The PhotographyTalk 2012 Holiday Gift Guide: Tripods and Heads
-
The Sirui T-025 Tripod
-
The Sirui C-10 Ball Head
-
Vanguard Auctus Plus 323CT Tripod
-
The Vanguard SBH-300 Ball Head
-
The X4 Eric Tripod from Three Legged Thing
-
The TVC-24L Versa Series 2 Tripod from Really Right Stuff
-
The Jobu Design Pro2 Gimbal Head
Give the gift of a tripod and/or head this holiday season to your favorite photographer. With a steady camera platform, he or she will have the opportunity to experience and enjoy virtually every type of photography. PhotographyTalk recommends any of the following equipment as great gifts.
The Sirui T-025 tripod is lightweight at only 1.3 lbs. and is also 20% to 30% smaller than many other tripods, folding to 11.8” (300mm). It’s a strong, little workhorse, however, as it will support as much as 13.2 lbs. (6kg) of equipment. What make this possible are Sirui’s advanced forging technology and the use of 100% carbon fiber and 8 cross-pattern layers.
The Sirui T-025 Tripod is available from Amazon for $219.95 and from Adorama for $219.95
The Sirui C-10 Ball Head is also constructed with forged, aircraft-grade aluminum alloy parts and has a separate lock for panning. It also includes an Arca-Swiss-compatible quick-release plate and can use the full range of Sirui quick-release plates, for maximum flexibility.
The Sirui C-10 Ball Head is available from Amazon for $79.95
As one of the finest professional tripods, the Vanguard Auctus Plus 323CT has the precise features and adjustments for the studio as well as heavy-duty construction and easy set-up for outdoors photography adventures. The 323CT will support as much as 40 lbs. (18kg) of equipment. Adjust the tripod’s height with greater accuracy with the Extreme Support Height Positioning (ESHP) Wheel System.
The Vanguard Auctus Plus 323CT Tripod is available from Amazon for $429.99 and Adorama is offering it with a $100 Rebate
The Vanguard SBH-300 Ball Head is manufactured from a highly durable and rugged magnesium alloy, and all the parts are molded, not cut parts fitted together. Vanguard’s construction philosophy makes this ball head easy to carry for landscape photography, at only 1.5 lbs. (680g), but it also has a heavy-duty camera plate that supports as much as 70 lbs. (32kg) of equipment.
The Vanguard SBH-300 Ball Head is just $99.99 from Amazon and from Adorama for $99.99
Three Legged Thing is a unique British company, both for its name and its Rock Legend Range of tripods, monopods and multipods. Named for Eric Clapton, the X4 Eric Tripod is rated to support as much as 17.6 pounds (8kg), and is designed and built for superior stability. That comes from the company’s use of 26mm, 8 Core Stealth Carbon Fiber™ and the highest aircraft-grade T6061 magnesium alloy. The versatility of the X4 Eric is evident with its built-in, detachable monopod and the rapid removable/reversible, twin section center column. The 9.7-ounce (264g) monopod collapses to 14 inches (360mm) and extends to a maximum of 4.7 feet (1,440mm).
The X4 Eric Tripod is available from Amazon for $410.00 and from Adorama for $410.00
Another company with a very memorable name, Really Right Stuff offers the Versa Series of tripods, with their superior design and utility features. The TVC-24L is a pro-quality tripod with RRS’s SureGrip™ Apex Lock, which is a solid-aluminum piece with a high-strength stainless steel ring. Unlike the split apex on many other tripods, the SureGrip holds your equipment more securely. You’re sure to like this tripod’s offset leg joints that allow it to support as much as 40 lbs. (18kg) and to dampen vibrations better than any comparable tripod.
Order the Really Right Stuff TVC-24L Versa Series 2 Tripod directly from the company’s Website for $935.00
Here is the gimbal head for the professional wildlife or sports photography on your holiday gift list. The Jobu Pro2 is light at just 3 lbs., 5 oz., but supports gear weighing as much as 35 lbs. (15kg+). In designing the Pro2 Gimbal Head, Jobu decided the advantages of a top-mounted quick-release clamp (which creates a swing-arm configuration) were more beneficial than side mounting the clamp, which is common on most gimbal heads.
The Jobu Design Pro2 Gimbal Head is available from Amazon for $639.00 and from Adorama for $639.00
Image credit: creative4m / 123RF Stock Photo
For additional holiday gift ideas, read these PhotographyTalk 2012 Holiday Buying Guides:
Your feedback is important to thousands of PhotographyTalk.com fans and us. If this article is helpful, then please click the Like and Re-Tweet buttons at the top left of this article.