Excellent review Matt. I have see many reviews of tripod and I must say, this is one of the best where you gave all the info required for an individual to take a decision, based on their needs.
This was SO useful for camera newbies like me. I had no idea about plates, ball heads etc and I’ve never heard of the Gitzo brand either. Thanks so much.
I was taught in the old film days. We used 4x5 view cameras and medium format, I would use a tripod even on my medium format stuff just in case. Now with Super high resolution digital cameras with huge sensors I still will use my tripod it slows me down to compose the shot. The tripod I now use is the Really Right Stuff carbon with a RRS BH-55 head. Can't say enough great things about it.
Great video, I am getting myself a second tripod and trying to get one geared for macro and so i have some ideas of what to think about in what i want in the tripod but some things you mentioned in the video I didn’t even considered, great video. Will probably watch this video a few times and bring some of the points to the stats of some tripods i am thinking of getting 🙂
Great video Matt! Just to add my 2 cents: I think minimum height can also be an important factor (depending on your subject). Sometimes I like to get the camera really low to the floor for macro, infants or to get an interesting angle looking up.
also have to practice with the tripods after you get them. It's just like any other piece of kit. It is especially important if you are going to track moving animals or vehicles.
I have a great tripod and after years of owning it, I probably use it 3 times a year. I always use my monopod because of the weight difference. So from my experience would invest in a good monopod first.
I own two tripods myself. One I’ve had for a decade and is versatile enough for most shooting scenarios, as it gets to be nearly 2 meters tall with only 3 leg sections and the standard ball head that came with it. The other is about 5 years old and is much more portable, and, though it only extends to about 1.5 meters, I can strap it to my 6L shoulder bag and take it with me on walks as a “just in case” measure. I think, between the two, I spent about US$500 total. I don’t think I could combine them into one without spending nearly twice that amount, and it’s also possible that such a tripod still might not satisfy all situations.
Nice summary. You left out geared heads like an Arca Cube, Core 75, or Core 60 that many landscape and fine art photographers prefer ;) Also another important consideration, especially for wildlife and macro photographers is how low will it go - center column tripods, depending on their design, can be problematic in that area.
If you have a Manfrotto RC2 player you Can get a Black rapid FasternR D ring to Replace the one in your plate so you can use Your Black rapid strap and tripod and switch between both.
Thanks for the informative video. I am considering a tripod (weight is important to me as I’m 75 years old) and I know nothing about them. This video was very helpful. I watch many of your videos and was surprised to see I was not subscribed. I remedied that today.
Tripod head wise - I just bought a Flexshooter mini.... which is like a gimbal head, but is actually a spring-loaded ball inside a ball head. I am thinking it is going to be good for everything because it can act like a gimbal.... but can be used as a standard ball head, or use the double ball head mechanism as a leveling base. Will let you know how it is (only got it on Friday)
The Victiv T72 tripod/monopod combo offers incredible versatility and value for around US $47.00 on Amazon right now. Don't spend ridiculous money on a tripod unless you're a pro! The Victiv T72 is all 95% of us will ever need for both photography and videography. 😎
Nice presentation, there is one other factor to consider is how low can you use it. In both landscape and wildlife having the option to shoot close to the ground not only gives you a different perspective but for wildlife your visibility profile is reduced.
Can you recommend a tripod for a 11 lb pochade box for a plein air artists? I’m guessing I only need a pan and tilt head. I don’t want it to be plastic and I need a tripod that doesn’t have to go high . I’m 5’ 4” please help me decide. Can I get something decent under $200?
Hi great vid at just the right time as I need a new one. Question please I'm comparing a Gitzo GT5543XLS vs a Gitzo GT3543XLS One takes 40kg and the other 25KG. Ive seen a video from a pro tog who says that he uses the 3 series for his smaller lenses ie 70-200 and the five series for the bigger lenses 400 to 500. I cant afford both and really the 5 series is out of my budget so would you say the 3 series would be up to the job for wildlife photography. I have weighed my kit and Nikon D500 + 200-400 f4 + gimbal type head weigh in at 4.760KG which is weigh under the 25kg max. Am I missing something? Cheers
My tripod let me down quite literally last weekend... i was looking back to the other side of the marsh.. when i looked back at the camera my tripod and camera was in the water 😫... Always make sure to tight hard your tripod head when you have heavy lenses!... specially ball heads... 😩
@@mattgranger Right now the lens and camera are each inside a zip lock bag with silica gels, going to leave them there for about a week... the Nikon D500 seemed OK, there was no water inside the mount or the battery compartment, just a little by the memory card. the battery grip seemed OK too, i removed the screw to inspect the inside. and the sigma 150-600 in another hand... was making weird noises on the auto focus the day that it went to the water... so i'm hoping that will be gone when its completely dry.... but i'm worried about the lens.
I learnt the hard way with tripods... I have 4... but only really use 2. I have one which is just over 4lbs, goes way above my head (is eye level before center column is raised), is stable as hell, and JUST fits in my carry on luggage. My other is about 2lbs and is small, light, but is short and not so stable. As much as I like my small tripod for its weight I mostly take the larger one because the smaller one is just not stable enough with a 100-400mm (and I was sad when I didn't get clear images of climbers going up El Capitan at Yosemite). I would urge people not to go too light if they have longer lenses. Lastly - what I have found helps most is to get a good bag. I use an Osprey Stratos 36 and you can really dial it down so you don't feel the weight...
@@agentcrm There is a big difference between supporting the weight and being able to take a high-resolution image entirely zoomed in at 560 (had a 1.4 TC on) and where you are focusing on a tiny detail. There is no small tripod with tiny legs that can get that level of detail. Even when I was taking those images the tripod legs were collapsed, the center column was down, and I had a 10 second timer on. Peak Design make good quality stuff... but they cant defy the laws of physics....
@@MeAMuse It was one of their lead engineers and he’d take that setup surf and bird shooting. I don’t have anything that heavy yet. But I do know they did a lot of testing to make sure it was actually capable of doing what they claimed. To the point that they used the ali centre column on all tripods because it proved better than the carbon version.
@@agentcrm physics buddy.... I can take my small tripod surf and bird shooting.... it just does not give as sharp images as I get with my bigger, wider, thicker-legged, heavier tripod. Any tripod is going to be more stable than hand-holding. And of course the lead engineer wants to tell you its the perfect tripod...
@@MeAMuse Never said it was perfect, just that it was worth looking at. That said I probably wouldn't use it fully extended with a large lens anyway. It also wasn't internal testing that bought about changes, it was external testing. This review has repeatable stability tests so you can compare it to what other tripods are like, if you want. thecentercolumn.com/peak-design-travel-tripod-review/
9:05 Absolutly wrong about 3-way heads. Common way of working with them is releasing the pan, and then holding two handles release them both, then point whenever you need, lock the handles simulteniosly, then lock the pan - actually very fast, and not "one by one axis". What great about 3-way is that you then can seperatly fix the horison. when shooting panoramic (6x17, or Xpan) it just the best head to use. I regret I switched to ballhead. Also fluid heads with halph-ball leveling are good for panoramic photography.
I know you can’t mention everything, so let me just add a couple. I have a tripod with what they call retractable feet. They’re rubber feet, but if you turn them clockwise they’ll move up and reveal metal spikes. (Manfrotto #161mk2b). On some tripods it’s possible to reverse the center column, pointing it down instead of up which can be a big advantage for macro. And many wildlife photographers often prefer a tripod without any center column.
I am a total amateur concerning tripods. Just this summer started some astrophotography shots. My tripod is a 20 year old Sunpak my daughter bought me for Christmas many years ago. It is way too short for me . I am just over 6' 3". I have read several posts stating the extension will be unstable allowing the photos to be out of focus. I am having a difficult time finding a tripod that is within my budget and also about 6' tall at the base or bottom of the ballhead. Can you give me any advice? Thanks
As you mention, there is no ideal tripod; I have at least 5. Each one has his usage. Don’t buy a cheap one. A tripod has a long life (Much longer than a camera body). I am not rich enough to buy a cheap one ;-)
If you prefer watching tripod videos than watch videos, I’m sure you’ll be able to identify the topic by the title and thumbnail and click on the right one. You can manage it.
Sorry to hear that. I have no idea? Are you subscribed on multiple email addresses? Please note I have 3 different websites, so maybe you are conflating them as coming from the one source?
Grab the FREE Gear Guide: geni.us/GearGuide
Art portraiture website: geni.us/artnude
TRIPOD LINKS
My PHOTO Tripods
Tiny: geni.us/kRbo
Medium: geni.us/GK2545T
Large: geni.us/Gitzo3
GIMBAL HEAD: geni.us/GHFG1
MonoPod: geni.us/DmeXE
My VIDEO Tripods
Tiny: geni.us/bFree
Medium: geni.us/vLnnfF
HUGE: geni.us/z0XAV2K
MY SUGGESTIONS
Entry Level stills: geni.us/hybridtripod
Entry level video: geni.us/kRbo
Travel option: geni.us/budgettravel
Studio option: geni.us/studiotripod
I already know all of this!
Still watched it.
Still enjoyed it.
Thanks Matt :)
Excellent review Matt. I have see many reviews of tripod and I must say, this is one of the best where you gave all the info required for an individual to take a decision, based on their needs.
The most informative video I have ever seen on tripods. Should be compulsory viewing for newcomers to photography.
This was SO useful for camera newbies like me. I had no idea about plates, ball heads etc and I’ve never heard of the Gitzo brand either. Thanks so much.
I was taught in the old film days. We used 4x5 view cameras and medium format, I would use a tripod even on my medium format stuff just in case. Now with Super high resolution digital cameras with huge sensors I still will use my tripod it slows me down to compose the shot. The tripod I now use is the Really Right Stuff carbon with a RRS BH-55 head. Can't say enough great things about it.
Great video, I am getting myself a second tripod and trying to get one geared for macro and so i have some ideas of what to think about in what i want in the tripod but some things you mentioned in the video I didn’t even considered, great video. Will probably watch this video a few times and bring some of the points to the stats of some tripods i am thinking of getting 🙂
Good video about a topic that deserves detailed attention. I’m glad to know accumulating tripods is common.
This is a really excellent video. Your guides and how-tos are really indispensable. Thank you Matt!
Outstanding video. I just got a Manfrotto 500AH video head to replace the ball head that came with my Manfrotto 3001.
Great video Matt! Just to add my 2 cents: I think minimum height can also be an important factor (depending on your subject).
Sometimes I like to get the camera really low to the floor for macro, infants or to get an interesting angle looking up.
Good point! Cheers
As usual, most informative!
Wow !! Great tips and very informative, thanks for the effort
also have to practice with the tripods after you get them. It's just like any other piece of kit. It is especially important if you are going to track moving animals or vehicles.
Perfect timing! I'm looking for a new tripod and appreciated this thorough discussion of features to consider.
I have a great tripod and after years of owning it, I probably use it 3 times a year. I always use my monopod because of the weight difference. So from my experience would invest in a good monopod first.
Hey Matt! Can you do a video on gear storage?
I own two tripods myself. One I’ve had for a decade and is versatile enough for most shooting scenarios, as it gets to be nearly 2 meters tall with only 3 leg sections and the standard ball head that came with it. The other is about 5 years old and is much more portable, and, though it only extends to about 1.5 meters, I can strap it to my 6L shoulder bag and take it with me on walks as a “just in case” measure. I think, between the two, I spent about US$500 total. I don’t think I could combine them into one without spending nearly twice that amount, and it’s also possible that such a tripod still might not satisfy all situations.
Nice summary. You left out geared heads like an Arca Cube, Core 75, or Core 60 that many landscape and fine art photographers prefer ;) Also another important consideration, especially for wildlife and macro photographers is how low will it go - center column tripods, depending on their design, can be problematic in that area.
Great video. I wish my husband had a good head but I would settle if he was a tripod
😂
You just made my day 😂
If you have a Manfrotto RC2 player you Can get a Black rapid FasternR D ring to Replace the one in your plate so you can use Your Black rapid strap and tripod and switch between both.
really appreciate your work. thank you
Thanks for the informative video. I am considering a tripod (weight is important to me as I’m 75 years old) and I know nothing about them. This video was very helpful. I watch many of your videos and was surprised to see I was not subscribed. I remedied that today.
This is always good information Matt!!
Thanks as always!!
Thanks for all the good advice.
Excellent tutorial video
For Heavy lens, I use Benro 4770 Tn, with Wimberley wh-100, perfect combination.
I got 3 Neewer tripods: table top, ball head, & video. They’re nice and sturdy. Not cheap or flimsy at all.
Really great video! Thanks! 👏
Tripod head wise - I just bought a Flexshooter mini.... which is like a gimbal head, but is actually a spring-loaded ball inside a ball head. I am thinking it is going to be good for everything because it can act like a gimbal.... but can be used as a standard ball head, or use the double ball head mechanism as a leveling base. Will let you know how it is (only got it on Friday)
Great video! What tripod and video head do you use with the z9 in studio and on location?
I use these promedia legs bhpho.to/3Ry79Xb - this ballhead: geni.us/BH1BH - and this gimbal: geni.us/GJEGT3
Great video Matt! Any idea to do a similar video for light stands? Which to buy for hiking/normal outdoors/indoors/studio settings and the like?
It’s basically the same advice tbh, minus the head options
Thanks for the video , yesterday only I bought my first DSLR 😊, subscribed and liked too.
Welcome! Check out the playlists - I have over 1000 videos in the archive that will help you get started. Enjoy the journey brother.
@@mattgranger Sure Matt, will definitely learn and grow with the help of your videos
One other consideration is durability. The better constructed tripods, though more expensive, will last much longer than the cheap ones.
The Victiv T72 tripod/monopod combo offers incredible versatility and value for around US $47.00 on Amazon right now. Don't spend ridiculous money on a tripod unless you're
a pro! The Victiv T72 is all 95% of us will ever need for both photography and videography. 😎
Nice Tutorial....Love It.
Very informative and helpful. Thank you.
Nice presentation, there is one other factor to consider is how low can you use it. In both landscape and wildlife having the option to shoot close to the ground not only gives you a different perspective but for wildlife your visibility profile is reduced.
What do you think of using a rotating leveling base and an L bracket instead of a ball head?
Thanks for the video btw. Nice overview.
I don't use it personally, but it certainly works for many shooters.
Amazing review. Can you do a comparison video about camera bags? For example the Shimoda Action X30,50,70 and other bags like it.. Thanks
How helpful is a leveling base? Worth the extra grams to cary? Do people that own them even use them when they are not shooting panos?
For a mid size mirrorless camera to be able to shoot stills and video, which tripod system will be better to have?
Can you recommend a tripod for a 11 lb pochade box for a plein air artists? I’m guessing I only need a pan and tilt head. I don’t want it to be plastic and I need a tripod that doesn’t have to go high . I’m 5’ 4” please help me decide. Can I get something decent under $200?
Good informative video. One thing you didn’t mention is handled. I like a good handle on my tripods.
A real life test shooting video at 400mm would be nice to see on which tripod would make the cut.
MANFROTTO 058b 😎😎😎😎
informative... thanks
From the head types, there is also the reverse ball head and geared head?
People don't know what they don't know. That's why this video only has 1% of the views it should have. Thank you Sir.
Hi great vid at just the right time as I need a new one. Question please I'm comparing a Gitzo GT5543XLS vs a Gitzo GT3543XLS One takes 40kg and the other 25KG. Ive seen a video from a pro tog who says that he uses the 3 series for his smaller lenses ie 70-200 and the five series for the bigger lenses 400 to 500. I cant afford both and really the 5 series is out of my budget so would you say the 3 series would be up to the job for wildlife photography. I have weighed my kit and Nikon D500 + 200-400 f4 + gimbal type head weigh in at 4.760KG which is weigh under the 25kg max. Am I missing something? Cheers
I have started playing with food photography and need a tripod that the centre column comes out and moves horizontal. Any suggestions?
If weight isn't a huge concern, I suggest the Manfrotto 055. I use it with a Nikon D750 and various lenses, so a middle-weighted system.
My tripod let me down quite literally last weekend... i was looking back to the other side of the marsh.. when i looked back at the camera my tripod and camera was in the water 😫...
Always make sure to tight hard your tripod head when you have heavy lenses!... specially ball heads... 😩
Thats a tough lesson to learn! I hope it wasn't damaged.
@@mattgranger Right now the lens and camera are each inside a zip lock bag with silica gels, going to leave them there for about a week... the Nikon D500 seemed OK, there was no water inside the mount or the battery compartment, just a little by the memory card. the battery grip seemed OK too, i removed the screw to inspect the inside.
and the sigma 150-600 in another hand... was making weird noises on the auto focus the day that it went to the water... so i'm hoping that will be gone when its completely dry.... but i'm worried about the lens.
I suggest you try rice instead of silica packs. Stick them in a kilogram of rice each.
It is compatible for Panasonic pv 100 camera? Please reply me sir
Tripods are not 'compatible' with cameras per se. As long as it will support the weight of your camera, it is fine.
19:15 Stallone would never put the bazooka down! ...so carefully...
Hello, did watch with attention. I am suprised you are not mentionning the peak design travel tripod. Any reasons?.
Why would I?
I learnt the hard way with tripods... I have 4... but only really use 2. I have one which is just over 4lbs, goes way above my head (is eye level before center column is raised), is stable as hell, and JUST fits in my carry on luggage. My other is about 2lbs and is small, light, but is short and not so stable. As much as I like my small tripod for its weight I mostly take the larger one because the smaller one is just not stable enough with a 100-400mm (and I was sad when I didn't get clear images of climbers going up El Capitan at Yosemite). I would urge people not to go too light if they have longer lenses. Lastly - what I have found helps most is to get a good bag. I use an Osprey Stratos 36 and you can really dial it down so you don't feel the weight...
Have a look at the Peak Designs tripod, the Nikon 200-500 was one of their test they used when designing.
@@agentcrm There is a big difference between supporting the weight and being able to take a high-resolution image entirely zoomed in at 560 (had a 1.4 TC on) and where you are focusing on a tiny detail. There is no small tripod with tiny legs that can get that level of detail. Even when I was taking those images the tripod legs were collapsed, the center column was down, and I had a 10 second timer on. Peak Design make good quality stuff... but they cant defy the laws of physics....
@@MeAMuse It was one of their lead engineers and he’d take that setup surf and bird shooting.
I don’t have anything that heavy yet. But I do know they did a lot of testing to make sure it was actually capable of doing what they claimed. To the point that they used the ali centre column on all tripods because it proved better than the carbon version.
@@agentcrm physics buddy.... I can take my small tripod surf and bird shooting.... it just does not give as sharp images as I get with my bigger, wider, thicker-legged, heavier tripod. Any tripod is going to be more stable than hand-holding. And of course the lead engineer wants to tell you its the perfect tripod...
@@MeAMuse Never said it was perfect, just that it was worth looking at. That said I probably wouldn't use it fully extended with a large lens anyway.
It also wasn't internal testing that bought about changes, it was external testing.
This review has repeatable stability tests so you can compare it to what other tripods are like, if you want. thecentercolumn.com/peak-design-travel-tripod-review/
I need a tripod which does not fall and is relatively compact tbh
I just want a precise head that has zero wiggle
Have you ever tried the flexshooter head?
Nope never heard of it
Anyone can tell me the benefits between center and off center tripod ball heads.
Hello Matt ..what happen to my order I did place online ???
Hi mate please email us, this isn’t the place for sales support. We’ll get it sorted.
All cameras need an L bracket.
It solves the vertical/horizontal
Quick switch problem.
All L brackets are Arca Swiss.
why video tripod LEGS are so different from Still camera tripod?
They aren’t always, it’s mainly the head
sir which is the tripod at 12:17 ?
9:05 Absolutly wrong about 3-way heads. Common way of working with them is releasing the pan, and then holding two handles release them both, then point whenever you need, lock the handles simulteniosly, then lock the pan - actually very fast, and not "one by one axis". What great about 3-way is that you then can seperatly fix the horison. when shooting panoramic (6x17, or Xpan) it just the best head to use. I regret I switched to ballhead. Also fluid heads with halph-ball leveling are good for panoramic photography.
Nice video 👍
I enjoyed that
Hi i have a tripod the name is ESDDI IS IT A GOOD ONE I LIKE THE TRIPOD IT WAS A GIFT MY FIRST.
I'm new to this channel, so I am confused. Why is Mr Robot teaching about tripods?
WOW. Christian Slater sure knows a lot about tripods. #mrrobot
I know you can’t mention everything, so let me just add a couple. I have a tripod with what they call retractable feet. They’re rubber feet, but if you turn them clockwise they’ll move up and reveal metal spikes. (Manfrotto #161mk2b). On some tripods it’s possible to reverse the center column, pointing it down instead of up which can be a big advantage for macro. And many wildlife photographers often prefer a tripod without any center column.
Been watching my UA-cam Matt lol
haha, no I hadn't seen it, but I just checked. Great minds eh
I am a total amateur concerning tripods. Just this summer started some astrophotography shots. My tripod is a 20 year old Sunpak my daughter bought me for Christmas many years ago. It is way too short for me . I am just over 6' 3". I have read several posts stating the extension will be unstable allowing the photos to be out of focus. I am having a difficult time finding a tripod that is within my budget and also about 6' tall at the base or bottom of the ballhead. Can you give me any advice? Thanks
As you mention, there is no ideal tripod; I have at least 5. Each one has his usage.
Don’t buy a cheap one. A tripod has a long life (Much longer than a camera body).
I am not rich enough to buy a cheap one ;-)
Good video. No more watch video please ;).
If you prefer watching tripod videos than watch videos, I’m sure you’ll be able to identify the topic by the title and thumbnail and click on the right one. You can manage it.
I'm only clicking these videos to see watches.
matt i unsucribed from your mailinglist days ago, because you send to many emails in my opinion. why do I still get them today?
Sorry to hear that. I have no idea? Are you subscribed on multiple email addresses? Please note I have 3 different websites, so maybe you are conflating them as coming from the one source?
Tripod heads can get expensive pretty quick. 😂
Yep. Video on that coming tonight.
@@mattgranger Can't wait to see it. 😊
not a fan of the 'third person' perspective - seems impersonal and old school local newsy - otherwise, typical MG excellence
Fair point. But it’s handy when you have things off to the side theatre being discussed. Also great to cover when I mess up my words!
That thing on the right is not a tripod, it is scaffolding.