Tripod "Science"

I KNOW. Photography is not about gear. Just like painting is not about the brush, or writing about how good your word processor is. They they are still always present in the process of creation. For much of my own photography, a tripod is, likewise, always present. There are certainly times when you won't or cannot use a tripod. And, with the continually improving image stabilization technology in today's cameras, there is a growing trend for photographers ) to eschew the use of a tripod altogether. But I remain a firm believer that the tripod is a fundamentally essential tool of the photographer. Important enough that I keep coming back to it as a blog topic.

Don't skimp on the tripod!

MY "GESTALT" is that you should use a tripod (or similar fixed support) any time it is possible (note that I did not say "convenient"). Yes, I am aware of image stabilization, and what it sometimes does for the efficacy of handheld shots. I read a lot about it in the numerous pages and boards on the internet. Indeed, at least one crew of users (M4/3)- or at least the majority of them - appears to me to have basically decided that a tripod is no longer a necessary accroutrement for 90% of general photography. Recently, I had a guide (I would call him semi-pro) and accomplished photographer opine that except for special uses (like very slow shutter speeds, astrophotography, and similar), modern image stabilization technology has rendered tripods essentially superfluous. While I continue to be impressed by image stabilization technology, I remain unconvinced that we have reached the point where a tripod is a special-use tool only. I still carry one whenever it is feasible. I still set it up for any shot where I am able to do so. While there may come "a time," it is not now, and I expect to continue to use my tripod(s) for the foreseeable future.

The venerable Bogen 3021 Aluminum Tripod legs

I HAVE said this before. More than once. For those of us who still embrace the tripod, this will discuss some of the ins and outs of selection of a tool adequate for their use. I do want to point out that this post is limited to only "legsets." I have blogged in the past about tripod heads a couple times (most recently here). Heads are a pretty personal thing for many users and are often dictated by the use case. Most seasoned shooters have heard the age-old story of what I will call "tripod evolution." Let's face it. Photography can an expensive endeavor (be it hobby or business). Most of us are generally faced with limitations on what we can purchase. Obviously, camera and lens (es) are always going to trump the tripod purchase.

I remain a firm believer that the tripod is a fundamentally essential tool of the photographer

UNFORTUNATELY, THIS this often begets the evolution. Many of us have experienced it. My own first camera was given to me by my dad, along with several pieces of gear (two lenses, some filters, flash bulbs - yep, you heard me right: bulb - and a tripod). The tripod was a small, rather rickety affair, and early on, was left unused. Sometime during my first year of shooting, my one-time college professor, and first photography "teacher" and inspiration, John Knox, impressed upon me the important utililty of a tripod. As I began to incorporate the tripod into my shooting, dad's quickly showed its limitations. I picked up a slightly better, newer, "consumer" tripod (but in concert with the evolution story, one of the cheaper ones I could find - I was a "poor" college student at the time). Fortunately, that was the last "cheap" tripod I purchased, but I know the story of others who have purchased several iterations before finally concluding that they should just break down and buy a decent one, adequate for the job. Adding up the cost of the essentially useless prior models, it became apparent that they had - over time - paid at least the cost of a decent model. 😞

GIVEN THE economics of some of us as beginners, a certain amount of that cannot be helped. But hopefully, those reading this will learn that it is possible to acquire a decent, sturdy, used tripod these days from sources like eBay, KEH.com, MPB.com, Adorama and B&H, and (if you can find one) often old camera shops, for some pretty inexpensive prices, if you know what to look for. Just for fun, I "Googled" them and found a number of them for under $100, including the venerable old Bogen 3021 legs. So skip Best Buy and the other big box stores and start here.

My first (Induro) Carbon Fiber Tripod

WHICH BEGS the question: What is a "decent" model tripod? Before I start listing makes and models, lets think about why and when we use a tripod. What are our needs? I shoot primarily landscape still images when out in the field. Most of my lenses are comparably small and lightweight. My camera body is the smallest, lightest "full frame" interchangeable lens model currently on the market. The critical issue here is that the tripod be rigid enough that no movement or vibration is translated from the ground or other factors (e.g., wind) to the camera, and therefore to the image being made. The longer the focal length, the more pronounced will be the effect. Two of my best buddies and shooting companions have substantially huskier tripods. The shoot significantly longer, and heavier lenses than I do, and need that additional rigidity. Those tripods get progressively bigger and heavier. And more expensive. At the same time, weight, size and convenience will factor into the decision. The majority of my serious landscape shooting involves travel. Often airline travel. I need to consider (especially these days) the convenience (inconvenience?) of traveling with a tripod.

MY OWN "decent" tripod with one of  the venerable aluminum Bogen legsets (in my case the model 3021). They were sturdy, relatively rigid, durable, and reasonably inexpensive (especially on the used market). And at the time, they were one of only two materials available: metal and wood. Wood tripods (like Reis) were beautiful, generally sturdy, but heavy and comparably more expensive. By their nature, they were more susceptible to the elements and therefore potentially less durable. The alumimum legs we all carried around for years were also relatively heavy, but generally lighter and more durable than wood. The weight issue was the primary reason for the emergence of carbon fiber tripods in the 2000's, although it was also demonstrated that with comparable length and circumference legs and sections, carbon fiber was stiffer than aluminum, while being notably lighter. The flipside was that  carbon fiber was also substantially more expensive. I stuck with my alumninum Bogens (had a couple of them over the years) for a long time, until a buddy of mine got me an extremely good deal on a set of fairly large Induro legs. Today, while still comparably more expensive, carbon fiber's advantages make it the tripod material of choice in my opinion. But be aware, here that you can still go down the "tripod evolution" road with carbon fiber. These days, with the proliferation of legsets manufactured in China, this is particularly a risk. A quick perusal of Amazon will reveal many "inexpensive" carbon fiber tripods. While while it might be the case that most carbon fiber materials are similar, there are still quality models and very cheap models. Do some "homework." Read the reviews. Stick with one of the known brands, or one of the up and coming quality brands. Check on the photography sites to see who is using what.

Sirui AM-324 Carbon Fiber Tripod

THINKING ABOUT the way in which I use a tripod, there are a couple variables that are important to me. First, I want something that is relatively versatile, allowing me to get close to the ground, and set it up in awkward places. At about 6'2" tall, I am a relatively tall guy and I want to be able to set it us so my viewfinder is at eye-level. Much of my photography involves travel, so I think it is important to think about the difficulty and convenience of fitting it into checked luggage, and its weight. With my most recent acquisition, I had to purchase a new check bag that would accommodate its length. For some years, I have carried a "back foldable" tripod (in my case the Sirui model pictured below), which comfortably fit my current checked bags. So thinking about your "needs" can surely involve compromises. In my case, the "deal" I got on my current legset was just too good to pass up.

Today, while still comparably more expensive, carbon fiber's advantages make it the tripod material of choice

THERE ARE any number of companies out there offering decent carbon fiber tripod legsets these days. Most of them are based in China (or at least all of their manufacturing is done in Chinese factories). While there are some very limited claims of carbon fiber being laid up and tubes made in the U.S.A., there is also speculation that the "made in U.S." claims are assembly using parts manufactured from whatever sources. I do believe that one or two of the smaller companies do some of their own machining. But these days, China is a huge supplier of castings, machined parts and carbon fiber for different uses. It just is what it is. I think that if you pay attention to specs, nearly any of the leg tubes are going to be pretty decent.

Really Right Stuff carbon fiber tripod legs

WHAT I think separates them is the other details. Leg locks are important and some are better than others. While touted as a convenience, I personally dislike lever locks. The new trend now is the 1/4 turn click type locks. The have to have an internal mechanism of some sort. The jury is out on durability. I own a newer, Sirui tripod, and used it recently in Vermont. It was nice and convenient, but not enough so to be a deal-maker/breaker by any means. More important to me is the diameter of the legs. Generally, the specs will give you the top leg diameter. It stands to reason (and mechanics) that the larger the circumference (assuming the same number of CF layers used in their construction), the stiffer the leg will be. And each lower section will be commensurately smaller in diameter (in order to "nest"). For those reasons I would go with as large as possible top leg diameter. Though they might be slightly heavier, I don't think that it will be noticeable. The other thing that effects stiffness, is the number of leg sections. The Sirui has 4 sections. The advantage there is that you can collapse it down to a shorter length (making it somewhat more convenient for packability). The disadvantage is that the greater the number of leg sections, the more it effects overall stiffness of the tripod. The Induro legs I had before switching to the more compact Sirui models was very well built and I was pretty happy with it in terms of performance and durability. But because of its size, and design, it didn't pack well. Over time, I have done a 180 on the packability issue (my current legs do not pack well either). I have never carried a tripod onto a plane - I check them. I recently acquired a set of Gitzo legs (in a too good to be true oppportunity) that are too long for any checked luggage I owned. My solution: I got a different check bag. 😏

Gitzo 4" diameter head piece

THE MOST critical component other than the legs, in my view, is the top piece (I cannot find a specific part name, but I call it the "spider") that connects the legs together and accepts the tripod head. One of the things that made the Sirui model I had for several years more convenient was the fold-back design of that "spider." But I always also thought of it as the tripod's most potential weak point (interestingly, I had to replace it due to some breakage recently, and the new, comparable Sirui model no longer has a fold-over design. It seemed like there was a lot of flex there, partly, I assume, because of the diameter, and partly because of design. It did make it possible to pack the legs with a ball head attached, though. I had to replace it (a repair issue that I botched the DIY aspect of), and the new, comparable one does not have that "spider" design (and it appears to be discontinued). Small detail. It really isn't a big deal to just remove the head. But when I acquired my Gitzo legs, I did a side-by-side inspection and tested flex, among other things. I liken the comparison to a wood stud wall (before it is drywalled) vs. a block wall (the Gitzo being the latter). The different was remarkable. The "spider" on the Sirui is about 2" in diameter and appears to be machined. On the Gitzo, it is cast (magnesium, I believe) and is 4" in diameter. It is solid. And, that 2 extra inches allows a much wider stance of the tripod legs, contributing to stability. Those are all things to look at. The Gitzo is a 3 section (versus the 4-section Sirui).

A FINAL consideration: I noted above that I am relatively tall and like a tripod that will allow me to have the viewfinder at comfortable eye-level. When I measure that I mean from the feet to the "spider." I don't do center columns if I can possibly avoid it. On all but my very tiny travel tripod, I have always removed any included adjustable center columns. Neither current tripod (Gitzo or Sirui) are designed for center columns. That center column goes a long way toward defeating the purpose of having a rock-solid stable base.

SO. "DECENT." A relative term. Pricing on what I consider acceptable tripod legs varies substiantially from around $200 to as much as $1500! Until very recently, that lower end was higher (more like in the $400/500 range). Competition and costs have driving the bottom lower. But ironically, the high-end has not come down. So what should you do? Like any other photographic gear purchase, it is going to come down to your own circumstances. Is budget a concern? Can you be satisfied with something that works, or do you want the best in terms of durability, convenience of use and just overall utility? There is a very real tendency to think of it comparably and determine that you would rather spend the big $$ on cameras and lenses. As a relative consideration, I am in that "boat." But my advice: don't skimp on the tripod! If you buy a good quality setup, you won't regret it. If you don't, you probably will.

Gitzo G1325 MK2 (my current tripod)

THE VERY best today are going to be Gitzo, Really Right Stuff, and ProMediaGear. There may be one or two others, but these are the proverbial "big boys." They are the $1,500 models. As I have looked at them (having shot with a handful of photographers who have them), I can concede that there is a reason. When I compared my (pretty good, IMO) Sirui to the Gitzo, I was astounded at the difference. Is it a $1,200 difference? For me, probably not (but because of the opportunity presented, it was a no-brainer for me). I have always struggled with justifying $1,500 for a set of tripod legs. And because of that, I have never bought Gitzo, RRS, or comparable leg sets. And when I finally did, it was because of a "too-good-to-be-true opportunity - and it is an older model - which speaks to its durability. I can say this: if your budget allows, get one of these. It will likely be the last tripod you will ever purchase and will last a lifetime.

[There is an increasingly prevalent idea that . . .] modern image stabilization technology has rendered tripods essentially superfluous. I remain unconvinced, though impressed

IF THAT is not in cards, no worries. There are, as I mentioned, many decent competitors today, in the more "mid-range" market (again, that market used to be in the $4-600 range, but today I think it is more in the $2-400 range). Bogen/Manfrotto makes some pretty nice carbon fiber legs. I don't like their lever leg-lock system, but they are a venerable old company (actually owned by the same parent as Gitzo). Another old line company (SLIK) also makes some nice legs. Another old-line company is Vanguard. When the Chinese carbon fiber market opened things up, a few new companies emerged, including Induro and sibling Benro, Sirui, Three-Legged Thing, and relative newcomers like K&F Concepts, Ulanzi, and Leofoto. I have had hands-on experience recently with a couple Leofoto accessories, and I would personally look hard at that brand. My experience with those mid-range cost tripods has been excellent. There are also brands I don't recognize and missing brands that used to be somewhat popular in this market. I would tend to stay away from the all but the more established brands. I would also stay away from anything less than that $200 floor. Perhaps the one exception to that general statment would by the Sirui AM-324, which can be found for sub-$200. Because I own it and have used it, I think it is a pretty nice tripod for the mid-range market. I cannot say much about durability, as it has only seen one outing. I will finish with some repetition: Don't skimp on the tripod!