My list of current tripods (I didn't add several that are in the to-be-sold bin):
Gitzo GT3541 XLS - The big boy for large lenses, panoramics and anything where I need a tripod taller than I am...
Leofoto LS-284 CVL - My latest addition, just got the Leofoto strap for it making it the ultimate go-everywhere tripod, fantastic for macro work and/or as a lightstand for my Godox AD200Pro.
Leofoto LS-223C - Great groundlevel tripod for macro or wildlife.
Platypod Ultra - Not really a tripod per se but fantastic when you need to get LOW.
Bob_S wrote:
OK, I've tried a few times and failed to be able to get through 30min of that. Actually quite annoying, is it one of those horrible marvel comic movies? Am I just old?
No you're not just old. It's unfortunate that a lot of British humour doesn't travel well to the US. Douglas Adams was a genius.
I change my tripod/heads more often than my cameras!
Currently: a Manfrotto 405 geared head with a Henjar arca swiss clamp adapter on a Benro Combination Series 3 CF tripod legs. This is contradictory setup as the legs were chosen for their lightness while the head must be considered a heavy tripod head. It is of very good quality though.
For video, I have got a Sachtler DSLR video head (which is something between FSB 4 and FSB 6 regarding weight and features) on a Sachtler aluminum tripod legs.
Right before the Manfrotto, I had the Benro geared head: quite lighter and more compact but I wasn't quite happy with it due to certain reasons. Before that, I used to have an Arca Swiss p1 which I still miss sometimes. For a while, I also used to have a Multiflex Cube geared head. It was a great head but very expensive for my uses. I often get my equipment as lowered used prices. I have been very lucky to find amazing deals on the used Manfrotto 405 head and the Sachtler DSLR tripod set at a fraction of their original price. Some past equipment: Arca Swiss B1, Acratech Ultimate head (which I bought for its beauty but I was never happy with its performance), Manfrotto CF legs, some Gitzo very sturdy but heavy legs, Slik tripod set, another Manfrotto tripod set and this list goes on, lol.
Right now, both my heads are set on a 75mm bowl/half ball system. So I can use either head on either set of legs. Weight is the only factor that may ultimately drive me to another switch.
Just a carbon fiber Manfrotto I puchased a while ago with my D800. I am thinking about getting the Joby 3K, so I have a small one in my camera bag all the time.
Monty is classic, THAT'S content worthy of a download 👍
Also, 'Allo Allo' kept me properly happy back in the 80's.
sjms wrote:
it might be you just don't have that particular cultural touch point from the younger portion of your life. my wife lacks it too.
there are things that are an "acquired taste".
I'm not fond of much of anything in the world anymore, it's a crazy place imo. There you have it, I'm officially old!
Back to tripods, I'm done to a dozen.
A light one for carrying long distances, a heavy one with a geared head, mostly for architecture, a few for multi-cam (video) interviews, a 12m (40ft) Manfrotto when I need the height, another Manfrotto that goes low, down to about a few millimeters from the ground.
I have one and I had one only my whole career. Usually they last a long time. Right now I have RRS stuff . The travel unit with a 40 head with double pan.
2..and 1 has only been used less that 5 times in at least 15 years. Do I need 2? Looks like NO but I want to be safe if something goes wrong. I am a RRS bh guy also.
Dan
Danpbphoto wrote:
2..and 1 has only been used less that 5 times in at least 15 years. Do I need 2? Looks like NO but I want to be safe if something goes wrong. I am a RRS bh guy also.
Dan
One thing I always kept in mind as a working Pro regardless where I may travel . What it would it take to replace a piece of gear. Now this was more a issue traveling the globe when I was on those assignments. More than anything was renting lighting but here in the states it’s pretty easy I’m 10 minutes from a Best Buy, Target, Walmart and so on but 20 minutes from a actual camera store. So it would never be a issue locally if something went down. Something to ponder
I have two tripods, one heavier and sturdier one that I use when I don't have that far to carry it, say 5km, the other smaller and lighter one that I use for longer treks and for travel.
Six tripods and a monopod. All are Manfrotto, all are aluminum. All except the monopod were bought second-hand. I've had the oldest for 30 years (purchased from a pawn shop).
Two of the tripods are equipped with "Action Grip" ball heads for my portrait work, as is the monopod.
The monopod also has a cage on top of that Action Grip for semi-handheld video work (the cage holds an audio recorder, a radio microphone receiver, and a couple of other video-centric doo-dads. The other tripods have fluid heads for video work.
4 currently, although I may sell the Feisol now that I finally got my hands on its replacement (though I may keep it for international travel whenever that's a thing again).
New Primary: FLM CP30-L4 II w/ Leofoto LB-60 leveling base, RH-2L panning clamp, and VH-10 monopod head.
Former Primary: Feisol CT-3442 w/ Feisol leveling base and Manfrotto MVH500AH video head.
Mini-tripod: Sunwayfoto T1C30N w/ XB28II (Sunwayfoto version of Leofoto LS-223C or Sirui's AM-223)
Mini-tripod for audio recorder: Manfroto PIXI Mini Tripod
Once I bought a Gitzo there wasn't much reason to buy another tripod. But, I bought a Canon 600mm lens and decided to buy a larger Gitzo tripod and full Wimberley head. Well, the 600mm lens is gone now and so is the Wimberley head. But, the big Gitzo tripod lives on in my home studio. The medium size Gitzo is still my everyday tripod. Besides the Gitzos, I bought a small carbon fiber Benro tripod for travel. After a few years it started getting a little wobbly, so I bought another one. Those Benros now just do light work around the house and property. My travel tripod is now a Benro Mach 3. You can sort of see the trend here. I keep replacing the Benro tripods, but I've had the Gitzo tripods and monopods at least twenty years without any problems. My heads are all RRS which I've also had many years. The point is, you get what you pay for, at least in tripods and heads.
