Originally Posted on Flickr: https://flic.kr/p/2oqeoLs

Ries H100 20230329 © Paul Thacker 2023

Over the past several years, I have experienced intermittent image degradation. After much reverse engineering and sleuthing, I traced the problem to my camera support. But if I was to change my tripod, what characteristics was I looking for in an improved support? In the end, I narrowed my criteria to three things: Dampening. Dampening. Dampening. The picture above shows my new Ries H100 tripod fitted with a Gitzo GH4383 head. For reference, the size my SIGMA SD Quattro is comparable to a Hasselblad X1D, Fuji GFX body or a Leica SL2. With the 14-24/2.8 ART seen above, a healthy amount of weight and torque is mounted on this tripod. I chose the Ries legs because they are specifically designed to suppress vibration both from external forces and from vibrations originating from the equipment itself. In the picture above, you can see the four integral components that working together provide an excellent platform to isolate/suspend the mounted camera equipment from forces both external and internal to it. Most obviously, are the Eastern Hard Rock Sugar Maple legs. Acer saccharum is often used for guitar necks and piano frames because of its ability to dampen vibration. It is categorized as a “tone wood”. Researching this was very interesting. Acer saccharum is also very hard and durable. Second, you will see that the three legs are attached to a milled aluminum “tri-lock” manifold that holds the legs securely and independently at an infinite amount of angles. Third, if you zoom in to the image above, you will see, black layers of a thin, unique material sandwiched between the crown above and the “tri-lock” manifold below. The purpose of this material is to suppress vibration originating at the camera when the shutter is released. Fourth, the 73mm (2.9 inch) crown is bolted from below onto the “tri-lock” manifold. If the crown were screwed to the “tri-lock” manifold from above, vibrations from below would more readily reach the crown and be passed on to the equipment above. The Ries H100 is not a lightweight tripod. It is not a travel tripod. It is substantial. The 2 section legs weigh 3.0 kg (6.8 lbs.). With the Gitzo Series 4 ball head, 3.99 kg (8.79 lbs.). By comparison, the Gitzo Series 4, 3 section legs with the same head weighs 3.18 kb (7 lbs.). The weight difference between these two setups is 9% of my normal photographic gear weight total. For me, the + 0.81 kg (1.8 lbs.) in weight is minor compared to the performance benefit the H100 yields. But why is this important? As pixel counts have increased and pixel sizes have decreased, the slightest deflection of the sensor/optical system at exposure will rapidly degrade image quality. Much of that resolving power we hoped for is often lost. In an effort to reclaim lost resolution, software manipulations are deployed. We may regain some semblance of the image we hoped for, but in reality, we have an image characterized by an unnatural and plastic sensibility. Some of my photography is formal. It is here that I want to create images that are optimized. To give them a natural, traditionally photographic look, the files cannot be over sharpened. In reality, they should not be sharpened at all. In order to be able to do this, the image capture must be exceptional. Perfect. Hence, my decision to use the Ries H100. Admittedly, I have not used every tripod setup (the Gitzo Series 4, 3 section is a fine set of legs), but I am confident that the Ries H100 will provide a highly dampened, rigid support that will isolate my camera/lens from the environment and give me the best chance to capture all the resolution my system can create. [www.riestripod.com/]

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