I actually recently consolidated to one- a nice clean Gitzo GT1550T I found used, along with an RRS-BH-30 ballhead. Combined with a RRS base plate for my A7R3, it's made everything easier and simpler.
Before that, I played around with multiple options at lower price levels, decided to take the hit once, buy something that will work for me in any situation I'd need, and be done with it.
I have 5 for photography, a small Chinese carbon fiber tripod that I am going to try for air travel. A larger Chinese carbon fiber tripod that I'm using for packing a bit light locally and three big aluminum Bogen (Manfrotto) tripods that are nice and stable and cheap on Craigslist.
The three aluminum tripods aren't necessary but good spares and the best is a combination of parts I swapped between the various Craigslist finds.
If I ever need more than those 5 tripods, I also have a couple bigger telescope tripods but they aren't really appropriate for anything photographic beside astrophotography.
I've got six Manfrotto tripods and a big, black, sleek Inka studio stand (which makes me giddy).
The main reason I have several is for multi-camera video. For still work, I use either my oldest tripod, a Manfrotto 2031 (which I've had for 30 years), or the Inza stand.
RDKirk wrote:
I've got six Manfrotto tripods and a big, black, sleek Inka studio stand (which makes me giddy).
The main reason I have several is for multi-camera video. For still work, I use either my oldest tripod, a Manfrotto 2031 (which I've had for 30 years), or the Inza stand.
I think you mean the 3021. I have one that is from the early 1980s IIRC. I also have an 1990s 3221 (black, but also a newer version). There is some info about the versions here https://bogentripodparts.com/3021-1.html.
I own 3 tripods... wel more or less. Only one is a normal tripod
I own 1 “normal” tripod, which is a Carbon fiber Leofoto RF-284CT with a XB-32 ballhead. For studio purposes I use an old but very sturdy Cambo monostand, combined with a Manfrotto 410 geared head.
Mark_EL wrote:
I own 3 tripods... wel more or less. Only one is a normal tripod
I own 1 “normal” tripod, which is a Carbon fiber Leofoto RF-284CT with a XB-32 ballhead. For studio purposes I use an old but very sturdy Cambo monostand, combined with a Manfrotto 410 geared head.
EB-1 wrote:
Damn, that doesn't look too stable with the relatively small base. What happens in the wind?
EBH
Well... I would not let it stand on his own with these heights in any case, so I will always hand hold it at the base (like in the picture). And I don’t use it when there is too much wind. With these heights though, the camera will always move around a bit, so you have to raise your shutter speed a bit to compensate for that...
Mark_EL wrote:
I own 3 tripods... wel more or less. Only one is a normal tripod
I own 1 “normal” tripod, which is a Carbon fiber Leofoto RF-284CT with a XB-32 ballhead. For studio purposes I use an old but very sturdy Cambo monostand, combined with a Manfrotto 410 geared head.
Mark_EL wrote:
I own 3 tripods... wel more or less. Only one is a normal tripod
I own 1 “normal” tripod, which is a Carbon fiber Leofoto RF-284CT with a XB-32 ballhead. For studio purposes I use an old but very sturdy Cambo monostand, combined with a Manfrotto 410 geared head.
IndyFab wrote:
Time for a drone, but you were A HEAD (literally lol) of most for the time drone's didn't exist
Just 2 for me
Gitzo 3541 XLS & Leofoto LS 365c
opps edit, I forgot, a Feisol mono pod which I hardly ever use, Think it's time I sell it
Well, I actually chose this instead of a drone. I use this thing for my business now and then, and I am allowed to put this up anywhere I want and I am insured if anything should go wrong. If you want to use a drone for your business though, you will have to put up with a lot of rules and laws where you can and - more important - where you are not allowed to fly. On top of that, you need a pilots licence to fly a drone for your business. (In The Netherlands anyway). If you don’t meet those requirements, you can’t get liability insurance for flying, which is a risk I am not willing to take. And I don’t have near enough work of this kind to make it worth the trouble of getting a licence....
