Best field tripod to use with ball head

We need some practical feedback on tripod bases & ball heads. Best Carbon fiber - merits & disadvantages. Center braces vs. non. Medium to high quality. Interested in your or the Pro's experiences (blogs), not just advertised information.

Thanks in advance.

Pat Warfield

I use the Gtizo 1325 carbon fiber and love it. It will hold my 4x5 with no problem and a Nikon with lenses up to 500mm f4. Depends on what you are putting on a tripod and if you backpack at high altitude etc. before anything can be recommended. I use an AcraTech Ultimate ballhead. Since I live on the Northern Plains, I need something that can't freeze up and is very easy to clean ice and dust out of. It's very light also. As usual, there is no such thing as a "best" tripod or ballhead. There are just a lot of good ones.


Kent in SD


Kent in SD

Much depends on your budget and intent. Specifics would help greatly.

I have two tripod setups...one for max.stability and one for hiking/backpacking.

If money and a slightly weighty kit are no objects, then you can't do much better than the Gitzo 3541 XLS tripod, which has a maximum height of 78" (!), and a Really Right Stuff BH-55 ballhead, at a total weight of 6.2 lbs.

Best bang for the buck as far as a very lightweight yet stable setup is a Feisol 3442 tripod with a Markins Q3Traveler ballhead, which allows the tripod to fold upside down upon itself for a compact 19" length and a total weight of just 3 lbs.

All links lead to specs for each piece of equipment.

I don't use center columns at all as I feel that stability (and therefore image quality) suffers when you extend them, especially under adverse conditions.


There are all sorts of combinations in between these two kits. Once you outline your budget and intent (incl. body/lens combinations to be used), you'll find lots more good help here.

I also have a Gitzo 1325, a good tripod. It does not have a center column, although I think you could add one if you wanted to. On rare occasions I think It might be nice to be able to make the fine height adjustments a center column would allow, but mostly I don't miss it. It doesn't have or need braces. One of these days, I will upgrade to the newer model of Gitzo that has the improved leg lock. The old style can be bothersome sometimes. When I do upgrade, it will most likely be the newer equivalent to the 1325 (I can't recall its model number).

I use an Acratech Ultimate Ballhead. Lightweight, good quality, lower price than most of it's competitors. I'm completely satisfied with it. If I were to buy a second ballhead, I would give the RRS BH55 a shot, based on its reputation.

I don't have experience with a wide range of tripods and ballheads, but I did my homework before I bought these and I don't regret my choices at all.

I use a Velbron El Carmagne 630 (carbon fiber) with the Really Right Stuff BH55 and works well for long lens situations. If I were in the market today for a setup I would look at the Induro (carbon fiber) line of tripods and still use the RRS BH55. As for your other post about vidio I agree that ball head might be ackward and go with a pan and tilt style but if looking for ball head I would think the same setup mentioned for long lens would probably work for the video.

I'll vote for the Velbron El Carmagne as well. I use the 530 model and love it. As for a ball head I use the Giottos MH-1000-652 which includes a quick release plate. It's very stable platform for a very reasonable price.

Thanks everyone, we will review & consider your suggestions. I don't use a center column either - took mine out. But do like the leg bracing. Seems that so many top end tripods don't have center bracing. What keeps them from dragging & hanging up on ground clutter. And there is the aggravation of moving each leg separately into place.

Pat Warfield

Pat - I think you've mentioned the only reason to have center bracing - it lets you make a single adjustment for all legs. However, frequently, I postition all of the legs of my tripod differently, especially on rocky terrain. Center bracing also doesn't work with the multi-position legs that most tripods have. For instance, spreading the legs out really far to get very low to the ground.

I suppose it really depends on what/how you shoot, but I think most people find that the lack of center bracing is something of an advantage, not a lack. Just something to think about.

I'm not sure what your question is about "dragging & hanging up on ground clutter". Wouldn't a tripod with center bracing hang up more often in ground clutter?

Well, from an advanced amateur at best. I mount a D300 with 18-200 lens. I'm using a ProMaster ball. Ran about $120. Seems to do well. Smooth throughout the range of tension. Have not tried it in snow or ice. Knobs rather than levers. Tripod? I like light because I backpack. Carbon fiber is great. And gosh, I can't rememeber the name. Made in China. Hakima?? In the $300 range when I bought it several years ago. Probably cheaper now... Comes with a pouch for adding weight. Hope this wasn't too "junk-yard-doggish"... Larry

I guess I should add some info about the tripod. It is light; I'm guessing in the 3 lb. range. Center column has threaded and removal center portionfor getting really low. The tripod has several leg height adjustments and the extreme will get you about 6-9" above ground on one side and probably 74-78" high on the other end.. So, versatile is the word for me. Light, ground-macro compatible, etc. Probably better names out the like Gitzo but this pod works for me. The promaster ball is 1 lb. So 4 lbs total. The pod is at home and I'm at work. Embarrassed I can't remember the name. Can get if you wish. Kindest regards, "junk-yard-dog Lar"

Hi Pat,

I use the beautiful versatile Gitzo G1548 Series 5 Mountaineer Super Studex Photo with a Gitzo GS5120LVL Levelling Base and a Kirk BH-1 Ball Head whch has a Kirk ASC-1 BH-1 Ball Head Snap Collar for most of my photographic work.

For long lenses I remove the Kirk Ball Head and replace it with a Wimberley Gimbal V2.

My Gitzo is a Carbon Fibre Tripod which is a marvellous during the colder weather plus it is lighter than the metal counterparts! With CF you need big chunky legs or you’ll suffer bounce and flexing (so basically you get what you pay for). It also allows the legs to be opened for very low ground work so having no spreader here is a real boon. The best feature I added was a levelling base – no self-respecting photographer should be without one!!!

Happy shooting,