Wildlife Photography_ From Snapshots to Great Shots - Laurie Excell [8]
• Minimum collapsed length. If you travel, your tripod needs to fit in your suitcase for transport. Many Gitzo models come in three- and four-section options. The three-section extension does not extend as high nor does it collapse as short as the four-section version, but it does have slightly larger legs without the fourth leg extension. The four-section extension version extends higher for taller people and collapses shorter for easy transport.
• Center columns. It is tempting to use a center column when you have it, but it degrades the stability of your tripod with only its single column supporting your camera. It also prevents you from dropping right to the ground for eye-level shots of small shorebirds and other low-to-the-ground subjects.
• Lightweight and solid construction. Tripods made from carbon fiber and other lightweight materials are considerably easier to carry into the field. In addition, they offer great strength and stability.
• Overall weight. If you photograph in the field, you must be willing and able to carry your tripod. Determine the greatest distance you may venture from your car, and keep that in mind when you’re checking the weight of a tripod you are considering.
• Cost vs. long-term use. Your tripod will last you a lifetime if you purchase it with care and consideration for future additions to your system. There may come a time when you need two tripods, one for lightweight shooting where you won’t be mounting your biggest lenses and another for your big gun to provide maximum support.
Two types of heads to consider when purchasing a new head include:
• Ballhead. A ballhead gives you the greatest ease of use: One knob releases it to move in all directions and another knob is used for panning. It’s that simple. What’s not so simple is finding the right ballhead for you. One issue with lesser-priced ballheads is drift, which means the head shifts slightly after tightening it. A head that doesn’t drift comes at a higher price but is well worth it. The Really Right Stuff ballheads (Figure 1.13) are the best I’ve used to date. While you’re at it, don’t forget to add an L-Bracket (quick release) to your camera (Figure 1.14). An L-Bracket allows you to mount the camera in a vertical position and keep it positioned over the center of the tripod for the greatest stability.
Figure 1.13 The Really Right Stuff ballhead offers smooth operation and can be adjusted with one knob for convenience and speed.
Figure 1.14 An L-Bracket from Really Right Stuff allows the camera to be turned to a vertical position and still balance the weight over the center of the tripod for the greatest stability.
• Gimbal head. A gimbal head is the preferred head for wildlife photographers who use long lenses. The operation of a good gimbal head is as smooth as it gets. The lens simply glides from left to right and up and down. With the lens collar loosened, there is no direction you can’t turn to follow your subject quickly, smoothly, and easily. Quality and convenience come at a price, and this is no spontaneous purchase item. But for those who do own long lenses and photograph moving subjects, it’s well worth the investment. Wimberley (Figure 1.15) and Really Right Stuff offer well-made, high-performance gimbal heads, and both accept the “Arca Swiss” style quick-release plates for ease and speed of mounting your lenses to the head.
Figure 1.15 A Wimberley gimbal head is the ideal platform when using lenses that have their own tripod collar. The smooth operation allows for easy panning with a moving subject.
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Tip
Carbon fiber tripods are not only lightweight and stable, they don’t transmit the cold like aluminum tripods, which is a real bonus for those who photograph in freezing temperatures.
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Buying CompactFlash Cards
Buy the biggest and fastest cards your camera can use and you can afford. They will not only write at your camera