Camera Support
Benro Tortoise Two / GX30
For years, I forgot what a good, stable tripod was like.
The Benro Tortoise is my first tripod from this manufacturer. Not only is it stable and sturdy, but the ballhead has dual panning capability, which I use quite often, and the Arca-Swiss clamp is a dream to use. It's leagues better than any tripod I've used before, even the concoction Peak Design decided to use for their tripod.
It lacks a center column, which is a good thing for two reasons: 1) it's more stable, and 2) the legs fold closer together, so it's about as wide as a water bottle when folded.
The name Tortoise comes from its ability to spread its legs wide, so it sits very low to the ground.
Amazon: Buy Here
Amazon: Buy Here
Leofoto LS-255CEX Ranger
Years ago, I owned two tripods: a big, heavy one and a small travel tripod. Then I switched to the Peak Design Travel Tripod, but the design of its head left a lot to be desired.
Then came the Benro Tortoise, an amazing tripod I love to use all the time, even when traveling. But when flying carry-on only, the Tortoise takes up too much space, and sometimes I don't need a bigger tripod, just something steady enough for silky water or star trails.
Looking into travel tripods again, I didn't want to fall down the same rabbit hole as with the PD, so thanks to Hudson Henry for introducing me to what he calls the "Featherweight". This tripod not only falls within the same category as the smaller, lighter travel tripods, but it also has a built-in leveling base. The advantages of that deserves more than one sentence.
Available on Hudson's website: Hudsonhenry.com
Or at Leofoto: Buy here
Leofoto VH-20 Pan and Tilt Head
Just a pan and tilt head, no ballhead. I learned the proper approach to camera support from Hudson Henry. I highly recommend his channel.
If your tripod has a leveling base, like the LS-255CEX above, you really don't need a ballhead to shoot level. All you need is an L-bracket to shoot either horizontal or vertical. I'll explain it better in a future video, but for now, check Hudson's channel for more context.
It's a game changer, that's for sure, and it will challenge everything you thought you knew about ballheads being the best thing since sliced bread for landscape photography. Ballheads have their virtues, but there is a better way.
Leofoto G2 Geared Head
I briefly owned a geared head from Sunwayfoto, but I really missed the quick, free movement of my Benro ballhead, which I dearly love. The G2 is more like an add-on for a ballhead. It can be used as a standalone head, but it also has an Arca-Swiss plate at the bottom.
It has less range than a full geared head (10 degrees vs. 30), so using it on its own isn't that flexible. But as an attachment to a ballhead, you simply move the camera roughly into place with the ballhead, then fine-tune with the G2 controls. I think it's a brilliant design.
Amazon: Buy Here