Carbon Fibre Tripod for 6,4 Tall Person

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jpwild

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For the past year my 450D and various lenses have served me well and got me started on this great hobby. I also have got Flipside 300 and Redsnappper 284 and rsh12 ballhead.

However, this is my new gear (some has yet to arrive)

Canon 5DMK II
Canon 17-40 F4/L
Canon 24-70 F2.8L
Canon 70-200 F4/L IS
Lowepro Vertex 200

One thing I am still not decided is my tripod. Redsnapper is a fine tripod for what it is, but I do tend to go on long day walks in countryside and it can get heavy. 1970 G + the 670g in weight of the ball head. With my new gear I will be carrying a heavier load with me.

I am 6.4 tall as well, and I mainly do landscape shooting in countryside.

I'm still looking at 'Frotto tripods, and others. My budget will not stretch to the Gitzo tripods, but would appreciate any suggestions. I know I've asked this question before and so have others, but I still can't decide.

Current height of my tripod is around 127 CM tall I think without head and camera attached. I would like a tripod that is perhaps taller, but I am not interested that much in a vertical centre column as that can compromise stability.


Also, would I benefit from having a tripod colar for my 70-200 and how about the 24-70 as I know that is quite heavy bit of kit, would that need a colar too?

So yes, I would like suggestions for a tripod and head that is lighter than my current setup, but sturdy (even if I have to have a bag attached to the centre part)

Would my existing tripod and head handle my new gear fine?
 
I have the Carbon Fibre Redsnapper. I use a manfrotto 460MG head and this handles my 7D with 70-200 F4 IS without an issue.

I think that ball head is rated to a similar weight.

TBH if you want sturdy, getting much lower than 1.6KG of the carbon Redsnapper will be pretty difficult, especially with anything like a decent height.

Going too light just means wobble generally.....
 
I'm a little taller than you (6' 5") and I've found it near impossible to get a tripod that's tall enough. I finally bit the bullet and spent a lot of money on an Induro CT313.

Before that I used a Velbon CF-630 Pro. But that was still 1.6kg and was around 15cm too short. Anything much lighter than that is going to be too short, too unstable or both.
 
oh and FYI I am 6' 2" and the Redsnapper is pretty decent for height (I try not to use the center column either)
 
mipevo6 said:
I have the Carbon Fibre Redsnapper. I use a manfrotto 460MG head and this handles my 7D with 70-200 F4 IS without an issue.

I think that ball head is rated to a similar weight.

TBH if you want sturdy, getting much lower than 1.6KG of the carbon Redsnapper will be pretty difficult, especially with anything like a decent height.

Going too light just means wobble generally.....
Click to expand...

I think any potential tripod would be around the 1.6KG area. That would mean I am buying a new tripod 300G less than what I have now, and on a days walk that might end up being quite a bit.

Do you use a tripod mount with your setup?
 
jpwild said:
I think any potential tripod would be around the 1.6KG area. That would mean I am buying a new tripod 300G less than what I have now, and on a days walk that might end up being quite a bit.

Do you use a tripod mount with your setup?
Click to expand...

What do you mean by a tripod mount ?

Cheers
 
While you're on a spree, it sounds like you need a carbon Benro. C-357 will get the camera to your eye level without using the column. This is a big tripod, very light for the size, top quality and cheap compared to Gitzo (Benro and Induro are the same). Recommended supplier http://cgi.ebay.com/New-BENRO-C-357...744?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item483ec00080 and with luck, nothing extra to pay. I would suggest the J-2 head.

I have the C-257 plus J-2, and that will do the job for your outfit - apart from the extra height. Probably the better choice considering the extra weight and price, and I guess you're used to stooping a bit ;)

I have the 70-200L 4 and bought a tripod collar, but never use it. It's okay with a decent ball head. B-2 head is mechanically the same inside as the J-2 I think, just different locking mechs, and a bit cheaper.

Also consider an L-bracket - makes vertical shooting a pleasure instead of a pain. I got a Markins - quality, lighter than most, cheaper than some. Lives permanetly on the camera, clamps directly to the head :thumbs:
 
Gitzo 5 series XL :) i am just under 6 foot and at full height and the camera mounted it is at eye level
 
HoppyUK said:
While you're on a spree, it sounds like you need a carbon Benro. C-357 will get the camera to your eye level without using the column. This is a big tripod, very light for the size, top quality and cheap compared to Gitzo (Benro and Induro are the same). Recommended supplier http://cgi.ebay.com/New-BENRO-C-357...744?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item483ec00080 and with luck, nothing extra to pay.
Click to expand...

This, and the Induro CT313 which does seem to be identical, are the only two recommendations that actually fit the height requirement - big enough for somebody 6' 4" without the centre column being raised.
 
hollis_f said:
This, and the Induro CT313 which does seem to be identical, are the only two recommendations that actually fit the height requirement - big enough for somebody 6' 4" without the centre column being raised.
Click to expand...

Sorry but your wrong :)
 
hollis_f said:
This, and the Induro CT313 which does seem to be identical, are the only two recommendations that actually fit the height requirement - big enough for somebody 6' 4" without the centre column being raised.
Click to expand...

Just to clarify, the Giottos MTL8271B will do the job. At 160cm tall with no centre column it will be pretty much spot on for someone of 6'4" looking to use a tripod with no centre column being raised. :thumbs:
 
bostin said:
Just to clarify, the Giottos MTL8271B will do the job. At 160cm tall with no centre column it will be pretty much spot on for someone of 6'4" looking to use a tripod with no centre column being raised. :thumbs:
Click to expand...

Whoops! Yup.
 
I find the ideal height for a tripod is 15in less than your own height. You want it a bit below your eye line, so you can actually see the top plate and controls!

Something like this - four inches is the distance from the top of your head to your eye, then four inches for the height of the camera, four inches for the height of the head, plus a bit more for comfortable viewing - say 15in total.

So, if you're 6ft 4in, the ideal working height would be 76in minus 15in = 61in = 155cm.

Benro C-257 is 141cm, C-357 is 158cm, and C-358 is 160.5cm. The latter has four section legs so it also folds a bit shorter.
 
Not sure if you can get it in carbon fibre, but I got a Giotto MTL9361B for Xmas and at 6'4" don't have to bend down without extending the centre column.

Think it's great for £80 with the only negative being its not all that portable.
 
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