What tripods do you use and why?

[SignifDigits]

Tripods are an important item for some photography - astrophotography and landscape to name two, so it seems a good topic to discuss. 

I've had a number over the years.  For now I've settled on the carbon fiber versions (one travel and one not) of the Vanguard VEO 3+.  I love the flexibility of their Multi-Angle Central Column (MACC) system which allows all sorts of movement for setting up astro and macro shots and they come with a second slide-on head for a second camera, flash, etc.  I find that I use the MACC system way more than I thought I might.

The travel version of the tripod fits my backpack, though it's heavier than I really would like.  My old bought-on-clearane-at-BestBuy Sunpack is actually lighter and has served me quite well - took it to hold my RP and RF 100-400 with 2x extender to shoot the solar eclipse in 2024.  It performed quite well.

I use the Move Shoot Move tracker for astro which is pretty smallish, so it works on the larger Vanguard.  If ai had a bigger tracker I might need a bigger tripod.

I also have a Manfrotto PIXI mini that I put back into the box as i never use it, and a  (fill in unheard of manufacturer here) monopod that I really never use.  And, of course, several others that I've bought and tried and/or used at one time now gathering dust .  NOT making the list are the super cheapo models that have also come and gone - actually one I still use for sitting a laser level on for construction, but not photography work.  One of them was what I took my own engagement photo and some family photos with back in the dark ages now.   I mean, with a remote they will work after all - just a lot more frustration in setting them up, getting the camera level, etc.  So if you don't have $200 to sink on a tripod and are just getting started I see those all the time in the thrift stores - better than nothing, for sure.

So my list is

• Vanguard VEO3+263P
• Vanguard VEO3+T265HCBP (T for travel)
• Manfrotto MTPIXIMII-B, PIXI Mini (in storage) - may get a GorillaPod to replace someday
• Fotopro compact carbon fiber (in storage)
• Sunpack Travellite Pro (in storage, but some really fond memories with this one)
• FANAUE MD-02 Monopod (never actually used it)

I got rid of my old big-monster tripods (mostly Manfrotto). They were rock-solid, however.   What do you own and really use and/or take with you and why?

[rs-eos]

I use a Really Right Stuff setup. Very expensive (around $3,300 total). I really enjoy the modular system and it can hold whatever I throw at it (including heavier lenses should I ever go in that direction).

Shown in the attached image: tripod itself, ball head, leveling base, pano gimbal setup, nodal slide. I went with the quick release lever options. Atop the table at the bottom, the quick column (center column).

Not shown: claw and spike feet (tripod currently has the rubber feet installed)

This gives me:

• Incredibly stable platform when needed (no center column).
• Potentially very high weight capacities (depends upon what is used at the time. If just the ball head and legs, 50 lbs. If using the pano gimbal, that is limited to 15 lbs).
• Easier height-adjust with the center column when prioritizing that over stability.
• Different feet for various terrain.
• Leveling base to make it super easy to create a level surface when legs are on uneven terrain, or legs at different lengths.
• Single-row or multi-row pano setups with proper nodal points (camera can be placed in either horizontal or vertical position).
  • For single-row (horizontal), I don't need the pano gimbal. I place the nodal slide on the leveling base and attach to the ball head.
  • For single-row (veritcal) and multi-row, I use the pano gimbal.

This was a one-time purchase that should last me a lifetime. The only part I need to re-purchase is the L-bracket that mounts to my camera (depends upon the exact model of camera). The L-bracket allows easy attachment in either horizontal or vertical positions.

[ebiggs1]

Well to each his own but you can do exactly all that for one tenth of the cost. "I really enjoy the modular system ...", I hope you do, you should.

[jrhoffman75]

Induro Hydra2 (now discontinued). O-ring waterproof seals on leg collars. Flexibility for pond/stream shooting.

[justadude]

"Induro Hydra2 (now discontinued)"


Induro had such a great line of tripod back in the day.  It's a shame that all they are making now is the three slightly different "Classic" Induro tripods.  

[TomRamsey]

Induro is now part of Benro, I think Benro has always done the manufacturing for them.  But for the last five years or so the Induro line is Benro's top products.  I had an Induro aluminum tripod for 15 years, good solid tripod.  But the legs at the spider were needing tightened all the time, and they no longer had the parts to fit it properly.  

[justadude]

I knew the three remaining Induro tripod models were sold by Benro, but I wasn't sure if the regular "Benro" ones were a complete different line.  I did not know that Benro made the older Induro ones though, so that is good to know.

Luckily my 20(ish) year old Induro is still like new as far as the mechanics of it (no comment on scratches). I do have one nut that loosens up every 100 or so uses.  I could get a lock washer, but it really isn't to that point yet.  I'm honestly thankful that as often as I use this on sand (maybe 50% of the time) that the old rubber seals are still tight enough to prevent any of the fine grains from slipping into the legs.  If this thing ever dies on me, I'll have to take a closer look at what Benro has to offer.  Thanks for the feedback on the company, Tom!

[SignifDigits]

I meant to comment on the bluebird photo.  I have a box in my front yard and I'm beginning to see them back and fighting over nesting spots.  That was a great shot - love the "I'm building the nest" and "I'm bringing food" messaged in the shot.  Catching that combined action, I suspect, might be one in a million.  Yeah, yeah, it's a great pic, but what makes it so great for me is the moment that you captured.