find I can easily spend a day in the field with it for nature scenics & wildlife.

If you want a sturdy, general-purpose unit that is lighter in weight, perhaps for hiking or for use in cramped locations, I suggest the model G120 Gitzo Sport Performance. It's the llightest I would recommend for a camera as heavy as the E-10. I have NEVER found any value to the "table-top" types of tripod.

Whatever type or brand you decide to get, always get one that is much higher than you think you need. It's amazing how short a tripod can get when you need to set it up on uneven surfaces, stairs, or hillsides!

I also recommend getting a decent size ballhead for speed and ease of use. A standard 3-way pan/tilt head is great in the studio, but can be slow and cumbersome in the field or for following action. Gizto heads are excellent, well-made and, of course expensive. But, as a less expensive alternative I actually prefer Bogen heads for all my Gitzos.

For the G120 I would suggest the Bogen 3262QR Medium Ball Head w/Quick Release. For the G1224 I like the Bogen 3030 Basic Pan/Tilt w/QR or the Bogen 3437 3D Magnesium Head w/QR. {I do not recommend the Bogen 3413 Pro Ball Head w/QR for the simple reason that the design does not allow very precise positioning. The camera tends to move when you try to lock the head. Bogen needs to revise this design.}

http://www.manfrotto.com/products/index.html?doc_from=home

If the cost of a Gitzo tripod is beyond your budget, the 2nd best option is one of the Bogen/Manfrotto tripods. Unlike most cameras, your tripod is a lifetime investment and there is no fear of obsolesence -- buy the BEST that you can!

Rich {C2020z, C2100uz, C3030z, HP970Cse}