Best heavy duty tripod

7 Best Heavy-Duty Tripods in 2022 (For Big Lenses & Cameras)

Today, we will help you find the best heavy-duty tripod for your photography. But first, a lesson I learned about tripods.

I flew to Kiruna, Sweden, a few years ago to see the northern lights. I got up early in the morning to photograph the frozen Torne river, and my tripod broke! Admittedly, it was -13 F (-25 C). But it was still a bit of a shock. How was I going to photograph the aurora borealis without a tripod?

Fortunately, one of the other guests lent me hers. But I learned an important lesson. There’s no substitute for a sturdy tripod when taking pictures in extreme conditions. Buying a cheap and cheerful one is a false economy. What you need is a stable tripod that won’t let you down!

[Note: ExpertPhotography is supported by readers. Product links on ExpertPhotography are referral links. If you use one of these and buy something, we make a little money. Need more info? See how it all works here. ]

The 7 Best Heavy-Duty Tripods

Here’s our list of the best carbon fiber and aluminum models on the market. If you want to know what to look for in a heavy-duty tripod, read our buying guide at the end of this article.

7. 3 Legged Thing Winston 2.0

The British-made 3 Legged Thing Winston 2.0 tripod comes in earth bronze or metallic slate grey and scores well in all the major categories. The head can support a maximum load of 66 lbs 2 oz (30 kg)—which is more than you could ever possibly need. The height range of 5.7 inches (14.5 cm) to 6 ft 4.4 inches (1.94 m) also lets you take pictures while standing up—unless you’re even taller than I am at 6 feet 3 inches!

This 8-layer carbon fiber tripod weighs only 4 lb 8 oz (2.05 kg). The folded length of 24.1 inches (61.2 cm) is bearable unless you want to put it inside your camera bag. In that case, you’d be better off with the Leo 2.0, which folds down to just 14.7 inches (37.3 cm).

Once you’ve mounted your camera, the tripod shows great stability. You can even convert it into a monopod, boom, or tabletop version. On the other hand, there’s no thread on the crown to mount accessories, like an iPhone mount. And there’s no quick-release mechanism to remove your camera.

Price: $$

Pros:

Great stability
Heavy maximum load
Lightweight materials and construction
You can use it at eye level standing up
Low minimum height good for macro work
Versatile center column
Choice of colors

Cons:

Long folded length
No cheaper aluminum version
No accessories thread on the crown
No quick-release mechanism

6. ZoMei Z818

The orange or blue ZoMei Z818 is an affordable, all-weather aluminum tripod that copes well with heavy DSLR lenses. It also converts into a monopod if you screw together the center column and one of the legs.

The combination of magnesium and aluminum used in its construction means it’s quite light at 3. 7 lbs (1.7 kg). The whole thing is also weather-sealed using anodic oxidation. So it’s perfect for extreme conditions.

The legs come in four sections. And you can hold them at three different angles. They have independent twist locks to fix or release them. You can also fold them back 180 degrees so that the whole tripod measures only 18 inches (45.7 cm).

The maximum height of 65 inches (165 cm) is a little on the low side if you’re tall. And the minimum height of 22 inches (55.9 cm) is a little on the high side if you like to get down low to take wildlife or macro shots.

But it has a 360-degree panorama ball head with individual head tension and lock knobs. It also has a pan lock to help you adjust it to the exact position and keep it there.

Finally, you get a few useful features, like the column hook underneath the center column. And it has a convenient quick-release plate (with a built-in spirit level) that lets you release your camera at the push of a button.

Price: $

Pros:

Affordable
Includes an adjustable ball head
Converts into a monopod
Short folded length
Weather sealed
Includes column hook
Quick-release plate

Cons:

Not suitable for ground-level shooting
Not high enough to use at eye level if you’re tall

5. FLM CP34-L4 II

This heavy-duty tripod was designed in Germany but built in China. The FLM CP34-L4 II is a black, systematic, Series 3 carbon fiber tripod. And it’s relatively affordable.

It offers good stability and vibration resistance. And it ticks virtually all the boxes when it comes to heavy-duty camera tripods:

Its maximum weight capacity is 72.75 lbs (33 kg).
Its height range is 4.5 inches (11.3 cm) to 68.3 inches (173.5 cm).
Its folded length is 23.6 inches (60 cm).
Its weight is 4.3 lbs (1.95 kg).

The 10-layer carbon fiber legs come in four sections and simply slide out of the tubes when unlocked. You don’t need to pull or shake them to reach full extension.

The platform has a cork and rubber composite pad on top of it to dampen vibrations and ensure a firm grip on whatever head you install. There are also three plastic screws arranged around the center that you can tighten with a hex wrench (or Allen key) if you want even more security. Alternatively, you can remove the platform to reveal the integrated video bowl.

It doesn’t come with a tripod head or column hook (just a 1/4-inch hole). And the leg locks are bare metal and hard to use in extreme cold. But it does have a bubble level on the apex, an integrated 75 mm video bowl, and the option of rubber feet or 40 mm steel spikes.

Price: $$

Pros:

Lightweight
Heavy maximum load
Good vibration resistance
It can be used without crouching when standing up
Low enough minimum height for macro work
Bubble level on the apex
Option of rubber feet or 40 mm steel spikes

Cons:

Long folded length
No head
No column hook
Leg locks awkwardly in cold weather
Only available in black

4.

Neewer Camera Tripod Style III

The Neewer Camera Tripod Style III is an aluminum tripod that comes in red and black. It’s a tall camera tripod—the tallest in the Neewer range at 72.4 inches (184 cm). But the minimum height of 25.6 inches (65 cm) is rather disappointing. It supports 33 lbs (15 kg), weighs 4.76 lbs (2.16 kg), and folds to 26.4 inches (67 cm).

The panoramic ball head has an Arca-Swiss-compatible quick-release plate. It also has three adjustment knobs and two bubble levels to ensure a straight horizon.

The multi-angle center column lets you adjust your shooting angle (0, 22.5, 45, 67.5, or 90 degrees) and can be rotated 360 degrees in the horizontal position. It can also be reversed to shoot low-level macro photos. There is also an eye from which you can hang a weight for extra stability.

The legs come in four sections and are made of magnesium-aluminum alloy with sponge grips for better grip and comfort in hot or cold weather. There are twist locks, and the legs’ angles are independently adjustable using spiral-type locking knobs. You can also use one of them as a 20.7-56.9 inches (52.5-144.5 cm) monopod or walking stick.

Price: $

Pros:

Excellent value
One of the tallest tripods available
An adjustable ball head and two bubble levels
Reversible center column with different shooting angles
Quick-release plate
Eye for hanging weight
Leg doubles as monopod or walking stick

Cons:

You can’t use it at ground level
Long folded length

3. Gitzo GT3543LS

The French company Gitzo is probably the biggest name in high-end, heavy-duty tripods. The Gitzo GT3543LS Series 3 is a systematic tripod made of carbon fiber. It offers best-in-class vibration resistance despite its slim legs and narrow stance. But it comes with a hefty price tag!

The maximum height is relatively low at 57.5 inches (146 cm). But that won’t matter if you’re not particularly tall or plan to use a gimbal head or center column. The minimum height of only 3.5 inches (9 cm) is fine for macro work.

The tripod weighs only 4.27 lbs (1.94 kg), making it the most lightweight heavy-duty tripod in Gitzo’s Series 3 lineup. It has a good load limit of 55 lbs (25 kg) and folds down to 21.6 inches (55 cm).

There’s no head included. But you get a 70 mm Gitzo Safe-Lock platform clamped on the side with a release button. It can be removed or replaced with a video bowl or center column. There’s also a large ballast hook under the platform. And the apex has a bubble level.

The four-section Carbon eXact legs show no flex even when fully extended. They can be locked at 23, 53, or 86 degrees. And you can choose 33 mm and 55 mm removable feet.

The G-Lock Ultra Twist locks are weather-sealed. And you can also twist to unlock all three locks simultaneously with only a quarter-turn. It’s a real timesaver!

Weakness and Strengths

There are just a couple of small gripes:

The leg angle locks are a bit fiddly.
The Easy Link attachment port for accessories has a 3/8-inch thread rather than the standard 1/4 inch. This means it may not be compatible with your iPhone clamp, for instance, unless you use a reducer bushing.
The shims or “hose clamps” used to stop the legs from rotating are fragile. They easily break, get lost, or are damaged. So you might need a few spares!

On the plus side, Gitzo offers a huge range of accessories for your tripod, including video bowls, leveling bases, geared columns, and sliding carbon-fiber center columns. Gitzo’s worldwide sales and support network also make it fairly easy to find replacement parts or a place to get repair work done.

Price: $$$

Pros:

Stiff legs and excellent vibration resistance
Lightweight but with a heavy load limit
Low minimum height
Quick-release leg locks
Wide range of accessories and worldwide support

Cons:

Expensive
No head included
Low maximum height
Fiddly leg locks
Wrong thread on the Easy Link attachment port
Hose clamps are easily lost or damaged
Only available in grey

2.

Oben CT-2491

The Oben CT-2491 is an affordable carbon fiber tripod. It offers a great combination of load weight—39.6 lbs (18 kg)—and maximum height—72.5 inches (184.1 cm).

The minimum height of 6 inches (15.2 cm) is also perfect for low-level, macro work. And it weighs only 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg). Although the folded 23.3 inches (59.2 cm) is rather long.

It doesn’t come with a tripod head. But you can add the GH-30 Gimbal Head to make a rock-solid platform for sports and wildlife photography. It consists of a solid cast aluminum alloy chassis and 6x carbon fiber, with non-rotating legs in four sections.

The twist locks are quite stiff. But the rubberized feet retract to reveal spikes for better grip on ice, snow, or sand. The only slight quibble is that the center column doesn’t lock down completely to prevent it from slipping down.

Price: $

Pros:

Affordable price
Lightweight construction
Good maximum load capacity
You can use it standing up or lying down
Rubber feet or spikes

Cons:

No tripod head
Long folded length
Stiff twist locks
The center column doesn’t lock

1.

Gitzo GT5563GS Systematic Series 5

The Gitzo GT5563GS Systematic Series 5 is a carbon fiber tripod. It’s in a class of its own in terms of load capacity, maximum height, minimum height—and price!

Its nickname is “Giant” because it can support up to 88 lbs (40 kg) of camera gear at heights of 3.9 inches (10cm) up to 109.4 inches (278 cm)! But that comes with a massive compromise in terms of weight and length. It tips the scales at 7.8 lbs (3.56 kg). And it only folds down to 28.7 inches (73 cm).

The general design is similar to the less expensive GT3543LS, with Carbon eXact Tubing, G-Lock Ultra Twist locks, and an Easy Link attachment port. But the legs come in six sections. So don’t try setting this one up in a hurry!

The specifications and the cost are ridiculous. But sometimes you just need the best of the best!

Price: $$$

Pros:

Excellent load capacity
Market-leading maximum height
You can use it at ground level
A broad range of accessories globally available

Cons:

Very expensive
Very heavy
Long folded length
Slow to set up

Heavy-Duty Tripod Buying Guide

If you’re buying a camera, the key factors to consider (apart from price) are sensor size, frame rate, and the autofocus system. If you’re buying a lens, the most important specifications are optical quality, focal length, and whether it’s zoom or a prime.

In both cases, these factors are critical to your ability to do the job. And it’s the same with a tripod.

Any camera shake will ruin your images if the tripod vibrates in windy conditions. If the tripod’s build quality is so poor that it’s likely to fall over, you might even lose your camera!

So what are the factors to consider when buying a heavy-duty camera tripod? The trade-offs are between size, stability, and price. You can usually get two of them, but not all three!

Some specifications are dealbreakers, but some are just a matter of personal preference. It’s vital to be clear in your own mind about the differences between the two.

Photographer with tripod and reindeer.

Dealbreakers

For myself, these must-have features for heavy-duty tripods:

Maximum Load Capacity: This must be enough for your needs. A good rule of thumb is that a heavy-duty tripod should be 1.5x the weight of your camera and your heaviest lens.
Height Range: This must match the level at which you generally want to take pictures. I’m 6 feet 3 inches tall, and there are plenty of times when I need to shoot standing up at eye level—if only to avoid back spasms! That means I need a full-size tripod that extends to at least 72 inches. Equally, there are times when I want to get down really low, so the lowest height has to be only a few inches.
Folded Length: This is obviously not a factor when you’re shooting. But it might be vital when traveling. A security guard once banned me from taking my tripod on a plane from Buenos Aires because they classed it as an “offensive weapon”! It would have been much easier if it had been compact enough to stow in my camera bag.
Weight: This might also be crucial when flying abroad. When I travel with my camera bag, I always struggle to meet the carry-on limit—especially when it’s only 15 kg on local flights in Africa. That’s impossible for me to make if I take all my lenses. So the last thing I need is even more weight to carry with a heavy tripod!

Personal Preferences

To me, these features fall more under preferences.

Tripod Head

The tripod head must be appropriate for the type of shots you’ll be taking:

Ball Head: This works well if you need flexibility and a quick response.
Fluid Head: If you like panning shots, the greater precision and adjustability of the three-way or pan-and-tilt head might be better. Any fluid head also helps to dampen any erratic camera movements.
Gimbal Head: This is perfect for keeping your camera balanced if you shoot a lot with a long lens.
Nodal or Panoramic Heads: These help avoid parallax errors and stitching problems in your panoramas.
“Systematic” Tripod: This has an open area at the top where the head would usually be. It lets you swap between different attachments, such as a video bowl, center column, or leveling base.

A photographer using a gimbal head tripod. © Nick Dale

Other Tripod Features

Material: Tripods come in plastic or even wood. But aluminum and carbon fiber tripods have much better strength-to-weight ratios. But be aware that the choice of carbon fiber leads to a more expensive tripod!
Leg Diameter: Gitzo’s Series 3 heavy-duty tripod legs measure 33-36 mm at the top. And that’s now a kind of industry benchmark among many manufacturers.
Hooks: A hook under the center column lets you hang your camera bag underneath to add stability in strong winds.
Feet: Rubber feet are generally the best for most surfaces (either indoors or outdoors). But metal spikes are better in icy conditions. Some models have both types built in. You may just have to retract the rubber feet to reveal the spikes.
Center Columns: These are useful if you want to extend the height of a tripod (and they can be turned 90 degrees or reversed to get low-angle shots). But tripods tend to become more unstable with the center column extended. The general rule is that you should only lift the center column as the last resort once you’ve extended the legs completely, so you might not need one.
Leg Locks: You can fix tripod legs using twist or lever locks. In theory, both types of leg locks might fail. But at least the twist locks will give you a second or two to catch your camera if the tripod starts falling over. But the only twist-lock tripod I ever bought broke the first time I used it, and I had to throw it away!
Number of Leg Sections: This is a trade-off between stability and convenience. The more sections there are, the smaller the tripod is to carry. But the tripod won’t be as sturdy and will take longer to put up and take down.
Leg Angles: This determines how high and stable the tripod is for a given leg length. There are usually three preset angles at which the legs click into position, such as 23, 53, and 86 degrees. Each leg lifts independently. So you can always lift one or two if you’re on uneven surfaces or there’s a tree in your way.

Hook underneath the Gitzo GT3543LSUS

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a heavy-duty tripod, you can’t go far wrong with Gitzo. Whether you opt for the “Giant” or the more modest GT3543LS, the design and build quality will never let you down—wherever you are and whatever the weather. But plenty of other models cover the bases in terms of my “dealbreakers.” And they can be found for a fraction of the price.

All photographers are different. We all work in different genres and environments with different cameras. I rarely need a tripod on safari in Africa because there’s nowhere to put it in the truck! But I often use long telephoto lenses to take panning shots with long exposures. And I couldn’t have taken pictures of the northern lights without a stable tripod.

If you’re looking for a budget heavy-duty tripod and don’t spend much time working in adverse conditions, then you might be perfectly happy with a ZoMei Z818 or Oben CT-2491. On the other hand, money might be no object if you’re obsessive about the sharpness of your landscapes.

To choose the best heavy-duty tripod, you just have to ask yourself what your priorities are. Once you’ve come up with an answer, I hope this list will guide you to the best products on the market.

If you want to take breathtaking photos of animals in their natural habitat, check out our Wonderful Wildlife Portraits e-book!

4 Best Heavy Duty Tripods for Big Camera & Lenses

If you shoot landscape, sports, astrophotography, or wildlife photography, you definitely need a heavy-duty camera tripod.

A sturdy tripod can be the difference between a sharp image and a blurred one, particularly if your camera or lens is heavy.

Despite the emergence of lighter mirrorless cameras, long telephoto lenses are still heavy and require heavy-duty tripods with a larger maximum load capacity.

Editor's Choice

3 Legged Thing Winston 2.0 Carbon Fiber Tripod

Super strong, stable and packed full of features. Great value for money with included ball head and monopod convertibility.

Check Current Price

In this guide, you’ll discover various affordable aluminum and carbon fiber tripods that are strong enough to support heavy camera + lens setups.

Remember – with tripods, you get what you pay for – a heavy lens or camera usually means it’s expensive, so don’t skimp on tripod quality unless you want an expensive disaster!

Let’s take a look at the top recommendations.

Table of Contents

4 Best Value Heavy Duty Tripods in 2022

Product	Features
3 Legged Thing Winston 2. 0 Carbon Fiber Tripod BEST ALLROUND	Recommended for landscape/studio 5 Year global warranty Ultimate rigidity and stability Lightweight & Easy to Transport	View Price →
Mactrem Heavy Duty Aluminium Tripod BEST BUDGET	Lightweight & Portable Easy Set Up Phone Holder Included Compact	View Price →
Gitzo GT2532 Mountaineer Series 2 Carbon Fiber Tripod	Reversable Column Rigid & Lightweight Fast & Easy to Use G-Lock Ultra Log Logs	View Price →
Induro CLT203 No.2 Stealth Carbon Fiber Tripod	Sturdy & Reliable Wide Stance Lightweight Easy Set Up	View Price →

1. 3 Legged Thing Winston 2.0 Carbon Fiber Tripod with Ball Head

See More Reviews

Editor's Choice

Pros

Insane 88 lb(40kg) maximum load capacity
Excellent stability
Converts to a tabletop tripod
Removable legs convert to monopod/boom
Parallel locking
Carrying case with shoulder strap

Cons

No accessories thread on crown
No safety mechanism for quick release

Check current price

The 3 Legged Thing Winston 2. 0 Tripod is one of the most stable heavy-duty tripods that’s also surprisingly lightweight and portable too.

It features a height range from a minimum of 5.7″ (146 mm) to a maximum height of 76.4″ (1.94 m). The max height is one of the tallest available from a full-sized tripod with a compact design.

It has a neat and compact folded length of 24″ (612mm) and weighs only 4.51lb(2.05 kg), making it super portable for photographers on the go. This is a decent weight for a tripod that can support super heavy lenses.

If you’re shooting long exposures with a large DSLR body and heavy lenses, the 3 Legged Thing Winston will handle evertthing with impressive stability.

It can support up to 88lb! (40kg) and hold as steady as you need, thanks to the parallel locking mechanism.

All three legs are removable and convert to a monopod or boom arm. 3 Legged Thing has a range of feet and metal spikes available to replace the legs and create a stable tabletop tripod system.

The center column is telescopic to provide optimal reach and height adjustment, although extending it fully will obviously bring some stability issues depending on the load and the surface on which it’s placed.

It’s hard to beat the Winston when looking for the best heavy-duty tripod – 3 Legged Thing really know what they’re doing when it comes to tripods.

2. Mactrem Heavy Duty Aluminium Tripod with 360 Degree Ball Head

See More Reviews

Editor's Choice

Pros

33 lbs(14.9kg) maximum load
Budget-friendly
Lightweight tripod at 2.9lbs (1.32kg)
90-degree tilting ball head

Cons

A little short

Check current price

If you’re on a budget, the Mactrem Heavy Duty Aluminium Tripod with 360 Degree Ball Head is for you.

The Mactrem is a lightweight and compact tripod that will support a hefty camera and lens kit on uneven ground. The tripod is lightweight at just 2.9lbs (1.32kg), allowing you to transport it anywhere you go.

This aluminum tripod features a folded length of 17.5″ (44.45cm), a minimum height of 21.5″ (54.6cm), and a maximum height of 62.5″ (158.75cm). While not the tallest max height, it’s a great value tripod for supporting heavier landscape photography cameras and for general portrait photography work.

Among its list of features, the Mactrem tripod is extremely rigid and includes an Arca-swiss compatible Quick Release Plate, flip locks, leg sections, removable monopod, and legs that fold up to 180-degrees.

The center column flips in just a few seconds to hang your camera upside down for low-angle photography and macro photography.

It’s one of the best budget-conscious aluminum tripods with a surprisingly good weight capacity.

3. Gitzo GT2532 Mountaineer Series 2 Carbon Fiber Tripod

See More Reviews

Editor's Choice

Pros

Supports up to 39lbs (17. 6kg)
Lightweight tripod at 3.7lbs(1.68kg)
Reversible center column
Wider legs with twist locks

Cons

Legs only – no ball head

Check current price

The Gitzo GT2532 Mountaineer Series 2 Carbon Fiber Tripod is a brilliant example of the quality and precision engineering you can expect from a brand leader in the tripod space.

Constructed from carbon eXact, this tripod is one of the most stable for large camera/lens combos and effortlessly supports 39lbs(17.6kg). The Gitzo assures enhanced stability for your heavy lenses and DSLR with a battery grip.

All this from a tripod that weighs 3.7lbs(1.68kg) and has a folded length of 25.59″ (65cm).

The Gitzo GT2532 Mountaineer has a minimum height of 6.3″ (16cm) thanks to the reversible center column, making low-angle shots for macro photography are a breeze.

The maximum height is 166cm making the Gitzo ideal for studio and landscape work when a full extension is often preferable.

A good value ball head to pair with the tripod is the Induro Tripods BHL2S – a durable and sturdy ball head with an Arca-Swiss style quick-release system and smooth 360-degree panning action.

4. Induro CLT203 No.2 Stealth Carbon Fiber Tripod

See More Reviews

Editor's Choice

Pros

35.3 lb (16 kg) load capacity
Carbon Fibre
Twist Locks
Sturdy center column lock

Cons

Legs only – no ball head
Centre column not removable

Check current price

The Induro CLT203 No.2 Stealth Carbon Fiber Tripod is a durable and super stable tripod for your DSLR kit. Each of the carbon fiber legs features 3-sections with twisting locks for quick setup and takedown.

It makes our heavy-duty tripod guide due to its enhanced stability and useful 35.3 lb(16 kg) load capacity.

The Induro tripod has a folded length of 24. 61″ (62.5cm) and weighs just 3.48lb (1.58kg), allowing you to strap it to any camera backpack when out and about adventuring.

It’s a flexible arrangement with legs that lock at three leg angles, a minimum height of 14.76″ (37.5cm), and a max height of 63″ (160cm).

Induro also develops durable tripod heads such as the aforementioned Induro Tripods BHL2S Ball Head that features an Arca-Swiss style quick-release system and smooth 360-degree panning action.

How to Choose a Heavy-Duty Tripod

When you’re shopping for a stable tripod to support the weight of your heavy camera + lens photography setup, there are several things to consider.

In the guide below, professional landscape and astrophotographer Matthew Saville gives us his advice on making the right decision.

1) Twist Lock vs. Lever Lock

An assortment of Slik and Giottos tripod legs with twist-lock leg joints with rubber feet

One of the most strongly debated aspects of tripod design is twist-lock leg joints vs. lever-lock (flip locks).

In my opinion, this is a matter of preference. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Both can be very strong and reliable, and both can have incidents of total failure.

The biggest deciding factor between these opposite scenarios lies with the quality of the tripod itself.

Lever-lock leg joints generally never have issues with the lower legs getting twisted and jammed, which is a very nice plus in favour of lever-lock design.

However, lever-locks only “pinch” the tripod leg in one place where the lever is, and therefore if a lever-lock does fail on one or more legs, it may cause the immediate crashing of your entire tripod, instead of a slow slipping that might give you an extra second or two to grab your camera.

Twist-lock leg joints, on the other hand, use friction adjustment and clamp the whole tripod leg to make the leg stiffer overall.

They can still fail, of course, by simply not being fully tightened or by actual mechanical failure with a full load capacity. Either way, if they do fail, they usually slip slowly instead of collapsing instantly.

Any kind of tripod leg lock failure is bad though and can happen in just a couple of seconds. Therefore, the best thing you can do is buy a good quality tripod and make sure your legs are truly locked before you attach your camera.

2) Number of Tripod Leg Sections

The more leg sections a tripod has, the more flex it will have, making it hard to precisely frame a shot with heavier DSLR cameras and heavy lenses. It can even cause blur in the images, so it’s all the more important when shopping for a heavy-duty tripod.

Remember: one more leg lock per leg is three more points of potential failure.

A tripod that has just three or four leg sections (two or three locks) per leg is optimal to enhance stability but typically has a longer folded length. Tripods that have four locks, or five leg sections per leg, are usually a massive compromise on rigidity. Avoid them at all costs!

Thankfully, most tripod brands offer more than one option. Only a few brands offer nothing but 5-section legs, as they brand themselves as a maker of compact travel tripods.

Ironically, their tripods are actually bigger and heavier than many other travel tripods.

3) Leg Lock Materials

Both twist-lock and lever-lock tripod leg joints can be made of cheap quality plastic, high-quality plastic, or even metal. As you might imagine, cheap plastic lever-locks can easily break…

However, the problems with twist-locks are almost equally bad: the thin plastic shims and locking spacers in a twist-lock leg can fail and/or jam, causing both long-term frustration and abrupt complete failure.

Keep in mind that your tripod must carry your DSLR and heavy lenses at max height and full load capacity.

Simply put, avoid cheap plastic materials. Stick with name-brand options that have a long track record of surviving years of abuse by the types of photographers who use their tripods daily.

4) Tripod Center Columns

I only ever extend my center column when conditions are extremely calm and when the composition absolutely requires it

Avoid using a center column as much as possible. A center column is only a good idea when you absolutely need extra height, once in a while.

Your every day, most-used tripod should be tall enough that you can use it at eye level with the center column down.

Never use a tripod with a double-jointed center column or a “permanently up” center column. Simply put, a center column is too much of a compromise for both your image sharpness and the actual safety of your camera, and there are better options out there for lightweight travel tripods that don’t require such a compromise.

5) Tripod Leg Material: Carbon Fiber vs. Aluminum

Carbon Fiber is lighter and stiffer than aluminum. However, aluminum is both more affordable and in some cases even more durable.

As far as tripod leg materials are concerned, the carbon fiber vs aluminium tripod debate rages on! In truth though, both materials have certain advantages.

Aluminum is affordable and quite indestructible when it comes to absorbing general scratches and dings.

Carbon fiber, on the other hand, is not only lighter but also stiffer and less prone to that “vibrato” that legs can get in windy conditions.

I will say this: I would rather have a name-brand, sturdy, stiff aluminum tripod than a wobbly, cheap generic brand carbon fiber tripod.

I have seen too many “basic” carbon fiber tripods utterly fall apart, or become very wobbly with a full load capacity.

While I do recommend carbon fiber for anyone who has over $300 to spend and is looking for a lightweight, strong tripod, if you’re on a budget, I would stick with the name brands even if it means getting an aluminum version instead of carbon one.

Name Brands such as Manfrotto and Slik both offer similar versions of their tripods in carbon and aluminum.

6) Tripod Leg and Head Grip Rubber Material

Giottos ball head: One locking knob lost its rubber after just a few months, hence the gaff tape. The other is cracking too.

If you ever leave your tripod in the sun for too long, (let alone in a hot car trunk for even just a few hours!), you may ruin the grip rubber on the leg locks and/or the tripod head’s locking knobs.

In fact, on literally all of the non-name-brand camera tripods I’ve ever tested, these rubber parts eventually “melt” and start slipping, (making it impossible to safely lock them) …or they’ll dry out and crack and fall off completely.

The cheaper the tripod brand, the sooner the grip rubber will crack or melt, such as on this “fake” Giottos tripod from eBay.

Only the best brands seem to have rubber parts that stand the test of time. My personal favourite? Any tripod brand that has all-metal knobs and lock grips!

These brands include (most) FLM tripods and heads, almost all Oben ball-type heads, and a few other brands that make heavy-duty tripods.

7) Tripod Size & Weight

All shapes and sizes: just a small part of my tripod collection, including Slik, Giottos, and Manfrotto tripods

In case it isn’t already apparent, tripods of all weights and sizes can be useful. As a dedicated landscape and adventure/travel photographer, I’m a firm believer that there is no perfect size/weight tripod for everything that a serious photographer may do.

Your best first investment is likely to be a relatively medium-weight, tall tripod. It should be light enough so you don’t feel inclined to leave it at home, yet tall and strong enough that it can handle your biggest camera and lens without difficulty.

If you put a lot of wear-and-tear on your tripod almost daily, such as shooting on the beach with saltwater and sand repeatedly getting on your tripod leg locks, you may want to consider getting a big, heavy-duty tripod – one that can just be rinsed off under a shower or spigot afterwards, to clean off salt residue and other nasty stuff.

How heavy should a tripod be? Most DSLR tripods weigh less than 10 lbs, and most travel tripods weigh less than 5 lbs. The weight you choose should reflect how you plan to use it – hiking up a mountain will require something lightweight, for example.

If you’re wanting to make your tripod heavier when shooting on unstable ground or high winds, you can usually hang your camera bag from a hook under the center column if there is one.

By their nature, heavy-duty camera tripods are usually heavier and bulkier than other models, so this will help you keep a stable shot in adverse conditions. They will also support a heavier load capacity, especially when shooting on uneven surfaces.

8) Tripod Height

Your most-used tripod should reach eye level without the center column extended, such as this Manfrotto 190X Pro.

My best advice for choosing a stable tripod is to make sure you get one that reaches your eye level, preferably without using the center column.

If your camera doesn’t have an articulated LCD that allows you to look at it without hunching over such as the Nikon D750, then even a few inches to the max height can make a world of difference and save you some major back pain in the long run.

9) Tripod Feet

Tripod feet are another consideration when choosing a heavy-duty tripod. There are a few basic designs, each with various advantages.

i) Rubber-tipped feet are friendlier to your floor if you ever use the tripod indoors and especially on tile or wooden floors.

ii) Some tripods offer metal spiked feet, for really gripping outdoor surfaces, from soft dirt to hard rock.

Many tripod brands now offer retractable spikes, meaning you can screw the foot one way to have a rubber foot, or screw it another way to expose a metal spike.

However, on cheaper brand tripods, this is just another thing to go wrong- eventually, the rubber feet will fall off and you’ll be left with just the spikes. This is just another reason to get a good quality tripod, even if it only comes with rubber feet, or if metal spiked feet are an aftermarket accessory.

iii) Some tripods offer specialty feet, such as sharp claws for really grabbing rocks or to minimize sinking in sand and snow. (Really Right Stuff makes these; watch out though – they’re razor-sharp!)

10) How do I choose a tripod head?

Left: Benro Video (3-way) head. Right: Slik Mini Ballhead (1 locking knob only)

While many heavy-duty tripods do come with both a set of “legs” and a “head” together, some of the best choices might be sold as legs only, without a head.

You don’t necessarily have to buy tripod heads and legs separately, but let’s discuss the different types of heads so that you can make sure to buy what’s right for your type of photography.

Ball Heads

Ball heads are simple: One knob loosens and tightens the entire thing, allowing you to freely compose your frame with much flexibility.

The better tripod heads do offer separate locking knobs for side-to-side panning motion, and possibly even an additional knob to adjust the overall tension of the main locking knob.

I recommend looking for a tripod head with both a main locking knob/lever and a separate panning lock.

3-Way Panning Head

The other most common type of head is the 3-way panning head. These heads allow you to separately control the angles of your camera, to more carefully compose your shot. They’re usually a little bigger and more cumbersome than ball-type heads, but they offer better precision that can be very useful.

Many 3-way heads also offer a large panning arm, for smoothly panning your camera up, down, left, or right when recording video. It’s an ideal feature for shooting with heavy lenses too.

If you’re a run-and-gun type of photographer, however, we do recommend heads for their speed and portability.

Gimbal & Nodal Heads

Lastly, for the truly enormous telephoto lenses, and for panoramic stitching, nodal and gimbal heads offer a unique benefit – they allow you to freely move your camera around while keeping it perfectly balanced, and/or keeping it over the nodal point of the lens which makes panoramic stitching almost effortless.

These types of heads are usually the biggest and most expensive, however, so I don’t recommend them as your very first investment.

11) Tripod Head Quick Release System

Thankfully we can keep this simple: Arca-Swiss is the universal clamp system for photography, and your best bet is to adopt it.

Arca-Swiss is based on a 2 piece mechanism, with a ‘plate’ attached to a camera or a lens, and a ‘mounting base’ or a ‘clamp’, where the plate gets attached and secured.

With Arca-Swiss, you can freely swap most camera plates and tripod head clamps, making it very convenient to use multiple tripods and just leave the plate attached to your camera.

Arca-Swiss also offers L-brackets, which allow for quick vertical mounting of your camera.

There are other, proprietary tripod quick release plate systems, and the smaller ones should be avoided as they just won’t support much more than a GoPro or small point & shoot camera.

Manfrotto has two different proprietary quick release plate systems, both of which are very sturdy, one made for photographers and the other is quite universal for videographers. However, unless you’re a serious videographer, I recommend sticking with Arca-Swiss.

12) Bubble Levels

Not enough tripods have a bubble level in the “perfect” spot.

Most cameras have digital levels these days, so why would you need a bubble level on your tripod itself?

A perfectly level tripod can be helpful for creating perfectly level panoramas very quickly, instead of having to re-level the camera for every single frame of a pano.

For this, ignore most bubble levels that are placed randomly around the ball head; they’re not nearly as useful as having a bubble level on the tripod base itself.

13) Tripod Cost, Budget & Value for Money

As the saying goes, “buy the expensive option once, and it will only hurt your wallet once. Buy the cheap option, and it may hurt twice, or more…”

In other words, when setting your budget for a tripod, you should consider the long-term cost. A tripod that breaks after just 1 year, but costs more than 1/3 the price of a tripod that lasts 3-5+ years, is simply not a good value.

So, if you can’t afford a good tripod right away, just keep saving up.

Having said that, while saving for your more expensive tripod, there are numerous options you can purchase in the meantime at very affordable prices. It won’t be wasted money in the long run, because the tripod will become a backup or secondary tripod if you ever save up for a nicer one.

Final Words

Buying a sturdy tripod that’s strong enough to handle your heavy camera and long telephoto lens needn’t be so complicated.

Despite the length of this guide, your decision really only boils down to tripod quality (read buyer reviews on Amazon), maximum load capacity, and your intended use.

The best tripod is a personal choice based on the kind of photography you wish to shoot and where you want to shoot it.

Investing in big-name brands may make the best sense to you if you plan to use the tripod frequently, but the lesser-known brands introduced in this guide are great value for money too.

Happy shooting!

Editor's Choice

3 Legged Thing Winston 2.0 Carbon Fiber Tripod

Super strong, stable and packed full of features. Great value for money with included ball head and monopod convertibility.

Check Current Price

DMITRY EVTIFEEV'S BLOG | Review of the powerful carbon tripod Gitzo Systematic GT5532LS

Hello friends!

Today we will plunge into the world of truly professional photography equipment and take a look at the powerful tripod Gitzo Systematic GT5532LS . Gitzo GK2545T-82QD Traveler

I wrote a brief history of the Gitzo brand here

Many of you imagine a powerful tripod as being made of metal and weighing many kilograms, almost unbearable. It used to be that the best tripod (in terms of dampening vibrations) is the heaviest. This opinion is outdated.

With the invention by of the Gitzo in 1994 of the carbon tripod, and improvements in tripod design, the way professionals view tripods has changed dramatically. Now we will get acquainted with the achievements of science.

Gitzo has several series of tripods
Gitzo Systematic
Gitzo Systematic GT5532LS
Specifications
Tripod legs
Tripod head
Specifications
Quick release plate
Stand test
400 mm
800 mm
Findings and results
Bonus

back to contents ↑

— mountaineer 0053 - traveler (lightweight and extra compact with 180 degree folding legs)
- systematic (powerful, extra stable and modular - suitable for extra heavy equipment and cameras with telephoto lenses)
- leveling (special
- explorer (special series of tripods with freely movable center column)

Today we are reviewing a tripod from series Systematic (pro), which aims to provide particularly high stability, compactness and relatively low weight (compared to aluminum counterparts).

Systematic modular tripods, with a large hole in the center where various types of central columns are mounted, an adapter for installing video heads, a leveling platform, but in most cases the tripod head is attached directly to the hub disk, as in our case.

In fact, this hole is a powerful clamp that will fix additional accessories very securely.

There are two options for fixing the tripod head. The first is a screw with a plastic tip. He tightens the whole collar. It is clearly visible in the previous picture on the right, and in this picture it is from below. Accordingly, you loosen the clamp with the same screw if you want to remove the tripod accessory (column, tripod head, etc.).

For insurance, there is a stop button on the bottom of the tripod, which must be pressed after you have released the clamp with the screw. Only then can you remove the tripod head.

This is what the Gitzo Systematic replacement column looks like.

back to contents ↑

Let's look at the labeling of tripods Gitzo , which at first glance may seem complicated.

The first G of stands for Gitzo.
The second letter of , "T", stands for "Tripod" and stands for tripod. It can also be: B - Boom, C - Carry Solution, H - Head, K - Kit and M - Monopod.

The first digit of indicates the tripod series within the Systematic family. The higher the number, the more powerful the tripod.

In our case, the GT5532LS is the most powerful Series 5, for lenses up to 500mm. Gitzo has a very thorough approach to testing a tripod for stability, so you can shoot with larger focal lengths, but according to Gitzo there will be no guarantee of absolute stability.

Gitzo draws attention to the fact that you need to choose a tripod based not on weight load, but on the focal length of the lens (for crop - taking into account crop), because the camera shift is more noticeable, the smaller the viewing angle.

The second digit in the numerical part of the model name indicates the material of the tripod legs. 3 - aluminum, 5 - carbon, 7 - magnesium alloy, 8 - basalt.

In our case, the GT5532LS is carbon.

The third digit of is the number of sections in the tripod legs. The more sections in the legs of the tripod, the less stable it is and the thinner the lowest section of the tubes of the legs of the tripod. But the more sections, the more compact the tripod is usually.

In our case, the GT5532LS is a three-section tripod.

The fourth digit indicates the tripod version. The higher the number, the newer version of this tripod you have on hand.

In our case, the GT5532LS is the second edition.

back to content ↑

Tripod Systematic GT5532LS belongs to the most powerful series of tripods Gitzo for a reason, it has legs of the largest diameter, so taking it in your hands you will immediately feel that this is not an ordinary travel tripod, but a thing for professional work .

back to contents ↑

Specifications

Weight	2.95 kg.
Load capacity	up to 40 kg
Maximum height (without column)	150 cm (with the largest column up to ~320 cm!)
Minimum installation height	10.8 cm
Leg material	carbon
Number of leg sections	3
Leg fixation angles	26°,55°,89°
Leg section diameters	32.2, 36.6, 41.2 mm
Center column	missing
Folded length	68.8 cm
Upper disc diameter	100 mm
Mount	3/8"
Bubble level	1 pc
Leg Lock	Twist Lock
Operating temperatures	-30C to +60C
Case included	no
Color	Noir Decor

Have you noticed a maximum load of up to 40 kg? And, probably, they thought that it was difficult to even imagine such heavy equipment. A cast-iron camera is perhaps :) Even a gimbal camera does not weigh that much.

But the trick is, as I wrote earlier, that it’s not the weight of your system that matters, but the focal length of your lens and the pixel density of your camera, and in this case we have an ideal tripod “just something” up to 500 mm focal length lens (viewing angle 5 degrees). These are the really important criteria when considering vibrations. After all, it is not enough to hold the equipment, the tripod is designed not only to hold, but to hold without displacement.

And in this case it is very easy to imagine even an amateur photographer with a lens Canon EF 100-400/4.5-5.6L . The Sigma has "amateur" zooms of 500 mm focal length, not to mention expensive telephoto lenses of 600 mm or more focal length. Then imagine a telephoto lens over 400mm on a high pixel density camera like the Canon 5DsR (or just a modern crop factor camera) and you will get a feel for how much you need a stable tripod.

back to contents ↑

Tripod Legs

The legs of the Gitzo Systematic GT5532LS are made of ultra-thin threads (7 µm) that are interconnected by a special structure of six intersecting layers. Most competitors have a maximum of 3 layers, which allows the Gitzo tripods to be far ahead in terms of strength.

There are spikes at the ends of the legs of this tripod, under rubber caps.

back to contents ↑

Tripod head

Together with the tripod I got the ball tripod head Gh4382QD .

back to contents ↑

Specifications

Tripod head type	ball head
Material	aluminum
Maximum load capacity	18 kg
Working height	12.6 cm
Mount	1/4''
Ball size	50 mm
Base diameter	60 mm
Pan lock	yes
Ball lock	yes
Front tilt	-90° / +40°
Tilt lock	yes
Lateral tilt	-90° / +40°
Friction control	yes
Panoramic rotation	360°
Bubble level	1pc
Color	Noir Decor
Operating temperature range	-30C to +70C
Quick Release Plate	GS5370D
Weight	0. 77 kg

90 degree camera mounting

tungsten disulphide coated heavy duty ball (WS2)

back to contents ↑

Quick release plate

has a large area of contact. Fits perfectly on my Canon 5DsR with battery grip and would fit perfectly on a medium format camera.

Arca Swiss is the most advanced type of camera mount, where the fixation is carried out not by a single lever, but by pressing the improvised “jaws” of the platform with a screw. For this reason, the platform inside its seat does not move even with a heavy camera.

To prevent the camera from rotating around the platform, the screw has a slot that can be turned with any coin you have. By the way, it is very convenient that the coin. Some manufacturers make a hex slot. I don't know why they assume that I will definitely have a hex wrench of a certain size with me. I already lost two of these keys when I specially carried them with me to tighten the tripod pads. That's what is called attention to detail.

It's a pity that camera manufacturers didn't come up with some kind of "rails" on the bottom of the camera itself. It would be even more reliable.

back to contents ↑

Tripod test

To test tripod Gitzo Systematic GT5532LS my friend Maxim and I went to Pulkovo Heights. In St. Petersburg, there is an airport here, and the place itself is on a hill, so there is something to shoot.
Maxim is an experienced photographer in airports and surroundings, so he offered to go at night to see if the spotlights would flicker in the viewfinder and if we could capture them without blurring.

We took with us the second tripod, which Maxim usually uses.

And also Maxim took his Canon EF 100-400 / 4.5-5.6L lens with a 2x teleconverter for the test, and I took my Canon EF 24-70 / 2.8L for illustrations of our activities (the result was a range of focal lengths from 24 up to 800 mm).

We arrived at the place, this is a lonely path in the fields, next to the fence of the airport itself.

70mm focal length on a full frame camera.
For obvious reasons, we couldn't get to the airfield this time, and we didn't try to.

I had to climb through some mud and tall grass. As a result, we ended up on a small hill, with a soft earthen surface (this is important).

I examined the place of our test with fast binoculars to find out what to shoot.

I don't go without binoculars now. so it is much more convenient to choose a remote plot. It is not at all so convenient to look for an object of remote shooting through the camera's eye, and there is no binocularity. And when I found what to shoot, you can focus the camera after Live View .

First we put the camera on Maxim's tripod.

In fact, this is a good tripod, and Maxim zealously praised it while we were driving to the shooting location. Yes, I do not argue, not bad, but depending on what to compare. I haven't tried all kinds of tripods, but I've tried the Gitzo and the heavy Manfrotto (one of my Manfrotto 058B tripods), so I have something to compare to.

	Gitzo Systematic GT5532LS	brand #2
Material	carbon	aluminum
Maximum load	40 kg	9 kg
Maximum height (without center rod)	150 cm (162.6 cm)	140 cm (151.6)
Maximum height with extended central column	without column included - options available, with the largest up to ~320 cm (!)	170 cm
Minimum height	10 cm	9 cm
Number of sections	3	3
Rod diameter	41.2, 36.6, 32.2 mm	30, 26, 22. 5 mm
Length, assembled	68.8 cm	61 cm
Weight	2.95 kg (3.72 kg)	2.5 kg (3.29 kg)

“There are things that are just nice to hold in your hands, one of them is this tripod... Heavy, reliable. comfortable, high quality. It is difficult for the wind to move it, and for drunken guests to dump it ... "

This is from the reviews on Yandex.Market for Maxim's tripod. Now look at the characteristics in the table. I think you can easily understand who is harder to move by the wind and how "weak" this tripod is compared to a tripod rated up to 500mm focal length. So do not focus on anonymous reviews, but ask those who have tried many tripods from light to heavy with wide-angle and telephoto lenses.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves.

When choosing a tripod, don't forget to inquire about the specifications of the tripod head. this is the “weak link” that determines the overall characteristics of the output.

	Gitzo Gh4382QD	Brand #2
Head type	ball	3D
Maximum load	18 kg	4 kg
Weight	0.77 kg	0.79 kg
Head height	12.6 cm	11.6 cm
Lateral tilt	-90° / +40°	-90° / +30°
Vertical tilt	-90° / +40°	-30° / +90°
Pan	360°	360°

From this table it becomes clear how important it is to choose the right tripod head for your tripod. You can have a tripod
designed for at least 100 kg, but if it has a 3 kg head in the kit, then the whole structure will only be able to support a weight of 3 kg and no more.

back to contents ↑

400 mm

As a first test, we set the focal length to 400 mm.

The first shots were quite daunting and looked something like this...

400mm, F5.6, 6 sec, ISO 100. ISO 100.

crop 100%

When this effect was repeated on the Gitzo , it became clear that it was not a tripod. And the problem immediately showed up - the image stabilizer on the lens was not turned off. The fact is that when shooting from a tripod, the stabilizer often does not understand how to properly stabilize the picture and is itself a big problem. That's why it needs to be turned off.

crop 100%

The picture has returned to normal. This is the maximum resolution that the Canon EF 100-400 / 4.5-5.6L IS USM ver.1 gives at 400mm focal length.

At 400mm, both tripods performed well overall, although the Maxim's tripod didn't make me feel like a reliable shot. But 400 mm is not a very large focal length for photographing aircraft and is clearly not extreme. Let's see what happens when the viewing angle decreases . .. (increase in focal length)

back to contents ↑

800 mm

We got a smaller viewing angle with the Canon Extender EF 2x III teleconverter.

Earlier in the article, I said that the main thing is not the total weight held by the tripod, but the angle of view of your lens, which in this case is extremely small. Added to this is the high pixel density of the camera matrix Canon 5DsR (241 pix/mm). So our picture is now extremely sensitive to the slightest vibrations.

As it turned out, at 800 mm focal length it is extremely difficult to focus with a tripod that does not have increased stability. On the second tripod, the image on the LCD screen jumped frantically and thus interfered with focusing. And nothing special could be done, because. the ground under the tripod was soft, and a person cannot be as still as a statue. Things were much better with the Gitzo Systematic GT5532LS . Most of the vibrations were hidden by the tripod. But before shooting, we still retreated a few meters and “pressed the trigger” using the remote release of the radio synchronizer.

800 mm, F11, 10 sec, ISO 100.

old Pulkovo-1 airport terminal

The old Pulkovo-1 terminal used to be popularly called “5 cups” because of its appearance.

new terminal Pulkovo-1

to contents ↑

The difference between the Gitzo Systematic GT5532LS tripods and another tripod in terms of stability and vibration damping is very noticeable. There is no reason to shoot at focal lengths of 400mm or more on tripods not designed for such use. More torment than photography.

In the video below, we stomped a little (not much!) next to the second tripod (not Gitzo), which is not very stable for such a large focal length (800 mm).

In principle, and in the complete absence of wind on a "flimsy" tripod, you can take a sharp photo at 800 mm focal length. But the wind will blow a little or someone will pass nearby and the whole picture will be blurry.
I don't want to say anything bad about the second tripod, it's a good tripod, but it's for other focal lengths! It is very difficult to tighten hefty screws with a watch screwdriver!

Another test Gitzo Systematic GT5532LS happened to me by accident. There was an order to take photographs of drawings in the museum, but the museum, of course, is dark and does not have its own powerful tripod. The first time I came with the Gitzo Systematic GT5532LS , I shot everything brilliantly with the available light. The fact is that the drawings ("blue") have thin lines and tiny handwritten numbers. And they should be readable on the final image. So ISO 100 and slow shutter speed with a powerful tripod or already pulsed light. I did not take the pulsed light at that time, because. there was no parking and lugging a hefty suitcase 1.5 km was enough for me once, the first.

But the second time I had to use a travel tripod because the children, jumping on the couch, dropped the keys from their pants pocket, so I went straight from the dacha to the shooting with what I had. And how I suffered trying to take a clear photo on a travel tripod... With a sigh, I thought about the Gitzo :) After that, I was 100% sure that a powerful tripod was needed and bought it.

One of my hobbies is the “light brush”. We take a flashlight in our hands and at a slow shutter speed we supplement the black and white pattern from the lanterns with our fantasies...

55mm, F6.3, 15 sec, ISO 100

This also requires a very stable tripod... may be glad that the unofficial firmware Magic Lantern provides additional features when shooting at slow shutter speeds, for example, removes the limitation of 30 seconds.

Fine focusing tool also available - Focus Peaking .
cameras Canon 5Ds / Canon 5DsR are not supported by the firmware, as well as all cameras Nikon .

With that, I say goodbye, all reliable tripods and good shots! :)

Now tripods Gitzo in Russia are sold cheaper than on Ebay, hurry up to buy while the discount for site subscribers remains!

to content ↑

55mm, F1.4, 10 sec, ISO 800

Best Tripod Benro Induro HYDRA2 TIPA World Awards 2022

Benro Induro HYDRA2 won Best Tripod at the TIPA World Awards 2022.

The award is given for outstanding achievements in the photographic industry worldwide only to reference products. When you buy a tripod bearing the TIPA World Awards logo, you can be sure that you are holding the best tripod available on the global photography market.

https://www.tipa.com/awards/benro-induro-hydra-2-waterproof-carbon-fiber-tripod/

https://pixel24.ru/catalog/view/id/60271

Traveling photographers know that original camera angles often involve less than ideal working conditions.

Benro Induro HYDRA2 is a unique model in the photographic market. The ideal working tool for the discerning photographer who needs a rugged, all-weather tripod.

WATERPROOF collet locks are another story. The legs of the Benro Induro HYDRA2 camera tripod are completely protected from any influences from water and dirt.

Collets are oversized so you can comfortably use the tripod even when wearing gloves.

Benro Induro HYDRA2 tripod made of 9X Stealth carbon. This is a special technology of weaving carbon fibers, with the help of which it was possible to obtain strong, but at the same time light tubes for tripod legs.

Due to this, we have in our hands a tripod that can withstand as much as 17 kg, while weighing only 1.5 kg. There are few tripods that can boast of such characteristics.

The compact folded size (only 42 cm) has been achieved thanks to the leg re-folding mechanism.

The fixing knot (hub, spider) deserves special attention. The size of the hub is increased and made in the form of an asterisk.

Metal collet secures the column rigidly and minimizes vibration when the center column is extended.

A recess along the entire length of the central column and a fixing screw negates all possible rotation and turning of the column. A screw is installed on the column platform for additional fixing of the tripod head.

The screwdriver is located in the central column, which is very convenient, it is always at hand.

All these design features of the Benro Induro HYDRA2 tripod are aimed at increasing the strength and stability of the entire structure as a whole.

Working in nature is complicated not only by climatic conditions, but also by the lack of a flat surface on which to place a tripod. The legs of the Benro Induro HYDRA2 can be adjusted to any of the three angles. Thus, you have the opportunity to place the tripod on almost any surface.

Rubber tripod tips have a triangular shape that adapts to any terrain.

If you need to install metal spikes, we hasten to please you, there is no need to buy them additionally, the Benro Induro HYDRA2 tripod is equipped with them. They even have their own storage space - a small zippered pouch. There is also a hex wrench in the purse.

Inside one of the tripod legs is another key. With it, you can tighten or loosen the tripod leg screws

Benro traditionally offers carrying cases for its tripods.

In our case, this is not just a hard case. The case has two short handles for carrying in the hand. Detachable long shoulder strap with padded shoulder strap.

You can attach the strap directly to the tripod and carry the Benro Induro HYDRA2 tripod without the case. To do this, the tripod has a ring for attaching the belt, and on the belt there is a loop for fixing the legs of the tripod.

If you plan to carry your tripod in your backpack or suitcase and the tripod's compact size makes it easy, Benro offers a soft fabric case to protect against scuffs and scratches.