Posted by David Sewell on October 27, 2010 at 5:35 AM
I have been considering posting this topic for some time. Shaun's post, below, has finally stirred me into action.
For years I have operated a two tripod system. For lightweight portability I use a Benbo Trekker, and have always been pleased with it. It is, of course, not suitable for the heavy lenses used for bird photography. When using my 600mm lens I rely on an ancient Slik SL67, which feels as if it is constructed of lead, but does at least provide some balance to the 600mm in the other hand when I am carrying both. The Slik has given over 20 years of good service, but is rapidly wearing out. I was given a second one about 10 years ago, and have raided this for parts, but both are now at the end of their useful lives.
I can see the benefits of a gimbal head (even if I don't like the cost), but what would members recommend to go underneath it, bearing in mind it has to support the heaviest and most cumbersome lens in Nikon's line up?
Advice much appreciated.
David
Posted by Jeroen Stel on October 27, 2010 at 5:54 AM
I am using a Gitzo 5541 LS Tripod with a Benro GH-2 Camouflage Gimball Head and am very pleased with this combination when using my 600mm F4 lens. Have also used a Feisol CT-3371 Tripod in combination with a Markins Ballhead and Wimberley Sidekick in the past wich was nice and light but the lens was somewhat off centered on the Sidekick.
I'm using a Feisol CT-3372 for my 500mm Canon. I've had it for a couple of years now and I'm very impressed with it. Its good value, lightweight, easy to adjust, gets down very low and is extremely sturdy. It will more than cope with the 600mm (I use a Wimberley Mark II on top).
Hi I use a Gitzo 1327 cf & full Wimberley it dose fine with the 800.
Phil.
Posted by Rene de Heer on October 27, 2010 at 6:29 AM
My vote also goes to the Feisol CT-3372. A very good tripod, excellent value. I use it with a Manfrotto 504HD Bridging Fluid head. Use it with a D3S, 500VR lens
Rene de Heer
Redesigned website.
Posted by Phil Shaw on October 27, 2010 at 7:31 AM
David,
I still have a Gitzo 1325 CF tripod for sale. It comes with a G1321 Levelling Base and leg wraps. The current equivalents are the GT3530LS Systematic Studex tripod and the GS5121LVL Leveling Base.
This tripod has been used mainly for foreign travel being a good bit lighter than my Gitzo 1548. It easily supports my Canon EF600/f4 IS despite being only recommended for lenses up to the 500/f4. Send me an email or give me a call if you are interested.
Posted by Paul Rosser on October 27, 2010 at 2:44 PM
Hi David. I too use a tournament Feisol Tripod. No complaints either. I now use mine with a Gitzo Systematic series 5 Head, takes 30KG load, and is cheaper than a Gimbal. It's light weight and easy to carry, whats more, it lies flat on the ground too! Hope this helps.
Regards,
Paul Rosser.
Posted by Shaun Simpson on October 27, 2010 at 5:13 PM
Over the years I've used a number of makes & models, but none have been as stable and robust as the GT3541LS I bought a couple of years ago. Yes it's a lot of money, but it's one of those things that you just know will last for many years to come. If you work out the maths, spread over even only for a few years, it's a no brainer. For a 600mm, I'd consider using the 5-series, not the 3's. With this sort of investment you only want to buy once. As an aside, I also use mine for macro work - I just change the gimbal to an off-centred ball head. Hope this helps.
Des
Posted by David Sewell on October 28, 2010 at 4:50 AM
Thanks for your help everybody, including those who sent direct e-mails to me. I think I have got it down to two now, the Feisol CT-3372 and the Gitzo GT5541LS. I shall have to give serious thought as to whether the additional cost of the latter is justified. As I had not even heard of Feisol until yesterday I am really grateful for the advice.
David
Posted by Phil Shaw on October 28, 2010 at 9:18 AM
David, a couple of things to consider when buying a CF tripod.
Gitzo CF tripods are manufactured using a pultrusion process as opposed to the roll table process used for generic CF tube construction. The Gitzo tubes are formed from cross-layered carbon fibers and are woven into seamless tubes with ratio of 65:35 CF to epoxy resin. Roll table tubes are constructed from sheets of carbon fiber which are layered one on top of another with a layer of bonding agent between the sheets. These sheets are then rolled and seamed. The seams weaken the strength of the tube and because the sheets are layered upon one another the ratio of CF to resin is 50:50. Also this process is prone to the formation of air pockets between the layers which cause weakness and an increase in deflection (reduced rigidity). This is the reason that in comparion with Gitzo tripod of similar leg diameter the Feisol etc tripods have a lower weight support rating.
In terms of the difference between the Gitzo 3 series and 5 series tripods, what you are paying for is greater torsional stability. Since most wildlife photographers don't lock their tripods down anyway, the greater torsional stability is of little practical benefit. For macrophotographers torsional stability is very much a moot issue as I doubt very much whether anyone would be out shooting when it is windy anyway.
I have 2 Gitzo 3 series tripods (one of which is for sale) and 1 Gitzo 5 series tripod. I have never experienced a problem getting sharp images with my 600/f4 on the 3 series tripods and this includes shooting in 60mph winds at 14,000ft and in gales on seacliffs when one might expect the lesser torsional stability of the 3 series tripods to become apparent.
Again from the perpective of the macrophotographer, the reduced bulk of 3 series tripods compared to the 5 series, is likely to be an advantage when trying to position the camera without disturbing the subject and its surroundings.
Whatever you and others considering buying tripods eventually decide, I cannot stress strongly enough the benefits of getting a levelling base as well. It makes setting up the tripod and getting it level simple and very quick.
Hope this helps.
Posted by Rene de Heer on October 28, 2010 at 12:16 PM
David
Feisol is well known. I have used the Feisol tripods for a number of years in many different conditions ( extreme winter temps in Finland to extreme high temps in Southern spain).
They have always serviced me well. Ofcourse you will come across photographers who have bad experiences either with Feisol or Gitzo but from a value/quality point of view the Feisols are good tripods.
They also come with levelling base. The best advise I can give you is try them out side by side. If you google feisol UK, call the rep, and ask if they would send you a Feisol to try out.
Rene de Heer
Discussion
11 repliesFor years I have operated a two tripod system. For lightweight portability I use a Benbo Trekker, and have always been pleased with it. It is, of course, not suitable for the heavy lenses used for bird photography. When using my 600mm lens I rely on an ancient Slik SL67, which feels as if it is constructed of lead, but does at least provide some balance to the 600mm in the other hand when I am carrying both. The Slik has given over 20 years of good service, but is rapidly wearing out. I was given a second one about 10 years ago, and have raided this for parts, but both are now at the end of their useful lives.
I can see the benefits of a gimbal head (even if I don't like the cost), but what would members recommend to go underneath it, bearing in mind it has to support the heaviest and most cumbersome lens in Nikon's line up?
Advice much appreciated.
David
Greetings,
Jeroen Stel
Phil.
Rene de Heer
Redesigned website.
I still have a Gitzo 1325 CF tripod for sale. It comes with a G1321 Levelling Base and leg wraps. The current equivalents are the GT3530LS Systematic Studex tripod and the GS5121LVL Leveling Base.
This tripod has been used mainly for foreign travel being a good bit lighter than my Gitzo 1548. It easily supports my Canon EF600/f4 IS despite being only recommended for lenses up to the 500/f4. Send me an email or give me a call if you are interested.
Regards,
Paul Rosser.
Des
David
Gitzo CF tripods are manufactured using a pultrusion process as opposed to the roll table process used for generic CF tube construction. The Gitzo tubes are formed from cross-layered carbon fibers and are woven into seamless tubes with ratio of 65:35 CF to epoxy resin. Roll table tubes are constructed from sheets of carbon fiber which are layered one on top of another with a layer of bonding agent between the sheets. These sheets are then rolled and seamed. The seams weaken the strength of the tube and because the sheets are layered upon one another the ratio of CF to resin is 50:50. Also this process is prone to the formation of air pockets between the layers which cause weakness and an increase in deflection (reduced rigidity). This is the reason that in comparion with Gitzo tripod of similar leg diameter the Feisol etc tripods have a lower weight support rating.
In terms of the difference between the Gitzo 3 series and 5 series tripods, what you are paying for is greater torsional stability. Since most wildlife photographers don't lock their tripods down anyway, the greater torsional stability is of little practical benefit. For macrophotographers torsional stability is very much a moot issue as I doubt very much whether anyone would be out shooting when it is windy anyway.
I have 2 Gitzo 3 series tripods (one of which is for sale) and 1 Gitzo 5 series tripod. I have never experienced a problem getting sharp images with my 600/f4 on the 3 series tripods and this includes shooting in 60mph winds at 14,000ft and in gales on seacliffs when one might expect the lesser torsional stability of the 3 series tripods to become apparent.
Again from the perpective of the macrophotographer, the reduced bulk of 3 series tripods compared to the 5 series, is likely to be an advantage when trying to position the camera without disturbing the subject and its surroundings.
Whatever you and others considering buying tripods eventually decide, I cannot stress strongly enough the benefits of getting a levelling base as well. It makes setting up the tripod and getting it level simple and very quick.
Hope this helps.
Feisol is well known. I have used the Feisol tripods for a number of years in many different conditions ( extreme winter temps in Finland to extreme high temps in Southern spain).
They have always serviced me well. Ofcourse you will come across photographers who have bad experiences either with Feisol or Gitzo but from a value/quality point of view the Feisols are good tripods.
They also come with levelling base. The best advise I can give you is try them out side by side. If you google feisol UK, call the rep, and ask if they would send you a Feisol to try out.
Rene de Heer