Comments on: Tripod, by Gitzo and Really Right Stuff

By: jb

jb — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 12:04:32 +0000

Hi Jeffrey, just curious as to why you needed both the standard plate and the L-plate. I’d assumed that with the L-plate you could either remove and remount, as intended, or use the drop-slot if you’re working quickly. Is there anything you can do with the standard plate that you can’t do with the L-plate?

Thanks,
JB

I didn’t recall ever having the non-L plate, but sure enough, there it is in the photo. Maybe I returned it. I have only the L-plate for my D700. —Jeffrey

By: I Simonius

I Simonius — Tue, 25 May 2010 12:36:59 +0000

Just to add my 2p worth: the gitzo tripods are the best IMO, I had the old aluminium one until the CF versions came out and I had that Velbon too once!

I agree that it’s best to fork out ona proper tripod at the outset, it saves loads in the long run.

I love the Gitzo leg clamps, they’re fast and don’t pinch your fingers like other clamps and are easier to use in the cold.

I also have and endorse the RRS heads, although I have gone with the BH-40 with quick release lever as my biggest lens is the 70-200 2.8 mk2 and that is OK for that and the shorter lenses

All in all the best setup Ive ever had – great recommendation!

By: John Ellsworth

John Ellsworth — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:41:10 +0000

One of the advantages of using a tripod leveling base is that you can compose your panoramas so the horizon is not dead center. With a hot-shoe dual-axis spirit level, you can level the camera in your ball head (after it has been leveled by the base leveler) on the left to right axis, then aim your camera up or down on the vertical axis to compose the horizon above or below center, as you wish.

Great writeup, by the way, as well as very fine photos. I love the bokeh on photos 1 and 3.

By: photoTristan

photoTristan — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 07:49:42 +0000

What’s the make and model of the tripod case you got? The links above do not seem to show this and I’m looking for a case/bag for the same tripod.

By: Bailey

Bailey — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 22:11:57 +0000

If you want to get very serious about panoramas you might also look at the Nodal Ninja 5 or 5L, so you can pan about the enterance pupil in both directions.

By: I Simonius

I Simonius — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 08:06:18 +0000

NB: the links to RRS aren’t specific, just lead to the site (Safari) i.e. still have to browse for the item

just thought I’d mention..

Nice write up BTW:D

By: Jon

Jon — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 15:00:36 +0000

Sorry, still can’t see past that HUGE 70-200! Wow! What a great lens. But what a huge lens. Seriously though, you’ve put together a serious tripod. Definitely pro caliber.

By: Alex

Alex — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 13:53:29 +0000

I had great fun in reading this. Thanks alot. I read Thom’s tripod advice a half year in the past and I must say you get the message to a great extend

One mark: You know about the nodal point of a camera/lens combination? If you pan your D200 around the tripod mount, you get parallax errors. It is ok for far away subjects like in usual landscape (read: bad composing) panoramas but you get real problems if you have near and far subjects in the frame.

Really Right Stuff sells a nodal rail that solves that problem (they have different ones for different length ranges), but I figured that I should exercise some restraint, so opted against it (for the moment ) —Jeffrey

By: William

William — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 13:24:57 +0000

Hi Jeffrey, thanks for that great write-up. I still remember that sage advice of 10+ years ago you gave me. You learned the importance of getting a GOOD tripod while filming one of your brother’s wedding. Still good advice today.

By: Ben Pharr

Ben Pharr — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 14:14:48 +0000

I’m jealous. Especially over the RRS ballhead.