Tripod ???
- Thread starter Booger68
- Start date
I don’t know what you think of used gear, but there is no better deal than used Gitzo aluminum tripods. Before carbon fiber, every professional photographer, and videographer used a big Gitzo. At this level, the legs and tripod head are separate, but theres a lot out there for very reasonable prices. Dozens and dozens of these for very low come up on eBay every year.
The 300 series is often called Studex and is a little light for windy conditions, but are dirt cheap and have main leg diameter of 1-1/8”. If you don’t have wind to deal with this would be fine.
The 400 series is ideal for general use and is steady in the wind - often called the Pro Studex - main leg diameter is about 1-1/4”. Most people would think this is the perfect combination of steadiness and weight. This used to be the ideal outdoor photographer mainstay for long lenses. Our family has two of these for general spotting scope use.
This big guy is a 500 series (Telex) and is very steady in the wind and has 1-1/2” main legs, but it’s heavy. I have one just like it, but paid twice as much. This is a steal under $150. This model is taller than you need, but they compact way down.
The 300 series is often called Studex and is a little light for windy conditions, but are dirt cheap and have main leg diameter of 1-1/8”. If you don’t have wind to deal with this would be fine.
The 400 series is ideal for general use and is steady in the wind - often called the Pro Studex - main leg diameter is about 1-1/4”. Most people would think this is the perfect combination of steadiness and weight. This used to be the ideal outdoor photographer mainstay for long lenses. Our family has two of these for general spotting scope use.
This big guy is a 500 series (Telex) and is very steady in the wind and has 1-1/2” main legs, but it’s heavy. I have one just like it, but paid twice as much. This is a steal under $150. This model is taller than you need, but they compact way down.
LARGE HEAVY DUTY & 76.5" TALL GITZO TRIPOD WITH GEARED CENTER COLUMN, 1.5" LEG | eBay
Older used Gitzo three section tripod with Gitzo geared center column with mounting pad on the both the top and bottom as shown. No model designation on it.
www.ebay.com
There’s a good chance by the time you read this that tripod will have sold - just the optional geared center column sells for more than $150, but it’s not something spotting scope users need. There will always be another good deal so just keep checking. I’ll just give you way more information than you probably want, but someone may find it useful.
There are a lot of compact Gitzo models that might work, but are probably a little short for standing up unless there’s a long center column - they were often used for video and those old cameras were really tall. A lot of people don’t know what they are selling and don’t have the model number, but be careful - the various models are somewhat scaled down or up and a 300 will look just like a 500 without a tape measure next to it.
Some will be called a performance model - that just means the legs can be set out at different angles - most of them do this.
All the parts are available for these, even replacement legs, so it’s not uncommon to see an old tripod with a new part on it.
Finally, you’ll run into different center columns - some have no center column and are very steady, just a little more cumbersome to get the exact height. The adjustable center columns come in different lengths and are pretty cheap if you need a longer one. The geared heads make adjusting height very easy - originally these were a $500 option.
There are a lot of compact Gitzo models that might work, but are probably a little short for standing up unless there’s a long center column - they were often used for video and those old cameras were really tall. A lot of people don’t know what they are selling and don’t have the model number, but be careful - the various models are somewhat scaled down or up and a 300 will look just like a 500 without a tape measure next to it.
Some will be called a performance model - that just means the legs can be set out at different angles - most of them do this.
All the parts are available for these, even replacement legs, so it’s not uncommon to see an old tripod with a new part on it.
Finally, you’ll run into different center columns - some have no center column and are very steady, just a little more cumbersome to get the exact height. The adjustable center columns come in different lengths and are pretty cheap if you need a longer one. The geared heads make adjusting height very easy - originally these were a $500 option.
Manfrotto 190X is a very good tripod and fits your budget
coldboreshot
Silver $$ Contributor
I have a Vortex High Country II that works fine for me, the same as your intended use. Its about $100 more that what your spending allocation indicates though.
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