tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826231802859523569.post8965479101846985195..comments2024-02-12T03:21:03.402-08:00Comments on Ron Martinsen's Photography Blog: Tripod Recommendations–2013 (Updated Aug 13, 2013)ronmartblog.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06815090271742112506noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826231802859523569.post-38691554012529118882013-12-04T14:14:02.920-08:002013-12-04T14:14:02.920-08:00
Thanks for the follow up comment and your effort...<br /><br />Thanks for the follow up comment and your efforts to help others.Kirknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826231802859523569.post-1812074010927318082013-12-02T00:49:03.971-08:002013-12-02T00:49:03.971-08:00Kirk,
RRS makes a fine tripod, but I think it'...Kirk,<br /><br />RRS makes a fine tripod, but I think it's overpriced and more bulky than what most people really need. People coming from bad tripods tend to overcompensate, but the reality is that a GT1541 with a good head is going to more than meet the needs of anyone using lenses under 400mm f/2.8 and doing exposures for 30 seconds or less.<br /><br />Ronronmartblog.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06815090271742112506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826231802859523569.post-84759561540414656042013-11-27T09:48:17.585-08:002013-11-27T09:48:17.585-08:00Ron,
You have reviewed RRS ball heads but nothing...Ron,<br /><br />You have reviewed RRS ball heads but nothing about their tripods. Not having a tripod or ball head yet I have been doing my homework for a future purchase. Keep thinking that it might be smarter to buy a tripod and head combination from RRS because customer service for repairs or parts might be quicker if ever needed. Would enjoy hearing your opinion about RRS legs in the future.Kirknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826231802859523569.post-44424942066250010812013-09-03T21:09:38.697-07:002013-09-03T21:09:38.697-07:00Ron, Thanks for the great information on your blog...Ron, Thanks for the great information on your blog. I'm a photo enthusiast focusing mostly on landscapes. I'm looking for a tripod that will bring my viewfinder to about eye level without raising the center column. Eye level for me is about 66" (I'm 73" tall). I figure that the camera on a head will raise the viewfinder about 6". So I'm looking for a tripod height of about 60" without raising the center column. All of the tripods you recommend are at least 5" short of that height. I'm willing to raise the center column when necessary, but I would prefer not to raise it (at least when I'm on level ground). I also realize that I won't always want to compose the frame at that height (perspective). That said, can you recommend a tripod, preferably under $500, that is at least 60" high without raising the center column?Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17413898366944902383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826231802859523569.post-75792894195639055602013-08-28T01:06:21.880-07:002013-08-28T01:06:21.880-07:00Hi David,
Sorry for the delayed reply but I have ...Hi David,<br /><br />Sorry for the delayed reply but I have been on vacation. <br /><br />Yes, for mirrorless a tabletop tripod like the <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/30592-REG/Leica_14100_Table_Tripod.html/BI/2071/KBID/2787" rel="nofollow">Leica Tabletop Tripod</a> is a great choice. However, I just use my <a href="http://www.ronmartblog.com/2011/05/review-gitzo-gt1541the-perfect-hiking.html" rel="nofollow">Gitzo GT1541</a> when testing mirrorless cameras. You can get away with a lightweight ballhead <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/29953-REG/Leica_14110_Large_Ball_And_Socket.html/BI/2071/KBID/2787" rel="nofollow">like this</a> with a mirrorless to help save weight, but I still have that smaller head on my wish list.ronmartblog.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06815090271742112506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826231802859523569.post-76766974017788287712013-08-25T08:29:30.996-07:002013-08-25T08:29:30.996-07:00Interesting- gonna go read this again now. I read ...Interesting- gonna go read this again now. I read this when it came out a couple weeks back and that ended up with me getting the Gitzo 2531ex. I'm psyched for the rapid head bit as I have a 100 2.8 is for portraits but neglect good macros- so not anymore. Anyways- the thing is is that after having it delivered last week I began to hear people saying that you ought not to use it in sea water. And I do a lot of work with the legs deep. Did consider the Gitzo Ocean series, but only for a second as that stainless steel kit is prohibitively expensive: like 2500 bucks! So I figure I'll just not worry about it and use it in the ocean then clean it and relube with white lithium grease. This is replaceing an old Manfrotto who's steel hardware always rusts out on their leg locks and after trying to replace them (Manfrotto customer service is the World's Worst, Ever!!) I gave up. Shame I had to scrap a perfectly good set of legs in that Manfrotto, would have lasted another 50 years. It's a model 055 by the way. Very common. Nate Parkerhttp://nateparkerphotography.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826231802859523569.post-35977552306993584142013-08-24T17:32:21.518-07:002013-08-24T17:32:21.518-07:00Any recommendation for a good travel tripod for mi...Any recommendation for a good travel tripod for mirrorless systems?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07137272809257576017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826231802859523569.post-34839769345810448382013-08-16T16:04:38.731-07:002013-08-16T16:04:38.731-07:00I bought the Slik 700 a few years ago and paired i...I bought the Slik 700 a few years ago and paired it with an Acratech head. It's been very solid for me. The weight doesn't bother me either -- I'm already toting pounds of me and gear anyway. I care about results, not name badges.itissteveinmnhttp://www.therightpixels.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826231802859523569.post-3219493067860556742011-05-05T09:00:15.912-07:002011-05-05T09:00:15.912-07:00Hi Ron,
I was looking for that elusive combinatio...Hi Ron,<br /><br />I was looking for that elusive combination of light weight, compact and still sturdy. I compared the Gitzo to the Induro CT014 side by side and actually liked the Induro better. The fact that it was less than half the price of the Gitzo was a bonus, but honestly I bought it on features and quality alone. You may want to check them out next time.Mark Olwickhttp://www.olwickphotography.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826231802859523569.post-3029862728381943972011-05-04T16:14:48.495-07:002011-05-04T16:14:48.495-07:00I agree with Ron's comment. As a long time ow...I agree with Ron's comment. As a long time owner of the BH-40, I am well aware of the initial 'drift' that occurs when locking down the head. I've learned to compensate for this, but I've never been particularly satisfied. Having just recently 'upgraded' to the BH-55, I can report that this head is rock-solid and stable and, once locked down, it does not move. The only penalty is that it is heavy and now my Gitzo 2531 feels a bit top-heavy. I will still use the BH-40 when traveling overseas and weight is an issue.Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15333327032168279426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826231802859523569.post-41423775312855606272011-05-04T10:53:51.387-07:002011-05-04T10:53:51.387-07:00If you have a 70-200 2.8 you'll find that with...If you have a 70-200 2.8 you'll find that with bodies like a D700 or 5DM2 that you get more drift from the head after you lock down with the smaller ball heads.<br /><br />The BH-55 is bulky, but I prefer stability over weight reduction. <br /><br />Like I said, if u want to try a 40, then pick one up used to save some money and minimize your losses if u later upgrade. I wouldn't pay full price for the 40.ronmartblog.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06815090271742112506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826231802859523569.post-70426492111743269702011-05-04T10:46:38.842-07:002011-05-04T10:46:38.842-07:00Ron, since I am interested in purchasing a RRS hea...Ron, since I am interested in purchasing a RRS head, I have a question for you. <br /><br />You say "most end up needing the added support" of the BH-55. The spec page of the BH-40 say is the BH-40 has a Load Capacity: of 18 lb., and the BH-30 Load capacity: 15 lb. This more than you should ever need. In addition if I was pushing this weight You would want a gimbal. So what do mean by your statement of "most end up needing the added support"? Plus the 55 weighs in at a whopping 1.9 lbs, compared to 1.1 and 10oz. <br />I'm just trying to understand the advantages of going with 55 considering the extra price and weight. What makes it better?Ryan Sextonhttp://www.myuglyphotos.comnoreply@blogger.com