One Tripod to Rule Them All?

[ScottPhotoCo]

Check this out: http://www.mefoto.com/products/globetrotter.aspx

Seriously. I picked one up (the carbon fiber) and it really has surprised me. Replace the head and you have a great, small and solid set-up for less than a lot of other brands legs alone. I am quite happy with this purchase.

Tim
www.ScottPhoto.co

[Drew Bedo]

Whatever tripod you settle on as "The One"; don't get rid of the others! I regret having sold-off most of the other tripods I haver ever owned.

[Daniel Stone]

Buy once, cry once

Buy the best you can afford, even if you have to save a bit more.
You don't have to buy a Gitzo to get a high quality carbon fiber tripod these days.
I just picked up an Induro tripod, and for the price, I'd say it's really nice. You can always buy a slightly used Gitzo if you want an Italian stallion in your kit.

-Dan

[dodphotography]

I loved the series 2 and 3 Gitzo basalt ... What kind of other brands would stack up in that category? I've never seen an Induro other than on Bh. My shop doesn't carry that brand.

[dodphotography]

I should say I want to be able to shoot my wista at eye level. I have smaller tripods that work well but I'm basically on my knees composing and shooting. Gets old, real fast

[Tin Can]

Italian? Yes it appears the French company has Italian branches, but?

I prefer to think they are French.

Buy once, cry once

Buy the best you can afford, even if you have to save a bit more.
You don't have to buy a Gitzo to get a high quality carbon fiber tripod these days.
I just picked up an Induro tripod, and for the price, I'd say it's really nice. You can always buy a slightly used Gitzo if you want an Italian stallion in your kit.

-Dan

[Mark Stahlke]

Gitzo 1228. If you think that's not enough tripod for a light weight 8x10 then get a Gitzo 1327.

[Roger Thoms]

Hey I'm with Vaughn and Alan, get a Ries J-100. I have a A-100 for my Eastman Kodak 2D 8x10 and bought my girlfriend a J-100 for her Burke & James 5x7 which weighs about 8 lbs. You know what she keeps telling me, " I love my tripod". We are very happy with our Ries tripods. Now for my 4x5 I have a Gitzo 1228 which also serves well for my smaller formats. The Gitzo is light and very compact so it compliments the Ries tripod nicely So I would re-think your one tripod quest, and maybe have two tripods.

Roger

[John Kasaian]

Italian? Yes it appears the French company has Italian branches, but?

I prefer to think they are French.

I thought Gitzos were crackers.

[William Whitaker]

Right now I've got 5 different tripods plus a studio stand. I've owned many more tripods than that and there are probably still more lurking in my closets. There is no such thing as having "one tripod" unless you have "one camera". And even then you're running a risk.