I am at present using a 1D series with a 500mm f4.0 IS and a Indian Gimbal head (which I actually find very good), the whole set up weighs in at 8.5kgs. I take nature photos, mainly birds.
I now want to upgrade my tripod for ultimate stability v weight, so have looked at the Gitzo range and landed on the Systematic Series. With the right height I see no reason for a center column, so intended to put the Gimbal head straight on to the Top Plate.
Here's the rub (if you are with me so far), I'm 5'6" and so have been trying to work out the optimum height not having a center column to play with, but I'm actually finding that the shortest pod the GT3530S is taller than my current set up, all be it by only 2.5".
I'm now asking my self if I'm making all the right assumptions here, the catalogue states the max height of the pod is 50.4" without a column, I am therefore assuming that the only way to take it down from there is to retract the legs, someting I don't want to be faffing around with in the field.
Can anyone comment on my assumptions, choice and working with such a pod when you are around 5'6".
I guess experience has pushed me the other way. I want about a foot of extra leg on the tripod for field use with long lenses. That lets me put the tripod at eye level on steep hillsides by extending the downhill legs longer than eye level with the uphill leg. It also lets me raise the pivot point overhead when I'm shooting things uphill from me or birds overhead in trees. Remember that when you tip the lens up at something, the viewfinder tips down about as far as the lens tips up.
I'm getting creaky as the years mount, and there's nothing worse than stooping for hours, as you most certainly will do when spending hours watching wildlife through a long lens with short tripods. Kinda makes me wonder if I'd be nearly as creaky in the back if I'd made this discovery about 20 years sooner.
Here's a field tip for living with that extra leg length when you don't need it: Extend the upper sections fully, then use the lower section to adjust for your height. When you collapse the tripod for moving about, all you have to do is collapse the upper sections while leaving the lower as you have extended them. In the new location you only have to extend the upper sections to be back to near-level. In effect you've eliminated three leg locks from your routine, and that can pay dividends when you're moving a lot.
I keep forgetting to apply a stunt to my tripod that I learned from another photographer. Set up the tripod on level ground with the upper sections fully extended, then use the lower section to adjust the height. Now use a finepoint sharpy to draw a ring around each lower leg section to mark the spot. With the marks as guides you can very quickly set up your tripod to the right height for level shooting.
Hmmm. Must be specific to the variety, because it's great on all our Gitzo's. I mis-wrote when I said fine-point because I've been using the medium size for ease of viewing.
I've recently tried marking one of them for night use with a yellow marker intended for use on neoprene (available at pro dive shops). That shows real promise for durability.
And a big BTW- The yellow pen is the best thing I've found for marking ripstop camera cases and roller luggage for travel. It takes several applications, but the results are virtually bomb-proof and visible the length of an airport terminal. No more hang tags to lose, and there's no way the careless are going to mistake your bags for their own.
Discussion
6 repliesI now want to upgrade my tripod for ultimate stability v weight, so have looked at the Gitzo range and landed on the Systematic Series. With the right height I see no reason for a center column, so intended to put the Gimbal head straight on to the Top Plate.
Here's the rub (if you are with me so far), I'm 5'6" and so have been trying to work out the optimum height not having a center column to play with, but I'm actually finding that the shortest pod the GT3530S is taller than my current set up, all be it by only 2.5".
I'm now asking my self if I'm making all the right assumptions here, the catalogue states the max height of the pod is 50.4" without a column, I am therefore assuming that the only way to take it down from there is to retract the legs, someting I don't want to be faffing around with in the field.
Can anyone comment on my assumptions, choice and working with such a pod when you are around 5'6".
Help, advice appreciated.
Regards
Chris
I'm getting creaky as the years mount, and there's nothing worse than stooping for hours, as you most certainly will do when spending hours watching wildlife through a long lens with short tripods. Kinda makes me wonder if I'd be nearly as creaky in the back if I'd made this discovery about 20 years sooner.
Here's a field tip for living with that extra leg length when you don't need it: Extend the upper sections fully, then use the lower section to adjust for your height. When you collapse the tripod for moving about, all you have to do is collapse the upper sections while leaving the lower as you have extended them. In the new location you only have to extend the upper sections to be back to near-level. In effect you've eliminated three leg locks from your routine, and that can pay dividends when you're moving a lot.
I've recently tried marking one of them for night use with a yellow marker intended for use on neoprene (available at pro dive shops). That shows real promise for durability.
And a big BTW- The yellow pen is the best thing I've found for marking ripstop camera cases and roller luggage for travel. It takes several applications, but the results are virtually bomb-proof and visible the length of an airport terminal. No more hang tags to lose, and there's no way the careless are going to mistake your bags for their own.
Thank you very much for all this usefull info.
Regards
Chris