Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Cameras, Lenses and Shooting gear => Topic started by: amoergosum on February 22, 2008, 11:49:35 am
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How important is it to you to have the camera at eye level on a tripod?
Would you choose lighter weight&portability over proper height (for your body)?
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Isn't proper height the height you need for framing your shot?
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Proper height for my body is important to me. I want to be comfortable while shooting. Being bent over all the time can get old. I figure if I get a tripod tall enough for me with camera attached to stand comfortably I can always go lower to frame certain shots. Its easer to make a tall tripod shorter than it is to make a short tripod taller.
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That's why I got a camera with live view.
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That's why I got a camera with live view.
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Very important to me, especially the older one gets and our parts wear out... . Am thinking about changing what I have to a taller model as I write this. At present I have an old Gitso 1228. Also I have found I like 3 section models more then the 4 sections which I have now....fwiw....
I know you did not ask the latter, but.....
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Another big factor is camera size/viewfinder position. If you're shooting a medium format camera with the standard waist level finder, you tripod can be a foot and a half shorter than if you're shooting a 35mm SLR. If you're using a view camera, you'll probably need to be able to see the entire rear of the camera, from every angle, including from above the top corners.
Personally, I can't stand a tripod that's even a little too short. If I can't stand behind it comfortably, then I'm not likely to use it. Which means I'll end up handholding anyway. So for me, a tripod that was 6 inches too short would be comepletely useless.
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Its easer to make a tall tripod shorter than it is to make a short tripod taller.
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Another factor is that one doesn't always work on level ground (at least I don't). A taller tripod comes in very handy on slopes, bodies of water, etc. Overhead shots are also easier with a taller tripod.
Oh - and a taller tripod also means that I don't have to use a center column.
Paul
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Oh - and a taller tripod also means that I don't have to use a center column.
Yes, and remember that if you do raise the center column you've effectively turned your tripod into a monopod...
Mike.
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I went for proper height over weight (and cost) when I got my Manfrotto 55X. They call it "classic" because it is your basic, no nonsense, rock solid, heavy as a switch engine, pass it down to your grand-children kind of tripod. If I had the money I would have likely gotten a carbon fiber version in the same height, but the difference in cost over the difference in weight was astronomical.
The centre column on this model is substantial but I rarely need it, and when I do it's to a minimal extent. As someone else stated its easy to make a tall tripod shorter if your willing to hump around the extra weight... but a shoulder strap really helps.
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Isn't proper height the height you need for framing your shot?
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Bingo
Proper height for the shot does not mean eye level. I got a tripod that has Ground-Level Set. I got a tripod I can constantly travel with so it does not quite reach eye level but that means far less to me than bulk and weight do because I don't use eye-level exclusively. The actual functionality of the tool does mean a lot though, fast set up and take down. I use it from ground level, to many of the mid levels up to the full height at times.
Edited to say, I took the center column off and never use it.
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Proper height for my body is important to me. I want to be comfortable while shooting. Being bent over all the time can get old. I figure if I get a tripod tall enough for me with camera attached to stand comfortably I can always go lower to frame certain shots. Its easer to make a tall tripod shorter than it is to make a short tripod taller.
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I would agree with that. Also you need to judge what the weight difference is between the shorter and the taller one. It may not be a lot.
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It was only when I started to use a Gimbal head with my tripod that I realised it was not tall enough. Now having to stoop to use it comfortably - well, it is not comfortable. So I will buy a taller tripod. I had never been concerned before, but then much of my tripod work has been macro so hardly needed the height I guess.
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How important is it to you to have the camera at eye level on a tripod?
Would you choose lighter weight&portability over proper height (for your body)?
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I think you need to consider the situations in which you anticipate using your tripod, then base your decision on that. Are you wanting a tripod that you can take hiking or will you be working fairly close to your car? My main tripod can handle pretty much anything I care to ask it to do. The trade-off is that it's heavy. These days, I've been finding myself hiking back into areas more, so now I'm looking for something that can be carried easier. A lightweight tripod that I have in hand is more useful than an heavy, expensive tripod that's back in the trunk of my car. lol