Tripod Advice (Wildlife Photography)

[monkeyleader]

Morning all,

Sorry for YATQ ... been meaning to post this for a while. I'm in the market for a new tripod - my current pairing is a Manfrotto 190D (my very first tripod purchased many many moons ago) and the Benro GH2 for 90% of the Wildlife stuff that I do. My main frustrations with this combo are mainly to do with how quickly I can adjust the tripod in the field - user error perhaps

I'll still be using the new tripod with the Benro GH2 (the 190D would be coupled with a ball head and used for macro and landscape stuff) ....

A couple of pointers

- while I don't want to be lugging around something at 200lbs I'm also not concerned about it being a lightweight travel tripod. It will travel with me but I'll just take the weight.
- being a wildlife photographer who does not mind getting his feet wet it will be placed in some pretty hostile environments (water for example)
- I'm 5 foot 10 if that makes any difference when considering maximum height .. oh and a GSOH
- Really want to be able to get down low with it as well ..
- Budget of around £500

Any advice greatly appreciated ...

kind regards,

Nigel

 

[mpe]

The most important requirement when selecting a tripod for wildlife is the focal length of your longest lens. Contrary to common belief the load factor is not at all important. It is almost impossible to find a tripod that has lower declared load factor than even the heaviest body + lens combination on the market.

The focal length is important because the focal length is closely related to susceptibility to micro-vibrations. And vibrations create image blur. Depending on the focal length, pixel size of your camera, print size, it might not be that obvious, but it is there. I won't go to details, but there is a physics behind this. You can reduce vibrations by using a stronger material (however, there are limits) or tubes with bigger diameter. There are no shortcuts.

The rule of thumb is that for 300mm you want the top leg sections to be at least 29mm in diameter. For 400mm you want at least 34mm and 37mm-40mm for 500mm and more.

That means Gitzo 2541, 3542 or 5542 for 300mm, 400mm and 600mm lenses. These aren't cheap, but you won't get anything better.

If you want to save some money, you can try Feisol 2542 or 3472 (29mm and 37mm legs). These are well made and they don't cost that much. Just don't expect the same quality as with Gitzo.

The popular Manfrotto 055 series (28mm) is also very good for up to 300mm. However, it is quite big and long when folded compared to other 29mm sections tripods.

 

[tijuana taxi]

Gitzo series 3 systematic is a good compromise between weight, load bearing and stability along with portability, these are the type without a centre column

My older 3540LS is the 4 leg section model (third digit denotes leg section count) and folds down to 55cm, weighs 1.7kg, load rating is up to 18kg and stands just shy of 5ft when extended. To give you an idea of that height, I am 6ft tall and with a ballhead plus Canon 5D I am on tiptoe to see the top lcd

Presumably the newer 3542LS is of a comparable specification and would imagine it to have a few enhancements as is the norm

Only con I can think of is how easily the rubber feet come undone, no joke at twenty quid for a new set although I use rubber walking stick ends from the hardware shop at three for £1.50 (this may well have been sorted on the latest model)

I believe there is now also a series 4 although I have never used or even seen one, the series 3 is very popular with wildlife photographers although mine is used for everything which it does admirably whilst remaining compact/light enough to cart about everywhere

Gitzo currently has 15% off until the end of March if you buy from them direct although their discounted price would obviously need to be compared with the cost at other outlets

If you are a member of birdforum, this could be worth a look if its still for sale http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=277116&highlight=gitzo

 

[danbroad]

I just use a big double-barrelled polystyrene-filled bean bag, specifically for wildlife watching - I bought it off here a few years ago. Lighter than a tripod, doesn't mind the mud, and can be used as a seat, a low-level tripod in either its portrait or landscape orientation, or as a window pod as fences/wires/branches/hide windows fit into the gap in the middle. No weight limits, no vibrations due to wind, no worries about quick readjustments for angle. It offers the freedom of a Wimberley head at a fraction of the weight and by my quick estimation leaves, oh, about £485 of your budget free for other duties!