I have 3. 1) A big and heavy Berlebach wooden two section tripod for when I don't mind the weight and want optimal stability. 2) A Gitzo 2 series three section tripod with the offset center column that you can rotate 180 degrees. This is a great medium size tripod and wonderful for macro. In addition to being able to rotate the center column to any angle the legs go completely flat as well and can be positioned in any angle as well. 3) A Gitzo 0 series 4 section tripod that folds wonderfully small and is very light for travel. It isn't very tall, but consequently despite its small size it is quite stable for anything with a lens 135mm or shorter. Only the Gitzo 2 has a center column. The other two have the ballhead mounted on top of the legs, but the Berlebach has a leveling base built into the tripod under the ball head.
Steve Spencer wrote:
I have 3. 1) A big and heavy Berlebach wooden two section tripod for when I don't mind the weight and want optimal stability. 2) A Gitzo 2 series three section tripod with the offset center column that you can rotate 180 degrees. This is a great medium size tripod and wonderful for macro. In addition to being able to rotate the center column to any angle the legs go completely flat as well and can be positioned in any angle as well.. 3) A Gitzo 0 series 4 section tripod that folds wonderfully small and is very light for travel. It isn't very tall, but consequently despite its small size it is quite stable for anything with a lens 135mm or shorter. Only the Gitzo 2 has a center column. The other two have the bullhead mounted on top of the legs, but the Berlebach has a leveling base built into the tripod under the ball head....Show more →
Hi Steve,
I forgot to mention my Ries wooden tripod and crown old classic wooden tripod.
1- RRS TVC-33 Mk1 w/BH-55 Mk2 larger needs
2- RRS TVC-24 Mk2 w/BH-40 Mk2 standard usage
3- RRS TQC/TFC-14 Mk1 w/BH-30 Mk1. best most rigid travel tripod around. the least compromise compared to the rest
all the RRS models overlap in usage making your decision relatively easy for need/use
4- FLM CP10 TT tripod w/Sirui C-10s table top and speaker stand
Three Gitzos. A Series-1 traveler, a Series-2 traveler, and a Series-3 systematic. The travelers are used for travel with my spouse, and the systematic is when I shoot big lenses or if I need maximum stability. After a disappointing aluminum tripod, I now stick to carbon fiber for the stiffness and light weight.
I still have some aluminum Gitzos - a series 1, 2 and 3. I use the legs from the series 1 to add to the 2 to make it taller. I gave my series 5 'geant' with extra double extensions, geared column and cross column to a friend who does event photography. I used it for shooting 4x5 and 8x10 architectural shots over traffic and parked vehicles. It also needed another accessory - an 8ft. stepladder.
Now I mostly use a Gitzo series 3 XL CF and a series 2 CF Gitzo. I also still have a series 1 CF as well as a travel CF tripod. For heads I have Sunway 52, 44 and 36mm ballheads, an Arca Cube, a Manfrotto geared head, some Gitzo pan and tilt heads and various smaller stuff.
Reading this again makes me realize I have to sell more. I sold 3 tripods in the past 2 years (plus the one I gave away) but that didn't make a big enough dent, and I don't use tripods as much as I used to. Oh, and I have a couple of monopods. And a Leica table tripod and head. And a Minox tripod, that I take on every trip and always gets me in trouble at the security.
Seven -- from the big Manfrotto/Bogen 3050, to the more modern 190 (both aluminum), down to their tabletop folder. I also have Slik 700DX and 310DX, plus a couple other oddballs.
Two: Classic Gitzo 226 Reporter alu from 1980, and one of the latest 4 Series (GT4533LS). But I actually prefer a roller light stand in the studio for maximum adjustability and mobility:
Leofoto LS-324C w/ Uniqball UBH 35X | My main tripod.
Leofoto LS-284C w/ Uniqball UBH 35X | This is mostly for my second body that I use for timelapses and video. But if I need to shed weight from my kit, I will take this instead of the 324.
iQuick3Pod 36.3 w/ Uniqball UBH 45X | The tripod has built-in leveling which is nice for my star tracking mount, and pano rotator. I use this for supertele, too.
RRS TFA-01 w/ RRS BC-18 | Pocket pod, almost always with me, and has seen quite a lot of use.
Sunwayfoto T1A20 | Heavy duty ground level tripod. I don't have a dedicated head for this, so I'll take whatever suits the situation.
Leofoto LS-223C w/ Leofoto EB-36 | A mini setup for when I think I don't need a tripod, but want to have something small and light just in case.
Leofoto LS-283CM w/ Leofoto NB-40 | A "bigger mini setup". Nice for low stuff, too.
Benro A4580T | A tall alu tripod. Have not used recently, trying to sell.
Also, for my Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro astro tracking mount I have a 1.75" stainless steel tripod for car travel, and a tri-pier for use at home.
Two tripods and one monopod. One tripod is ancient Gitzo 1325, that cost a fraction of today's rip-off Gitzo prices and won't be replaced, the other is an exellent Benro, also carbon fibre and not sold by Benro USA, you have to get them from Benro China (via ebay). Same tripod as the higher priced Induro's which they make also.
RRS 1 series (carbon fiber) for airplane travel
RRS 2 series (carbon fiber) for non airplane travel
RRS table top tripod (aluminum) which is always in my bag
1bwana1 wrote:
I have only two. A travel tripod, and a big carbon fiber one for studio, and local use. All I need.
Lost count let me see,
RRS TVC44 When ground vibration may be an issue and serious stuff like a 600mm with 1.4 and APS-C where I need the ultimate in stability and it is weighted down with 30 lbs bag of lead shot. Not used often.
RRS TFC34 My main guy its either this one or the Gitzo Monopod typically.
(2) Gitzo Traveler 2 G2445T's Keep one in my Suv with a Gitzo monopod
Gitzo Traveler 1 1545 will sell if PD is suitable possibly
Oben similar to the traveler 1 will sell if I like the PD
Small Leofoto very tiny and well made handy to have
RRS mini table top tripod
Peak Design coming primarily because I will pack it which I do not do with the Oben or Traveler one. This will result in selling the Gitzo 1545 & Oben
I have two homes so half of these are in Florida the two larger RSS move from IL to Florida and back with the seasons and one Gitzo is there permanently.
10/1/19 I added the taller RRS TFC34L for Florida and kept the RRS TVC44 up north as is is both sturdy and tall for moon shots, and the very light and easy to carry on my shoulder with a 400 or 500GM TFC34 up north.
I rarely use any of the smaller tripods now and grab one of my Gitzo Pro Monopods when a sturdy tripod is not suitable.
I may keep one of the Gitzo Traveler 2's in my SUV just so its handy if I ever need it or for casual video stuff with my iPhone or ILC at times,
Gitzo 1349 with an Arca Swiss Ballhead
A Bogen (now Manfrotto) set of legs (model 301) for travel....also used with the Arca Swiss Ballhead. Use a Wimberly Sidekick with both when necessary.
Nice for low stuff, too.