Shootout Wooden tripod vs. Carbon Fiber tripod.

[RAH]

Those results are pretty interesting. As far as the delay, I have used a regular self-timer delay instead of the built-in hi-res delay on my E-M5.3 (I didn't know you could delay the hi-res within its settings, I think) and if I remember correctly it allowed that and of course it worked. So you could combine the 2 delays or jus tuse self-timer delay, I should think. I think it serves the same purpose (no shake from shutter activation).

 

[Mack]

Those results are pretty interesting. As far as the delay, I have used a regular self-timer delay instead of the built-in hi-res delay on my E-M5.3 (I didn't know you could delay the hi-res within its settings, I think) and if I remember correctly it allowed that and of course it worked. So you could combine the 2 delays or just use self-timer delay, I should think. I think it serves the same purpose (no shake from shutter activation).

E-M1X has several shutter timer settings in the High Resolution Tripod mode, but longest was 4 seconds, with several more fractional timings.

I probably shouldn't have used the MC-14 teleconverter as it may have soften the image a bit out of the 300mm f/4. I know it is sharpest at f/5.6 on mine so I tried to stay there, but the 1.4x converter sort of eats into it and I didn't know if I should have gone to f/6.3 or not. I left it at f/5.6.

The AF had me trying to pick one of five different shots to figure out which was sharpest in pixel peeping as they all seemed slightly different. Each shot seemed slightly different on each exposure in pixel peeping at 200-400 percent. It's just too sensitive maybe so manual focus with masking tape seemed to be best to keep the same focus for comparison.

I also turned off all the lens and body stabilzation as well.

 

[RAH]

E-M1X has several shutter timer settings in the High Resolution Tripod mode, but longest was 4 seconds, with several more fractional timings.
...
I also turned off all the lens and body stabilzation as well.

Yes, I understand that, but are you saying that a regular self-timer does NOT work with hi-res mode? Wait - OK, I now see what you mean - hi-res is in the same setting area - the shooting menu - as the regular self-timer, so you cannot use both at the same time. That's too bad. I guess I must have dreamed it when I thought I used it on my E-M5.3.

As far as IBIS, hi-res mode turns it off automatically.

 

[Holoholo55]

As far as IBIS, hi-res mode turns it off automatically.

That's true, because HR mode uses the same mechanism of moving the sensor to achieve the HR images. IBIS and HR conflict.

 

[Mack]

Yes, with its open structure, it should be easy to clean. Nothing as nice as the feel and look of polished wood. And, it won't freeze your hands in winter!

Never had freezing hands being in the desert. I'm at the opposite end of the scale where I get skin burns from hot objects.

I normally carry a microfiber towel in my hip pocket to grab the black CF tripod leg as it gets too uncomfortable for me to carry when hot out, and to wipe off any sweat or dust. Desert heat and dust from the blowing afternoon winds is a mess. RRS should have included a foam wrap on one leg that some others do, but given they started out in a cool coastal town of San Luis Obispo, CA they probably never considered that - and still don't (ahem!). Maybe their move to Utah will make them reconsider adding one or even an optional addition.. ProMediaGear offers optional leg wraps for three legs for about $40.

Aside, the ASTM C1055 (Standard Guide for Heated System Surface Conditions that Produce Contact Burn Injuries) recommends that a pipe surface temperature remain at or below 140°F. The reasoning is that the average person can touch a 140°F surface for up to five seconds without sustaining irreversible burn damage. Of course, some calloused oil field worker may tolerate it more.

Curiosity got me to pull out the IR heat gun and take the temp off the wooden and CF tripod legs as both were sitting outside in 100°F degree heat. Also checked it later at 105°F degrees.

100°F degree ambient in sunlight:
Wooden leg reads 109°F
Carbon fiber leg reads 129°F

105°F degree ambient in sunlight:
Wooden leg reads 119°F
Carbon fiber leg reads 143°F <-- OUCH!

I sort of expected the 105°F would be my top end limit to handle the CF tripod. I couldn't grab that leg for more than a couple of seconds. I've encountered that issue on some shoot with bikini models in the desert when it was 110°F. That was miserable and my Nikon D800E LCD went to an inky black from the heat, but luckily it cleared up once it cooled down. I called it off early at 1PM as the makeup woman brought bologna sandwiches and pop in a large ice chest and we got lazy and sat around on bags of ice to cool off.

It's expected to maybe hit 110°F later today or this week so I may read it there too. I expect 'burn city' on CF by then and towel time to grab it but might be interesting to see where the wood tripod gets up too. Sort of glad now I didn't go for a darker, and more expensive, Rosewood model that the darker wood might get a bit hotter than the lighter maple.

I could drive to Death Valley N.P. as it may hit 125°F out there to test it - but maybe not. They can keep it.


Later the next day...

Next day it hit 115°F and wood tripod got up to 126°F, and CF tripod was at 149°F and too hot to touch for very long (Got out kitchen hot pad to move it indoors.).

Still waiting on FedEx to deliver my LegWraps for the CF tripod. Seems it was too hot for FedEx and they delayed routing for a day which was a new one.

One thing I noted on the CF tripod was when fully extended, I can thump a leg in the middle and feel the low-frequency vibrations off it if I barely leave my fingers on the leg while thumping it. If I wrap the leg with a wrist-weight it is less. The LegWrap guys should make a wrap with maybe some lead shot in it to dampen the vibes a bit, but how much and it could be different for different legs and models - and we're back to adding mass being the savior for vibes. The center hook weight does little to help with the CF leg vibes compared to weighting down each leg, imho.

 

[Holoholo55]

Never had freezing hands being in the desert. I'm at the opposite end of the scale where I get skin burns from hot objects.

I normally carry a microfiber towel in my hip pocket to grab the black CF tripod leg as it gets too uncomfortable for me to carry when hot out, and to wipe off any sweat or dust. Desert heat and dust from the blowing afternoon winds is a mess. RRS should have included a foam wrap on one leg that some others do, but given they started out in a cool coastal town of San Luis Obispo, CA they probably never considered that - and still don't (ahem!). Maybe their move to Utah will make them reconsider adding one or even an optional addition.. ProMediaGear offers optional leg wraps for three legs for about $40.

Aside, the ASTM C1055 (Standard Guide for Heated System Surface Conditions that Produce Contact Burn Injuries) recommends that a pipe surface temperature remain at or below 140°F. The reasoning is that the average person can touch a 140°F surface for up to five seconds without sustaining irreversible burn damage. Of course, some calloused oil field worker may tolerate it more.

Curiosity got me to pull out the IR heat gun and take the temp off the wooden and CF tripod legs as both were sitting outside in 100°F degree heat. Also checked it later at 105°F degrees.

100°F degree ambient in sunlight:
Wooden leg reads 109°F
Carbon fiber leg reads 129°F

105°F degree ambient in sunlight:
Wooden leg reads 119°F
Carbon fiber leg reads 143°F <-- OUCH!

I sort of expected the 105°F would be my top end limit to handle the CF tripod. I couldn't grab that leg for more than a couple of seconds. I've encountered that issue on some shoot with bikini models in the desert when it was 110°F. That was miserable and my Nikon D800E LCD went to an inky black from the heat, but luckily it cleared up once it cooled down. I called it off early at 1PM as the makeup woman brought bologna sandwiches and pop in a large ice chest and we got lazy and sat around on bags of ice to cool off.

It's expected to maybe hit 110°F later today or this week so I may read it there too. I expect 'burn city' on CF by then and towel time to grab it but might be interesting to see where the wood tripod gets up too. Sort of glad now I didn't go for a darker, and more expensive, Rosewood model that the darker wood might get a bit hotter than the lighter maple.

I could drive to Death Valley N.P. as it may hit 125°F out there to test it - but maybe not. They can keep it.

A black aluminum tripod would be even hotter. Undoubtedly burn your hand after being out in the desert sun for a bit! Gotta be careful when you go to grab those black knobs though.

Repeat after me, "Wood is good!"

 

[Mack]

NASA must be doing their own tripod testing. Quadpods or Pentapods any better? Wood verses Steel.

Wooden looking things:

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Steel variants:

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The mailboxes may be for inclement weather perhaps. Probably cost $10K apiece by gov. specs and standards.

 

[Mack]

A black aluminum tripod would be even hotter. Undoubtedly burn your hand after being out in the desert sun for a bit! Gotta be careful when you go to grab those black knobs though.

Repeat after me, "Wood is good!"

Damn. No black aluminum tripods here, but I got some black aluminum light stand baking outside now to read. I recall I used them in the desert shoot and two of them were a bit much to handle. Towel got a workout that day.

Uh Oh! Black light-stand reads 164F. Double Ouch!

I see at B&H Photo they sell some LensCoat 518 Tripod Leg Wraps for about $54 for three to fit the RRS Versa CF I have. The LensCoat website has a brand and model of sundry tripods and what size wrap to order, but their shipping was high (Seems a norm these days as the Ries tripod was $55 at their cheapest rate for 12 pounds.). It was cheaper off the B&H Photo website with free shipping and no sales tax using their PayBoo card. Just ordered them along with a 2" Acratech Riser to clear telephoto lens of tripod legs and yoke while flipped sideways in gimbal mode.

 

[Bushboy]

Are you waiting for the rocket launch?

 

[Mack]

Are you waiting for the rocket launch?

Might catch it on the news. More interested when they do the manned mission and using the NASA internet feed.

Given the time between the two NASA moon gigs, the newer camera tech should be awesome. I can't recall, but I think they used film back then in Hassleblads and Nikon bodies, maytbe Bolex for movie film. Too early for digital as the last Apollo was 1972 and I think first digital was 1975 or so. Long time ago.

Be interesting to see what camera gear/brand they take. Nikon may have a shot being less mechanical failure having no shutter as in the Z9. I wouldn't rule out a cellphone camera either for size and weight given they are 2-3 years away from trying a landing. Wi-Fi on the moon brought to you by T-mobile or Verizon with some sponsorship advertising funds.

 

[Bushboy]

They’ll be rocking M4/3 gear, if they know what’s good for them....

 

[Holoholo55]

Damn. No black aluminum tripods here, but I got some black aluminum light stand baking outside now to read. I recall I used them in the desert shoot and two of them were a bit much to handle. Towel got a workout that day.

Uh Oh! Black light-stand reads 164F. Double Ouch!

I see at B&H Photo they sell some LensCoat 518 Tripod Leg Wraps for about $54 for three to fit the RRS Versa CF I have. The LensCoat website has a brand and model of sundry tripods and what size wrap to order, but their shipping was high (Seems a norm these days as the Ries tripod was $55 at their cheapest rate for 12 pounds.). It was cheaper off the B&H Photo website with free shipping and no sales tax using their PayBoo card. Just ordered them along with a 2" Acratech Riser to clear telephoto lens of tripod legs and yoke while flipped sideways in gimbal mode.

Triple Ouch! That would be a painful burn.

 

[RAH]

Never had freezing hands being in the desert. I'm at the opposite end of the scale where I get skin burns from hot objects.
...
Curiosity got me to pull out the IR heat gun and take the temp off the wooden and CF tripod legs as both were sitting outside in 100°F degree heat. Also checked it later at 105°F degrees.

100°F degree ambient in sunlight:
Wooden leg reads 109°F
Carbon fiber leg reads 129°F

105°F degree ambient in sunlight:
Wooden leg reads 119°F
Carbon fiber leg reads 143°F <-- OUCH!

I sort of expected the 105°F would be my top end limit to handle the CF tripod. I couldn't grab that leg for more than a couple of seconds.

Most CF tripods have a rubber grip sleeve on at least one leg. But I have several Manfrotto CF tripods that do not have a sleeve on any leg and it always annoyed me, although I couldn't really think of a good reason why it is needed on a CF tripod. Well, now I know! Is Manfrotto trying to save money or something? Very annoying! Those wraps that Lenscoat sells are not nearly as nice as a built-in rubber grip, IMHO (I have one on one of my Manfrotto CF tripods ) .

 

[Mack]

Most CF tripods have a rubber grip sleeve on at least one leg. But I have several Manfrotto CF tripods that do not have a sleeve on any leg and it always annoyed me, although I couldn't really think of a good reason why it is needed on a CF tripod. Well, now I know! Is Manfrotto trying to save money or something? Very annoying! Those wraps that Lenscoat sells are not nearly as nice as a built-in rubber grip, IMHO (I have one on one of my Manfrotto CF tripods ) .

You're right on the Lenscoat leg wrap not being as nice. Seems awkward to grab it as it is spongy and the Velcro over-lapping part is bulky. Two might work if one were to carry it on one's shoulder being so padded. Odd RRS didn't include something like a neoprene wrap even as an option for cold or hot weather to grab the legs.

Below is a shot of the E-M1X with the 300mm f/4 on the Acratech GXP head flipped over into gimbal mode. Not quite as free as a dedicated gimbal, but more free than the RRS BH-55 flipped in same setup as the Acratech GXP has a bearing in the neck between the A-S clamp and ball that can spin freely while resting in the slot. The RRS BH-55 rubs in the slot so more drag.

I also added their optional $89 two inch riser since I bought the lever operated A-S clamp as the lever could strike the flat yoke plate on the Ries head if turned. If one buys the cheaper knob clamp it may not be needed. However, the lever clamp has the fine adjustment knob on the opposite side of the A-S clamp so you can adjust any irregular-sized A-S plate to the feel of the clamp lever. RRS missed that one. Tripod warranty is lifetime, and Acratech is 10 years - or five more than RRS.

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Pretty much zero play anywhere in the thing. The leg lock setup (Ries 'Tri-lock System') works very nice as the black clamping part swivels in some brass bearings in between the legs and has been used by them for 86 years in cinema tripods where they started. The white dot on the A-S clamp is the bottom of the bubble level so you can shine a light from opposite side for night setups.

 

[Bushboy]

Wow. Fancy setup indeed.

 

[Holoholo55]

NASA must be doing their own tripod testing. Quadpods or Pentapods any better? Wood verses Steel.

Wooden looking things:

View attachment 969217

Steel variants:

View attachment 969219

The mailboxes may be for inclement weather perhaps. Probably cost $10K apiece by gov. specs and standards.

Launch pad cameras have to withstand some pretty "explosive" conditions.

 

[Holoholo55]

You're right on the Lenscoat leg wrap not being as nice. Seems awkward to grab it as it is spongy and the Velcro over-lapping part is bulky. Two might work if one were to carry it on one's shoulder being so padded. Odd RRS didn't include something like a neoprene wrap even as an option for cold or hot weather to grab the legs.

Below is a shot of the E-M1X with the 300mm f/4 on the Acratech GXP head flipped over into gimbal mode. Not quite as free as a dedicated gimbal, but more free than the RRS BH-55 flipped in same setup as the Acratech GXP has a bearing in the neck between the A-S clamp and ball that can spin freely while resting in the slot. The RRS BH-55 rubs in the slot so more drag.

I also added their optional $89 two inch riser since I bought the lever operated A-S clamp as the lever could strike the flat yoke plate on the Ries head if turned. If one buys the cheaper knob clamp it may not be needed. However, the lever clamp has the fine adjustment knob on the opposite side of the A-S clamp so you can adjust any irregular-sized A-S plate to the feel of the clamp lever. RRS missed that one. Tripod warranty is lifetime, and Acratech is 10 years - or five more than RRS.

View attachment 970197

Pretty much zero play anywhere in the thing. The leg lock setup (Ries 'Tri-lock System') works very nice as the black clamping part swivels in some brass bearings in between the legs and has been used by them for 86 years in cinema tripods where they started. The white dot on the A-S clamp is the bottom of the bubble level so you can shine a light from opposite side for night setups.

It's a great feature that the Acratech head can function like a gimbal when needed.

 

[Mack]

Wow. Fancy setup indeed.

That's not fancy.

This is fancy.

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

 

[Route66Photo]

Below is the High Res shot from E-M1X on 4 second delay of a golf net approximately 1/4 miles distant with the 400mm f/4 Pro lens. Enlarged 200%. No sharpening applied.

One on left is a Ries wooden J-100-2 tripod with an Acratech GXP head.
One on right is a Really Right Stuff TVC-33 carbon fiber tripod with a BH-55 ball head.

View attachment 968999

Seems a slight advantage to the Ries wooden tripod in high resolution tripod mode.


Later:

Ran it through Topaz Sharpen at Standard setting. 554% enlargement on bolt.

Ries wooden tripod on left. Really Right Stuff carbon fiber on right.

View attachment 969033

Reason for test was I never got what I'd call sharp on the RRS CF tripod in Olympus E-M1X High Resolution Tripod mode so I gave up using it. Thought maybe a wooden tripod might be better for vibration dampening during the brief pixel-shifting part it does. Maybe it does.

I saw this post and it really confirmed my experience with this Ries tripod. I don't like to share my experiences all that often but in this case the similarities in everyone else' experiences are uncanny.

I have been into Large Format Photography for about a year now. I bought an 8x10 Deardorff that came with a very robust Gitzo tripod and an Arca Swiss head. It was an all in one deal from a coworker that was retiring and moving to Belize. Since I have had the setup I had shot about 55 sheets of film on various days over the course of the year. Mostly around North Texas, New Mexico and Colorado. It was not until I joined a photo club where we all drive to various locations and enjoy special events that I began to compare my photos with other photographers. We all got back together a couple of weeks later with our pictures to show off. The fist thing that I noticed was the differences of the other folks who were shooting large format. My pictures were no where near the resolution of my pier who was shooting with a 8x10 Chamonix on a Ries wooden tripod. I immediately thought I need to buy a Chamonix and sell my Deardorff. After talking it over with him he had suggested that I try shooting my Deardorff mounted on his Ries Tripod.

The next weekend he and I went to the Artillery Museum at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. I was skeptical but I did shoot 12 shots on his Ries just to try it. When I first looked at tripod and head I was not sure how it really worked but once I started to make adjustments I found it to be really nice and easy to use. The head looks like a military contraption but it works incredibly better than my Arca Swiss. The Ries head had a lot more movements, in particular the ability to take photos directly under the tripod, or just straight up. The tripod itself has a locking system that you can independently adjust to any angle which worked very well setting up on hillsides or uneven ground. Overall I liked using it. The weight was little heavier than my Gitzo but it made up for it with its abilities. The mounting plate of the head and the top of the tripod is a whopping 6 inches, which is the same size as my mounting plate on the bottom of my camera, compared to the 3 1/2 inches on my Gitzo. It looks as though the camera and tripod were made for each other.

Now, as far as the pictures went. Yep, there it was. The lines are sharp and crisp. You can definitely see a difference. I don't know if it is from the wood or the fact that this tripod is just that rigid but it does make a huge difference. Since trying my friend's tripod I have purchased one myself and sold the Gitzo. The only complaint I have is that Ries took about 7 weeks to get to get my tripod. They are apparently made to order instead of ready on the shelf. Other than that I am very happy with it. I did some more research and found that these tripods are used in laboratories where they need low vibration, so I guess there might be something to the wood thing.

As for price my Gitzo new would be about $1,400 and the Arca Swiss head would be $1,200. My Ries tripod, head and a carry case all together cost about $1,600 but that was with shipping too.

All I can say is that I am very happy with mine. I am looking to buy a bigger camera, a 16x20. I called Ries Tripod and they said my current setup, A100 Tripod and A250 Head, is more than sufficient to handle it. I will let you know how it goes.