J
jwong
Guest
Tripods and heads have weight ratings. Are these ratings set by the material strength directly? What type of knockdown factor is required to ensure stability?
Mt Spokane Photography said:Weight ratings and stability may not always go hand in hand. The weight rating is how much gear a tripod can carry without causing it to wear out prematurely.
A low weight rated tripod can be very stable. The longer leg tripods made from limber composites can be very strong, but if the legs flex too much, they are not stable. Hanging a heavy weight ot camera bag from the underhook of a tripod usually helps stabilize it by taking all the play out of the joints, and by lowering the center of gravity.
Generally, you will not go wrong by getting a leading brand like Gitzo, but some lesser brands have very good models as well.
jwong said:Mt Spokane Photography said:Weight ratings and stability may not always go hand in hand. The weight rating is how much gear a tripod can carry without causing it to wear out prematurely.
A low weight rated tripod can be very stable. The longer leg tripods made from limber composites can be very strong, but if the legs flex too much, they are not stable. Hanging a heavy weight ot camera bag from the underhook of a tripod usually helps stabilize it by taking all the play out of the joints, and by lowering the center of gravity.
Generally, you will not go wrong by getting a leading brand like Gitzo, but some lesser brands have very good models as well.
Thanks, Mt Spokane. Would you recommend getting a tripod with or without a center column?
jwong said:Tripods and heads have weight ratings. Are these ratings set by the material strength directly? What type of knockdown factor is required to ensure stability?