What's the "fastest" tripod?

Hmmm… strange question… do you have any other criteria? What situations will you be in? What height do you need? How heavy is the camera? How smooth do you need motion to be?

I rarely find tripod setup time to be a limiting factor…?
 
Well...I shoot video primarily and currently use a Monfrotto monopod...Say I'm shooting a wedding at a park or something...I need to set up the tripod quickly (open it up, extend the legs, etc etc), take a few shots, and then collapse it and toss it in a backpack if possible. The weight of the camera is about 6 lbs and the tripod should have a fluid head.

As far as height....something in the area of 5'5" - 6'.
 
The only thing fast about that Sachtler is how fast I'd run out of the shop after hearing the price! lol
 
Hmm… I mean for me… get something with a good strong fast quick release (say, a sled like the Manfrotto 503 and above). Then just fold the legs (not collapse them) to carry the camera with tripod over your shoulder for quick moves; and leave the tripod standing out of the way for handheld times. I don't quite see a need to be collapsing the tripod fully so much, and without that, speed differences don't seem like a big issue… but I don't know your shooting style and situations…
 
Postmaster said:
Manfrotto Neotec Pro

http://reviews.photographyreview.com/manfrotto-neotec-458b-tripod-review


or - even faster IMHO - the Sachtler HotPod

http://www.filmtools.com/sachtler-hot-pod-cf-14-538514.html

Frank
Click to expand...


wow i like the look of this. Is she pushing the release at the top to extend the legs as well as retract? I'd assume so but can't quite tell from the video. If so I think I want one of these puppies!

ok, should have googled before typing this..

just found this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyWuxY5w0LQ

it seems that you just pull the legs out and they lock into position BUT will they only do this at each of the stages (i.e - you can't lock it half way between half extended and fully extended) that's a shame (if I'm correct - hope I'm not)
 
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I personally wouldn't call those Manfrotto 536 legs fast. I have them and I think "normal" multi-tube tripods are much faster. The challenge is that the legs have to go out further if you raise them or pull in closer if you lower them. Meaning the feet don't stay in the same position. Normal tripods, especially with a ground spreader, you can quickly undo three locks, raise or lower and lock them back up again because the feet don't have to move. Most normal circumstances don't require you to get at the second set of locks right away anyway. Manfrotto 536's ARE however, very light weight, sturdy and extremely versatile. They go very low and very high. They also hold WAY more weight than the specs rate. I can hang myself from it at maximum height like it was a jungle gym, and I weigh 180.

I do have the hotpod also, and it takes a bit of getting used to, but after you do, it is hands down the fastest tripod I have ever handled. 5-6 seconds for major setups and 3-4 seconds for adjustments using the pedestal. The thing is, they are HEAVY and don't go very low... and expensive if you're not shooting as a primary income source.

For reference, the camera I use is about 12-16 lbs, depending on setup.
 
I would buy hundreds of cheap tripods and leave them set up all around the city or town you work in.

To prevent them from being stolen simply mark one of the legs with "do not steal".

Problem solved.
 
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