It has been three eight years ago that I wrote an article on my search for my ultimate tripod, and since then I’ve had some time to reflect on my purchase and ideas. Or in short, put the Sirui T-025X through the ringer on a number of trips. In that previous article I also wrote that I’d probably purchase a Really Right Stuff (RRS) TVC-24L as a taller tripod, yet that didn’t happen (spoiler: until now 🤐). Instead, I wanted to purchase a Benro Mach3 TMA38CL upon recommendation by FStoppers, though that wasn’t in stock anywhere initially, so I restarted my research.
FStoppers reviews the Benro TMA38CL - Youtube
In the past two to three years that I’ve owned and used my Sirui T-025X I found that it simply isn’t tall enough for me. I’m quite tall, 1.95m, and that the Sirui fully extended without the top-section usually doesn’t come over standard guard rails. It is also a bit wobbly when fully extended. I’ve read in a review that somebody compared its stability to a leave of grass 🤣. Therefore I still had a need for a tall tripod that will hold a camera still in inclement weather (i.e. wind that is stronger than just a breeze).
Also my camera body has changed, I’m now using a Canon EOS 5D mk IV instead of the Sony A7 mk II (I wrote something about that earlier). This doesn’t mean that I’ll get rid of the small Sirui, as it still has its uses when weight is really an issue (it weighs about 1kg with ball head), or for a second camera. And yes, I do like good gear and geek out over it, it needs to serve a purpose.
“The thing about the smaller ones is that if you need a 30 second exposure and there’s any wind, you’ve got next to no chance of making a sharp image. That’s why I don’t think of these as “travel” tripods. Because it’s not the traveling that I need it for. It’s the making sharp photographs. And if the tripod doesn’t do that, what good is it?” David DuChemin
My requirements that I set a few years ago are still valid:
- Stable and solid platform for a 35mm camera + 70-200mm f/2.8 telephoto zoom lens in adverse weather conditions, will not move to a medium format;
- One time investment; it should be built to last and future proof, not having to buy another tripod again in a few (i.e. at least 10) years;
- Small and light enough that I want to carry it with me, yet tall and heavy enough to raise camera securely to about eye level (about 180 cm) on even ground when mounted on ball head:
- Flight carry-on compliance is bonus points (folded length of 55 cm), but should always fit inside my The North Face duffel (limit of 70 cm);
- Maximum of four leg sections;
Platform height of 125cm is acceptable.;
- Easy to clean and maintain in the field;
- No or removable center column, as I like it to get low to the ground.
According to research 1 done by The Center Column, the stiffness and stability of a tripod is improved by the spread of the legs. “A wider stance tripod is much less prone to tipping over though, and as we shall see, also produces better overall stiffness.” I find this a very useful finding, especially in more adverse weather conditions where wind comes from the side, and I’ve seen tripods with expensive cameras being blown over. I don’t want that to happen to my setup.
“A wider stance tripod is much less prone to tipping over though, and as we shall see, also produces better overall stiffness.”
It became a matter of finding a balance between weight, size (both packed and fully extended), stability (leg angle and leg diameter) and price. I’ve found that during my trip through Peru and Bolivia a few years ago, that I didn’t really use the tripod during the day, though I’d like to be able to carry it on my backpack, currently the Peak Design 45L Travel Backpack. I might not come back to a hotel or Airbnb during a day of travel, so it should fit nicely on my backpack.
“There are seemingly thousands of different tripod models vying for a place in your kit. The tripod market has become a very crowded one, and discerning the good from the bad has become increasingly difficult.” Bryan Carnathan, The Digital Picture
Introducing the Really Right Stuff TVC-24L
After going back and forth between multiple options 2, I finally decided on the Really Right Stuff TVC-24L tripod and a matching Really Right Stuff BH-40 lever-release ball head. Mostly because it was at the top of my list for years, and I didn’t feel that the other options I considered weren’t quite meeting my needs/wishes. This combination allows me to have my camera on ground level and to raise the view finder above my head. Sure, it is expensive, my camera and lenses are even more expensive.
“The Really Right Stuff TVC-24/24L Series 2 Carbon Fiber Tripod may be the finest mid-sized tripod in existence.” Bryan Carnathan, The Digital Picture
I also considered the Gitzo Series 2 Mountaineer (GT2542), yet found in a review by HDRShooter that it isn’t that sturdy in wind and a long lens:
“The tripod is very sturdy. It’s of course even better if you are using a lighter camera, like the Sony a7r. The manufacturers declares that the tripod is recommended for up to 200mm lenses (with a maximum of 300mm), and it my use, with the Canon 70-200mm f2.8, I did have few problems with keeping it perfectly stable at 200mm, especially for long exposures. Even weaker wind sometimes resulted in a blurry images. I had no issues with shorter focal lengths.” HDRShooter
David Berryrieser of The Center Column recently did a more scientific test of using a tripod in windy conditions (link), and noticed that even one of the most heavy and stable tripods can’t keep a long lens 100% still in windy conditions. So, it might not be only this Gitzo tripod that isn’t stable 🤷🏼♂️.
“[…] tripods are not stable enough to support any kind of long exposure with long telephoto lenses in windy conditions.”
The other final contender was the Sirui R-3213X; Emil von Maltitz wrote a praising review on the Sirui, in which he even compares it with a 3-series Gitzo Systematic. I didn’t like the fact that it is a three section tripod, as that doesn’t collapse as short as a four section tripod given the same maximum height, or extend as high as a similar collapsed sized four section tripod.
Some more detailed specifications of the tripod before I continue:
- Load capacity: 18 kg
- Weight: 1.69 kg
- Collapsed length: 59 cm
- Platform diameter: 53 mm
- Max. height: 170 cm
- Leg sections: 4
- Primary leg angle: 25˚
- Top leg tube diameter: 32.7 mm
- Minimum leg tube diameter: 20.4 mm
- Price paid: ±€1400
And some specifications of the ball head:
- Load capacity: 8.2 kg
- Weight: 0.5 kg
- Height: 7.6 cm
- Platform diameter: 53 mm
- Ball diameter: 40 mm
- Price paid: ±€550
The 33 mm legs really are something, and the last leg section of the Really Right Stuff has about the same diameter as the top leg section of the Sirui T-025X.
Difference in size between the TVC-24L and my Sirui T-025X tripod.
My experiences so far
The first impression of the tripod itself was “Wow, these are beefy legs!”. Then I actually held the tripod, and it felt quite light given its length and gurth. The length of the tripod + head combination is a big plus over shorter tripods, as I can still see the back of the camera when standing. Yet when packing, the length of the tripod is a bit cumbersome. I’ve underestimated the folded length of the tripod. I can’t make it fit within an airline’s carry-on size, and it sticks out quite a bit above my 55 cm tall Peak Design 45L Travel backpack 😞. Carrying it on my F-Stop Loka UL, as well as the Nomatic x Peter McKinnon camera pack, is a bit better as I can stick the tripod’s feet in a small dedicated side pocket, and more easily clip it at the top of the pack. It is more a ‘problem’ of the pack you’re using than the actual tripod. If those things matter more to you than the tripod’s maximum height, I’d suggest looking at the regular TVC-24.
While travelling by airline, the tripod goes into a large checked duffel, where I wrap it for some padding. Yes, I know that luggage can get lost, but it hasn’t so far. When out and about it does live on the side of my pack.
The best thing I like about the Arca-Swiss style clamps is the compatibility with the Peak Design Capture plates. The camera is really locked into place 💪🏻🔒.
The leg locks feel are easy to loosen and tighten again, requiring only a quarter turn. To me this is a way better experience than using flip locks.
What is a review of a photographer’s tool without a few photos?!
Used the combination below to create the above long exposure.
The RRS TVC-24L in use.
All in all, I’m quite content with the purchase, even though it cost quite a lot. The tripod + head combination keep my Canon EOS 5D mk4 with a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II very stable. If you’re looking to buy a tripod yourself, I hope this article was helpful to you.
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This sheet contains the tripods that I considered, together with the specifications that I found that mattered. ↩
P.S. If you’ve enjoyed this article or found it helpful, please share it, or check out my other articles. I’m on Instagram and Twitter too if you’d like to follow along on my adventures and other writings, or comment on the article.
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