Tripod Reviews

Whether you find yourself in the wilderness, on a tropical beach, in a river, alongside a pounding waterfall, or on the Arctic tundra, shooting wildlife, scenic views, or the night sky, your tripod must be suited to the task. The practical choices come down to metal/aluminum alloy, composite/carbon fiber, or wood. (Composite materials also include basalt, but we’ll focus on the more popular and widely available carbon fiber in this category.)

Top 10 Tripod Criteria For Outdoor Photography
Regardless of the materials used, a tripod should meet certain criteria, some more critical than others. Here’s a quick checklist:
1. Sturdiness: The tripod must be sturdy enough to support the weight of the gear (head included when calculating maximum load). Often, that’s a matter of the materials and construction more than the weight of the tripod itself.
2. Height: It must stand tall enough (adding the height of head and camera) so you’re not hunched over (enduring back and shoulder strain) or required to use the center column extensively, if at all.
3. Weight: The tripod should not be unbearably heavy yet hold its ground against strong winds (many tripods feature a hook on the bottom of the center column to hang a weight—a good idea with any tripod, thereby lowering the center of gravity and adding stability). Weight should be matched to the kind of ground you are covering.
4. Overall size: Linked to weight is the tripod’s ability to collapse down to a suitable carrying size.
5. Vibration: The tripod should be solid enough to dampen vibration produced by your surroundings and the camera. This is especially important with slow shutter speeds and long focal length lenses.
6. Setup: You don’t want to struggle getting set up and collapsing it quickly. There’s nothing more frustrating than seeing a great shot and then wrestling with a tripod.
7. Leg positioning: This is especially important when working outdoors. The unit should allow individual leg positioning to meet the needs of uneven terrain and allow you to easily squat down low enough for ground-hugging shots. Variable-angle legs
and optionally a short/split or reversed center column or short leg set are also very helpful features.
8. Comfortable to the touch: This feature becomes apparent in extreme temperatures and especially when shooting in cold environments. Hand warmers on metal tripods help, but wood and carbon fiber might be a better choice overall.
9. Monopod option: The ability to form a monopod from selected components for use with long, heavy lenses, specifically for wildlife, makes for a more versatile tool.
10. Feet: When the tripod’s position is shaky, the ability to change and secure the tripod feet by converting to rubber or spike feet can be very helpful.

A Tripod Sampler
I’ve listed a sampling of products in alphabetical order showing current prices and features. Note height extensions, weight, and more in the mentions. Please visit the manufacturer websites for more of their offerings, along with more detailed information on products of interest.

Benro Travel Angel II Triple Transfunctional Tripod C2682TV2 ($459). Folding carbon fiber, with V2 ball head w/QR plate; short column included; monopod/walking stick conversion; max. load: 39.6 lbs; max. height (w/o column): 54.7”; max. extended height: 65.2”; folded length: 18.5”; three leg positions; twist leg locks; four leg sections; 4.1 lbs.

Berlebach Report Model 332 ($399). Ash wood; modular; includes leveling ball top plate without column; max. load: 26.5 lbs; max. height: 56”; min. height: 3”; folded length: 35”; two leg sections; knob leg locks; five leg positions; 7.1 lbs.

Davis & Sanford Traverse TR-553-P228 ($109). Folding aluminum, with ball head w/QR plate; max. load: 10 lbs; max. height: 53”; min. height: 12.5”; folded length: 12”; five leg sections; twist leg locks; three leg positions; 2.6 lbs.

Feisol Elite Tripod CT-3472LV Rapid ($657). Carbon fiber; leveling base center column included; max. load: 27 lbs; max. height (w/o column): 59.8”; max. extended height: 70.5”; min. height: 3.1”; folded length: 22.4”; four leg sections; twist leg locks; three leg positions; 5 lbs.

Flashpoint 3Pod P5CRH ($125). Folding carbon fiber, with K3 BallHead w/QR plate; split center column; max. load: 22 lbs; max. height (w/o column): 43”; max. extended height: 55.5”; folded length: 12.5’’; five leg sections; twist leg locks; three leg positions; 2.6 lbs.

Giottos YTL Silk Road Tripod 8314 ($459). Folding carbon fiber; transverse Y-shaped center column (3-Way Series) plus short column; max. load: 22 lbs; max. height (w/o column): 63”; max. extended height: 75.6”; min. height: 9.4”; folded length: 23.6”; four leg sections; flip lever locks; three leg positions; 3.7 lbs.

Gitzo Mountaineer Series 1 GK1542-80QD Kit ($999). Carbon fiber, with ball head QD w/QR plate; max. load: 22 lbs; max. height (w/o column): 57.1”; max. extended height: 66.9”; min. height: 10.2” (with Ground Level Set); folded length: 25.4”; four leg sections; twist leg locks; three leg positions; 3.9 lbs.

Induro CT314 ($550). Carbon fiber; max. load: 39.6 lbs; max. height (w/o column): 63.8”; max. extended height: 74.2”; min. height: 21.5”; folded length: 24.2”; four leg sections; twist leg locks; three leg positions; 5 lbs.

Leica Traveller ($524). Carbon fiber; max. load: 22 lbs; max. height (w/o column): 47.6”; max. extended height: 59.4”; min. height: 3.9”; folded length: 20.5”; three leg sections; twist leg locks; variable-angle legs; 2.6 lbs.

Manfrotto MT055CXPRO4 ($399). Carbon fiber; two-way center column; max. load: 19.8 lbs; max. height (w/o column): 55.1”; max. extended height: 66.9”; min. height: 3.5”; folded length: 21.3”; four leg sections; flip lever locks; four leg positions; 4.6 lbs.

MeFOTO GlobeTrotter A2350Q2K ($209). Folding aluminum, with Q2 ball head w/QR plate; monopod conversion; max. load: 26.4 lbs; max. height (w/o column): 55.1”; max. extended height: 64.2”; min. height: 16.1”; folded length: 16.1”; five leg sections; twist leg locks; two leg positions; 4.6 lbs.

Novoflex TrioPod Kit (four-section aluminum legs, $699). Modular with optional interchangeable leg sets/hiking stick conversion; short tabletop leg set/center column/monopod adapter included; max. load: 22 lbs on tripod legs, 66 lbs on tabletop legs; max. height (w/o column): 59.4”; max. extended height: 63.3”; min. height: 2.6” (w/tabletop legs); folded length: 21”; twist leg locks; four leg positions; 4.2 lbs.

Photo Clam PTC224S ($548). Folding carbon fiber; max. load: 55.1 lbs; max. height (w/o column): 54.3”; max. extended height: 66.2”; min. height: 4.3”; folded length: 20.3”; four leg sections; twist leg locks; three leg positions; 2.8 lbs.

Really Right Stuff TQC-14 Series 1 ($850). Carbon fiber; center column included; max. load: 25 lbs; max. height (w/o column): 48”; max. extended height: 59”; min. height: 14.3” (3.3” w/o column); folded length: 17.7”; four leg sections; twist leg locks; variable-angle legs; 2.7 lbs.

Ries J100 ($599). Maple wood; max. load: 25 lbs; max. height: 59”; min. height: 12”; folded length: 35”; two leg sections; variable-angle legs; knob leg locks; 7 lbs.

SIRUI ET-2204 ($379). Folding carbon fiber, with E-20 ball head w/QR plate; max. load: 26.5 lbs; max. height (w/o column): 47.8”; max. extended height: 65”; min. height: 5.3”; folded length: 16.9”; four leg sections; flip lever leg locks; three leg positions; 2.9 lbs.

Trek-Tech XL Carbon Fiber Essentials Kit ($269). Combination monopod/hiking stick/tripod (via built-in light-stand-like legs); MagMount PRO QR ball head and T-Pod tabletop included; max. load: 13.5 lbs; max. height: 62.5” (varies with the configuration); 1.5 lbs (excluding T-Pod).

Velbon GEO E543D ($379). Carbon fiber/basalt, with QHD-53D ball head w/QR plate and weight apron; split center column; max. load: 17.6 lbs; max. height: 66.1”; min. height: 9.5”; folded length: 20.8”; four leg sections; flip lever leg locks; three leg positions; 3.5 lbs.

Vortex Summit SS-P ($129). Aluminum, with pan/tilt head w/QR plate; max. load: 5 lbs; max. height: 54.5”; min. height: 6.3”; folded length: 14”; five leg sections; twist leg locks; three leg positions; 2 lbs.

Xit Group Elite Series XT72TRMPRO ($89). Aluminum, with three-way pan head w/QR plate; monopod conversion; max. load: 16 lbs; max. height: 72”; min. height: 8”; folded length: 26”; four leg sections; flip lever leg locks; four leg positions; 4.9 lbs.

Tripod Heads
When you buy a tripod the head that comes with the package may not be the best head for your comfort or needs. Overall, I’d go with a ball head or pistol grip if you move around a lot, and a gimbal head for wildlife shot with long, heavy lenses. If you regularly shoot video also consider a pan/tilt head. I recommend a head that uses an Arca-style Quick Release (QR) camera plate. (For a more detailed analysis and overview of heads, see my article “Tripod Heads: A Buyer’s Guide” in the January 2012 issue or online at www.shutterbug.com.)

What’s It Made Of?
///Metal
Pro: Cost, durability, numerous folding models (portability), weight (withstand wind), can take a bump.
Con: Weight (heavy compared to carbon fiber), some may be cheaply constructed, not always the best choice for use in adverse environments.

///Carbon Fiber
Pro: Weight, dampening vibrations, higher load capacity than metal in similar build, many folding designs for compact travel/backpacking.
Con: Unlike metal, the least damage to any leg and the tripod may be rendered useless, light weight can work against it in rough conditions, pricey.

///Wood
Pro: Classic look, unrivaled ability to dampen vibrations, very stable, quick to set up, leg assembly is easily disassembled for cleaning or to replace parts, many come with a leveling ball, may accept optional leg extensions for added height.
Con: Fairly heavy, not as compact as folding metal or carbon fiber, pricey.

More Info: See my article “Compact Folders: Tripods Made For Traveling” in the November 2012 issue of Shutterbug or online at www.shutterbug.com.

Sources
Adorama (Flashpoint): www.adorama.com
Argraph Corp. (SIRUI): www.argraph.com
Benro: www.benrousa.com
Feisol: www.feisol.net
HP Marketing Corp. (Berlebach, Giottos, Novoflex): www.hpmarketingcorp.com
Induro: www.indurogear.com
International Supplies (Photo Clam): www.internationalsupplies.com
Leica: us.leica-camera.com
Manfrotto Distribution (Gitzo, Manfrotto): www.manfrottodistribution.us
MeFOTO: www.mefoto.com
OSN (Velbon): www.osnusa.net
Really Right Stuff: www.reallyrightstuff.com
Ries: www.riestripod.com
Tiffen (Davis & Sanford): www.tiffen.com
ToCAD America, Inc. (Trek-Tech): www.tocad.com
Vortex Optics: www.vortexoptics.com
Xit Group: www.xit-group.com

Unless otherwise noted, all of the product shots were taken by Jack Neubart.