I haven't read all the responses yet, but I'll chime in anyway.
Wood = best at vibration damping. But very few use wood tripods anymore.
They're heavy, not very flexible, and not cool looking. If I used a view
camera, I'd probably get one. What else would look more at home than a
Wista wooden field camera on a wooden tripod.
Plastic Tripod? Sure it works. But IMO, the only way to get decent results
out of an el-cheapo tripod is to find some way to get some weight hanging
down to stabilize it. And DON'T extend the center column. I often hang my
camera bag around the tripod head so that it hangs between the legs. That
REALLY helps; as long as the tripod doesn't break.
But I've got to admit, I'm a bit of a tripod snob. I use only Gitzos. I've
had one since 1978 and the other since 1984. They're both rock solid and I
will NEVER sell them. If anyone tried to steal them, I'd beat them
senseless with the tripod first. I'd also settle for a good Bogen/Manfrotto
set too. A good set of tripod legs is probably the best investment you'll
ever make in photography. Carbon Fiber is the state-of-the-art these days,
but you'll pay for it.
I'd also recommend you invest in a good ball head. I put this investment
off for 20 years, buying instead 4 Gitzo heads and 2 Bogen heads. All are
gone except one Gitzo; replaced by an Arca-Swiss B1 Ballhead. This is the
finest piece of equipment that ever topped a tripod. Once again, a lifetime
investment and worth every penny of the $250 I paid. Also, save yourself
some aggrevation and get Really-Right-Stuff plates, they're the best.
The one place that the rock-solid Gitzo and Bogen / Arca-Swiss combo falls
down is in travel. I really should get a small CF and a little Gitzo
ball-head for that.
There are as many opinions about tripods as there are photographers. Good
luck.
Skip
From: "pirjol" <pirjol@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Reply-To: olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: <olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [OM] A good tripod?
Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2002 21:53:06 +0100
It seems everybody when mentioning tripods, don't forget to use the word
"good".
Why does it always have to be a *good* tripod?
Why can't I use a cheap plastic tripod? (which is also much lighter)
Isn't it just a thing where you put your camera, so it doesn't shake when
you take the picture?
What is the big deal?
Am I missing something?
[cris]
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