Since we're on the topic...I'd like to ask:How tall are you and what tripod do you use? At 5'10" I am a "stooper" without the center column raised. I'd love to hear about the alternatives out there.
Hi Leann! I'm 6 feet exactly. I use the Gitzo GT5540LS w/ the RRS BH-55. With camera attached and on firm ground I sometimes have to reduce height (leg adjustments) just a little, but on the beach sand or in mud, water, etc. where it can a sink down a bit, it's about perfect. It doesn't have a center column.
I'm not a stooper, I'm a kneeler. I rarely extend all the leg sections on any tripod. I'm usually on one knee instead. I keep telling myself it's so I can capture the child's eye view. Maybe it's just because when I'm up in the mountains shooting I feel small and insignificant.
Hi Leann, I'm 5'10" also and I have a Bogen 3001BPro. I have a bad back and neck and don't do well stooping for long periods. The center column raises it just fine unless I have my 100-300 sigma on which is fairly heavy, it can be less than 100% stable. Not to falling unstable, just enough to allow for movement. I'm looking at some models of Slik namely the 700DX and 400Dx both for height and weight for those times or days I don't want to lug the Bogen around. I know some photogs who own Slik tripods and have never had a problem with them.
I'm a bit over 5 feet, 9 inches tall and use the Manfrotto 724B. Fully extended, the top of the integral ballhead mount measures exactly 64 inches from the ground. If I'm looking at a subject on my level through the camera, it's a bit high for me, but only a couple inches, and I have to lower the shaft. If I'm looking up slightly at the subject, it's just at a perfect height. If I'm looking down, I have to lower the center shaft quite a bit.
I use it extensively with the 30D and 1 series bodies, and it handles lenses up to the 100-400L IS, including extension tubes and/or TCs, with rock solidity. From the 400 f2.8 on up, it's not strong enough to cut the mustard in most situations, though I have shot the 400 f2.8L IS with TC and 1 series body from a sitting position with only the first set of extensions used, and it did quite well as long as I was there to steady it (the head's not built for that kind of beating).
The newer version on the market is the 725B. It's light but rigid, and when it's well anchored I get no tremble.
Posted by Leann Greene on July 9, 2007 at 10:48 PM
I wish I always had a tripod that was taller than needed to reach my standing-on-the-ground eye level. When I'm on a hillside, I put one tripod leg down the hill. To keep my head level, my tripod head that is, I need to extend the downhill leg more than the others. I need more than "normal" length in that leg. When I stand on a cooler to get that extra bit of height, I need my tripod to rise to the task.
I'm 5' 7" or so. I normally use an olde Gitzo 320 with no center column and an Arca Swiss B1. My tall pod is a Gitzo 410 which is too heavy for regular use as far as I'm concerned, but, dang, I love that height.
I have several tripods for different apps. For landscape work I use a small 126 Gitzo (similar to the current 1540T but metal) w/o the center column as this fits on the bottom of my pack quite nicely and I stoop, sit or squat. For macro and long lens work I use a larger Giotto 9170 tripod w/ the center column. I find the center column quite useful for the macro when making fine composition adjustments.
I'm 6'2" and use a Bogen 3021 with a 3030 head which is a bit taller than a ballhead. With 35mm format, I have to lean down a little sometimes with the center column flush, especially if the tripod is downhill from me which happens alot in the mountains. With 4X5, the camera is at an excellent working height for me.
Like others, I often shoot with the tripod low for a better perspective. In fact, I think I'm going to have to cut about 10 inches off my center column because it keeps hitting the ground with the legs articulated outward.
A little over 6 feet and use a Gitzo 1325 with RRS BH-55. Hiking pod is a Gitzo 1227 or 1127. 1127 is a bit too short. 1227 is better, but still short, but it is light.
I'm 6'4" and find the Bogen 3001 waaaay too short, but still find it useful for compact travel. The 3221 from the same company is bunches better, but it weighs a ton. Both are fairly fragile in my rough use, but thankfully replacement parts are readily available.
I've settled on the Gitzo 1349 as my ideal tripod. Light, tough as nails, and great support for big lenses. Best of all, it extends taller than I need for standing fully upright. That has emerged as an important consideration, because when shooting on uneven ground it still allows me to raise the tripod high enough for standing fully upright. Spend a day, much less a week, standing on a hillside waiting for bears to appear and you'll bless every extra inch of height above what you usually need on flat ground.
Posted by Andy Richards on July 15, 2007 at 10:01 AM
I have had a Bogen 3221 for years. I am 6' 2" (and shrinking <g>). Several years back, I got tired of stooping (I don't like to raise the center column). I was on a tight budget then, and got the bright idea of trying my own modification of the tripod. On t3221, the upper leg sections are the same size as "thinwall" electrical conduit. I replaced the upper leg sections with thinwall conduit and added about 4 inches. It has been perfect height for me. Two negatives: 1) the Conduit is heavier than the original material, so if weight is an issue, its a problem (for me its mostly not, and when it is, I use one of my smaller legsets now), and 2) the leg sections rotate all the way around when not clamped tight (not a serious problem -- just a nuisance) (the orginal sections have a channel in them that stops them from rotating). Cost to me was just a few $ for the conduit. I wrap the upper sections with pipe insulation and tape, so looks aren't an issue, either.
Posted by Leann Greene on July 15, 2007 at 2:14 PM
Great responses-alot to consider.
Andy: very clever! I recycled a Bogen 3011 into a light stand after the plastic knobs started falling off. I works pretty well in it's new life.
Posted by Richard Wong on July 16, 2007 at 8:32 PM
I'm 7'1, 350 lbs. and can dunk a basketball with three guys draped on my shoulders. I have to sit on the floor in order to use my Manfrotto 190XDB. seriously, I'm not scared to use the center column if I really need to. But w/o using it, i find the tripod to be big enough for most uses unless theres like a big fence to clear. I use to squat a lot with my Gitzo 1001 Weekender but it got damamged by salt water and since I tore ligaments in my foot a year ago I can't do that anymore anyway.
Discussion
13 repliesCheers,
I use it extensively with the 30D and 1 series bodies, and it handles lenses up to the 100-400L IS, including extension tubes and/or TCs, with rock solidity. From the 400 f2.8 on up, it's not strong enough to cut the mustard in most situations, though I have shot the 400 f2.8L IS with TC and 1 series body from a sitting position with only the first set of extensions used, and it did quite well as long as I was there to steady it (the head's not built for that kind of beating).
The newer version on the market is the 725B. It's light but rigid, and when it's well anchored I get no tremble.
I'm 5' 7" or so. I normally use an olde Gitzo 320 with no center column and an Arca Swiss B1. My tall pod is a Gitzo 410 which is too heavy for regular use as far as I'm concerned, but, dang, I love that height.
Pete D.
Like others, I often shoot with the tripod low for a better perspective. In fact, I think I'm going to have to cut about 10 inches off my center column because it keeps hitting the ground with the legs articulated outward.
I've settled on the Gitzo 1349 as my ideal tripod. Light, tough as nails, and great support for big lenses. Best of all, it extends taller than I need for standing fully upright. That has emerged as an important consideration, because when shooting on uneven ground it still allows me to raise the tripod high enough for standing fully upright. Spend a day, much less a week, standing on a hillside waiting for bears to appear and you'll bless every extra inch of height above what you usually need on flat ground.
Andy: very clever! I recycled a Bogen 3011 into a light stand after the plastic knobs started falling off. I works pretty well in it's new life.