My Tripods For Wildlife And Landscape Photography
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- Опубликовано: 1 окт 2024
- I get questions all the time about my tripods, so I thought, hey, why not do a video?
In this video, I'll go over my tripods, heads, monopod, and accessories. Not only will I tell you what I use, but also why and how I use it.
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This channel is one of best photography channel. It is a pleasure to watch your videos. Thank you!
Thanks - very kind of you to say so :)
@@backcountrygallery that's true. We need more people like you around.
RRS is hardly available outside USA, next to impossible to obtain in most countries :(
Very informative and helpful video. Sadly, however, the equipment is out of my league!
Me too🤷🏻♂️
Great tips! Thanks very much for sharing!
About 10 grand in tripods because we can all afford that.
A few things ...
All the gear Steve mentioned would cost less than $5000 when purchased new.
Steve is also a pro and a lot of his livelihood depends on his photography. Reliable, dependable gear that does what pro's need on a regular basis isn't cheap!
Steve isn't saying everyone should go out and buy this gear. People are always asking what he uses, so he a made a video explaining why he uses what he does.
I purchased my tripod "Gitzo Studex Perfomance 3" and "Gitzo" medium- sized ball head,back in 1989.
That was best investment I've made in photo gear.It still works like it did when I purchased brand new.
With heavier digital SLR and bigger lenses I only wish to get bigger ball head,and with Arca Swiss system for convenience.
I always give advice to my friends,get pro tripod or don't get any.Rest of them are toys.
I have been verbally assaulted on RUclips for posting opinion like that. I can only tell anybody that my opinion is coming from my own experience.I never made any money with photography,most likely I never made really good picture but I know that you need a good solid support if you doing high magnification work,if you shooting with large telephoto lenses and if you like make pictures for panorama.
Stick to RRS for everything. it last for life
Agreed.
Great video! Thanks for guidance. I Looks like the RRC PG-CC gimbal clamp isn't available anymore. Any recommendations on an alternative. Also, I just started using the Wimberley MH-100 MonoGimbal Head. It took some time to get comfortable with it, but loving it as well. I still keep my RRS tilt in the bag but really enjoying the gimbal easy and balance.
I used to lug around a Benbo Mk 1 with a Manfrotto head for my Nikon 300 and 500mm lenses. I got rid of them and moved to Olympus, where I can take ALL my gear. It was physically impossible to carry my Nikon gear.
3 channels on youtube that will take a dummy from zero to hero are STEVE PERRY, PIXEL VILLAGE and GARY GOUGH.
What a wealth of knowledge you offer people like me who seriously want to be the best beginner photographer we can be,
Thank You.
@Stev hi I need your help to choose tripod for my nikon 200-500 mm lens I brought gimbal but unable to use that on my regular tripod.
Hello Steve, why do you use a ball head with a leveling base, surely if the ball head is moved from 'dead centre' it defeats the purpose of the LB, wouldn't it be better to use a q/r plate on the LB with an 'L' bracket attached to the camera? Thanks
I use my monopod a lot. It gives me 4 stops advantage.
What a killer video! Your narration and video scripting is very clear and concise. I appreciate a good to the point video
Hello i saw your vedeio in 2020 dec. Can u please suggest a tripod nd gimbel head for now .
I've always used a Benbo Tripod. Bought my first one back in the I think the mid or late 80's and owned it till I sold it in 2006. It was a big heavy 2 segment leg design with the center support shaped like a parenthesis ( with the leg lock at one end. The center column swiveled in the same ( shape as the legs. I could spread the legs over a subject and lower the center column to ground level for some great macro shots. Someone once described it as a wet noodle till you locked the legs. Sadly they are no longer in business. I like macro work and for me the flexibility of that tripod design is great. Bad part is they never got around to making a carbon fiber version of their smaller trekker design.
Benbo *very much* still in business, part of Paterson group. I can buy them here in the UK and still made here in England. My Benbo Mk1 30 odd years old and still going strong. I have a Gitzo but rarely use it, pay for the name overpriced and a glorified Manfrotto (who own Gitzo) A Benbo will run circles around a Gitzo for wildlife lol
Hi, I've discovered your channel few weeks ago, in a nutshell it's very good :) thank you for your hard work, I can see a lot of preparation in your video, clean, straight to the point.
have you ever considered RRS tripod instead of Gitzo ? I'm asking as I see you have a lot of RRS equipment. cheers
Thanks - and not only have I considered one, I now own two of them :) I still love Gitzo, but we needed some extra gear for video and ended up putting the Gitzos to use there and I'm using the RRS stuff now. So far, so good - but I've had them less than a year.
@@backcountrygallery thanks for your quick answer. if one day or another you want to make a video to review/compare these tripods with the Gitzo one, I'm quite sure you will find a good audience :)
Can you carry a large spotting scope on a gimbal?
should be GT5543XLS?
Very informative, thanks Steve.
One question: recently purchased the 500pf and am contemplating a gimbal head. Would you recommend a gimbal for such a light weight 500, and if so, what is your recommendation? Thanks again for all the great informative vids!
When AF fine tuning my new D850 on a Sirui N3204X tripod with a Wimberley gimbal head for both the 600 f4E and 200-500 Nikon zoom (very top heavy) I noticed a wobble in the "zoomed in live view" just before pressing OK. I guess that's why you say very carefully press OK.
My question, does your Gitzo 5543 LS (5540) wobble, same question with a RRS TVC-34L? Doesn't wobble equal fuzzy pics? Thanks much.
Always the best videos Steve! Thank you for posting!
The Lever type Clamps look like my next purchase.
Great tips as always.
I don't mean to be dramatic, but it's a life changer!
Loved Gitzo for years - until mine was stolen.
The new systematic was faulty and apparently unfixable - I had to get rid of it.
Gitzo are not the quality that they used to be.
RRS BH55 and Wimberley heads on Manfrotto legs work really well for me.
BTW - If you use different coloured L brackets then you wrong pull out the wrong Z camera...
Benro TMA37AL with Sirui-40kx Ballhead good enough for D500 + Tamron 150-600mm G2?
I have a travel tripod with 8Kg max.load, that I use for, well Travel and landscape, but I'm looking for a more stable use nationally on road-trips et all kind of tripod that could be a good compromise between landscape and wildlife usage with a gimbal-head;
Edit: You answered my question on minute 5:45. Thanks.
I bought myself a Rollei Rock Solid Alpha XL Carbon, and some time in the Future i will get a smaller travel tripod.
Hi I need your recommendation on lense for landscape photography. I got stuck between two choices. I really love portraits, but wanted to get into landscapes. My choices are tamron 24-70mm f2.8 or tamron 15-30mm f2.8 . What would be your choice and does 24-70 is going to give me wide angle of view? Or any other recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks!
Hi Steve, two questions. Hope you can help me with them. 1. What lens plate do you recommend for the Nikon 200-400 VR 2 to be mounted on my gimbal head from Mongoose M3.6. 2. When is the Nikon exposure theory ebook being released. Thanks /Anand
Much need video for me. I haven't been able to get all my answers to purchase what I wanted for wildlife photography. Thank you!!
i enjoyed watching this video. keep going 🙂
Great video Steve, just wondering what you do when you put those tripods into water, I own a couple of Gitzos and wouldn't think of immersing them in the ocean.
Honestly, for fresh water, I’m pretty bad - I don’t do much at all. Just make sure the water is out. If there is sand / grit, I wash it out too, but no big deal.
For saltwater, you gotta be careful. You really need to wash the heck out of the tripod afterward - get fresh water into EVERY crack and crevice. I was careless with my 3 series and didn’t get the pins for the legs clean enough last time and had to take one completely apart to fix it. I could have saved myself an hour of frustration had I just followed my own advice!
Also, when in salt water, start with extending the last leg section (smallest) a few inches. That’s help keep out the excess sand / grit out of the locks. Once you’re done though, you need to take the legs completely apart to get everything out. I’ve actually found that fine sand particulates are harder on the tripod than the saltwater itself. Sand kills everything LOL!!
Yeah, thanks for your reply Steve. I used my Gitzo down on the beach once, and never again, sounded like somebody was taking a rasp to it when I collapsed it. I have a Benbo which I use on the beach and in the water, alloy one piece legs and rubber feet, works well, though a bit cumbersome to cart around and you cant really get down to water level if you need to. Thanks again for your help. Bruce.
RRS seems expensive for "just a plate", but their dedicated lens feet make a huge difference. My Nikon 200-500 was unmanageable in tough conditions until I added the RRS collar and plate. $250 to upgrade a $1400 lens but the difference was amazing. Plus, the quick-release sockets on their newer plates create a carrying system that's faster and more secure than Black Rapid. I have switched to RRS plates exclusively for that reason.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge! May your business continue to prosper. #thanks
Really informative vid. Very helpful pragmatic tips. I was shopping for a monopod when I got distracted by this. I ended up ordering the RRS Cradle Clamp for my gimbal. I knew instantly that screwing long lenses in place securely was just one of several things that make setting up the tripod clumsy at times, especially in the winter. Otherwise, the Wimberly is a joy.
Great video Steve! Question: at 9:25 it looks like there is some white fabric between the foot and the clamp. Am I seeing that correctly?Thanks!
Hi Steve, regarding the RRS BH55. How easy is it to clean? One of the selling features of Acratech ballheads is that their design assists them NOT to get dirty and are easy to clean. What lubricates the ball? Does the ball ever need lubricating? They are one of the most expensive and cleaning is an area that very few equipment mfrs cover. Your opinion would be appreciated.
"Really Right Stuff" has to be the stupidest commercial name I've ever heard...
RRS is really a copycat of Gitzo.
I use a leveling base under my gimbal to levelling it quickly. Manfrotto 438 and 393
Steve at the moment both tripods and heads surpass my budget. What else would you recommend?
And thanks for another informative video.
I'd say look for used. Tripods take a beating on the used market - bad for the seller, great for the buyer.
Thanks
I noticed your BH-55 didn't have a panning clamp. Is it still pretty easy to do panos without it?
Great advice Steve I really struggle to get the right tripod but am heading in the right direction. Cheers Keith
I've toyed with the idea of taking a Manfrotto 058/Bogen 3051 and replacing the legs with carbon fiber tubes.
The 058/3051 has one lever to turn to have all three legs drop at once, or a lever on each leg for adjustment.
I've used my 3051 for many years, in waterfalls, streams, rivers and brackish water with no ill effects. The negative is the 10 pound weight penalty which carbon fiber will fix.
Great video, always top shelf info in a concise professional manner! Tks Steve
Great video. Love my old Gitzo XLS... Are you considering a switch to mirrorless?
What a nice little video, as alway a number of good tips, thanks.
Nice video Steve! Always very educational and your way of communicating is very effective. Would you mind if you make a video on how you started on wildlife photography and how you made a living out of it? I also want to be a wildlife photographer like you one day.
It sounds like you are super happy with your Wimberley. I just picked up the new Gitzo fluid gimbal and it's a thing of beauty. I think you'll be impressed if you try one.
Great video, Steve (as per usual). I use a Wimberley gimbal on a Sirui (pronounced SHEE-ROY) W-2204 Carbon Fibre Waterproof Tripod. Really love this tripod for the price. Cheers, Jack, Australia.
Thank you very much
Parallax is the problem in panoramic, when you have both close and far things, so you need an extra plate to align with the lens nodal point. Much trouble and setup. Your kit is excellent but too expensive for non-pros. Personally I like tripods with clamps, as I can extent or contract all 3 legs at the same time rapidly. Your thoughts on this?
I actually have aa nodal rail I use for serious panos, but felt it was beyond the scope of this video. I have all my nodal point distances on my phone, so it's pretty quick and easy when I want to use it.
I used to like clamps better too, but I've come to like the twist locks. The new twist locks allow you to do what you can do with the clamps - you can loosen or tighten them all at once. Not like in the old days where you had to do one at a time (I used clamps back then because of that inconvenience!)
Great video, as usual. Thanks for you generosity.
Thanks for the advice on tripods - I bit the bullet and bought your recommended Gitzo - beast and my continuous shooting spot on captures are ALL spot on - shooting with the heavy Sigma 500mm f4 sport.
I love the Gitzo systematic tripods without centre column. But would that be easy to carry 4-5lbs weight hiking let's say in Iceland or Faroe Islands?
Depends on the person. Some people will have no issues with it, others won't like it at all. No way to tell without knowing the person's abilities.
@@backcountrygallery Thank you for the reply. I am 120 lbs 5' 4" tall and I believe Faroe Islands requires bit of hiking and if I am doing for let's say 8-10 days every day, trying to decide if 4-5 lbs weight would be an issue? Camera is Nikon D850 16-35mm.
@@MrBPM75 Sadly, it's still tough to say. I've seen people about you size who handle that kind of weight just fine, others not so much.
@@backcountrygallery Oh okay. I understand. Thank you again! I always love your youtube videos and the courses!
I noticed in your "what's in my bag for CR" video you switched from a series 3 Gitzo (5.5 lbs/79.5' max ht.) tripod to a RRS SERIES 3 LONG, 4 LEG SECTIONS | 34L MK2 (4.6 lbs/68.4" max ht). I have a Sirui N-3204x (4.1 lbs/58" max ht.) but it has a center post of about 5 ". All 3 are 4 leggers. I use the beast Gitzo 5 series for my 600 f/4 when I can drive close to my target. I'm thinking the RRS will be better to hold my 600mm on flat and slanted terrain - right? PS both vids are very informative.
Yup - that's pretty much what I did. I too have a 5 series Gitzo (awesome tripod), but use the RRS one all the time now.
Valuable info Steve, thanks. I’m shopping for a gimbal head for my Nikon d750, Nikon 200-500 f5.6 lens, Manfrotto MT055 XPro 3 tripod. I can’t spend more than maybe $325.00 if I’m lucky.
They're talking about that very topic at the bcgforums:
bcgforums.com/index.php?threads/gimbal-head-recommendations.1198/
fantastic video as always Steve... please start a photography vlog...
Steve, you might like to consider taking a look at the gear from Promediagear.com Their products are superbly machined. I recently bought their Katana Gimbal head from them and I absolutely love it. I like their gear so much that I have on order their TR424L carbon fiber tripod with 42 mm diameter legs that goes up to 77 inches high. They also have a bowl adapter for 75 mm bowls and also a 75mm bowl leveler that also fits. No more screwing with the tripod legs to get your tripod level. The apex of their tripod also has tapped 1/4-20 holes and 3/8-16 holes in several places to mount other things to like magic arms to support monitors or anything you can attach. I plan on using mine with a Manfrotto 504HD video head in the 75 mm bowl adapter to shoot video with my Nikon D500 and switch to the leveling bowl and mount the Kantana gimbal head when shooting wildlife. I have had a Gitzo 1228 MII for 17 years which is OK for stills but is a little shaky for video use. They also make a shoulder strap with a quick release for carrying your camera around with that I really love. No more carrying your camera around your neck.
Thanks Jerry! I've looked at them before and have heard good things. However, my gear is still performing well, so no need to change :) However, my wife needs a new tripod for video, so I may actually give her my 3 series and try another brand, just to see. I'll be sure to check them out. Thanks!
Thanks for the great info. I'm just in the market for a Gitzo tripod at the moment. One thing I'd add is that when I'm shooting wildlife with a long lens (Canon 100-400) and a monopod, I put a Wimberly Sidekick gimbal on the monopod and it's amazingly quick to use.
Could you please add your affiliate links? Thanks
I got a Gitzo 4 sections, i feel quite frustrating when i need a very fast set up.
I agree this is one of the best wildlife photography Channel’s on RUclips great stuff Steve.
Hi Steve, Great stuff as usual. I have been shooting wildlife with my 200-400mm fitted with wimberley foot on monopod with tilt head. Though it mostly works fine but my only grudge is that I have to lock the tilt screw while I am waiting for birds to appear as it sometimes flips over. When suddenly, birds fly by, I have to first unscrew before pointing in bird’s direction. That makes me lose a second or two & at times results in lost opportunity. I was thinking of using Gimbal head on monopod but I haven’t seen lot many photographers using this set up. I seek your advice as how this set up of Gimbal Head with monopod works & would it solve my problem. Or else is there any other solution to make tilt head work without flip over issue. Please note that I am not planning to use tripod as I feel little restricted for bird photography. Please guide & oblige.
A gimbal would probably work - I honestly haven't tried it though. I just block the monopod head down when I wait or I hang onto everything :)
IMO a gimbal is a bit of overkill for the job, but I think if you locked everything down but the tilt, it should fix the problem you're facing.
Steve Perry Thanks for your help. I would first try tricks shared by you with my tilt head.
Steve Perry I am so happy to see your new video, using Gimbal Head on monopod. If you check my query above, I had exactly same problem of tilt head flipping over & I seek your advice on whether to use Gimbal Head on monopod. Now, I have got my answer & I am fully convinced to do it this way after watching your video. Thank you.
Great info Steve, thank you... Thumbs up...
Top Notch!!
Very useful video. Thank you Steve
Steve, I appreciate your video. It's obvious everything you say is based on lots of field experience. I wish you could make videos more often.
Great stuff, Steve! What about the 4 series Gitzo tripods?
So a carbon tripod is only one third of the weight of an aluminium tripod? Sorry, it's more like 80%. (And at twice the price).
The carbon fiber parts are, not the entire tripod. I should have been more clear on that.
Thanks Steve ,very helpful
Pipe Insulation? I was thinking same thing. But wondering if after months/years of use does pipe insulation bond/stick to the leg and leave crap residue when removed.
It can and sometimes does, but it's not terribly tough to remove (goo-gone works)
What is the white corrosion looking area on the 3 series near the head?
Great info, Steve - As always! Going to spend a week WITHOUT the center column, see how much it matters.
Your equipment is obviously being used
The wonderful thing about disabilities is that you don’t carry your gear, so aluminium pods are the way to go. Offers you more stability, they are cheaper and my last tripod lasted about 30 years, in fact it lasted so long I had to argue with the guy from Manfrotto that my model actually existed. The pan and tilt head from the tripod, that I still use with my Bronica, is still in perfect working order.
I believe carbon fiber actually transmits less vibration than metal / aluminum.
Great videos Steve, your information is always straight forward, professional and straight to the point. Thank you 😊!
Thanks Steve. You da man!
great tips & good stuff manythanks
Very helpful, thank you Steve! Practical and useful info. Timely tip about the RRS MH-01 too -- a less complex and less costly solution than a couple I was considering.
The MH-01 is still kind of pricy, but I think it'll outlive me! great little head, enjoy!
Thanks! Looking forward to the new book, the first 2 were awesome
I just picked up this pod and head.. Thanks Steve!!
Hey Steve, great video! I also have the Gitzo 3541 but in the LS version, great piece of gear. Btw the Arca Swiss compatibilty is also a problem for the non lever heads. I have the BH-55 with the screw in quick relase on top and it wont clamp any of my Novoflex (German Brand) quick release plates. Its missing maybe 1 or 2mm which is a shame.
Wow, that's the first time I've heard of a screw type mount not working. Good to know.
Can't you simply replace the quick release on top of the BH-55 with a Novoflex Q-mount? Then you should have no problems at all with your Novoflex plates (any more). For me Novoflex is outstanding! 🤔
Hi Steve, another great video. Do you prefer VR on or off with either of these set ups ??
Depends. For slower shutter speeds with the head loose, I have it on. Faster shutter speeds (over 1/500th~1/1000th) I leave it off.
Good tips Steve. Thank You
Very helpful; thank you.
Great video Steve th and.
Cool
😍 Thanks for this great content! 👍 😍 😻
Awesome video as usual!
Super informative. Love it!
steve you are amazing
It's "gits-oh" not "gits-oo" :-)
In the first shot you are leaning to your right! I don't believe that! I think you're really standig perfectly upright, but your horizon is way off.
Nope, it just looks that way. We leveled the camera and had it spot on before recording. Although, I was on a hill :)
I'm surprised. Especially since trees normally like to grow straight up, but here most of them seem to be leaning the same way you are.
Well, all I can say is that I leveled the camera, the artificial horizon was straight across and green.
Osmmmmmm sir 👌 👌 👌
Great as always Steve. Thanks!
What is all that white crud at the top of the legs on your 3 series ? Is it aluminum corrosion ? Is that a good thing ?
I wore the paint off, might be a bit of corrosion there also. I use the stuff pretty hard in a lot of different environments.
@@backcountrygallery Thank you. Your videos are excellent.
Great info Steve!
Re: pano set. I like the cheap discus panos kits you can get to clamp into the top of the ball head. This means you don’t need to level the base or the tripod. It’s a single level process this way.
Sounds cool - do you have a link? I'd like to take a look.
Steve Perry it is one of these. You basically stand the ball upright best you can. Clamp this into the ball head and level using its spirit level. The panning is now perfectly level in one step. www.amazon.com/Panoramic-Panorama-Indexing-Rotator-Release/dp/B07488QZLZ
Ahh, very cool. I like that you don't have to have it more or less permanently attached too. Thanks!!
10:54 whoa....awkward angle
haha so true, i literally just stopped the video at this point thinking the exact same thing. Great content though!