Tripod buying guide // Tripods for Landscape Photography

In this video I talk through all of the tripods I have purchased through the years, which ones have served me well, and not so much. At 10:18 I give my recommendations for which tripod to buy given each specific use case, including BUDGET tripods. I realize not everyone can afford a $1000 tripod for their hobby.

Tripods mentioned in this video:

[FLMUSACanada]

Nick, it's an honor to be on your list, thanks for doing this round-up. Just wanted to clarify some things mentioned in your video and here in the comments:
The Series II tripods are available in Europe and the UK; the European distributors decided to offer slightly different models over there, mostly 5-section versions of what we have here in N.A..
Series II tripods in North America now include 6 different models, with a seventh on the way, to suit every photographic application and situation.
FLM is a German company, the ball heads are made in Stuttgart by MK Messtechnik, and they recently handed over Series II tripod production to FLM China, who made the tripod you're using.
We're a small company, with one distributor for the US and Canada (me), so our production levels aren't the same as other companies, but getting anyone a tripod has never been an issue.
Keep up the fantastic work!
Ari - FLM USA & Canada

[jeffreyedoyle]

It would be great to see you do another video like this for tripod heads

[tonyb]

I have owned the FLM CP30 L4 for almost a year and it's light, very tall and extremely sturdy. I love it. I highly recommend it.

[KellyPettit]

That beginning cracked me up! Needed that. Some excellent insight from someone who clearly has used a lot of tripods. Why is everything in this field so expensive? lol Same with all my music gear. UGH. Thanks Nick.

[MaximPodbereznyy]

Speaking about cheap stuff.. I've been using Sirui W-2204 for 2 or 3 years and never cleaned it - works like a charm! Rather cheap and very reliable for outdoor use. I used it in deserts and oceans numerous times and it never failed

[QuietLightPhoto]

Excellent recommendations Nick! I second your opinion on both the FLM and Colorado Tripod Companies tripods.

[mikehines]

I just bought an FLM CP30 based on your recommendation Nick! It seemed like a good balance between quality and cost, and I was not disappointed at all when it came in. Such a breath of fresh air from my old, half-broken, rusted, screws-falling-out, Manfrotto. Thanks for the help!

[wallybeep]

Thanks, Nick. Super useful. Been a superfan since Valley of Fire, my introduction to you - a must not miss travel/tutorial extravaganza worth every penny.

[lukemunson]

I think the FLM CP30-L4 II is the best. It maintains all the great features, has an awesome working height of 68.3”, while remaining at only 3.1 lbs. may not be the most compact, but I can hike with it and not sacrifice any working height. I love mine and can’t recommend it enough

[TehZulFur]

Perfect timing! I’m currently searching for a tripod as I write this! Thanks Nick, keep up the vids

[seamastergmt]

I just purchased an FLM CP- 34 L4 tripod, cannot wait for it to arrive so I can start using it in the field. Also Bought the FLM CB-48 ball head. Ari has been great so far and made my purchase experience a pleasure.

[gavanmitchell]

Heya thanks for the video! I know this is super old and you likely won't see this now. But I find it intriguing that you don't like center columns or flip lock style legs. We are complete opposite in this regard. The last thing I want to do is try and make fine adjustments to height buy loosening legs and trying to adjust them to a heights in-between segment lengths (if that makes sense). And if I'm locking legs into place, I want it to lock into place. Not have a twist action that may or may not be tightened enough. It's slower and more fiddly. I always wondered where the people are that like these locks, and why tripod companies continue to make them that way. But here you are! Haha. I'd love to know why you have these biases. Perhaps there's something I've been missing. I realise everyone is different, and have different preferences. I'd just love to hear more about the logic behind your conclusions.

Cheers!

[whatmattersmost]

Hi Nick Great information, BUT I will disagree about what you said about FLM in Canada support, Ari is the customer support person their N American distributor and I have had many contacts with him as I own many of the FLM tripods he has been nothing but AWESOME! I have got backup parts like shims and other parts that I wanted to have in my photo parts kit to have if and when I needed them as I work them very hard. I have had RRS and a good company but too many people at RRS and the fact that when RRS moved from CA to UT that hurt many employees that their life was with RRS so many years and it was a oh we are moving come with us or don't. I find that FLM is a great quality and value over RRS and have enjoyed FLM support over the many years over RRS mainly because you are working with Ari over email or talking with 1 person and much more efficient and accurate. With RRS for an influencer like yourself it was easy but for us no influencers Ari has proved himself. I feel that you get a $1K to $1.5K tripod like the ProMedia Gear & RRS quality for 30%-50% less or more with the FLM tripods. I can't say enough FLM as a long time owner of their tripods. Just my 2 cents. Also I got that FLM CP30-SII last year and it's the same quality as the FLM you have and I will bet money that it's much more stable then the Feisol's are. Christopher

[russellschundler]

Agreed. The quest for the PERFECT tripod or camera bag will never end! Criteria are very specific for each photo trip. That being said, we seem to continue our search. “Some day my dream will come!” After a workshop with you, I got the RRS tripod. Great tripod. Encouraged me to rely on high ISO and in-camera stabilization unless doing focus stacking or exposure blending. There’s humor in there somewhere.

[victorpopukh]

Right on time, looking for light weight tripod to be able to go bag packing and I always bring two tripods, one for timelapses and one to photoshoot, the info was very valuable. Thanks, I think FLM fits my price point

[craighardingrealtor]

Nick, as always, a great video from you... love your sincerity and 'one of us' vibe. Really appreciate your frank and honest review of your tripods. I too have a few sets of legs and it always seems each has its downside (and truthfully, upside). Have been looking at the FLM as they look well done and for a 'fairer' price-point as compared to RRS. As mentioned in an earlier comment...a similar review of heads would be very much appreciated. Stay safe and stay productive :)

[boscomac]

Good sound reasoning behind your recommendations. 👍👍👍

[stevelink]

HI Nick. Excellent tripod comparison sir! As a landscape and product photographer who shoots 100% tripod-mounted for optimum image sharpness and detail, I can also heartily recommend Gitzo and FLM from personal experience. And though the following tripod may be a bit too small (for you) from a maximum height perspective, I found a Chinese brand called Leofoto, that makes an Amazing travel tripod, AND it includes a fantastic ball head with one feature that I've not found INCLUDED on any other ball head...namely, a panoramic head! This allows the single ball head to function as a pano head, plus, if you swing it into the notch, turns the pano head into a "poor man's " gimbal head! (Max payload = 22 lbs.) Also, another feature of this tripod/head combo, is that the knobs/controls on the ball head each have a different shape and texture (ALL metal, CNC aluminum)! Simply ingenious design, because it eliminates the possibility of inadvertently loosening the wrong knob!! Why ALL ball head manufacturers don't do this is beyond me...actually, probably because of design and manufacture costs! In any case, this Leofoto LN-254CT Tripod is awesome...10X carbon fiber legs, included quality metal spikes (with rubber gaskets), included handy carabiner allen tool, and a very nice carrying case. Well worth $380, IMHO. And regarding Squarespace, though I would love to move over to them and use your discount code, I found that they cannot import the thousands of jpeg images I already have up on my Network Solutions site, so I cannot use them, because obviously it would be quite time-prohibitive to upload my many images one at a time! Thanks, Nick, and Be Safe!

[michaeltrue]

Great overview with use cases. Purchased my FLM based on your recommendation, loving it and gave you a shout out on my first video!

[paulus]

When i need a new tripod, i probably gonna watch this vid again. Thnx Nick