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Holy Moly - Tripod Cost alot more since 2006

Posted: Mon May 15, 2017 12:31 pm
by Brandon Pittam
Shows how much times change, as does technology.  I have no problem keeping up with camera technology and the increase in MegaPixels in cameras, haha.  I can't even tell you how much my old Gitzo Legs cost.  And not to mention there are more brands out there selling CF Tripod Legs.  I have been reading a lot in the past week about Induro Legs, and the thickness of the CF tubing.  I doubt I will be shooting in extreme wind, etc.  Besides the cost, the one thing I am not too keen on is the center column support on some of the tripods, mainly it is a lot more difficult to get down to a better perspective if needed.  I might consider a tripod with the center column if it is a "short" post, this just add to the non stability of the camera.  Another option is a Feisol.  Sorry the recommendation posts on my 1st week back. HA

Posted: Mon May 15, 2017 9:57 pm
by WDCarrier
I’m forever amused at the posts that include the tripod manufacturer (usually Gitzo) and the gimbal head (usually Wimberly) or ball head (most often Arca-Swiss) as necessary elements for a successful image. Obviously, these products are the “Cadillacs” of the photo world but one can go from San Francisco to New York just as fast and easily in a Chevrolet. Many of us have to deal with a budget and I find Benro and Manfroto tripods and Jobu gimbal as utilitarian as I have my friend’s Gitzo and Wimberly that cost up to 3X as much.

Posted: Tue May 16, 2017 6:20 am
by ChrisRoss
As far as prices go I recall buying a Gitzo 1325 in 2000 and it was about $8-900 at the time and i upgraded to to 3542XLS a couple of years back and it went for just on $1000, so in real today's $ terms they have gotten much cheaper and the tripod is much improved as well.

Neither tripod has a centre column and I can't see myself buying a tripod with a centre column.

The 1325 is still going by the way and providing solid support, the main reason for the upgrade was the better leg locks.

Posted: Tue May 16, 2017 8:29 am
by Brandon Pittam
The 1325 is what I had, but good luck find that one used in great condition

Re:

Posted: Tue May 16, 2017 8:51 am
by E.J. Peiker
Brandon Pittam wrote:The 1325 is what I had, but good luck find that one used in great condition
Once you use a tripod without rotating legs, you will wonder how you put up with a 1325 as long as you did ;) :D

Posted: Tue May 16, 2017 1:46 pm
by sdaconsulting
I have no idea how most of you put up with the slowness and cumbersomeness of carrying, positioning and using a tripod except for really long exposures :)

Posted: Tue May 16, 2017 3:36 pm
by SantaFeJoe
Matthew
Have you ever tried to compose a shot handheld with a long lens in a breeze or wind? It's hard enough on a CF tripod up on Mount Evans where the wind is often a constant consideration. I really don't find it slow or inconvenient in any way to use a tripod. The benefits are much greater than not. Sure, it's possible to stop motion hand held but composing is the hard part. Just try to check out the edges of the frame for intrusions while keeping the composition from changing.

I agree with E.J. about the leg locks.

I somewhat disagree with most people here about the center column. With VR, high ISO's and fast shutter speeds to stop motion, it is much less of a factor in stability nowadays. This is especially true with a 4 or 5 series Gitzo. Many people have been indoctrinated that way since the film days, but it no longer holds true except in rare circumstances where an extremely slow shutter speed is required, which is not often. Even many of the lighter tripods are reasonably sturdy with the center column partially extended. Pixel peepers will probably disagree, but most people would never know the difference with or w/o the center column extended.

Joe

Posted: Tue May 16, 2017 5:45 pm
by bradmangas
Center columns are not permanent. First thing I did when I purchased my Induro tripod 6 years ago was to replace the long center column with a short one. It will get down to about 6 inches off the ground. Induro tripods are a very good cost vs quality purchase. Maybe the best out there.

Posted: Wed May 17, 2017 12:18 am
by sdaconsulting
Joe,

What I found is that when I photograph without a tripod I get about 10 times as many compositions as I do with a tripod. And usually some of those compositions are a lot more interesting than the ones I would have gotten.

But that's just what works for me.

I used a tripod religiously for years, but eventually started using it less and less until I got to the point where I only use it when my shutter speed is too low to get a sharp image.

Re:

Posted: Wed May 17, 2017 5:56 pm
by OntPhoto
sdaconsulting wrote:Joe,

What I found is that when I photograph without a tripod I get about 10 times as many compositions as I do with a tripod. And usually some of those compositions are a lot more interesting than the ones I would have gotten.

But that's just what works for me.

I used a tripod religiously for years, but eventually started using it less and less until I got to the point where I only use it when my shutter speed is too low to get a sharp image.
That is usually when I bring along a tripod - for the longer exposures.  But tripods also serve other purposes like freeing your hands from having to hang onto a camera/lens.  For certain subjects where you have to wait for action in between longer breaks of nothing, it is so freeing/less tiring to have your camera/lens supported so you can move around. 

Re:

Posted: Thu May 18, 2017 12:38 pm
by Andrew_5488
sdaconsulting wrote:I have no idea how most of you put up with the slowness and cumbersomeness of carrying, positioning and using a tripod except for really long exposures :)
Because not all of us can handhold 800mm lens.
:lol:

Re: Re:

Posted: Thu May 18, 2017 12:41 pm
by Andrew_5488
E.J. Peiker wrote:
Brandon Pittam wrote:The 1325 is what I had, but good luck find that one used in great condition
Once you use a tripod without rotating legs, you will wonder how you put up with a 1325 as long as you did ;) :D
What do you mean?
What tripod do you use ?

Posted: Thu May 18, 2017 1:08 pm
by E.J. Peiker
The older Gitzos allow their legs sections to be rotated making it hard to open just one leg or open the leg sections in random order.  The ones since about 2008 do not allow the legs to rotate so it doesn't matter what order you open the leg sections in and you can easily always open just one leg section without risking opening another.  I use about 6 different tripods including Gitzo 4, 3, and 2 models as well as an RRS 2 model and a MeFoto travel tripod.  I would never buy one where the legs can rotate.

Re:

Posted: Thu May 25, 2017 10:17 am
by Tom Reichner
sdaconsulting wrote:I have no idea how most of you put up with the slowness and cumbersomeness of carrying, positioning and using a tripod except for really long exposures :)


When wildlife photographers talk about using tripods, they are often talking about using them with large 500mm and 600mm and 800mm prime lenses.  For most of us, it is much easier to use a tripod than it is to handhold, when using these lenses.  

Just about everybody I know uses tripods for these big prime lenses, and handholds for everything else.  If you criticize tripod use, it makes me suspect that you aren't using the types of lenses that most of us associate with tripod use.