OT (as usual for me): dealing with quick setup on a TALL tripod
Discussion
6 replies
Posted by Scott Bideau on November 4, 2011 at 12:20 AM
A 6'2" photographer, I recently decided to get a tall tripod, especially for the advantages it will provide when shooting on a hill. I ordered the Gitzo GT3541XLS and was in love. Then I ran across the RRS TVC-24L: a whole pound (25%) lighter, smaller girth at the spider (for easier carrying on my pack), and a much smaller folded length (23.3" instead of 27.5" for the Gitzo) - not to mention the fact I *LOVE* how I can call RRS and actually talk to a human after the first ring rather than tracking down someone at Gitzo. I've now got both in my possession and love everything about the RRS except one thing...the Gitzo fits me perfectly (on level ground) when only extending two legs out from the main leg section, with the fourth leg section only being needed when working on a hill. This makes for a very convenient and very quick setup (just extend two legs out 100% and I'm done) whereas the RRS is too short with only 3/4 legs extended but too tall with all 4 fully extended.
MY QUESTION IS....
For those of you who have tripods taller than you, how do you quickly setup the thing to a good eye level? This may sounds like a stupid question, but coming from a shorter Gitzo mountaineer, it was ALWAYS shorter than me, so my process was to fully extend, then level (by compressing one or two of the legs) and then bend over and commence complaining about my back pains. Now I've got an opposite problem of sorts. I've thought about putting a mark on the leg to indicate how far I should extend it to be at my perfect height for level ground. The best answer would be to really get out and use the thing in the wild, but unfortunately both B&H (for the Gitzo) and RRS will only accept a return in like new condition...so I'm simulating use in my house :)
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on November 4, 2011 at 1:18 AM
I suppose you can mark your legs, but I just guesstimate and leave about 2 inches unextended on my Gitzo bottom set.
Enjoy your new toy. Get out and use it.
Posted by Darren Huski on November 4, 2011 at 7:56 AM
What Bill said.
I use a Gitzo 1325 (roughly the 3541 XL with 3 section legs). For use with an SLR it is perfect full extended. For use with my large format camera I have to cut back some on the last section. After a few times I just kinda could guess close enough.
Posted by Jody Grigg on November 4, 2011 at 8:15 AM
First mistake 'do not always shoot at eye level'.....
Posted by Pam Colander on November 4, 2011 at 10:38 AM
I always look around through the lens, off tripod, from all levels and angles looking for a good comp. If/when I find something I like I adjust the tripod to that height...but that's just me
Posted by Scott Bideau on November 4, 2011 at 11:17 AM
@Jody: I appreciate your comment. I should have caveated that I do follow Pam's process for finding comp first then setup tripod to match, but for those times where you're driving along and want to take a quick shot, the GT3541XLS sets to PERFECT eye level for me with the fourth leg not extended...very convenient. I'm actually contemplating the GT3541LS...which fully extended should fit me at eye level but not give me additional height when shooting on the side of a hill. It also folds to 21.7, so it fits in my carry-on nicely. Another option is keep the big GT3541XLS and get a cheap Fiesol for travel. Decisions, decisions. It's only money, right?
I'm 6'5" with good posture, or 6'4" most days. I have both a 3451XLS and a Feisol 3442. I use the Gitzo near the car or if I'm out for less than a few hours; the Feisol if I'm out for a longer hike or backpacking, or if I'm flying somewhere. I know that's a lot of money to tie up in tripods, but honestly as I've gone from a crop-sensor Canon to a full-frame Canon (and then back) and then to Sony... I think of the tripods as a long-term expense, even more than some lenses and certainly longer-term than bodies.
If it's a quick grab shot, I'll either hand-hold it, or set up the Gitzo without the last leg section and then crouch a bit. If that composition doesn't work, I'm out of the realm of quick/grab, and it's time to slow down regardless. I'm shooting a lot of panoramas, though, so I did go ahead and buy a leveling base from Acratech. That way I only have to get the legs in the right neighborhood and I can fine-tune using the leveling base. It's a lot quicker, and slightly more accurate.
Discussion
6 repliesMY QUESTION IS....
For those of you who have tripods taller than you, how do you quickly setup the thing to a good eye level? This may sounds like a stupid question, but coming from a shorter Gitzo mountaineer, it was ALWAYS shorter than me, so my process was to fully extend, then level (by compressing one or two of the legs) and then bend over and commence complaining about my back pains. Now I've got an opposite problem of sorts. I've thought about putting a mark on the leg to indicate how far I should extend it to be at my perfect height for level ground. The best answer would be to really get out and use the thing in the wild, but unfortunately both B&H (for the Gitzo) and RRS will only accept a return in like new condition...so I'm simulating use in my house :)
Enjoy your new toy. Get out and use it.
I use a Gitzo 1325 (roughly the 3541 XL with 3 section legs). For use with an SLR it is perfect full extended. For use with my large format camera I have to cut back some on the last section. After a few times I just kinda could guess close enough.
I'm 6'5" with good posture, or 6'4" most days. I have both a 3451XLS and a Feisol 3442. I use the Gitzo near the car or if I'm out for less than a few hours; the Feisol if I'm out for a longer hike or backpacking, or if I'm flying somewhere. I know that's a lot of money to tie up in tripods, but honestly as I've gone from a crop-sensor Canon to a full-frame Canon (and then back) and then to Sony... I think of the tripods as a long-term expense, even more than some lenses and certainly longer-term than bodies.
If it's a quick grab shot, I'll either hand-hold it, or set up the Gitzo without the last leg section and then crouch a bit. If that composition doesn't work, I'm out of the realm of quick/grab, and it's time to slow down regardless. I'm shooting a lot of panoramas, though, so I did go ahead and buy a leveling base from Acratech. That way I only have to get the legs in the right neighborhood and I can fine-tune using the leveling base. It's a lot quicker, and slightly more accurate.
I know. I'm a tripod geek.