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Without a doubt, the best way to improve your images
immediately is to use a tripod. Yes, it’s inconvenient and a pain, but
you’ll definitely see the difference. I always shoot off a tripod,
unless there is a specific reason I can’t. For instance, you are not
permitted to use a tripod on the grounds of Notre Dame in Paris, or in front
of the White House in Washington D.C. Generally, these are places where
security or safety concerns have caused authorities to ban the use of
tripods. But everywhere else is usually fair game, and I’ve never been
approached by police and asked to move on. I believe in the right tool
for the right job, so my system consists of three tripod and head
combinations. Which one I use depends on what equipment I’m using and
what I’m doing.
I’ve tried other brands, but now I exclusively use Gitzo carbon fiber
tripods. They are simply the best that money can buy. You can get much
less expensive brands that may do the job for you, but you’ll never go wrong
with Gitzo. My first Gitzo was an aluminum G-1410 with an Arca-Swiss
B1 Ballhead. That tripod was a beautiful piece of craftsmanship and
worked superbly, but it was really much too heavy for anything other than
studio work. I ultimately sold it, and the B1 has recently been
retired.
My general purpose tripod is a Gitzo 1325 with a
Really Right Stuff BH-55 Ballhead.
In my opinion, this combination is unsurpassed for most uses. The legs
are sufficiently stiff that the heaviest camera remains motionless in breezy
conditions, and the RRS BH-55 is, quite simply, the best ballhead in the
world. When my venerable Arca-Swiss B1 began to fail, it was replaced
by the BH-55, and I couldn’t be happier.
For my longest lenses with tripod collars, I use a Gitzo 1548 with a
Wimberley Gimbal Head. This is the original Wimberley, not the new
model. The new model is more streamlined, but I’ve never had a
compelling reason to upgrade, since the original works just fine. The
1548 is large enough and steady enough to remain completely stable with even
the largest lenses, such as the Sigma 300-800. When I briefly tried
the Wimberley and lens on the 1325, it felt much too top heavy.
Looking for the ultimate travel tripod? During my last European trip,
I toted around the 1548 with the BH-55, because my wife was using the 1325
with the B1. We both agreed that something very much lighter was
called for! My newest combination is the
Gitzo 1158T with a Really Right Stuff BH-25. Folded, it’s only 18
inches long, and weighs about two pounds. It’s even small enough to
fit in a carry-on bag, if necessary. It’s a compromise, and not
suitable for full time use, but much easier on the arms for travel,
particularly when traveling on foot a lot in cities. This combination
will easily support an SLR and lens up to ten pounds. Unfortunately,
the 1158T has been discontinued, replaced by the 1155T, and is becoming
somewhat rare. The 1155T is a fine tripod, but considerably more
expensive, since it comes with the G1077M Magnesium Ballhead. If you
want to use the Gitzo ballhead, you’re all set, but I knew that I preferred
the RRS BH-25, so it would be a waste. I eventually found a lightly
used 1158T on Ebay.
So there you have it. When using the big glass, it’s the 1548 and
Wimberley. For general use, and when traveling by car, it’s the 1325
and RRS BH-55. For walking around trips, I choose the 1158T and RRS
BH-25. Whatever you choose, almost any good tripod is better than none
at all, but you won’t go wrong with any of these combinations when used
appropriately. |
