How big is your Tripod?

UT Scott · December 1, 2006

Well I've decided I want a tripod, now I have to sort through the hundereds of tripods out there. My question is how big is your tripod? I've been looking through some of them and what I can't figure out is how tall is a good hight for a tripod. I would imagine that you would want one that's roughly as tall as you are, but I'm only 5'10 and it's hard to find one that high.

Also, anyone have any suggestions for a good tripod? My biggest problem is money. I just spent a whole bunch on a new lens, new bag, memory cards, and some other stuff so I'm a little short. I would like to keep it under $100, I know it's not going to get me the greatest tripod (no carbon fiber for me :cry) but I only need it for long exposure/whole family shots on a vacation coming up.

Any recomendations would be great!

Andy · December 1, 2006

UT Scott wrote:

Any recomendations would be great!

Stop looking and buy this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=222271&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

under $140 after rebate.

It will survive a bomb attack.

UT Scott · December 1, 2006

Andy wrote:

Stop looking and buy this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=222271&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

under $140 after rebate.

It will survive a bomb attack.

Oh man, you're not making my idea of spending under $100 that easy! That is one good looking tripod, and it goes all the way to 8 inches down? That's awsome! Well I do have until sunday before bh opens again, so I have some time to think

Is 62inches high enough though?

JenGrace · December 1, 2006

UT Scott wrote:

Is 62inches high enough though?

It is if you don't mind stooping a bit. That's a great tripod and price. I wouldn't mind stooping for that.

Jeffro · December 1, 2006

UT Scott wrote:

Oh man, you're not making my idea of spending under $100 that easy! That is one good looking tripod, and it goes all the way to 8 inches down? That's awsome! Well I do have until sunday before bh opens again, so I have some time to think Is 62inches high enough though?

I've had that tripod for years....survives everything. I have a ball head though.

gus · December 1, 2006

UT Scott wrote:

I would imagine that you would want one that's roughly as tall as you are, but I'm only 5'10 and it's hard to find one that high.

Remember that the tripod head adds a lot of extra inches. Im very surprised you cant find one high enough. I have a manfrotto 190 & 222 ball head & am 6'3 & with it fully extended its too tall for me.

UT Scott · December 1, 2006

gus wrote:

Remember that the tripod head adds a lot of extra inches. Im very surprised you cant find one high enough. I have a manfrotto 190 & 222 ball head & am 6'3 & with it fully extended its too tall for me.

That's a good point, I didn't take into account the head, and for that case, the camera its self. Well I think 62 inches would be fine, and that really does look like a nice tripod. I just need to convince myself that I want to go over budget for quality (shouldn't be that hard

)

Oh man, free shipping at BH too!!!

David_S85 · December 1, 2006

Gus is right. Always do the add-on height math. Mine is the Gitzo G1258, which is 51 inches high with the center column not extended. After the ballhead is added, its 55". Then add the height of the camera to eyepiece and its 58 or 59 inches. Now I'm 5'6" tall (or short), but the column extends another foot at least. And this is a small tripod, heightwise. I'd need to be taller than 6'6" for this small tripod to be inadequate.

pathfinder · December 1, 2006

Psssttt...

Listen to Andy!!:D

Good tools are forever!

Mongrel · December 1, 2006

May as well make it three...

Andy wrote:

Stop looking and buy this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=222271&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

under $140 after rebate.

It will survive a bomb attack.

I have those legs with a similar type head. Andy "knows whereof he speaks"

Seriously, you are talking $140!!! THE LEGS ALONE used to be MORE than that!

Stop farting around and pony up the extra $40

(If you *really* want cheap\good, the ONLY pods I'd recommend are the SLIK DX series)

UT Scott · December 1, 2006

Mongrel wrote:

Stop farting around and pony up the extra $40

Well I would if BH was accepting orders! I have to wait until saturday at 5:45 before my bank account takes a second beating this month :ivar

Tommyboy · December 2, 2006

Jeffro wrote:

I've had that tripod for years....survives everything. I have a ball head though.

I've had more-or-less the same tripod since 1980. Still going strong. I have a cool 3-way head and video fluid-head. Had a minor re-build in '96 or'97. May very well be the only one I'll ever own. They're great.

LuckyBob · December 2, 2006

I'll chime in and vouch for that combo also - I've got the 3001BPRO legs and the 3437 3D Mag head. I went with that head since it is quite small and light for the price and I really liked the feel of it in the store, but I've also heard good things about the 'pistol-grip' style ball heads; head to a store and play to get a feel for what you like.

As far as height, at full extension this combo puts my viewfinder at 65", which means I just barely have to scrunch my neck and as low as basically ground level since I can put the legs out straight and the center column on its side. I'd agree with the general meantality that you should save up and spend just enough to get the legs/head you want; otherwise you'll never enjoy using the tripod. Good luck!

Mr. 2H2O · December 2, 2006

I'll submit an opinion about my 72" total height tripod...I like the huge height because once I flip it over for portrait shots, I can adjust the height so that the viewfinder height is comfortable without squatting. Keep in mind, not only the tripod height, the head height, the plate height, but also your camera type, the height from the bottom of the camera to your viewfinder, and the style of shooing.

Mike

cletus · December 2, 2006

Andy's got the right idea.

I've got a similar setup. Same legs, but I've got a ball head.

The one thing I don't care for on my tripod is mine has the extra long center column. I hardly ever extend the column so I would be fine with the regular length. The extra long column just weighs a bit more and gets in the way when I'm trying to get down low.

LilleG · December 2, 2006

LuckyBob wrote:

I'll chime in and vouch for that combo also - I've got the 3001BPRO legs and the 3437 3D Mag head. I went with that head since it is quite small and light for the price and I really liked the feel of it in the store, but I've also heard good things about the 'pistol-grip' style ball heads; head to a store and play to get a feel for what you like.

I went with the same combo. I'm not as fond of the head though as I thought I would be. Bark my knuckles every times I loosen a knob! My daughter went with those legs and the pistol grip head and she loves it. Kinda' wish I had too.

Andy · December 3, 2006

excellent tripod here:
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/481355

better hurry.

UT Scott · December 3, 2006

Andy wrote:

excellent tripod here:
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/481355

better hurry.

Oh man, if only that came a few hours earlier. I just put my order in for the Bogen one! Oh well, still a good tripod!

Phyxius · December 3, 2006

Not as nice as the one Andy posted, but definatly IN you price range...
3 way pan head

Same but w/ball head

I have the first one, bought because it was the only one in the store that I liked and I needed one RIGHT THEN! It holds 11lbs and I've had 6+ on it. It's solid. It has twist joints (instead of flip tabs) which I like much better. However, there is no built-in level, if that's important to you.

I'm 6' and it's got more than enough height for me. Panning motion is VERY smooth and I let a pro videographer use it one weekend and they liked it too.

I bought mine at Ritz for $50

UT Scott · December 3, 2006

I actually looked at both of those. But I haven't really had good experience with sunpak, and bogen seems to have a good reputation.

wellman · December 5, 2006

Andy wrote:

Stop looking and buy this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=222271&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

under $140 after rebate.

It will survive a bomb attack.

I've been saving up for a set of Feisol carbon fiber legs and the 488RC2 ballhead, but after seeing (1) Andy's recommendation and (2) that the 3001BN legs are only 2/3 lb heavier than the CF legs, I'm reconsidering. I also see that the 3001BN+488RC2 combo is available from B&H. Plus, the price is appealing.

Do the twisties on the legs get in the way when you're trying to mount the tripod on a backpack for hiking? Is knocking into them accidentally a problem? I bruise.

Thanks!

Jeffro · December 5, 2006

wellman wrote:

I've been saving up for a set of Feisol carbon fiber legs and the 488RC2 ballhead, but after seeing (1) Andy's recommendation and (2) that the 3001BN legs are only 2/3 lb heavier than the CF legs, I'm reconsidering. I also see that the 3001BN+488RC2 combo is available from B&H. Plus, the price is appealing.

Do the twisties on the legs get in the way when you're trying to mount the tripod on a backpack for hiking? Is knocking into them accidentally a problem? I bruise.

Thanks!

I've never had a problem with them. I put mine in my rear pack pocket, and the "twisties" sometimes help with giving the netting something to hold on to.

UT Scott · December 7, 2006

Well my tripod arrived at my house today

but I don't get to play with it until I go home next week :cry

I did end up getting the Bogen 3001 legs and the 3029 head (thanks for the recomendation Andy!) I can't wait to get my hands on the tripod, but it got here just in time for my vacation next week!

Thanks to everyone for all the imput on my purchase!

How big is your Tripod?

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