Posted by Rob Coomer on April 26, 2006 at 11:24 AM
I know this question gets asked a lot but, i've got a little bit of a twist to the situation.
My normal tripod is a Gitzo 2220 Explorer with a Gitzo off center ballhead. It works great with my 20D and current assortment of lens and is very flexible and lightweight even if it isn't CF.
I do not use that tripod for my cave photography though, unless it is a walk in cave. I have been using cheap no name, light weight pan head tripods that I buy at swap meets for about $5 each. They work but not well. I've destroyed or lost about 8 of them. Typically anything plastic that sticks out gets beaten off on the first trip, then the top of the pan head will get knocked off on a following trip. One was even lost when it got washed off a backpack while climbing a waterfall. It fell into a deep pool and was gone. They get drug a lot and beaten pretty badly because they generally don't fit inside my cases.
I do have a small bogen, all metal tabletop tripod with a mini ballhead that has lasted for years, though I did snap a leg off it and was able to replace just the leg. It fits in my camera case, but is only 6" high. I've been using it for 6 years, but its too small for most shots.
I need something durable, tall enough to shoot in deep water when fully extended (4'?) but small enough to shoot in a 2' tall passage. I has to be light weight and prferrable cheap. Something I can put a ballhead on, probably a very small bogen. I know I am looking for the impossible.
My thought is if i can identify a few tripods that can meet my needs, I can watch ebay and swap meets looking for an ugly, beaten, but workable one. Multiple tripods for different situations is acceptible.
Most of my photos are single or multi flash shots, so I am able to get away without one, but shooting in complete darkness makes holding an even, consistant frame and checking focus between shots almost impossible without one.
My tripod philosophy for outdoor use is to strike a balance between durability and replaceability. This is why I don't use the expensive Gitzos. I find the inexpensive CF tripods from Velbon and others are quite durable and last me 4-5 years with no maintenance whatsoever. Considering the price that comes to about $40-50/year of hassle-free and sturdy tripod use and I don't feel too bad when it croaks and needs to be replaced.
Try the Bogen 3001- very light, decent support and build. Around 20 inches when folded up (without the head) I'm sure you can google the specs. I got mine on ebay for $45 including the head. Thought I was buying the 3011, but decided to keep it for backpacking.
I'm not as brutal on tripods as you, but I have just ordered a Feisol 3301 tripod for "no regrets" use similar to what you describe. At $240 or so, it wasn't cheap, but if it lasts a few years and saves wear on my hyperexpensive Gitzo, I'll be content.
Thanks for the recommendations. I looked at a Bogen 3001 this morning, and other than the adjustment knob for the center column, it looks pretty cave proof. I'll start watching some of them and a few of the others on eBay. I've wondered about some of the Velbon tri-pods and I have seen some cool ones in the UK photo publications, but I have never seen any of them locally in the US. Primarily the lighter ones with a ball head instead of the pan head.
That leads me to my next question though, any suggestions for protective hard case to carry one and maybe keep me from destroying it? I've seen where some of the UK cave photographers will use military surplus bazooka cases. Floating would be a huge plus.
I am a caver as well Rob. In that area not so active these days but still into some extreme off track hiking and climbing. I went through the same process, looking for a light, compact, sturdy tripod. In the end I purchased a "Velbon Ultra Luxi SF". Altough it is not CF it is light at 2.4 lb but still surprisingly rigid. I was also considering Gitzo's comparable small Basalt unit at the time. It was similar weight, seemed no sturdier, was about four times the price, but it was 8" taller.
The Velbon has these nifty twist-the-whole-leg-to-lock system that I thought might get clogged with dirt and start jamming eventually. Although caving is a much harsher enviroment, I have now taken the unit on many trips, fully submerging the legs in muddy water & used it in dusty conditions and all still works well.
Even though I would like the unit to be taller it is all a comprimise and the unit is well featured otherwise. The legs will fold out flat and independently etc. etc. The only thing that i have done is swap the ball head that comes standard with the unit, for a Manfrotto(Bogon) 484RC2 ball head with quick release plate.
I have surprised myself with how well this unit has performed and I leave my larger sturdier Manfrotto at home a lot more often now.
Discussion
6 repliesMy normal tripod is a Gitzo 2220 Explorer with a Gitzo off center ballhead. It works great with my 20D and current assortment of lens and is very flexible and lightweight even if it isn't CF.
I do not use that tripod for my cave photography though, unless it is a walk in cave. I have been using cheap no name, light weight pan head tripods that I buy at swap meets for about $5 each. They work but not well. I've destroyed or lost about 8 of them. Typically anything plastic that sticks out gets beaten off on the first trip, then the top of the pan head will get knocked off on a following trip. One was even lost when it got washed off a backpack while climbing a waterfall. It fell into a deep pool and was gone. They get drug a lot and beaten pretty badly because they generally don't fit inside my cases.
I do have a small bogen, all metal tabletop tripod with a mini ballhead that has lasted for years, though I did snap a leg off it and was able to replace just the leg. It fits in my camera case, but is only 6" high. I've been using it for 6 years, but its too small for most shots.
I need something durable, tall enough to shoot in deep water when fully extended (4'?) but small enough to shoot in a 2' tall passage. I has to be light weight and prferrable cheap. Something I can put a ballhead on, probably a very small bogen. I know I am looking for the impossible.
My thought is if i can identify a few tripods that can meet my needs, I can watch ebay and swap meets looking for an ugly, beaten, but workable one. Multiple tripods for different situations is acceptible.
Most of my photos are single or multi flash shots, so I am able to get away without one, but shooting in complete darkness makes holding an even, consistant frame and checking focus between shots almost impossible without one.
My tripod philosophy for outdoor use is to strike a balance between durability and replaceability. This is why I don't use the expensive Gitzos. I find the inexpensive CF tripods from Velbon and others are quite durable and last me 4-5 years with no maintenance whatsoever. Considering the price that comes to about $40-50/year of hassle-free and sturdy tripod use and I don't feel too bad when it croaks and needs to be replaced.
Guy
Regards
That leads me to my next question though, any suggestions for protective hard case to carry one and maybe keep me from destroying it? I've seen where some of the UK cave photographers will use military surplus bazooka cases. Floating would be a huge plus.
The Velbon has these nifty twist-the-whole-leg-to-lock system that I thought might get clogged with dirt and start jamming eventually. Although caving is a much harsher enviroment, I have now taken the unit on many trips, fully submerging the legs in muddy water & used it in dusty conditions and all still works well.
Even though I would like the unit to be taller it is all a comprimise and the unit is well featured otherwise. The legs will fold out flat and independently etc. etc. The only thing that i have done is swap the ball head that comes standard with the unit, for a Manfrotto(Bogon) 484RC2 ball head with quick release plate.
I have surprised myself with how well this unit has performed and I leave my larger sturdier Manfrotto at home a lot more often now.
Geoff