Safety Factor for tripods

bklynkenny

bklynkenny

Senior Member
I currently have a D750 and a 28-300 lens, which combine for approximately 4 lbs. The tripod I have is rated for 4.4 lbs (originally bought for use with a D5200). Are the weight capacities for tripods generally conservative? Should I be getting a new one with a greater capacity? I have the money to spend, but I'd rather not spend it unnecessarily for something that I may just be paranoid about.
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
bklynkenny said:
I currently have a D750 and a 28-300 lens, which combine for approximately 4 lbs. The tripod I have is rated for 4.4 lbs (originally bought for use with a D5200). Are the weight capacities for tripods generally conservative? Should I be getting a new one with a greater capacity? I have the money to spend, but I'd rather not spend it unnecessarily for something that I may just be paranoid about.
Click to expand...
In all honesty, I have to wonder about *any* tripod rated for a maximum load of two kilos. That sounds like a tripod designed for Point & Shoots or, at a maximum, mirrorless cameras.
....
 
nikonpup

nikonpup

Senior Member
google "tripod load capacity". lots of factors to consider, error on the + side. what size is your tripod head rated at?
 
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grandpaw

Senior Member
I have purchased several cheaper or better used tripods over the years and have had trouble with all of them until I broke down and bought one worth having. When you have a lot of money sitting on top of your tripod that could get damaged by a tripod misshape it just doesn't make sense to have a cheap tripod. I think that the vast majority of people go through a few before they come to this realization and then wonder why they wasted all that money on the cheaper tripods before breaking down and getting a good one. If you invest in a good tripod and take care of it you will have it for many years and may even never replace it. Getting a good tripod is an investment that will not only be safer on your equipment but will also give you MUCH BETTER pictures. I have watched many videos that state that the thing that will give you the most improvement in your images is a good tripod and head. It has taken me over 45 years of photography but I have finally wised up and came to the same conclusion.

After I posted this reply I turned around and counted six tripods over in the corner that I have wasted money on. You WILL eventually end up with a good tripod some day the question is how much money and how many tripods you will go through before reaching that goal!!!

I might add that a buddy of mine had a Nikon D3s with a Sigma 300-800 lens on it when one of his tripod legs gave away resulting in the lens getting banged up as it hit the ground. He has a good tripod now to go along with the messed up lens.
 
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Ruidoso Bill

Senior Member
What everyone is saying makes so much sense. Why spend thousands on camera/lens combo and nothing much for the tripod that holds it. I have two heavy manfrottos, they are heavy but I never worry about them not holding the weight or even blowing over easily. The more solid the tripod the sharper your pics especially with a long lens or long exposures. I use my equipment daily and it must hold up. Why even after advice do so many scrimp on the tripod and then buy 2nd and 3rd's til they get a good one and realize how much they wasted and the chance they took with their equipment always baffles me. Buy used, save a little but buy good!
 
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Moab Man

Senior Member
Buy a new tripod, but put the money into it so you won't have to make this purchase again and you won't question if it's good enough.
 
bklynkenny

bklynkenny

Senior Member
Thank you all for the advice. It seems pretty unanimous! I've been looking around and think I will opt for the MeFoto Roadtrip.
 
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Ad B

Senior Member
Hi,

with my Olympus OM-D camera I used a Manfrotto tripod with a max rate of 3,5 kg.
With my D750 along with the Sigma 150-600 C, I bought a Triopo carbon tripod (GT-2804X8.C) with a max load of 15 kg(head 8 kg).
It still wasn't stable enough.
Now I have a Sirui N-3204X with a K-20X ballhead. (max load tripod 18 kg, head 25 kg).
With the use of the big Sigma I have a Nest NT-530H gimbal head (max load 25 kg).
Now, my stuff is steady as a rock!

Don't save to much on a tripod and head.
Don't leave your thousands of dollars costing equipment on a few bucks costing tripod.

Ad B
 
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