About the best thing that I have done so far regards buying a Tripod is not to buy one. I would have got it so wrong!! I had totally underestimated the weight of the new lenses, the effect that a strong wind can have on a tripod, and the height that is required when you are 6ft 4″.
To continue the confession – I always sort of had tripods down as a posers device, and while I still have a huge issue with the whole ‘image’ of setting up to take a proper photograph, the need to prepare thoroughly has won and I now need to get my mind around a ‘proper’ tripod.
My research to date has boiled down to these key features in my view:
Stability – This has to be the most important factor, especially with the weight of the zoom lens.
Quality construction – I reckon as few plastic parts as possible is best, so need to look for metals such as aluminum, carbon fiber and titanium alloy.
Quick Release – Although the majority of photographs taken with the tripod will be planned, the need exists for speed of release from the mounting plate, and possibly even the option to have mutiple plates for different cameras.
Camera positioned horizontally and vertically
Height – High enough for comfortable viewing so you don’t have to bend over. The extended centre pole needs to be strong enough as well, as with the ones I have looked at to date when fully extended the stability suffers
Tripod heads – the popular method seems to be permanent three-way pan tilt heads, but ball heads are smaller, lighter and more expensive than pan-tilt heads but are faster and easier to use.
Clamps levers or flip-locks – Basically setting up and adjusting the tripod legs has to be easy and quick, especially if you are going to be taking shots outdoors in the cold with gloves on.
Bubble level – I hadn’t even thought about the need for this until I started straightening a lot of my photos in Photoshop.
I suppose it would be easy enough to say “just buy the most expensive one you can afford”, but as I wont be travelling that much with it weight isn’t a huge issue so I don’t need to pay for lightness. I don’t anticipate taking too many shots up mountains, so spikes at the bottom of the tripod legs may be somewhat excessive as well.
It goes without saying that I will need a full size tripod but the question is which one and how much?
And this is where the internet becomes overwhelming! A quick search on ‘professional tripods’ threw up about 1,630,000 entries. The equivalent of shopping in a mega store for music, sounds a good idea but I always end up getting agitated at how much there is to look at and then start feeling threatened and leave without looking at anything!
The Zhumell Professional Tripod TRIWDF4 looks pretty good, and reasonably priced. The Induro range seems very good as well? I could go on, but what I really need is help out of this maize!!! So, what do you use, what would you like to use, what do you suggest I get?
As ever, cheers!
Oh! Not even Edinburgh? 😛 🙂
> But I have to say after reading Understanding Exposure I have determined the best way
> to judge DOF is to take LOTS OF PICTURES.
No arguments there!!
I don’t understand the argument over depth of field preview. As with a film SLR it is not possible to be sure as to what is or is not in focus other than the subject. The principle is that if you want to isolate a subject, use a large aperture otherwise go for a high shutter speed.
As to the Canon/ Nikon thing, there is more to life than that. Think medium format or even large format if your imaginations can run past the snapper type photography. I’d go there if I could afford it. Maybe I’ll save up, I’d love a Contax 645
I don’t think there’s an argument…?
Canon vs Nikon is taken very seriously by some, but nobody here so far.
And I’m mildly offended at the “snapper type photography” comment, and the imagination thing. It makes you sound pretty arrogant and a little silly.
Why would I lug a Contax about, deal with film, digital backs, hard-to-find lenses, at a cost that is difficult to justify in the face of today’s top-end DSLRs offering similar if not equal performance and vastly superior convenience? Plus do they even make it anymore?
I’d say it is taken very seriously by most Canon & Nikon users. Look at the posts here!You guys are slagging each other off about a brand of camera. All of this fan boy stuff is a bit pathetic in the face of what photography is about; results
So far there is none of fanboyism here what so ever. If there are little snickers at each other it’s most for fun. I would say that no one here cares if it’s canon or nikon or contax. Great equipment does not make a good photographer. So sit back relax and enjoy the comments.
I speak for myself, but I would imagine none here are professional photographers. We just enjoy taking pictures, and enjoy reading each others comments. If it wasn’t so, this thread wouldn’t have so many of those. Personally I would love to see your photos Jeremy, is there anywhere on the net I could find them? Mine can be found at my flickr account and here Smugmug account . I would not consider these as mere “snappers”.
@Gary
My comment regards the ‘bundles’ was based on my (limited) experience when I was looking around for the D80. At the time I was getting tempted by the offers that included things like 3 lenses, 2 tripods, bag etc. I came to the conclusion that while having all that in one ‘hit’ may be attractive it would be a short term approach and I should take the process slower and buy individual items at as high a quality as I could afford over a period of time.
@John
My DOF experience is limited, but I have had no issues with the D80 at all
[quote comment=”22132″]
And I’m mildly offended at the “snapper type photography” comment, and the imagination thing. It makes you sound pretty arrogant and a little silly.[/quote]
Didn’t read it like that myself 🙂 I felt it was a generic observation about making the shift and maybe not looking at this as a brand debate
[quote comment=”22132″]Why would I lug a Contax about, deal with film, digital backs, hard-to-find lenses, at a cost that is difficult to justify in the face of today’s top-end DSLRs offering similar if not equal performance and vastly superior convenience? Plus do they even make it anymore?[/quote]
Now that is easy – because he can and because he enjoys it and it gives him photographic satisfaction – which is what it is all about!!! Is why I ride a Harley Davidson and not a sports bike for example.
[quote comment=”22141″]I’d say it is taken very seriously by most Canon & Nikon users. Look at the posts here!You guys are slagging each other off about a brand of camera. All of this fan boy stuff is a bit pathetic in the face of what photography is about; results[/quote]
I think you are right in general but not here! Canon or Nikon – it really doesn’t matter. No different than a BMW or a Mercedes. Both great cars without doubt, but some people prefer one to another. Wouldn’t say no to either of them would you really?! I haven’t heard any complaints from either Canon or Nikon users, and the general view seems to be to buy what you feel comfortable with within your price range. That a Canon or Nikon will server you equally well, and that it is all TOTALLY irrelevant if you don’t get out and use the bloody thing!!!
@Mac
🙂 didn’t want to leave you out but had covered all my points above!
@ everyone
I apologize if any of my comments here seem offensive. They were never meant that way, I was trying to play the advocate. I had the impression that there was a ‘mine’s better than yours’ argument going on. That’s the thing about the web, we don’t hear the tone of voice and can sometimes take comments the wrong way. It seems that my comments fell foul also.
I for one haven’t taken any offense, and have enjoyed this thread immensly. Thanks to all for that – I much prefer this level of debate and discussion to the ‘awesome’ ‘cool’ ‘great post’ crap that fills many a blog these days 🙂
The question is have we helped Dunks who doesn’t seem to have got a word in since he asked the initial question 🙂
To be honest I took cover behind the sofa once this thread picked up momentum, didn’t mean to open a can of worms!! 🙂
No, I have to agree with Chris, I enjoy the in depth level of debate and was aware there are some keen and experienced folks following the blog so was sure I would receive good advice. To see such passion is great.
I will be doing a lot of research based on your comments and having a look at the URL’s suggested. It does seem as if it is a choice between Nikon and Canon and once I have a shortlist may come down to price/availability and ‘preference’ when I actually get my hands on them.
Will keep people posted!
Peace, love and xmas spirit to you all!
@Jeremy, @Chris et al – I did say I was “mildly” offended. I didn’t lose any sleep! But like Mac, I think my photos are more than snaps, even if I don’t have hundreds up on flickr or my own gallery and they are taken with an “entry-level” DSLR. The few really good shots I have so far keep me at it.
It can be difficult to take note of tone, even with smileys etc, so no apology necessary for me. Actually your post prompted me to read up on medium and large format cameras and some of the photos are truly amazing. But wow at what cost? The new systems are coming in at $35,000 + for a body and digital back!
There has been some gentle Nikon/Canon ribbing going. The point I think to have been made was that the two major DSLR brands are Nikon and Canon and that Dunks would not go wrong with either’s offerings.
I have come up against people who thought equipment was everything, spent a fortune and then lorded it up. Fact was, their photos were terrible, they never got out of P or “the green setting” (an actual quote) and didn’t have a clue what DOF even meant. They could have got the same shots with a high-end P&S, perhaps even better as they would have been actually taking photos instead of pretending to twiddle with their DSLR settings.
Now one comment HAS offended me. BMWs and Mercedes are awful cars. Now, Audi, like mine, that is a quality vehicle! 😉
I’m glad that’s sorted out. It’s funny, You guys use DSLRs and drive quality German cars,I still use film and drive a Land-Rover Defender 🙂
@John
Damn I nearly wrote BMW and Audi as I have owned both (328i and A6). I really like the look of the R8
@Jeremy
Not me sir – I drive a 12 year old Jeep these days!!!!
This great discussion is going on while I’m sleeping, and really it’s all Dunks fault!! 🙂 Daring to ask what camera to get. Funny thing is like John I started reading up on those cameras. I must say, wow. Prices are really prohibitive for me, so I’m sticking to my canon xti for now. Maybe eventually, when I’m good enough… at this point my dslr fits my needs and skill. Jeremy seems a lot more of a professional (probably is!!!), so my appeal goes out to him. I would really love to see your photos Jeremy.
German cars…. ha…. I drive an old GMC Jimmy, gas guzzling SUV.
@ Mac
I’m not a professional photographer, just a keen eyed amateur. I have no website or online photos other than a few on myspace etc. As I said to Chris on another thread, there are the photos I did for a cd here, (click on the Gallery link)
http://www.john-herring.com/
I have to admit to a weakness for Zeiss lenses. Their colour and contrast rendition is legendary, as is the ‘bokeh’ (the term used to describe the way out of focus objects appear) I’ve not seen anything to equal the sheer beauty they produce. They now produce a range to fit Nikon cameras, so if I were to go for a dslr that’s where I’d go. However to muddy the waters, it seems that Canon lead the way with their full frame sensors. I’ll just stick to film.
The Defender is the last true bastion of British automotive greatness. If it isn’t broken, why try and fix it? Super cars and if I had a genuine need for an offroader and could afford to have more than one car, safe to say one would be parked outside with designer mud splashes all up it. A friend had a souped up V8-powered 110 designed for the Paris-Dakar and it was most amusing to overtake and out-accelerate Porsches and Ferraris in it.
The old 328i was a classic. The new A6 is very good, the old one a bit wonky. Now we are four in the family I am looking to go bigger, am currently lusting after either a Range Rover Sport or A6 Allroad. A full-on large format photo setup would almost be the same price!!
Dunks, have you chosen a camera yet man!
@John, If it isn’t broken, why try and fix it? As a lover of all things Land Rovers, I’ve just got to stop you there. 🙂 I’ve owned 3 or 4 Series IIa and a Range Rover Classic. (Never could get my favorite, the Defender. In the states they are just too expensive!) Anyway, if one thing is realized in the Rover community is if it’s not leaking oil, it’s empty! I finally had to give up my girls, as I could no longer work on them myself. And there was ALWAYS something to fix! 😉
I even worked for a time at Bearmach in Cardiff, Swansea and Swindon. Mostly at the Cardiff location, though, as it was the corporate headquarters. Still, even after all that, if I was offered a Series again, I would take it in a heartbeat.
@Jeremy, thank you for the glimpse of your skill. I like it. Especially I like the bottom right hand corner shot, the reflection in the guitar. Thanks 🙂
It’s interesting how this thread started from tripod, traversed through cameras and now it’s ending up with cars…. I bet Dunks will have a tripod, camera, and a nice land rover (FORD!!!!!!!) by the end of it. 🙂
@Wayne – I was speaking philosophically, as a past owner of two different generations of Range Rover with more in the family and with friends, I am only too well aware of their failings!!
I have never owned a Defender either but friends have and they are pretty solid as far as I am aware. Agricultural, but solid!
I was thinking the same as you Mac. This thread has branched off in a few directions. However that is the beauty of a forum.
Regarding my Defender, it is the only time I’ve bought a vehicle from new. Apart from replacing a faulty relay, and the contacts in the starter solenoid (both of which I did myself) oh and one tyre, it has run faultlessly for 8 years). I love it:-)
@ Mac I’m glad you like the photos. Reflections have always been something I like to use
I had a Range Rover once 🙂 4.6 HSE which I loved, would get another one in a flash if I could justify spending money on a vehicle – we do less than 250km a month typically!!!!
Pingback: Tripod Arrived | Chris Marshall
Gotta love Boxing Day in Spain – everything is back to Normal, which means that my tripod has arrived. In the end I went for the
Professional Camera Tripod Kit Ball Grip Head -828BL and my intial impressions are:
Am really looking forward to getting out and using it!
Can I bring it back to tripods?
Now that I’ve gone medium-format, I’d like to get one. Speed of use is not an issue, stability is paramount.
Gitzo and Manfrotto have so many models I’m bewildered. Need help
[quote comment=””]Can I bring it back to tripods?
Now that I’ve gone medium-format, I’d like to get one. Speed of use is not an issue, stability is paramount.
Gitzo and Manfrotto have so many models I’m bewildered. Need help[/quote]
All I can say is that I am more than happy with my Amnova
I recently got a new carbon fiber tripod from this Ebay Store. It’s base, meaning no head, but that’s what I’ve been looking for. It expands to about 45″ in hight and folds down to 19″ and will support upto 17lbs. Very light and good solid construction. This is going to be my traveling tripod. I looked at some of the name brands on the internet and the carbon fiber tripods are ridiculously expensive. So this one at $130 CDN including shipping, is not a bad deal.