p.1 #1 · Recommend a tripod and tripod head for Sony 300 GM 2.8
Hello all,
I’m looking for recommendations for a tripod and tripod head to use mainly with my Sony set up including the 300 GM 2.8, 70-200 GM II, 24-70 etc. I’ve been using a cheaper tripod with it but in general it’s been a clunky set up and doesn’t seem to work well with the 300 GM. I think I would prefer something with lever locks as opposed to twist locks as my tripod has twist locks and I find them pretty slow to set up and inevitably one isn’t twisted properly and I have to go back and tighten it, this might be better with a more expensive tripod though? I’d like something that isn’t monstrous that I can hike with, but also is reliable and has no problem with my gear. Also it would be great if it could attach to my peak design capture clips as well as a standard plate (arca Swiss?). Thanks!
p.1 #3 · Recommend a tripod and tripod head for Sony 300 GM 2.8
Someone told me when I was first starting off like 2 decades ago that tripods are something where you want to buy once and cry once, otherwise you'll end up spending more money in the long run, and I found that to be true. I have a RRS ball head and Velbon carbon fiber tripod (with lever locks, I never liked twist) that have held up all these years later. If I were buying a tripod today, however, I would really consider one of the new Peak Design pro tripods.
p.1 #5 · Recommend a tripod and tripod head for Sony 300 GM 2.8
I used to recommend RRS for compact stability and Gitzo for sheer rigidity, and still would if you use a center column, since their classic designs outperform the modern compact ones. Otherwise, consider Leofoto Azure, Fotopro Origin, or Ulanzi Falcam Treeroot (not the Lite).
p.1 #6 · Recommend a tripod and tripod head for Sony 300 GM 2.8
I have several Gitzos. They are all constructed well and fairly stiff, although like RRS tripods, they are on the expensive side. They all have twist locks. You can get replacement parts for most/all components, so if something breaks, you don't have to throw out the tripod.
I would feel comfortable using Series 1-3 for the lenses you reference. The Series 1 traveler is the smallest and lightest. It's not super stable in wind, but for gentle conditions, it should be sufficient for the lenses you reference. The Series 2 traveler is about the same length as the Series 1 (about 17" closed), but with fatter legs and is more stable. Both the Series 1-2 have center columns and both are hikeable. I also have the Series 3 systematic, which is very stable, but bigger and heavier (24"), and not very suitable for hiking. If you are tall, the Series 1-2 may not be suitable because they are short in height and you don't want to use the center column if you can avoid it.
The best general purpose Gitzo tripod for the info you provided is the Series 2 traveler because it's small enough to fit in a backpack, it's fairly light, it's fairly small, and it's stable. For example, I brought my Series 2 in Africa for an astrophotography trip and it worked great.
p.1 #8 · Recommend a tripod and tripod head for Sony 300 GM 2.8
Thanks everyone for the replies. I figure with the Black Friday sales today would be a good day to get a tripod.
Regarding twist vs lever locks: are the twist locks significantly better and “more responsive/faster” on higher end tripods? My low end tripod has twist locks but it can often take multiple turns to secure each lock. Doing this for every leg segment is slow and annoying. Without fail too there is one that isn’t tight enough so once I get a lens on there it starts to collapse and I have to fix it. This is why I think I would prefer lever locks
p.1 #9 · Recommend a tripod and tripod head for Sony 300 GM 2.8
I use what most would consider big and heavy tripods most of the time, Gitzo 4 and 5 series with a massive ball head, but for longer hikes I just picked up what for me is lightweight, and I love it - the FLM CP30-L4 II. The twist locks are metal and quick to use. I use a Markins Emille ball head on it which is a perfect match, lightweight but with high load capacity. Though this is my new light tripod I use when not wanting to pack my bigger unit, it would serve well as the main tripod for most photographers. It feels and functions like a high quality piece. I like it so much that I’m considering replacing my Gitzos with FLM’s biggest version.
I used to use a lever locking tripod - over time the legs would eventually start to slip and required using a tool to retighten the clamps. I do think on the higher end tripods the twist leg locks work very well overall and only require one quarter or at most half a twist.
p.1 #10 · Recommend a tripod and tripod head for Sony 300 GM 2.8
Swimming_trouble_718 wrote:
Thanks everyone for the replies. I figure with the Black Friday sales today would be a good day to get a tripod.
Regarding twist vs lever locks: are the twist locks significantly better and “more responsive/faster” on higher end tripods? My low end tripod has twist locks but it can often take multiple turns to secure each lock. Doing this for every leg segment is slow and annoying. Without fail too there is one that isn’t tight enough so once I get a lens on there it starts to collapse and I have to fix it. This is why I think I would prefer lever locks ...Show more →
When you use a good quality tripod with twist (collet) type locks, it only takes a quick quarter turn to release. That's faster than fudging with a lever lock. And the sections slide much smoother. And they are stronger and more rigid. That's why all pro high end expensive tripods use them. As an example, Gitzo, RRS and Leofoto don't even offer lever locks. I've done comparison testing at many workshops where numerous styles were available, and I'm a mechanical design engineer. You'll certainly hear from folks that think their lever clamps are better, but that's because they like what they already own and will defend their choice. They have their minds made up, don't confuse them with the facts.
p.1 #11 · Recommend a tripod and tripod head for Sony 300 GM 2.8
Okay I've been convinced about quality twist locks versus lever locks. I'll be looking into ones with twist locks moving forward.
Looking at tripods there are huge price discrepancies between them. I see some for $100 and some for $1000. I see some for >$500 that don't even come with a tripod head. I'm all for buying once and crying once, but I also don't know how much you need to spend for a good tripod vs. when prices become a bit extra where you're really only getting marginal benefit for double the price. Kinda like GM glass vs sigma art glass. I don't need the greatest tripod ever made, but I also don't want to skimp out and have to buy another one in a few years. What would you say this price is?
I'm also not that tall (5' 10") so I don't need a giant one, but it would be nice to have it go around eye level for some shots. I also use peak design capture clips and have their dual plate which works in manfrotto RC2 tripod heads and "most arca type tripod heads" so compatibility with this is also important.
p.1 #12 · Recommend a tripod and tripod head for Sony 300 GM 2.8
I have a RRS Versal 34L (I think that is the right designation) and the RRS BH-55 head. These are great for heavy lenses like the 300mm that you mention.
I also have a lighter Gitzo Mountaineer (long version, don’t recall the model number) with the AcratechUltimate Ballhead, that I use when I want to reduce the weight a bit, say for backcountry photography. It is pretty solid, too, though a bit less so than the heavier RRS setup.
p.1 #14 · Recommend a tripod and tripod head for Sony 300 GM 2.8
The best Leofoto carbon tripods prices range from $150 to $350
The thicker the legs the more expensive
I recommend the Ranger series and 4-segment legs
I have the LS-364c model
I had the cheaper ones but they are not sturdy enough especially in the wind
Buy once and never look back, don’t skimp
p.1 #15 · Recommend a tripod and tripod head for Sony 300 GM 2.8
Bought a 3-series Gitzo tripod years ago. It’s 3 sections. Carbon fiber. Paired with a BH-55 RRS head from the previous owner. I’ve never had any issues. Very strong and durable.
p.1 #16 · Recommend a tripod and tripod head for Sony 300 GM 2.8
Swimming_trouble_718 wrote:
Okay I've been convinced about quality twist locks versus lever locks. I'll be looking into ones with twist locks moving forward.
Looking at tripods there are huge price discrepancies between them. I see some for $100 and some for $1000. I see some for >$500 that don't even come with a tripod head. I'm all for buying once and crying once, but I also don't know how much you need to spend for a good tripod vs. when prices become a bit extra where you're really only getting marginal benefit for double the price. Kinda like GM glass vs sigma art glass. I don't need the greatest tripod ever made, but I also don't want to skimp out and have to buy another one in a few years. What would you say this price is?
I'm also not that tall (5' 10") so I don't need a giant one, but it would be nice to have it go around eye level for some shots. I also use peak design capture clips and have their dual plate which works in manfrotto RC2 tripod heads and "most arca type tripod heads" so compatibility with this is also important. ...Show more →
What are you photographing with this setup? Landscape, wildlife, other? I may have some additional feedback for you depending on your use case.
p.1 #17 · Recommend a tripod and tripod head for Sony 300 GM 2.8
amv8 wrote:
What are you photographing with this setup? Landscape, wildlife, other? I may have some additional feedback for you depending on your use case.
I would be using it for landscape (will hike with it but it doesn’t need to be the lightest tripod ever) and wildlife photography mainly. Occasional Astro and some portraits but those aren’t as important
p.1 #19 · Recommend a tripod and tripod head for Sony 300 GM 2.8
Swimming_trouble_718 wrote:
I would be using it for landscape (will hike with it but it doesn’t need to be the lightest tripod ever) and wildlife photography mainly. Occasional Astro and some portraits but those aren’t as important
OK, I have a bit of feedback for you given that I have both the 70-200 f2.8 and 300 f2.8. I mostly use an Acratech Panoramic head in combination with a leveling base. It's light and durable, much, much lighter than the RRS BH-55 head mentioned above. I also like to do panorama landscape shots, and the head with leveling base makes it easy to keep things aligned. With that said, it's expensive and not perfect as there are some features I'd like to see added in a future revision. I also have the matching Acratech leveling base. I find the Acratech leveling base harder to precisely level than, for example, the Leofoto which I also have (the Leofoto is cheaper but has a very small spirit level).
For wildlife/sports I also have a Jobu Design Jr.3 Deluxe gimbal setup. I've only used it a few times, but just recently used it with my 300 f2.8 to photograph some rodeo. Wow, it worked great allowing me to track riders and quickly switch back and forth with another body with the 70-200 f2.8 which I was hand holding. While I think the Jobu Design is great value for the $$, unfortunately it's gone up in price recently (it's a Canadian product).
For tripods, I have both the RRS Ultralight 24L and a Leofoto LS-284 CEX (built in leveling base). The RRS is a good tripod, sturdy and stable and provides ample height in a fairly compact package. It's also quite expensive. Would I buy it again at current prices? No, I'd investigate other options. The Leofoto is more compact, less expensive, and of course not as stable, well built, or heavy as the RRS. However, it did work fine with the 300 f2.8 and gimbal setup that I mentioned above. You mentioned not needing that tall of a tripod. One caveat, especially with landscapes, is that you may be shooting on a hillside or on some rocks and the extra leg extension can come in handy. The challenge for me is getting a tripod with long enough leg extension, sufficient stability, and folded length that I can carry it on an aircraft.
p.1 #20 · Recommend a tripod and tripod head for Sony 300 GM 2.8
There are many helpful anecdotes here, but please remember, anecdotes (including mine) are not data. Look at www.thecentercolumn.com. They actually test tripods for stiffness and sturdiness.
Everyone has an opinion, some are informed by experience others by what they've read. I agree with "buy once cry once" but to do that one needs to know what they want/need. Some, at the beginning of their photographic journey do not know that. I've been at this for over 50 years and my 50 years younger self had significantly different ideas, plus I was a lot stronger then and could carry an aluminum Gitzo 3 Series and an Arca Swiss 4x5 halfway up Mt Hood.
It took me a couple of tries to get the tripod and head that will serve me essentially forever. I suspect no one but studio photographers use aluminum anymore, carbon fiber has become the standard. I've used three way Gitzo heads, an Arca Swiss B1, and an Acratech but (anecdote coming) the best head I've ever used, and Charlie Cramer agrees with me, is the Arca Swiss D4 GEARED head. Most of the ball heads I've tried, including the vaunted RRS BH-55, seem to be hard to adjust with precision. Most slip... just a bit.
For tripod legs, there is no question that RRS and Gitzo are the high end standard. Less expensive choices abound as many here have said. (anecdote)... I have chosen the FLM CP34-L4 as my heavy duty legs (seems as sturdy as RRS and Gitzo), and less expensive and a Gitzo 1531 Series 1 as my hiking legs. The Arca D4 goes on the FLM, an Acratech goes on the Gitzo and there you have it. I accept the occasional slip either way the Acratech as the price of it's impressively light weight. My longest lens is the Sony 100-400 f/4-5.6 GM. It's fine on the D4, not so much on the Acratech though it's not often used with the Acratech.
I wish the OP success in the quest; just don't get a wobbly skinny legs-center column all the way up system as I've seen far too often in the field. When asked what tripod to have, Ansel allegedly said ""the heaviest I can carry."
