Image quality with high-end vs low-end tripod

[splproductions]

I have a Series 2 Really Right Stuff tripod with ballhead. I obviously love it.

I was considering buying one of the BeFree tripods from Manfrotto (or something similar) for trips where I want something small and compact.

What is the effect on image quality between a high-end and low-end tripod? The longest I shoot is 200mm. I do occasionally do long exposures with 3-stop or 10-stop ND filters.

I'm not doing paid work, but I like to try to be as close to a "professional" as possible, and I am definitely a pixel peeper. I hope to eventually have enough top-notch photos to decorate my dental office with large prints.

Will I see a difference in my photos between two tripods like this? The other option would be to buy a Series 1 tripod from RRS.

Thanks!
Ryan

 

[weepete]

Generally better quality tripods are lighter and more stable. So it's not that tripods directly affect your image, just some are a better platform than others.

 

[john.margetts]

Depends on how low-end low-end is. My mother had a cheap tripod for photographing stained glass in churches - worked fine indoors but would have been useless outside in a breeze!

 

[fmw]

As long as the tripod will hold the camera and lens steady and at the right height it will do. Cheap tripods won't always do that. I'm told that the hot item in travel tripods is the Mefoto Road Trip which is $200 in carbon and $150 in aluminum. I believe it is made by Benro who makes some of the Manfrotto products. I haven't tried one myself by some people swear by it. At least it is affordable.

My guess that, if you are used to a RRS tripod, you won't like any of the travel products.

 

[Big Mike]

Will I see a difference in my photos between two tripods like this?

Hard to tell. In some situations you will, and in some you wont.

 

[astroNikon]

take your finger and put it on top of the camera while it's on the tripod.
Then wiggle your finger back and forth.
How much does the camera move/jiggle, head, or tripod legs, etc ?

My old Slik Professional tripod is heavier than my middle range tripod. But the big one doesn't move in winds at all and you screw the camera directly on a platform versus a quick release system.