Alright, so I'm about 6'3" or so...need a tripod.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

Ok, I've read all of the tripod threads I could handle, and I'm just not getting anywhere. Here's what I need. I need a *very* high quality (by choice, not need) setup, and I'd like it to be nice and light (screams "carbon fiber" to me), and I need to be able to put my custom bracket with my 20D, 24-70L, 580, etc. all on it, right on top. I don't want to even have a chance of it tilting when I don't want it to. Now...I'm about 6'2"-6'3", and I don't much like to bend over. Just want to be able to stand there and look through my viewfinder. Now my 20D will have a grip, plus a bit of height for the bracket, I have NO idea what kind of head I need, and just...agh...I'd like some help. Can some lanky POTN'er show me what they use/suggest? I'm not too concerned with how much it costs...not really a problem. I must say..I'm not too thrilled with the thought of spending more than 500 bucks on a tripod...I'd just feel silly. However, if it gets me something special, I'd shoot for it. Ideas?

[jaypie77]

It sucks to be over 6', because you're either going to have to buy into the professional tripod bracket or you're going to have sore neck from hunching over. Buy a nice 7' Gitzo and a decent head. Ballhead v. 3-way is up to you and your needs. What do you want to do with this tripod?

[roli_bark]

for your height - top-of-the-line Gitzo 1548 [and yes, it is carbon...] + Center Column, and an Acratech Ultimate Ballhead

[chancellor]

Ronald, your thread title started like a singles ad :lol:

roli_bark, considering that I have the same "problem" that Ronald has (6' 6"), I looked it up on the B&H and here is the spec:

The G1548GT is the Giant version of this tripod. With 6 leg extensions, it reaches almost 8 feet in height. The largest of Gitzo's remarkable carbon fiber series of tripods, the 1548GT will accomodate even the largest of view cameras with ease.

The G1548 has no column; you can choose (as an optional extra) either a Rapid column (G1518 ), an aluminium Geared column (G526) or a video adapter (G142 = 75mm or G1424 = 100mm). This can boost the maximum height all the way up to approx. 8'9", but it gets down to 7'8" without a column anyway. As is, thanks to independent leg spread which allows low angle and angled terrain capacity, the 1548GT gets down to 6.7".

Only 27.1" and 8.2 lb. when stowed away, the 1548GT is smaller than any other model in its class which could hold such incredible weight.

Thanks for the advice. Chancellor.

[Jman13]

The big Gitzo G1548 was what I thought of. From the latest buzz, the Really RIght Stuff BH-55 looks to be the best ballhead on the market right now. Note that this tripod setup is serious $$$, but it'll get you one of the tallest, most stable setups possible.

[IanD]

Ron,
Another member (ssim) is your height and uses the following set up:
Gitzo 1325 (carbon)
Kirk BH-1
Canon 1dMKII
Unfortunately, he is in the midst of moving out West and might not be able to post a image of the rig. I'll try and find a shot of him in my stuff.
He rarely bends over to use the rig.
I use the same model but in alu and have had yet to extend the legs fully. If you want the tallest legs, then go for the 1548.

[JBillings]

I'm 6' and find I don't extend my Gitzo 1325w/BH-55PCL ballhead to it's full height. Would probably work for you.

[GyRob]

just buy a ball and socket and stik it on the head of the guy in front of you, at 6FT 2in i woulden't tell you to take it off lol
Rob

[hogdust]

I am 6'4" myself and had the same problem with my old tripod. I recently purchased the Manfrotto 055 MAG FIBER TRIPOD and with the legs fully extended and the Manfretto 029 Head I no longer have to bend over, it is at the perfect height for me. The tripod is fairly light on it’s own.

http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/cache/offonce/pid/2278

[Ronald S. Jr.]

ok, got a few good examples there, and I like that manfrotto mag fiber, but here's the question...my custom bracket, 20D, 24-70L, and 580EX makes one hefty rig. I don't know how much it weighs, but ...it's one heck of a lot. Will these examples all hold that?

I might be exaggerating, but it feels about like a good size bowling ball in my hand.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

Alright, one other question. I don't know. I have next to no experience with tripods...I just don't use them. Now. What is the thread on the top of a set of tripod legs like. Is it the same as the thread on the top of a head? Here's what I wanted to do. I'm only looking for something to hold my custom bracket rig steady. I don't need to pan or tilt or what not. I just want straight ahead. Would it be possible to just mount my bracket on the top of a set of legs without a head? I just want to stick the QR plate on a tripod and leave it. The reason I'm trying to forego the head is because each and every head I've looked at (some costing a few hundred dollars) seem to tilt just a bit or have a fancy purpose in mind. I just don't need that. If I n eed to tilt my camera, my bracket does that for me. Get my drift?

Now can anyone help me out?

[Ronald S. Jr.]

for your height - top-of-the-line Gitzo 1548 [and yes, it is carbon...] + Center Column, and an Acratech Ultimate Ballhead


Dude....that turns into over $1000 JUST FOR A TRIPOD. Thanks for the suggestion..looks beautiful, but jesus...no.

[ranchonodinero]

What are the options for monopods? 6'3" here. Don't necessarily need carbon fibre but want good quality.

Thanks!

[Mitcon]

Ronald have you looked at the Dynatran tripods ? I've not used/seen one myself butI'm thinking of grabbing one next year. A few of the people here use them and seem happy and you can get them quite cheaply on Ebay. This unit may or may not be high enough for you or what you want but it will give you an idea. Heres a Link

http://cgi.ebay.com/PRO-CARBON-FIBER-MAGNESIUM-ALLOY-CAMERA-TRIPOD-KIT-NEW_W0QQitemZ7572808131QQcategoryZ30094QQtcZphotoQ QcmdZViewItem

[Fredinpa]

I have a gitzo 1548gt and you can't appericiate the size untill you stand next to it.Here is a picture of me standing under it I'm 6' 1" tall.
http://Natures-eye.smugmug.com/photos/48759113-L.jpg

[hogdust]

Man that is one tall tripod :lol: Now you need to carry a ladder around as
well :D

[Jon]

Alright, one other question. I don't know. I have next to no experience with tripods...I just don't use them. Now. What is the thread on the top of a set of tripod legs like. Is it the same as the thread on the top of a head? Here's what I wanted to do. I'm only looking for something to hold my custom bracket rig steady. I don't need to pan or tilt or what not. I just want straight ahead. Would it be possible to just mount my bracket on the top of a set of legs without a head? I just want to stick the QR plate on a tripod and leave it. The reason I'm trying to forego the head is because each and every head I've looked at (some costing a few hundred dollars) seem to tilt just a bit or have a fancy purpose in mind. I just don't need that. If I n eed to tilt my camera, my bracket does that for me. Get my drift?

Now can anyone help me out?
Tripod legs generally use either 1/4-20 or 3/8-16 threads for mounting. If your rig will take 3/8-16,no problem. Ther are bushings if the tripod should use 1/4-20. If the rig needs 1/4-20, there are (more expensive) options to allow mounting that on a 3/8-16 mount.

[DocFrankenstein]

That's a very unorthodox approach to tripods.

Your bracket can rotate of course, but I doubt it would be very conventient.

Adjusting with twistlock legs is a pain... even spreading them is a pain. ;) Then when you're shooting you'd want to make really small adjustments in framing, and you do need a head for that.

I use this baby:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=5293&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

While it's heavy, it's extremely stable and doesn't move at all when/while locking.

Or do you shoot a particular subject matter like construction or similar?

[Ronald S. Jr.]

That looks quite nice, Doc. However, I'm concerned about what legs to choose. That holds 16.? lbs., but logic tells me that number is completely dependent on how much the legs will hold!

Suggestions?

[DocFrankenstein]

That looks quite nice, Doc. However, I'm concerned about what legs to choose. That holds 16.? lbs., but logic tells me that number is completely dependent on how much the legs will hold!

Suggestions?
That's very true.

I've only had 2 tripods and neither suit me very well.

One is the obvious 40 dollar one from wallmart. The other one is 2220 gitzo explorer with it's smart arm:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=206491&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

The legs cost quite a lot, but once you extend the column you're losing pretty much ALL of the stability. And it would never be able to hold a serious macro setup steady.

My next step would be a 13 series columnless gitzo tripod... probably carbon fiber.

Hope this helps.

[Mitcon]

I just won a set of CF legs on Ebay from Dynatran, says they hold 17.6 lbs. Can't say what this set is like though till I see them. I would think it's going to be at least a month before I get my hands on them. I think I got a good deal, though lol I wouldn't know really. Will be the cheapest tripod I've ever owned lol so I'm hoping it's ok. Other seem happy with them.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

wth...why do you have to wait a month?!

[Mitcon]

Just figure with it being Xmas timing and living on the other side of the planet it will take a while :cry: .Geez, I feel like a kid at Xmas.

[biggin]

check out the tripods on amvona.com. They have there own brand and I bought one and am really happy with the stability. I am also 6'3" and my tripod serves me just fine. I also have the same setup as you do as far as gear so it will work out for you too. all of there models are substantially less than bogens prices!

[biggin]

the ones from amvona are dynatrans and they are nice and can hold the gear you have.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

Oh I don't mind paying 4-500 for a nice manfrotto..I'm just not too keen on shelling out a grand for a gitzo. I mean hell...I could buy a nice lens for that.