Tripod Options/Suggestions for D800

K

kcmatic

Senior Member
Just got my D800! My last camera was a D40. Quite the change.

I will be shooting my first wedding and I am curious if you guys have any tripod recommendations.
The one I have now is a wobbly piece of junk that was ok for the D40.

I'm starting with the NIKKOR 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 ED VR lens for now.

Any tips on which tripod I should go for? I plan on using this camera quite a bit. So many choices. I'm only 5 ft. tall if that makes any difference at all lol...

Thanks guys.
 
S

skene

Senior Member
Look into brands like Manfrotto, Gitzo and others that can support weight. You would probably want to be around the +13lb range, and look into heads that will support the weight as well.
 
R

rocketman122

Senior Member
kchromatic said:
Just got my D800! My last camera was a D40. Quite the change.

I will be shooting my first wedding and I am curious if you guys have any tripod recommendations.
The one I have now is a wobbly piece of junk that was ok for the D40.

I'm starting with the NIKKOR 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 ED VR lens for now.

Any tips on which tripod I should go for? I plan on using this camera quite a bit. So many choices. I'm only 5 ft. tall if that makes any difference at all lol...

Thanks guys.
Click to expand...

congrats on your new camera. why the need for a tripod? since moving to digital (D3/D600), Ive yet to take a tripod to a single wedding.
 
AC016

AC016

Senior Member
rocketman122 said:
congrats on your new camera. why the need for a tripod? since moving to digital (D3/D600), Ive yet to take a tripod to a single wedding.
Click to expand...
For group shots perhaps? That or to fend off drunken brides maids, lol

*Had to edit the post, since the question is being asked in relation to weddings. So my list of things, such as astro photography, were somewhat irrelevant.*

It is a good question though. Why the need for a tripod at a wedding? Could you tell us what you are thinking?

Obviously, you want to look at something that is going to be sturdy, but lightweight. You will want it to support your camera, with lens, plus a few extra pounds. A ball head (with QR) would be best in my opinion. Also, get legs that are sectioned no more then 4 times. Lastly, don't cheap out on it. Spend a couple hundred dollars and buy something good.
 
Last edited:
R

rocketman122

Senior Member
AC016 said:
For group shots perhaps? That or to fend off drunken brides maids, lol

*Had to edit the post, since the question is being asked in relation to weddings. So my list of things, such as astro photography, were somewhat irrelevant.*

It is a good question though. Why the need for a tripod at a wedding? Could you tell us what you are thinking?

Obviously, you want to look at something that is going to be sturdy, but lightweight. You will want it to support your camera, with lens, plus a few extra pounds. A ball head (with QR) would be best in my opinion. Also, get legs that are sectioned no more then 4 times. Lastly, don't cheap out on it. Spend a couple hundred dollars and buy something good.
Click to expand...

I shot group shots of 20 people with a 70-200 VR1 at the 100mm setting. no tripod. came out fabulous. send the brides maids my way ;) I dont use a trpod at all in weddings I shoot. no need. no need because if youre shooting people, slowing the shutter speed doesnt help with blur and I will shoot big groups at 50mm at 1/125 and thats more than enough for a sharp image. low light? no problem bump up the iso on the FF sensor, use some of my off camera flash to bounce some light and make everything nice and soft. when I was shooting film and iso 200 film for mainly everything, a tripod helped, but not today.

you asked for weddings and I dont see a need for one. if you feel you need one then great. use what YOU need that you feel will help you get the shot you need. weddings in my country start at 9pm and we shoot with no tripod. I have a few tripods and dont use any of them. My biggest is bogen 3038 ball head and 3221 legs. havent taken it out of its pouch for a long time.

whats your budget? if your wallet is thin, take a look at the company benro. they make nice tripods at lower prices. if you have the bucks then gitzo is DA BEST!

personally havent used a tripod yet at a wedding with digital but I do always carry a bracket that will allow me to use a camera on my off camera speedlight light stand
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Flash-Shoe-...=Camera_Flash_Accessories&hash=item3cda2a6a20

I can connect it to the bottom, adjust what I need and while its not a perfect solution, its very useable IF I ever needed one.
 
Last edited:
K

kcmatic

Senior Member
AC016 said:
For group shots perhaps? That or to fend off drunken brides maids, lol

*Had to edit the post, since the question is being asked in relation to weddings. So my list of things, such as astro photography, were somewhat irrelevant.*

It is a good question though. Why the need for a tripod at a wedding? Could you tell us what you are thinking?

Obviously, you want to look at something that is going to be sturdy, but lightweight. You will want it to support your camera, with lens, plus a few extra pounds. A ball head (with QR) would be best in my opinion. Also, get legs that are sectioned no more then 4 times. Lastly, don't cheap out on it. Spend a couple hundred dollars and buy something good.
Click to expand...

Drunken bridesmaids! haha Exactly. That's funny.

Well, my D40 was terrible with low light, and I always had to use the tripod or an object as a tripod haha.. Not used to a camera that performs great in low light... and in the case that the lighting isn't amazing, and I wanted some close ups, then I want the steadiness of it. I also like to be able to interact directly without being consistently behind the camera- like in the case of group shots.

Just wasn't sure in general, because for one, I need a tripod in general... and two, I like the idea of having it at the wedding as an option since I've never shot a wedding before. I've never even been to a wedding LOL. This is for a friend of a friend, experience of course, and for building my portfolio.

Thank you guys for your replies. Very helpful! Made some notes.
 
Top