I was recently doing some video using a Mafrotto 055 Carbon Fibre tripod with a Canon R5 and 500mm f4. It was quite a windy day and there was quite a bit of vibration/movement showing on the final video. Would it be better to use an aluminium tripod for stability?
Tripod Vibration
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Box Brownie
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If the centre column was raised that would be one cause of vibration in the wind. That aside..................some weight hung below the centre point (i.e. between the three legs) can improve stability and help to dampen vibrations.
THIRTYFIVEMILL
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You don't want a raised centre pole at all if possible. As I recall the Sachtler video tripods don't even have a centre pole.
GeordieStew
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CF is generally better (see comparison of Peak Design CF vs Alu)
thecentercolumn.com
Peak Design Travel Tripod Review
Tripods are ultimately pretty simple devices, and for the most part they don’t vary that much in their basic design. Differences in tube diameter, material, and number of leg sections accoun…
thecentercolumn.com
HoppyUK
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Aluminium vs carbon-fibre, the only meaningful difference is in weight (and cost).
Suggest drop the centre-column if you were using it, put a sandbag on top of the lens and add a long lens brace like this Manfrotto https://www.manfrotto.com/global/long-lens-support-359/
Suggest drop the centre-column if you were using it, put a sandbag on top of the lens and add a long lens brace like this Manfrotto https://www.manfrotto.com/global/long-lens-support-359/
rob-nikon
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Have a read of this website:
This article covers CF vs aluminium:
Carbon Fiber vs. Aluminum Tripods
Today, tripods are made predominantly from two materials, carbon fiber and aluminum. Those looking to invest in a set of tripod legs will often have to choose between the two. This could have bee…
thecentercolumn.com
Someone on here mentioned it a few weeks back. So far what I’ve read on there its possibly the best resource for information on tripods.
D
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Yes the center column stiffness measurements on the 055 show the CF only slightly stiffer at 1289 than the Al at 878 ( 3 section leg version )
But - carbon fibre has much better intrinsic damping and that is usually what counts as much as stiffness
I guess it’s the usual stuff of not extending the column and minimise ext of bottom legs then weights sandbags etc.
With my lighter 150-600 it was the foot on the lens that was flexing not the 055 Al + gimbal - I mounted the lens onto the arca plate with spacers and strapping - the vibes dissappeared.
I guess the 500/4 has a more substantial tripod foot so probably the tripod/ tripod setup itself causing your probs?
But - carbon fibre has much better intrinsic damping and that is usually what counts as much as stiffness
I guess it’s the usual stuff of not extending the column and minimise ext of bottom legs then weights sandbags etc.
With my lighter 150-600 it was the foot on the lens that was flexing not the 055 Al + gimbal - I mounted the lens onto the arca plate with spacers and strapping - the vibes dissappeared.
I guess the 500/4 has a more substantial tripod foot so probably the tripod/ tripod setup itself causing your probs?
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Wind and vibration usually go together. I suspect the weakest point is the head mounting. Some heads can really vibrate. There are steps you can take to try and minimise like removing lens hood, not using leg extensions,. shielding the camera with your body, car or a building and upping the shutter speed and ISO. Usually the combination of these is enough to get a pin sharp shot.