Tripod Center Columns - Landscape Photography

To center column or not. When choosing a tripod for landscape photography, there are several features to consider, including whether to choose a tripod with a center column or not. In this video, I look at both the pros and the cons of a tripod with a center column for landscape photography.
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[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

So how about you? Center column or not?

[@FLMUSACanada]

Nicely done, Jeffrey. Well-explained and interesting.

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Thank you for watching! Glad you liked it!

[@markwiemels]

Really nice explanation, well done.

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Glad you liked the video! Thank you for watching - much appreciated!

[@renoholland7090]

I don't use a tripod very often and I never get away from the car for more than half a mile, so portability is of lesser concern. I just bought the Silk Pro 700DX and a good ball head. It is well built and very stable with my Nikon D7200 and telephoto lens. It does have a center column but I haven't had the need yet to extend it. I recently used for for some 50 to 100 exposure panorama shots and it worked great. Another gadget I found very useful is the L-bracket.

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Yeah - depending on how far one hikes is definitely an influencing factor for tripods! The tripod I use with the camera that shoots the video, does have a center column. I tend not to use them with my stills - though sometimes the convenience of having one would be nice!

[@joeconnelly5309]

Team center column here. It’s possible I haven’t had this experience as I’m just getting back to photography after a long hiatus, but I’ve not had the stability issues. On windy days, if I need to raise the column, I have a hook at the bottom where I can hang my bag that helps with weight distribution. The “get low” issue is a serious concern and I wish there was a way that didn’t involve flipping the camera upside down. I usually bring a Platypod plate with me for these situations. The ball head can screw right onto it and it’s a nice solution. I like the ability to raise and lower the camera at the center column. Feels clunky to me to do that at the leg level, especially when you have a minor adjustment to make. Great video! Informative as always.

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

We'll convert you yet! Maybe at the next workshop! Some of my poor center column experiences have been from the less expensive tripods from my early days. They had wiggle even when the center column was tightened down. I know the tripods you have are all of better quality than my early ones! As long as folks are aware of some of the problems of the center column and have the info to make their own decisions, I'm good!

[@davidhatton2321]

I use both, depending on the shooting environment. High quality center columns like Gitzo will really make a difference. Center columns are so much easier for travel and for micro adjustments as you have mentioned. If I am not shooting at ground level, trying to save weight, and am not within high wind conditions, I will always chose the lighter and more flexible option of a center column. In my 30 years of shooting, I have never encountered camera blur from the column. When photographers are experiencing camera shake, it is usually from the twisting of the camera plate mounted on the camera and not the tripod itself. If I am going to be in more windy conditions, need to shoot very low, and can accommodate the extra load, of course I'll pack my RRS because of the low moment physical design. Thanks for the post and dispelling the rumor that center columns are inferior, a common misconception of both pros and amateurs.

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

I think you nailed it with the quality of manufacture of the tripod. My cheaper tripod with a center column has some noticeable wiggle in it even when not extended. My higher quality tripod with a center column feels nice and secure even when extended. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@zxrlandscapes6600]

great video i will be checking out more

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Thank you for watching and the comment!

[@SniperPhotography]

Another fine presentation Jeffrey. I have also produced very similar videos on what i think about centre columns. For me they are a no go zone.I own 6 tripods for different situations and none of them have the,what we call the Blur Maker or centre column. I am 6 ft 5 tall so I always buy tripods that can get to that height or near my height. Thanks again for this one. Cheers

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Thank you! Appreciate you watching and commenting! I used to be a big center column user (as evidenced by all the tripods with center columns in the video)! But went with no center column for my newest tripod and love it. I'll have to remember Blur Maker! That's too funny!

[@kevinroberts1888]

Good points on the pros and cons. I use a tripod with a center column, but it can be raised and reinserted horizontal to allow me to get lower or to get the camera closer to the subject. But this also has it's cons too. It adds a second ball to the tripod which means more parts and more weight. Also if you extend it too far horizontally, you need to provide a counter weight to keep the tripod steady. However, taking these into account, it's been an extremely good tripod for my landscape photography.

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

That sounds like a very flexible tripod! I didn't think about the tripods that let you use the center column horizontally as well. I can see that helping with the getting low issue and still allowing you to keep your camera at a more natural right-side up position. If you don't mind sharing - which tripod are you using? And thanks for watching!

[@kevinroberts1888]

@@JeffreyTadlockPhotography It's a K&F Concept TM2515T1.

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

@@kevinroberts1888 - I'll have to check that one out! Thanks!

[@NatureLenzPhoto]

Hi Jeffery. Very informative video. Thank you. Having a centre column is more convenient imo and most cameras today have image stabilization which should eliminate any shake. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on that.

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Glad the video was helpful! That is an interesting thought regarding image stabilization and how it would work with the center column. I will say, even without the center column on my tripods in really windy conditions, when using a long lens, I have enabled image stabilization just to help counter the strength of the wind. I would imagine it could be used in a similar fashion when utilizing the center column extended in conditions where there might be environmental effects causing motion. And this article from The Center Column, who I tend to go to when researching tripods or heads, seemed to indicate image stabilization a valid strategy: thecentercolumn.com/2018/12/05/ibis-on-a-tripod-under-poor-conditions/ Appreciate the thought! I hadn’t really considered the positive effect of image stabilization when using a center column.

[@TheRealTonyCastillo]

Think you should of thrown in a Manfrotto 055 tripod for comparison. My 055xprob has the q90 center column to go horizontally with all 3 legs spread out flat on the ground. Never had any issues with it in the last 10 years of owning it. I do like that larger tripod you are showing, be really good for star tracking.

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Manfrotto makes some good stuff! I have a monopod of theirs, very well built. And I have several of their light stands and clamps for non-landscape work. I do think the horizontal center columns are interesting, the Alta Pro 2 I have can do that, but its a cheaper tripod and has some wiggle in it. The Feisol CT-3472LV Mark 2 is the larger tripod in the video. It is a nice and sturdy tripod. It's the one I'd take out in windy conditions and such. It probably would make for a good one for star tracking as well! Thanks for watching!

[@Jameshhl]

Maybe a Leofoto HC-32 center column, can be used horizontally or vertically.

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

I hadn't looked at that before. It looks like it would put the weight off center when in the vertical position and possibly introduce instability to the tripod?

[@Jameshhl]

​@@JeffreyTadlockPhotography Yes that's the trade off for convenience, but not too bad if you angle arm slightly to put camera at center even when raised.

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Yeah - that could help.

[@meljenkins1016]

I do a lot of high school reunion photography using studio strobe lights and backdrop using a center column tripod. Center column is very important because people come in various sizes so adjusting the center column is very important. Someone please come up with a center column adjust that makes it easier for me to adjust instead of constantly fighting the center column to make my adjustments especially with a heavy camera mounted on it.

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Thanks for watching and the comment! For studio type work (or indoor work on flat surfaces, with minimal environmental conditions to worry about) a center column tripod can work well - especially where you are frequently adjusting height due to people height. My primary tripod for headshots is the Feisol I mention in the video - for that exact reason! The Feisol has a nice center column with an easy to grip handle for tightening and loosening for quick height adjustments.

[@zxrlandscapes6600]

i myself use both types depending on where im at doinf photos

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Yeah - there can be situations where a center column is useful. What's your favorite situation to use a tripod with the center column?

[@rupunzel6299]

Center column on photo tripods are inherently unstable regardless of their design or manufacture. Tripods are best with NO center column. In the world surveying tripods where instrument stability and security is most important, vast majority of these tripods have NO center column. Same applies to serious cinema and video camera tripods. The solution to possible height adjustment the center column offers is to close one eye sighting the scene to determine what height the camera/lens needs to be at before the tripod is set up. This very effectively nulls out the need for height adjustments via a center column. This also goes long ways to reducing the need to more the tripod/camera/lens set up after all that has been put in place. Center columns are perceived as a convenience feature, yet it is full of potential stability problems... regardless of design or manufacture. Tripod height is another factor often not properly considered. Too many image makers acquire then set up a tripod to comfy eye level with little to no regard to how the height of the camera/lens affects the image to be made. There are times when a really low camera/lens position is needed or times when a really high camera/lens position is needed. At best ALL tripods are a set of trade-offs with no ideal tripod for all image and environmental condition needs. Pick the tool (tripod) that is "best fit" for a given or specific need.

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

I'd never thought about the surveying equipment. My son has a surveying kit and you're right - no center column! And more careful attention to what composition you want *before* setting the camera and tripod up is super helpful. I'm always encouraging people to arrive at a scene and walk around, look at it from different angles, different heights, and such before getting the camera out of the bag and setting the tripod up. I like your close one eye idea to help with getting the sightline figured out. Thanks for watching!

[@landonboomsma2594]

What all makes and models of tripods allow the center column to come off if you need them to to get lower? I know the rrs ascend and the gitzo mountaineer do. Any other brands?

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

I'm not sure which tripods will let you do that. As you noted, there are some out there - I just don't have a list. I'm pretty sure I can remove the center column from my Feisol. Thanks for watching!

[@davidletz9123]

I enjoyed your video. What is the brand name of the tripod with no center column, and the ball head?

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

I'm glad you liked it! The tripod with no center column is an FLM CP30-S4 II. It is my favorite tripod! I did a video review on my channel of it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIqxg6COYpiNptU

[@harderja]

Watch Scotty man test

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Already have! Even commented on his video shortly after he released!