Tripods

[duncan22]

I got the impression that the heavier (or more sturdier) a tripod was the better it was but there are many carbon fibre tripods on the market which are fairly light and certainly not cheap.
I can understand that build and quality have much to do with price but is a light tripod any use out of doors ? or is it a compromise along the lines that having a light tripod is better than nothing ?

[ianpinion]

Hi Duncan,

It's an interesting observation about tripods, which throws up as many questions as answers. However, the simplest way of looking at it is to factor in the weight of the camera and lens that is being used with the tripod.

Most basic entry level DSLRs and the cheaper lenses are not particularly heavy, so it's important if you're using this class of equipment to buy a really sturdy and heavy tripod, becuase the slightest bit of breeze would move anything lightweight.

Most Semi-Professional DSLRs and the Pro-quality lenses on the otherhand are quite heavy, because of the camera chassis, the metal casing, the extra dense glass elements in the lenses etc. and what you need then is a tripod which is strong enough to support all that weight. Hence, the Pros carry carbon fibre tripods because they need the added strength but don't necessarily need the extra weight to support their equipment on to make it sturdy.

So its really a case of horses for courses. I myself have a light camera body, with a few heavier lenses and still use my Giottos MTL9361B tripod with the MH5001 Head when out taking landscapes. I find it provides me with a good sturdy base even in quite blustery conditions.

[Eyeayen]

The trouble with most things we all need for photography is you get what you pay for. If you intend to be out in all weathers then a better quality tripos should last longer. Cold is a factor with cheap tripods, things get brittle in the cold and can and do snap off, yes I speak from experience but you can probably shop about and find something mid priced that will do the trick, if it is windy though and you need something to make the tripod heavier make sure it has a hook under it so you can hang your bag from it.

Also if you're walking for miles you'll soon get fed up carrying something heavy that's designed for a studio however cheap it may have been. There are plenty of reviews on tripods out there if you look.

[chris-p]

Originally Posted by duncan22

I can understand that build and quality have much to do with price but is a light tripod any use out of doors ? or is it a compromise along the lines that having a light tripod is better than nothing ?

A light tripod doesn't have to be an unstable tripod. It's generally true that the lighter it is the less stable it is but the best (and, therefore, most expensive ones) are very stable indeed.
People like Gitzo make basalt fibre ones, as well as carbon fibre ones, and they're very strong and very sturdy.

It's kind of an impossible question though - is it a compromise? Yes, tripods are always a compromise. You have to work out how much you're prepared to compromise...