Nikonians FAQs - What tripod (3)

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What tripod NIKONIANS BRAND CHOICES

by J. Ramón Palacios
The French Gitzo and the Italian Manfrotto seem to be the preferred tripod choices of
tell a friend about this Nikonian pros and advanced amateurs.
article

Do I really need one?

What not to buy

What to look for

» Nikonians choices
Manfrotto

Gitzo

Accessories

Tripod technique

Gitzo and Manfrotto tripods

-- ADVERTISEMENT --

Gitzo is the professional photographic tripod ‘par excellence’. Founded in 1917 by Arsene
Gitzhoven, his company began making tripods in France since the late 40's. Gitzo is
renowned for having been the first in the world to offer the high-tech lightweight rigidity
of carbon fiber in their range of camera tripods. Gitzo tripods are now produced in their
own facilities in Italy.

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Nikonians FAQs - What tripod (3)

Manfrotto is another excellent brand of high performance lighting and camera support
and other photographic equipment. Founded in Italy in 1970 by Lino Manfrotto, Gruppo
Manfrotto sets the international standard for top quality professional equipment with a
superb value for the money.

Bogen Photo Corp, started by Lester Bogen in 1959, is the distributor of Manfrotto
products in the USA since the early 70's, also distributing Gitzo products now and
transformed into Bogen Imaging, with subsidiaries around the world.

Gruppo Manfrotto in 1989, Gitzo in 1992 and Bogen in 1993, were acquired by Vitec
Group PLC, a group with a long tradition in this industry. Sparked from W. Vinten Ltd,
the company founded by William Charles Vinten, dedicated to producing film developing
and printing machines, film cameras and camera mounts, from the very start of the
cinematographic industry and now world leaders in the design and manufacture of
camera supports. Although the group has diversified into related high-tech market
segments, it is more than reasonable to expect their continued dedication to
photography*.

MAJOR CHOICES. Aluminum or Carbon Fiber.

Aluminum will do, but if you are into hiking or
trekking, the up to 30% reduced weight that
..
carbon fiber provides without compromising
strength and stability is something worthwhile to
consider, despite its higher price tag.

Another advantage of the CF (Carbon Fiber) tripods is that in cold weather your hands
will not freeze at touch, like in a naked aluminum one.

A good tripod will outlast you, so as a lifetime investment it is always best to do it right
from the start. Don't rush. I wish I had waited until saving enough to get any of these
babies. It would have save me from a series of frustrations and spending more in
numerous wobbly designs. I was taught to be the least vindictive possible so I won't
mention any of those other brand names.

Quoting Nikonian BJ Nichols:

You can have sturdy and reasonably priced.
You can have lightweight and reasonably priced.
But you can't have sturdy, lightweight, and reasonably priced.
How much are golf carts?
More than a carbon fiber tripod and lightweight pro quality ballhead, I suspect

* The Vitec Group Photographic Division now encompasses:

Avenger
Bogen Imaging
Gitzo
IFF
Kata
Litec
Manfrotto, and
Multiblitz, integrated to Bogen Imaging in 2004

More...»

see also

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Nikonians FAQs - What tripod (3)

Tripods, Heads & Camera Support forum

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