New Tripod

[MarkBarbieri]

I just added a new tripod to the stable. I bought a Gitzo GT2540 Mountaineer. I'll use it for trips and alongside my G2227 Explorer at home.

I wanted a second tripod for a couple of reasons. Now that I'm using the video camera more, I wanted separate tripods so that I wouldn't have to swap heads and so that I could use both at once. I also wanted something a little smaller and lighter for traveling.

My capacity requirement was essentially the same - full sized DSLR + 70-200mm f/2.8 occasionally with a 1.4x teleconverter or a mid-size video camera.

The mountaineer is essentially a "standard" tripod. The explorer models have a center column that can be tilted out to extend the horizontal reach of your tripod. I decided to forgo the extra flexibility of the explorer model in favor of lower weight of the mountaineer. If I could only have one, I'd have gotten an explorer, but with two, I felt that the mountaineer was OK. I really wanted a Traveler, but the capacity was just too low for my needs.

The specs on the new tripod are:
Height: 52.4" (61.4" with center column extended")
Weight: 3.1 lbs.
Min Height: 11.4 in
Pack length: 22.0 in
Material: 6x CF

 

[boBQuincy]

It must be new tripod week! I just got a Velbon EL Carmagne 640. The "car" is for carbon fiber of course, the "ma" is for marketing!

I chose the Velbon partly because they had the largest diameter legs in that range, which equates to greater stability if all else is equal (which it usually is not). Anyway, the tripod looks massive but is light and is very steady. It will get tested on the next full moon, then it's trial by fire photographing fireworks on our next WDW trip!

Now I need a Really Right Stuff ballhead...

 

[mhutchinson]

It must be new tripod week! I just got a Velbon EL Carmagne 640. The "car" is for carbon fiber of course, the "ma" is for marketing! (

And all this time I had thought that the "car" meant you can finance it out like a new car at up to 84 months

 

[AndrewWG]

Bob,

When are you going to WDW? Will you be there the 22nd through the 27th? Any of those days?

 

[fitzperry]

And all this time I had thought that the "car" meant you can finance it out like a new car at up to 84 months

That makes a nice segue into my question, which is . . . . are those fancy schmancy tripods really worth all that $$$? I suppose they're made from space age materials that are indestructible but weigh almost nothing. Nevertheless if I had one it would probably still be sitting at home in my closet when I really need it, just like the $30 one I have. Am I missing out on something here?

 

[MarkBarbieri]

That makes a nice segue into my question, which is . . . . are those fancy schmancy tripods really worth all that $$$? I suppose they're made from space age materials that are indestructible but weigh almost nothing. Nevertheless if I had one it would probably still be sitting at home in my closet when I really need it, just like the $30 one I have. Am I missing out on something here?

It depends. If it is going to sit in your closet, even a $30 tripod isn't much of a bargain. The "exotic" material tripods are lighter and stiffer. How much value that adds depends on several factors.

The strength and stiffness you need in a tripod depends on how heavy your camera and lens are and what the focal length is. A tripod designed to hold a Canon S5 is going to be pretty light even if it's made of aluminum. A tripod designed to hold a D3 with a 600mm lens is going to be heavy in carbon fiber and very heavy in aluminum.

If all you ever do with a tripod is throw it in your trunk, drive to your photo shoot location, carry it 50 feet, and set it, I wouldn't worry about the weight. If you are throwing it onto your backpack for a 5 day backcountry trip, I'd worry about every ounce.

If you plan on spending $1,000 over the next 5 years on camera gear, spending $500 of that on a tripod would be a bad idea. If you plan on spending $10,000 over the next 5 years on camera gear, a $500 tripod might make sense for you.

So to summarize, the amount of weight savings depends on what you are using the tripod for. How much a lighter tripod will benefit you depends on how often and how far you carry it. How much that is worth in dollar terms depends on how many dollars you have and what their alternate uses are. In other words, only you can really say whether or not the it's worth it.

It should be noted, however, that even CF tripods aren't exactly featherweights. They are typically about 25% less in weight than equivalent tripods that cost about half as much.

 

[Master Mason]

That makes a nice segue into my question, which is . . . . are those fancy schmancy tripods really worth all that $$$? I suppose they're made from space age materials that are indestructible but weigh almost nothing. Nevertheless if I had one it would probably still be sitting at home in my closet when I really need it, just like the $30 one I have. Am I missing out on something here?

I don't know about you, but I am much more likely to leave something I paid 30 bucks for in the closet, rather than something I paid 300 plus for..... If I wanted it bad enough to spend that much, then I had better make use of it...

And I just got my new tripod a couple of weeks ago, got the slik 714 it is also CF... for about the same weight as my cheapy that I had, I now have a very solid support.

 

[boBQuincy]

Bob,

When are you going to WDW? Will you be there the 22nd through the 27th? Any of those days?

No, we rarely go to WDW on holidays, it's fun but too crowded for us. We usually go the first week of December for our wedding anniversary ( Seabreeze Point).

I plan to photograph the full moon over one of the local lakes this month. The 24th or 25th should have the best mix of sunlight and moonlight.

 

[AndrewWG]

No, we rarely go to WDW on holidays, it's fun but too crowded for us. We usually go the first week of December for our wedding anniversary ( Seabreeze Point).

I plan to photograph the full moon over one of the local lakes this month. The 24th or 25th should have the best mix of sunlight and moonlight.

Bummer. Oh well. I know that the crowd level will be insane for the first couple days, but after that I think it calms down a little. We should have at least 2 days where it is not too bad. I hope...

 

[boBQuincy]

If you plan on spending $1,000 over the next 5 years on camera gear, spending $500 of that on a tripod would be a bad idea. If you plan on spending $10,000 over the next 5 years on camera gear, a $500 tripod might make sense for you.

So to summarize, the amount of weight savings depends on what you are using the tripod for. How much a lighter tripod will benefit you depends on how often and how far you carry it. How much that is worth in dollar terms depends on how many dollars you have and what their alternate uses are.

I don't *plan* to spend that much on photo equipment, it just happens! When you have two dSLRs in the family and both want the same lens/flash/tripod at the same time, it costs 2X!

I thought about a 40D but figured the tripod would improve my photos more for less $$$. I looked at a Slik on Master Mason's advice and it looked very good. The Velbon won out on the larger diameter legs (and lost on some other points). It looks like those two are in direct competition for those of us who just won't spring for a Gitzo.

Even one pound saved at WDW feels like it's worth $1000 after a 12 hour day!

 

[Groucho]

One other thing about CF vs aluminum is that reportedly CF dampens vibrations better. Not sure how much that makes a difference in the real world, but there you go...

When I was shopping for them, I did notice that there are plenty of CF tripods that are not much lighter than the aluminum versions. One of the things that led me to the Slik was that it was only 3 lbs, which is lighter than some of the other comparable ones - it's also in kind of a "sweet spot" for me in terms of height and load ability, none of the others (from Amvona/Dynatran up to Gitzos) were precisely comparable. I remember looking a little at one of the Gitzo Moutaineers but I think it was a little too short or a little too heavy, or something like that... sometimes it's a curse being tall. On the other hand, it helps a lot when shooting over a crowd!

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I did notice that there are plenty of CF tripods that are not much lighter than the aluminum versions.

It's not uncommon to see two similar sized tripods where one is aluminum and one is CF and the weight difference isn't even 25%. In those cases, the capacity of the CF tripod is usually substantially higher. You can get reach reasonable stability with a smaller, thinner legged CF tripod compared with aluminum.

 

[AndrewWG]

When I was shopping for them, I did notice that there are plenty of CF tripods that are not much lighter than the aluminum versions. One of the things that led me to the Slik was that it was only 3 lbs, which is lighter than some of the other comparable ones - it's also in kind of a "sweet spot" for me in terms of height and load ability, none of the others (from Amvona/Dynatran up to Gitzos) were precisely comparable.

I just won one of the Amvona/Dynatran tripods on ebay. I also got the ball head to go with it. Seems like a good deal as it holds almost 18lbs, is only 3.5 lbs (4.5 with head) and can extend to something like 62". That is more than enough for me as with the ball head it goes to 65" and with the camera, it will be just about eye level. The only drawback (if it is a drawback) is that it is aluminum and not CF. I'll live with that since the whole thing cost me only $75 with their rediculous shipping costs. I just couldn't swing $300 right now and I'm leaving for WDW in less than 2 weeks. Of course, one thing to remember is that this is a SIGNIFICANT upgrade from the piece of junk that I had before which held a total of 4lbs and it wasn't very sturdy with even less than that. And, heck, this even comes with a carrying bag! I'll look like Mark in the parks before long! Just kiding, Mark.

 

[boBQuincy]

Bummer. Oh well. I know that the crowd level will be insane for the first couple days, but after that I think it calms down a little. We should have at least 2 days where it is not too bad. I hope...

Maybe you can get some photos with the full moon over one of the park icons. I always think about it but am rarely there on the right days.

 

[fitzperry]

Bummer. Oh well. I know that the crowd level will be insane for the first couple days, but after that I think it calms down a little. We should have at least 2 days where it is not too bad. I hope...

We were there last year during T-giving week, and it was crazy CROWDED. But it looks like you'll be there awhile after the holiday mob clears out. And everything will be decorated for the holidays. Sounds lovely to me--have a great trip!

 

[fitzperry]

It depends. If it is going to sit in your closet, even a $30 tripod isn't much of a bargain. The "exotic" material tripods are lighter and stiffer. How much value that adds depends on several factors.

The strength and stiffness you need in a tripod depends on how heavy your camera and lens are and what the focal length is. A tripod designed to hold a Canon S5 is going to be pretty light even if it's made of aluminum. A tripod designed to hold a D3 with a 600mm lens is going to be heavy in carbon fiber and very heavy in aluminum.

If all you ever do with a tripod is throw it in your trunk, drive to your photo shoot location, carry it 50 feet, and set it, I wouldn't worry about the weight. If you are throwing it onto your backpack for a 5 day backcountry trip, I'd worry about every ounce.

If you plan on spending $1,000 over the next 5 years on camera gear, spending $500 of that on a tripod would be a bad idea. If you plan on spending $10,000 over the next 5 years on camera gear, a $500 tripod might make sense for you.

So to summarize, the amount of weight savings depends on what you are using the tripod for. How much a lighter tripod will benefit you depends on how often and how far you carry it. How much that is worth in dollar terms depends on how many dollars you have and what their alternate uses are. In other words, only you can really say whether or not the it's worth it.

It should be noted, however, that even CF tripods aren't exactly featherweights. They are typically about 25% less in weight than equivalent tripods that cost about half as much.

Well, the $30 tripod is a bargain because it's there when we need it--for the video camera on Christmas morning, group shots on the beach (I take it on trips; I just don't carry it with me unless I have some specific plan to use it) and such. I guess I've just always figured I get more bang for my photography buck spending money on other equipment. As usual my needs are somewhere in the middle--no plans to acquire a 600mm lens or tackle a week long back country hiking trip, but I do enjoy nighttime photography and plan to do more of it as our kids get older (at this point I don't have much opportunity for it when we travel). My dh is considering having lasik early next year. I think that justifies a comparable budget for photography equipment for me.

 

[AndrewWG]

Maybe you can get some photos with the full moon over one of the park icons. I always think about it but am rarely there on the right days.

That is a great idea! I'll have to look closely before I compose my shots I guess. Would be great if it is right above the castle!

 

[AndrewWG]

We were there last year during T-giving week, and it was crazy CROWDED. But it looks like you'll be there awhile after the holiday mob clears out. And everything will be decorated for the holidays. Sounds lovely to me--have a great trip!

Yeah, I went once at Thanksgiving before and it was crowded. However, the good thing is that whenever I get the chances to go, it is always crowded, so it doesn't seem any different to me really. The couple days after that weekend should be nice and quiet though. At least that is my hope.

 

[Master Mason]

Crowed or not crowded, your still at Disney, so it can't be all that bad...

 

[AndrewWG]

Crowed or not crowded, your still at Disney, so it can't be all that bad...

Exactly!