Tripod Advices!?

He means if you have to use the centre column to get the height you need, so you are not breaking your back bending over the thing all the time, then stability is drastically decreased.

I took the centre column out of my Velbon. It is more than tall enough without it, but I still have a short column so I can use the camera upside-down or use a hook.

Most tripods come with a hook for ballast. My Velbon even comes with a rock hammock as well as a hook.

Generally, if it's there, it's an extra weakness point.

We had a Manfrotto 055 ProXB and a Manfrotto 058 that were sold off because of the centre column.

Our Manfrotto 055 as an example had a centre column that can be rotated. The design required on the collar to enable that just creates extra flex. Maybe you won't notice it with a small body and tiny lens on it like this:-




But you will notice it flex like bad flexy thing when you put even half its rated load on it, like this:-


.

Even going to something like this:-




whilst absolutely perfect for the studio and rated to hold 12kg, when you put a long lens on it, the weight is at the end of the lens which creates instability which get transmitted down the centre column and in the case of this tripod goes through the legs as well.

We have sold our entire tripod collection to help fund what was best suited for the F*250-600mm, and getting rid of vibrations is what most of the money was spent on and at the 600mm end that means getting of the centre column like this:-




Whilst I know mine is an extreme case, all the points are valid including legs that do not rotate, a decent locking mechanism that doesn't allow creep (our Manfrotto monopod will start collapsing with less than it's rated weight on it, the Gitzo could actually hold my weight!) and wider tubes to help increase the rigidity etc.etc.

There's a lot more to this tripod lark than meets the eye you know!

Benro do a range of high quality and affordable carbon fibre tripods. I bought one of these and paired it with a Giotto ballhead. The tripod itself is lightweight, comes with a comfortable bag and takes my GX20 and the Sigma 100-300 f4 comfortably (and more importantly, is stable).

However, I don't think it ends up as small as the Vitruvian which I believe is designed for folding up small.

If I had held off purchasing for a few weeks I would have seen the thread on here talking about the 3 Legged Thing tripods. These look very good to me, seem to be highly rated by other forum members, and have the bonus of being able to detach a monopod (which may be useful for your travelling).

As you have seen though - Red Snapper have a lot of advocates here. All those people can't be wrong...

I could post a photo of what my RS tripod can handle without flexing, but given the heaviest camera I own is a Bronica ETRSi (add 2x teleconverter, speed grip, AE prism and 200mm f4.5 and it's a heavy beast) I doubt it'd be allowed to be shown here!

It was perfect with a Sigma 150-500mm and the K-m though, which is pretty hefty.

The RS centre column and legs do not rotate, and the collar the centre column passes through is relatively deep, which would help avoid flex.

The tiny Slik Mini Pro on the other hand was just about able to handle the MX and SMC Pentax 85-210mm f4.5 without falling over. Not bad with a lens weighing the best part of a kilo unbalancing it (this lens doesn't have a tripod mount and is not recommended with plastic cameras!)

Interestingly the QR plate you have on the 250-600mm would fit my ballhead.

Well my need for the tripod is mainly for night time cityscape (imagine you are standing on an open-air observation platform on a tourist spot)

Also for use to do multiple exposures for HDR photographies.

Not in the market for bird-shooting at the moment, as I do not own any telephoto lenses

I looked at 3LT, however the price-point and the true origin of those legs holds me back...

If you want to pack your tripod in your suitcase for air travel then your original choice is great because it folds very small. The Red Snappers are longer and may be a problem to pack. The Giottos has modest load capacity, probably because of having 5 leg sections. I guess you could get greater stability by not using it fully extended.

Whilst I still do not know what kit you are going to use, it does seem that weight and size are your important criteria, which will mean compromising on stability. In which case just about any carbon fibre tripod 'will do', your technique will be more important for stable shots. The observation platforms you mention as an example, could wobble with people walking on them, also, use a remote and use mirror up too.

As you are in Milton Keynes you have a Jessops out of the town centre very close to you that used to have a wider range of tripods than most of their stores. Can I suggest you go there, take your heaviest kit and try them out?

This is a far better way of working out what is best for you and will help you to eliminate options that might seem attractive in pictures but not as good to use in real life. Then you will have an idea of preference for height, type of head, material, weight, size etc. which will back your decision making far easier!

TBH I am with Unlocker!
Why, because I have changed my tripod usages over the last few years and by now have three tripods, all for a different use, I got a Monopod and still be looking for a Ti Stix - Standard Tripod for my Film Gear and for when I got the long range lens that I save up for as None of the Tripods are stable enough (even the Manfrotto, which is heavy and relative stable).
I also got a set of 'anti vibration' pads for the legs, but they only work to some degree.
It is of importance that you know what you will need the tripod for to make the right decision which one to buy.
I stupidly bought the Aluminium RedSnapper only to change it to the Carbon Fiber a few month later. I sold the Legs at a loss and passed the Head on to a member of this forum as I got a new Head anyway with the Carbon Fiber Tripod Free (it was on a special).
I use the RedSnapper to 90% only for 'just of the ground support' and it is handy to carry as it is light.
I harly use the monopod as I got the RedSnapper usually with me and just extend one leg if needed, but this is rare.
For more support I use the Manfrotto.
But I too want a long range lens and I want to use my film equipment a bit more so I need even heavier support.
Believe it or not I had till a bout 8 years ago a Ti Stix - Standard Tripod and sold it for £850 (without the Base Plate, Head and or the Spreader, all I still got) as I thought it would be to heavy for me.
By today I could kick myself that I did not keep it as I usually keep everything else.
REAL GOOD Tripod legs can cost more then a new Pentax K5 and I believe Unlocker can confirm that.
Do not make the same mistake. I know I said in the beginning that I thought that the price in your link was high, but that was seeing it in relation to the RedSnapper which is similar (also you can not tilt the middle column but this feature is also a weak point making the RedSnapper in my eyes a better choice).
A good head is equally important and I got a whole collection of them. I could (and may) get rid of some that are similar, but they are safely stored and maybe one day I need them again (yes, I admit I am a hoarder and collector when it comes to photographic equipment and other stuff. But so far I still got space for more :lol.
It is a shame about so many good High Street Independent Stores closing as there is nothing better then trying items out for when you are unsure.
Really, think about what you will need it for, what is the minimum weight for load and the Maximum weight for the Tripod itself. Then what Head you need, you may find you need two (a panorama and a ballhead for example). Then set a budget that you can realistically afford without overdraft Credit etc. Then start looking and always leave another option open.
Sometimes items that are not so high on your list may turn out more important and need more research and soul seeking then it looks in the first place.
Get the right one now and you save a lot of hustle and money later.

I too have a collection for different roles. In the last year I've used:
A £7 budget model that's light enough, and can cope with moderate requirements (generally fine with the kit lens).
A heavy manfrotto 058, with a fluid head - which is big, easy to adjust & rock steady, sometimes used for studio work, but really for the Long lenses especially the 1000-4000mm telescope.
A Uniloc 1500 (Benbo style) - mainly for macro where it's flexibility comes into it's own.
And the super heavy weight equitorial for the astro telescope.

All of these will be used again along with my larger monopod (when I fit a suitable quick release clamp)

I also have various table top models, clamps (G & suction), walking stick/monopod (all only used for P&S cameras), a rifle stock, and somewhere a 20 year old home made bean bag! (Used with my old ME) Most of these are unlikely to be used unless I want a support for a flash gun or other lighting.

If I suddenly receive a large windfall I may decide to replace the budget model with a carbon fiber model, but only if the windfall was well over £50,000! (too many other things to spend it on...)

General rule:
There are light tripods and there are usable tripods. Make your choice. (I use Induro brand and am very happy with.)