I've finally got to the point where I feel comfortable spending $750 on tripod legs, but I'm having a really hard time deciding which set of legs to order. It's really come down to a choice between flexibility/convenience and portability. For reference, I am 6'4, so there isn't really anything made specifically for someone of my height. I was originally basing my choice on whether the tripod would get my camera to eye level. I've since discovered that it's a bit more complicated. Obviously there are a lot situations where the subject dictates the tripod's height. However, there are many cases where it's preferable to have the tripod at a comfortable standing height, such as long distance wildlife/landscape photography. Furthermore, in these situations, you probably actually want the viewfinder a few inches BELOW your eye level, so you can see the top LCD and look over the camera at your subject. With that in mind, it's possible the 57.5" height of the 3540LS would be acceptable for most situations. My eye level is 71", and my AS head, lens collars, and camera take up about 9". Aiming up at the sky or birds in a tree would definitely require some stooping. I'm also concerned about whether having the tripod legs at max extension would adversely affect the stability or vibration damping, especially considering I am thinking of purchasing a 500/4 at the end of the year. The major benefit the 3540LS has over the 3540XLS is the 6" shorter folded length (under 22"), which makes it much easier to strap to a backpack or place in a carry-on bag. It's also half a pound lighter, which isn't as big a deal. What the 3540XLS has going for it is incredible height flexibility. It's almost the same folded length and weight as the 3530LSV (a 3 section tripod), and with three sections extended, it's about the same height. You get a further 20" of height to play with for uneven ground, hills, overhead shots, etc. compared to the average "eye level" tripod. Someone described it as "two tripods in one," which seems like a good description. Unfortunately, it's also 6" longer retracted than the 3540LS. I'm concerned it would not be as easy to carry around with me when hiking (short hikes) or travelling by air. So, as I said, it comes down to flexibility/convenience vs. portability. The 3540LS is JUST ABOUT tall enough for level shooting on flat ground, but that is at full extension of a 4 section tripod. It's also more difficult to shoot up, and I lose out on the overhead aspect. With the 3540XLS, I lose out on the portability over the sake of a few inches of height. It's frustrating; Gitzo used to make a 65" tripod that would be PERFECT for someone of my height. Now there is a big gap in their lineup for anyone taller than about 6'. I've been thinking about this since my original post last year, and I just can't make up my mind. Which aspect do I give up on? I want to decide today and just order the damn thing!
To be honest I'd try and sacrifice that extra 6" of space when it's folded and go for the XLS, it sounds like it's a all-round better tripod and one that's suited to your build. Having said that, I'm not a big camera buff, so don't quote me on it!
Aye, I love my XLS dude. As linked from IRC, here is a photo set of my tripod. I'll try to add some more pics later. Gitzo 3540XLS - a set on Flickr That extra height the XLS gives you will be very useful if you need to stand on a chair, or if you're out in the wild on uneven ground. The last section in the legs also makes the tripod more wobbly. Though, still very stable, but I don't need to extend them for working around. The viewfinder is about an inch or so above my eye with an Arca-swiss monoball Z1 SP and a 40D without grip. So, in normal use, I have to lower it a little more than the max height from 3 extensions fully extended. With all four extensions out, it stands about around 6 inches from the top of my head. As far as the added weight goes, 500g isn't going to make much of a difference on a hike. Just don't think about it. Concentrate on hiking. Surely if that measly little 500g makes you uncomfortable, then the extra kilo or so added from a nice tele zoom will be unmanageable. Neither of these tripods are really carry on material in my opinion. Though some people have posted in other forums saying that the LS is let on with most airlines. But I'm not going to risk having to let a $750 set of tripod legs go to some airport security guard who isn't going to use them. Lastly, the extra $100 or so for the bigger legs is well worth it. I'll probably have these legs for 20 years, as they are good for even the big zooms that I currently have no plans of getting (or at least for 5+ years.) Oh, and these legs can be easily used as a baseball bat. I'll try to get a shot of myself in a pose for that tonight.
I think he made his point though Nooby question - Pygo - Where is the head on the tripod or is it ment to be fixed position?
M_D_K, The head on a tripod is the bit the camera mounts on that lets it move around and all that. Then you have different quick release plates, ranging from generic ones to ones made specially to fit the bottom of each camera (or telephoto lens) to prevent slipping/rotating. Cheaper tripods come with the head attached and non-removable. The better ones allow you to swap the head out for a better one and so on. Here is a good article on deciding what tripod to get. Though I think it only applies to heavier cameras. I suppose it still has some merit, if you think you'll ever upgrade to an SLR camera or a big movie camera.
Ah, I see.. I misunderstood. lol I've not snapped pics of my head yet, since UPS (the crap delivery company they are) haven't delivered it and a few other things yet. So, I lied about having it. I've bought it, just that I haven't received it yet. I spent all yesterday sitting and waiting patiently. Today as well. And since Monday is a holiday, it might get delivered then, if I were home. But I'll be at work. I'll have to go and get the address changed, and that'll take an extra two days, since they'll just retry delivering home the next day anyways (and possibly once again the next). But by the time they actually try delivering it at work, I'll be off again and I'll have to go make a special trip to pick up my kit. Maybe I'll just leave the ship addy the same and be patient. Thinking optimistically, the tracking info says " 05/16/2008 6:00 A.M. OUT FOR DELIVERY". Of course it said that yesterday too; "05/15/2008 7:21 A.M. OUT FOR DELIVERY". I hate UPS. I shipped next day air. Ah well, I'll just off an email to B&H asking for a refund, or free shipping on my next order. On a side note, this is the norm for UPS in Calgary. When I got my cell phone, it was shipped from Calgary, to Calgary. BUT, it took a detour, accross the country. And then it did it again, though they did catch it in Manitoba the second time and sent it right back. Then the regular shindig happened for the address change to work. It ended up getting same day'd to my work place after I called and said I missed the delivery at home again (even though I wanted it shipped to work.) I guess I'd just like to tell everyone that if you're shipping something, don't ship UPS.
Bad luck Pygo... UPS usually treats me fairly well. What head is it, anyways? I generally hate using tripods but am interested to know what may work well if I ever make that kind of investment.
The Arca-Swiss Monoball Z1 sp (classic, ie screw in type. better compatibility with various quick release heads than the newer snap lock version.) And no, I don't think it's bad luck. Every shipment I've ever had with UPS has screwed up some how. Anything to badly damaged, to lost packages is the way UPS works (or rather doesn't work) for me. Next time I think I'll just pay the extra (twice as much) to have fedex deliver it.
Yikes, that doesn't come cheap (especially after the tripod)! What plates are you using? Re: UPS - they tend to work fairly well for me, it's DHL that I avoid at all costs. Maybe it's a regional thing.
Pygo and I both use Wimberley plates. I would buy Really Right Stuff plates, but I order from B&H every few months, and it never seems worth spending an extra $35+ to have a separate order shipped from RRS. Wimberley and RRS lens plates are equally good. Wimberley makes a universal camera plate with a very high friction material that works quite well, and RRS makes camera-specific plates with twist stops. RRS has the advantage if you don't mind buying one for every camera you'll ever use (and battery grips take a different plate).
Yeah, pretty much. Though some plates don't work as well. I think I'll get an RRS plate for my 40d, and possibly my EOS 3. Though, I'm not sure if I should get the grip plate or not. The 40D is more wobbly with the grip on it, but not very much at all. Not noticeable with my 17-40 (heaviest lens I have that doesn't mount to the tripod itself). So I should be alright with just getting a plate for the grip, which makes swapping stuff around easier. I'm still not sure if I want a grip (extra battery power, and depending on the grip I choose, faster shooting speed) I want for the EOS 3. I'll just use a generic plate on that for the mean time. EDIT: On a side note, my ballhead and other shizzle came late yesterday. I'll be taking it outside tonight/tomorrow night for some snapping (of pictures.) It's quite nice stuff. And I really like the timer remote.
Any Arca-Swiss style plate. Some manufacturers don't use the correct AS standard, so lever quick release heads may need to be adjusted. It's probably best to buy all your plates from the same manufacturer, or at least only Wimberley/RRS.
