How to Choose a Tripod- for Landscape & Wildlife Photographers

A Tripod is the least creative tool we have in our photo kits. But they are one of the most important for certain types of photography. Here I will explain what goes into my thinking when choosing a tripod for wildlife and landscape photography. Here are my recommendations for tripods, heads, plates and brackets:
www.amazon.com/shop/jeffschul...
5) To visit my Gear Closet check it out here:
www.schultzphoto.com/jeffs-ge...
_______________________________________________________________________
Learn more about Jeff Schultz by visiting www.schultzphoto.com/
Jeff’s photography has afforded him a unique lifestyle to travel throughout Alaska photographing both editorial and corporate assignments as well as stock photography. His award-winning images have been published worldwide in books, magazines, advertisements, brochures, annual reports, websites, retail products and more. Jeff has been the official photographer of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race since 1982.
Jeff founded Alaska’s largest stock photo agency, Alaska Stock Images, in 1990 and operated it successfully until October 2012 when he sold it. Jeff continues to do what first drew him to this great state - photograph Alaska landscapes, wildlife & Alaska’s people, and share that experience with others in his photo workshops and tours.
*Purchases made via links above may result in a commission paid to me*

[@AKREEFGUY]

Fellow Alaskan here. Thanks for mentioning our local shop (Stewarts). I bought a new tripod and head from them three weeks ago. They were quite helpful.

[@cpierre8296]

I greatly appreciate the way you explained the functionality and difference with regards to each of the featured tripods. Now I have a clearer idea as to which tripod I want. Keep featuring simple to follow videos--thank you.

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jonkirkwood469]

I bought a 500mm lens and new camera body and capturing the recent conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter revealed all of my old tripod's shortcomings (shaky, not fast or simple). I appreciate your summary. Go fast. Go light. Go simple. I'm wavering between Gitzo and Manfrotto. Thanks, Jeff.

[@EmoEmu]

Nice video with some good points. Thanks!

[@Harold710]

Good to hear Stewart's is still here.

[@AdventurewithSunny]

Nice video, Jeff! I bought another tripod a half year ago. Gitzo G1T1540T. It's lighter and taller than my long time tripod G1198. Since I'm a small woman, light weight is really important. I had another very light weight carbon fiber tripod for a few months, but the part of leg came off while I'm hiking twice... I couldn't trust that anymore.

[@konukuauleki]

Awesome video, one of the best regarding all. thanks for sharing.

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mariaeugeniacastellanos6468]

very informative, thanks!

[@GautamSingh-yn9cb]

Good Explanation !!

[@anthonymrbs]

I completely agree with you about center columns. I've been shooting with the Gitzo Mountaineer GT2531 for over ten years, and it it is as solid as a rock even with the center column raised a few inches. The only downside of a center column is not being able to get quite as low.

[@EmoEmu]

Yeah, I would not want one where the center column can't be removed. Most newer models should have that feature, if they have a center column.

[@udaymukherjee7128]

Thanks for the in-depth analysis & appreciate you depth and clarity in explanation. what would be your advise for a nikon 200-500 lens tripod

[@flavioserci6046]

I think very important the kind of camera and the kind of exposure. I have a 6x6 Rollei sl66 and it has a very strong shot movement with the shutter. So.. With an aluminum tripod I have a lot of vibrations as a guitar string. With my other camera a Mamiya C3 TLR no vibrations and I can use aa very cheap tripod without problems.

[@eastwind3550]

Thank you very much

[@sunrise_sunshine]

Wowww I didn't know these points should be considered before buying one. Thanks for making this video, this helping me to buy one for landscape and flat lay photography.

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

Glad you liked it. Hope it helped. Please subscribe if you've not already.

[@sunrise_sunshine]

@@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography Hi Jeff yes I subscribed to your channel as well. Based on my requirements and need I am thinking to buy FGP28A (Aluminium), but my concern is, is it sturdy enough to hold Nikon Z6ii + 24-70 F4 S lens in horizontal setup?. For the horizontal setup, I observed that the weight of the camera will not be in the centre of the tripod, so I am assuming that the weight might damage the centre column section and break sooner, not sure how sturdy it is (I believe it is made up of plastic). Any kind of information if you know or are aware of it, please share. I am open to other models or brands, but basically, it should support horizontal shoot (flat lay), and macro.

[@bp-blackshark]

The choice from a tripod with a certain weight is also depending on the wind on your location. Usually, the peoples are going for lightweight carbon tripods in the same SIZE like the aluminum "basic" tripods. But sometimes, its better to have a carbon tripod with the WEIGHT from a aluminum tripod. Especially, if you are using your car, to get as close as possible to your location, weight and size isn´t a factor anymore. For landscape photography, you can use different sizes of tripods...from chest hight up to head hight. Because you doesn`t need to look the whole time through the viewfinder, if you use your cable remote control. But the size for a wildlife tripod is not negotiable....this tripods has to be at least nearly as tall as you and some like them taller, to be able to compensate a uneven terrain (bird photography). Your eye has to be able to reach the camara viewfinder at every position on the gimbal head. And then, there is the availability from certain types and brands of tripods, which will also affect your choice. And of course, the price from "your" tripod versus your budget. This was, what i would add, if i would make a video about this topic.

[@CD-lc4ir]

I recently returned a Peak Design Alum Tripod. The beach winds were high and there was just way too much vibration. Too small and light. Wind is a big deal. Still looking.

[@bp-blackshark]

@@CD-lc4ir That Peak Design travel tripods are to lightweight AND have way to much sections. A small and lightweight tripod will not turn into a big and heavy one, if you pull it out from your backpack. We all want it, but it will never happen... A decent "standard size" aluminum tripod (for a DSLR) will have a total weight about 2,6kg/5.73lb. A lot of peoples will think, that this is "heavy", but there was a time before the image stabilizer...with 5kg/11lb tripods. Go at least for a tripod with only 3 sections and with about 30, 26, 22.5 mm/1.18 - 1.02 - 0.89 inch legs tube diameter as a minimum. The less sections it have - the stiffer the legs will be...also the diameter from the sections is important. And you also can increase the total weight with a heavy tripod head.

[@papabear7875]

Good video! What do you think about Manfrotto 190go! Aluminum M-Series Tripod?

[@sankibanagalileogalilei3763]

Manfrotto compact advanced tripod mu, zomei q666 mı yoksa zomei q555 mi daha iyi sağlamlık açısından???

[@saisathya6274]

Go fast Go light Go simple, Roger that sir 👍

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

Yep... sure enough. please subscribe to my KZbin channel if you've not already done so. REALLY helps me out so I can do more.

[@PolishX]

Just had my Manfrotto 055 CF break for the 3rd time in 5 years. All 3 times the ears snapped off the bottom of the casting. Now I need to find a new one

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

so sorry to hear that. Perhaps maybe they were just too tight. I know I've had that problem also. Have to adjust. Tension

[@Quebec2Arizona]

What do you think about the Peak Design Carbon Fiber Tripod? I find myself leaving my tripod behind when I go out because it's cumbersome & heavy to transport and I thought of getting this one because it does so many things plus it's very compact and decently light.

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

Sorry for the late reply Eric. I absolutely don't like it at all. I have one. But that being said I wouldn't use it for my normal photography because it's too light wait and not heavy duty enough. But I do use it when I need something super light weight like to hold my iPhone or I absolutely cannot take anything heavy. It has its place but it's few and far between for me.

[@cpierre8296]

What model is the Gitzo tripod with the center column which swings out?

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

Sorry for the tardy reply. My notifications were not turned on correctly. That particular tripod is the Mountaineer which is no longer made unfortunately

[@shinichihayakawa7619]

@@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography Maybe it was an Explorer? Anyway, it was really unfortunate they stopped producing them.

[@roiloubia4483]

One important parameter you haven't mentioned is the weight of your camera with the heavier lens you might use, hence the maximum load the tripod can handle.

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

No I did not address that. I've never found that to be very useful. It's very arbitrary what a manufacture will say it can hold. Kind of like thing a sleeping bag is good for -10°. So I've never found that helpful. But I appreciate you bringing it out I should've at least mentioned it.

[@roiloubia4483]

@@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography ok Jeff, you are entitled to your opinion. For me it is still an important parameter, when you have to put on a heavy camera and lense, like my Pentax 67 and a big heavy lens. Sturdiness is important in landscape photography, especially for long exposures. Said that, I do agree with you that you shouldn't just base your choice on whatever the manufacturer says about the maximum load of their tripod or ball head, you should do some good search, and get opinions from other Photographers, try to test first the equipment before making a final deal. Anyway I thank you for your reply, love your videos, I learn a lot from your experience. Learning never ends. Take care and beside taking pictures, most importantly enjoy the sceneries of Mother Nature. Take care

[@jnblawnandlandscapellc]

What is your opinion on the Peak Design tripod?

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

I do own a peak design tripod. Thanks for your question. The bottom line is I'm not wild about it. It is good in some respects and not so good in other's. Depends on how you're going to use it. Here's my take on it: Pro's -- Great for lightweight, compact, and travel. One of the best I've seen. Con's: too many legs extensions that take a long time to deal with even though it's fairly easy to do. Too lightweight for windy conditions. Not sturdy enough to support heavy weight normal cameras for long exposures in any kind of wind. Not the best for going super low. I don't think it will put up with much abuse that I put tripods through. I use mine mostly to hold my smart phone when doing videos etc. Also it doesn't go up high enough for me. --- I have had a number of clients use it. With mixed results.

[@jnblawnandlandscapellc]

@@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography Thank you for the reply. I'll be using the tripod with a sony a7siii and a 200-600mm lens. I need the tripod to be light weight as I'll be using it to film elk and bears deep in the backcountry, but I can't have it flimsy. Any recommendations?

[@JeffSchultzAlaskaPhotography]

@@jnblawnandlandscapellc ... Thanks I'm glad you like my thoughts. There is certainly a correlation between lightweight and flimsy. But a flimsy/lightweight tripod is useless with the size lens you're planning on putting on it. So a little extra weight is worth getting sharp pictures. And honestly a tripod (and head) is a lifelong investment. One of my gitzo tripods I've been using for over 25 years. So keep that in mind when you're paying more for them. And also the head is extremely important. Same thing goes there. It's worth the better investment. Here is a link to the tripods (and heads) that I've looked at lately and that I recommend. www.amazon.com/shop/jeffschultzphoto/list/3GFT89URNPIUX --- yes I do earn a commission on those sales. But these are tripods and heads (except for the BH-55) that I actually own and use. And purchased them myself. Consider the Manfrotto 190 or the Gitzo Lightweigh traveler.

[@bhalchandrakapatkar1710]

🙏👍👍👍👍👍👍👌