Ok, so I've finally decided that I need to break down and get myself a real tripod. (I know, a real tripod is a wooden one, but bear with me )
I've been following the "incorrect" path of purchasing/upgrading/purchasing/upgrading and I hope that I've come to the end of it now. I started with a Quantaray tripod, then a Bogen 3001, and most recently a Feisol CT-3301N carbon fiber. However, I'm still noticing camera shake in some of my shots, especially in long exposures in windy situations or when I've had the tripod legs in water. So, it's time to break the bank and get a Gitzo carbon fiber.
Current gear is a Wista DX wood field 4x5, 90/150/240mm light lens kit, Hasselblad 500cm with 80mm, and 35mm Canon SLR gear with no lenses longer than 200mm. Right now I think that the only camera that the tripod has a hard time with is the 4x5. I have a Kirk BH-3 ballhead, which I'm going to stick with for now. I know that there are bigger/better options, but upgrading the head isn't in the budget at this point.
My priorities in the past have been towards lighter weight over stability, especially for hiking situations. However, I'm not doing any super long hikes or overnight stays, so I'm sure I could add a pound or two to my pack to gain some much needed stability.
So, the two choices in my mind are:
1) Gitzo 1227/1257 with replacement Kirk or Markins base (no center column) or
2) Gitzo 1325
Either would be my only tripod, would be paired with the BH-3, and they are roughly comparable in cost. So it really boils down to whichever one I want to choose.
My list of pros and cons...
Gitzo 1227/1257
+ Lighter
+ Shorter when folded
+ Better match with the BH-3 cosmetically
- Less Stable?
- Shorter at full extension
- Will I want to upgrade again?
Gitzo 1325
+ More Stable
+ Full height eye level use
+ Better from an upgrade path perspective: can take a bigger ballhead
+ Never need another tripod?
- Difficult to use BH-3 controls due to large flat mounting plate?
- Does a little ballhead on a big tripod look silly?
- Longer when folded
- Heavier by over 1lb
- Larger diameter when folded (more awkward to pack)
- No hook to hang a bag from
So, I guess I have a couple questions...
1) How likely am I to notice an improvement in image quality between the two tripods when shooting 4x5 in sub-optimal conditions?
2) Given that the ballhead is a Kirk BH-3, am I going to lose any of the advantage of the 1325 over the 1227/1257? In other words, does the ballhead become the weakest link in the chain?
3) Is the added size/weight of the 1325 worth it?
Any other thoughts and inputs are welcome. I'm really just trying to talk this one through and use you guys as a sounding board.
Thanks!
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