Very stable tripod

How much is your budget? The higher your budget the more stable its likely to be
 
I don't understand the reason for stipulating no central column? Are you saying that tripods with central columns are inherently imstable?
 
Yes, can't go wrong with a Gitzo. My Gitzo 1325 is 7yrs old and still going strong.
 
The most stable tripod I've ever used was a Gandolfi one. Wouldn't want to carry it far though... Made for 10x8 plate cameras and wooden.
 
I use a Feisol CT3472 with 32mm (largest Section) carbon fibre legs and no centre column, it's solid as a rock but not cheap at approaching £400.
psybear said:
I don't understand the reason for stipulating no central column? Are you saying that tripods with central columns are inherently imstable?
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Not inherently unstable but the centre column reduces the stability achieved by the 'triangulation' of the the three legs on their own, so all other things being equal the tripod without the centre column will be more stable.
 
psybear said:
I don't understand the reason for stipulating no central column? Are you saying that tripods with central columns are inherently imstable?
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Generally centre columns are compromised by the fact that they have to move so the locking mechanism is a potential point of movement. Also the higher the centre column is extended the more leverage any outside sources such as wind will have to amplify movement.

If the camera is mounted at the junction of the legs they there is less leverage and in theory more stability. I would never buy a centre column tripod if ultimate stability was my aim.

Different if you have a requirement for a specific moveable centre column for certain types of photography. I'm think tripods like Benbo.

I've got a Gitzo 5532 and it's excellent. It's very stable at max extension. I bought it for a 500f4 & 1DX. I use it for long exposure night shots also. I've not seen anything that comes close to it for stability. Expensive but IMHO worth it. They also do a 4 section one but I went for the 3 section as my theory was less joints more stability.
 
gramps said:
I use a Feisol CT3472 with 32mm (largest Section) carbon fibre legs and no centre column, it's solid as a rock but not cheap at approaching £400.


Not inherently unstable but the centre column reduces the stability achieved by the 'triangulation' of the the three legs on their own, so all other things being equal the tripod without the centre column will be more stable.
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I think it was yesterday that I said on here that I learn something new every day - that's today covered! Thanks.
 
Tripods are all about compromise between stability - v - portability. A studio tripod is no good for landscape photography due to its weight. My advice would be to go out and try a few.
 
I have recently bought a vanguard Auctus plus tripod which was their top of the range model. It's currently on sale at Wex for £124.00, reduced from £399.00 > http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-vanguard-auctus-plus-323at-aluminium-tripod/p1577605

I'm six foot and I wanted something without using the centre column and with this tripod I have dropped the bottom legs by 2 inches as when head and camera fitted it was a tad to tall. Other things I like are the shock absorber to column, it comes with 3 types of feet, normal, spiked and discs, the discs are excellent for me as the tripod is for home use on a kitchen tiled floor. The legs on this one are also 32mm and it also comes with a geared centre column and leg markers for quick adjustment. It's also rated to 18kgs and comes with a good quality carry bag. Very impressed so far.

The only downside I could find is the weight, which doesn't affect me for home use, but maybe a little too heavy if trecking.

Have a look at the video's on these links for quick spec >

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...S_PLUS_323AT_Auctus_Plus_323AT_3_Section.html

http://www.amazon.com/VANGUARD-Auctus-Plus-323AT-Tripod/dp/B005DD6W2O
 
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I use a Gitzo series four ( carbon fibre) tripod for mounting my Canon 5D Mk3 on when doing long exposure astrophotography of aurora. It's extremely solid - I have taken shots in Iceland on very windy nights and it is excellent. No centre column and had a solid hook under the top to hang a camera bag from to stabilise the tripod if needed. I also use it for landscape work and I find no problem carrying it up hills etc despite being an unfit 67 year old.if you follow the link to my web site ( still under construction so it needs tweaking a bit) all the aurora shots were taken with that combination of camera and tripod.
Hope that helps
James
 
Oh - and I forgot to mention - the tripod fully extended is high enough for me to look up at the camera when it's pointing up at the stars and I'm just a little short of six foot high.
James
 
jbw said:
I use a Gitzo series four ( carbon fibre) tripod for mounting my Canon 5D Mk3 on when doing long exposure astrophotography of aurora. It's extremely solid - I have taken shots in Iceland on very windy nights and it is excellent. No centre column and had a solid hook under the top to hang a camera bag from to stabilise the tripod if needed. I also use it for landscape work and I find no problem carrying it up hills etc despite being an unfit 67 year old.if you follow the link to my web site ( still under construction so it needs tweaking a bit) all the aurora shots were taken with that combination of camera and tripod.
Hope that helps
James
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£700 for a tripod.... :( Just when I think that maybe this hobby isn't so expensive after all.

Edit: same fantastic aurora images there James, and a very nice site.
 
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Overkill above. He just probably needs manfrotto 055xprob or similar. Cheap, sturdy and heavy (one requires the other)

Then fit a short centre column if you want.

Then pick a stable nice head.
 
I think a Gitzo GT3542XLS systematic is what your looking for, very tall with no center column.
 
I have Manfrotto 055CXPro3 and find it VERY stable (with say 70-200Mk2/100-400Mk2 and tele, not sure I'd trust it with 500f4 etc), I don't often use the centre column as I find it tall enough just on the three legs, the 055 can be configured in a number of ways with the centre column as it can be inverted or flipped out sideways for low level macro work or track side action shots etc, I find it a very versatile tripod and cheap now as an old model, guess it depends what you want from it.
 
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psybear said:
£700 for a tripod.... :( Just when I think that maybe this hobby isn't so expensive after all.

Edit: same fantastic aurora images there James, and a very nice site.
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Buy well buy once is my view. If the OP is going to use it a lot then it justifies its price. If he's not then cheaper options would be sensible.

daugirdas said:
Overkill above. He just probably needs manfrotto 055xprob or similar. Cheap, sturdy and heavy (one requires the other)


Then fit a short centre column if you want.

Then pick a stable nice head.
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Not overkill at all. The 055 isn't in the same league as my Gitzo when it comes to stability at full height. Much cheaper yes but nowhere near as stable. And I'm speaking from experience not guesswork made on price differential.
 
What head do you use with the Gitzo, Gary?
 
Gaz J said:
Buy well buy once is my view. If the OP is going to use it a lot then it justifies its price. If he's not then cheaper options would be sensible.



Not overkill at all. The 055 isn't in the same league as my Gitzo when it comes to stability at full height. Much cheaper yes but nowhere near as stable. And I'm speaking from experience not guesswork made on price differential.
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I don't dispute that the more expensive one will be better at supporting gear such as long telephotos. From experience 5D3 with common landscape lenses are perfectly happy on 190 / 055 series unless you are shooting in a huricane or on a soft sinking mud.
 
Guess depends on what OP is mounting, on my 055 I have no prob with 100-400 or 70-200 BUT I do stay with it with normal leg width at full height, not sure I'd be happy with 500 or 600 primes :confused: low level maybe..
 
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arthurbikemad said:
I have Manfrotto 055CXPro3 and find it VERY stable (with say 70-200Mk2/100-400Mk2 and tele, not sure I'd trust it with 500f4 etc), I don't often use the centre column as I find it tall enough just on the three legs, the 055 can be configured in a number of ways with the centre column as it can be inverted or flipped out sideways for low level macro work or track side action shots etc, I find it a very versatile tripod and cheap now as an old model, guess it depends what you want from it.
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This is one of the tripods I've been considering and keep coming back to. It's not really tall enough for me to look through the without raising the centre column, but I've been finding that I only view through the VF to compose the shot and then use the flippy screen after that and find having the camera that bit lower is more of a comfortable working height.

I've gone round and round in circles with tripods though, and it'll probably be another 12M before I make my mind up :oops: :$:LOL:
 
mwhahhah none of those gitzo smitzos are more stable than my Manfrotto 161mk2 - a true beast of a tripod - weighs over 10kg with head on though so you wouldn't want to carry it far - I bought it of eBay years ago for just over a £100 but its still available new
 
Haakon said:
mwhahhah none of those gitzo smitzos are more stable than my Manfrotto 161mk2 - a true beast of a tripod - weighs over 10kg with head on though so you wouldn't want to carry it far - I bought it of eBay years ago for just over a £100 but its still available new
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I will add the pic so people understand :) :D lol

44515887_375181_full.jpg
 
Thanks everyone for suggestions .
After a long research I stopped on 3 tripods :
1. Calumet CK 8157
https://www.calphoto.co.uk/product/Calumet-8157-4-Section-8x-Carbon-Fibre-Tripod/CK8157

2. Feisol CT-3371
http://www.globaltechcommerce.co.uk/feisoluk/14-ct-3371-large.html

3. Manfrotto mt055cxpro3
http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-...fpnojzyxlw1kouseptufl9cari1m_du2yyaarbh8p8haq

My final choice was Manfrotto MT055CXpro3. You can get one from Wex for £242.10 if you use discount code POD-10.

Now I have to chose a good head for it).


 
I use the equivalent of a Benro Travel Angel 2, CF version.. I find it the ideal compromise, pretty light so I take it everywhere but also nice and study, in the 4 years I've used it I can't think of a situation it's let me down

Simon
 
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