Induro Tripods

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If you are already convinced that Induro tripods are the best that money can buy, click here to order. If not, or if you want to learn which Induro tripod is best for you, read on.

This image was created on the 2015 Fort DeSoto Spring IPT by Dwayne Marrott with the tripod-mounted Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens, the Canon Extender EF 1.4X III (at 140mm), and the Canon EOS 7D Mark II. ISO 400. Evaluative metering at zero: 1/800 sec. at f/6.3. Center AF point (Manual selection)/AI Servo AF as framed was active at the moment of exposure. Click on the image to see a larger version. Image #1: artie in shorebird heaven. Image courtesy of and copyright 2015: Dwayne Marrott Though doing what I did above is not recommended, do know that the very same Induro tripod in the image above is still functioning perfectly to this day (after being rinsed and cleaned by my righthand man Jim Litzenburg.) And yes, that was saltwater…. See the info below to determine which Induro tripod is best for you and then click here to order yours.

Induro Tripods

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About a year ago, thanks to Denise Ippolito, I got my hands on an Induro CT 304 tripod. I loved mine and she loved hers. But there was one major flaw. Denise suggested a great fix and it was implemented in the re-vamped tripod that is now called the GIT 304.

I have used my Induro CT 304 for almost a year. If you’ve seen me in the field within the last 12 months you would have seen that I have forsaken my Gitzos. The CT 304 was way better than anything Gitzo sells and the price is several hundred dollars less. Though it is never recommended that you take a quality tripod into saltwater so deep that only the tripod head is above the water, the Induro Stealth Carbon tripods stand up to all conditions including and especially salt water far better than the Gitzo stuff that has lots of corrosion problems. The Induros are strong and sturdy They perform every bit as efficiently as the Gitzos. And they pack smaller. And as noted above, the new models including the GIT 304 and the taller GIT 304 L are even better as it is now impossible for the tripod platform to fall out. Denise’s solution was amazingly elegant and effective.

The GIT 304 is actually 4 1/2 inches shorter than the original CT 304. The GIT 304L is about 1/2 inch taller than the CT 304. See our recommendations for folks of various heights below.

The price of the new Induro GIT 304 is $520. The comparable Gitzo 3532LS is an astounding $899. Even without considering price, the Induro is the better tripod. (Note: folks with just about any telephoto lens from the 100-400 II to the 600 II would be best pairing their new Induro tripod with the Mongoose M3.6, the lightweight gimbal head that I have been using for more than a decade. Learn more about the Mongoose or purchase yours by clicking here. Please e-mail for low foot or plate info for the Mongoose.

Here is the Induro info:

GIT 304.

GIT 304. (4 leg sections.) This model is great for folks up to about 5′ 7″ tall. Weighs only 4.6 lbs. and folds to 20.9 inches. It is rated to support 55.1 pounds: $520.

GIT 304L.

GIT 304L. (4 leg sections.) This is the best-ever tripod for folks taller than 5’7″. I have shrunken to about 5’ 10 1/2 inches and like being able to work with the camera right in my face so I use this one. Weighs only 4.8 lbs. and folds to an amazing 22.6 inches for easy travel. It too is rated to support 55.1 pounds: $550. With a thicker lower leg section this model is far better than any of the comparable Gitzo models with their pencil-thin lower leg sections. And it costs a ton less than $999.99.

The GRAND INDURO Series

The GRAND INDURO series is for those seeking the highest level of stability. Period. As BAA and A Creative Adventure recommend, there is no center column. It is replaced by a flat, modular platform made of lightweight magnesium alloy. The platform is secured with a ratchet style lock lever as well as by a safety catch to ensure the safety of your big lens. Denise Ippolito suggested the latter to the manufacturer. Each Grand Induro tripod includes a machined aluminum top plate with hard anodizing, oversized weight hook and set screw for a secure lockdown of your tripod head. BIRDS AS ART recommends that the oversized hook be removed for general bird and nature photography applications. Please note that your order will be placed and filled by Outdoor Photo Gear.

Please do not be scared off by the large hard rubber feet that you see in the photos of the tripods; thanks to suggestions by both denise and artie standard hard rubber feet come installed on the tripods. The larger hard rubber (inter-changeable) feet come free as accessories with your order.

Again, your order will be filled by Outdoor Photo Gear. Click here to order.

Here are our other tripod recommendations:

GIT 303.

GIT 303. (3 leg sections.) The GIT 303 is slightly taller and slightly lighter version of the GIT 304. This model is recommended for folks who are seeking a bit more stability with the three leg sections. It weighs 4.5 lbs., folds to 24.4 inches, and is rated to support 55.1 pounds: $490.

GIT 404L.

GIT 404L. (4 leg sections.) This one is a slightly larger, slightly heavier version the GIT 304L. This model is recommended for folks seeking great stability (at the expense of additional weight) or for those using really heavy photographic or video gear. It weighs 5.8 lbs., folds to 23.2 inches, and it rated to support 66.1 lbs.: $570.

GIT 504L.

GIT 504L. (4 leg sections.) This model is slighter shorter and a pound heavier than the GIT 404L. It is recommended for folks looking for maximum stability (at the expense of additional weight) and for those using really heavy photographic or video loads. It weighs 6.9 lbs., folds to 23.8 inches, and it rated to support 88.2 lbs. $650.

3 Leg Sections versus 4 Leg Section Tripods

Many folks believe that fewer leg sections (three rather than four) make for a sturdier tripod. That is true mainly for tripods with too-skinny lower leg sections. The leg sections on all of the 300 series Induro tripods provide great stability. The advantage of the four leg section tripods is that they pack smaller than the three leg sections models. That said, the three leg section tripods are just a bit sturdier than the four leg section tripods. That said, your sharpness techniques far outweigh tripod stability when it comes to making sharp images….

Induro BHM Ballheads

I have used the Induro BHM2 Ballhead for more than a year. It weighs only a pound yet is rated to 30.9 lbs. Both the BHM2 and the slightly smaller BHM1 feature double action separate positioning and pan controls, a Universal Arca-Swiss style Quick Release mounting plate system, and an Integrated Lock Limiter Tension Disk – to fine-tune the ball’s movement, and properly balance the tension with the weight of your gear. It has a large locking knob to control the movement of the ball and a separate lock to control the 360° panning motion. The ball is housed in a precision-machined black magnesium alloy body. Simply put, the Induro ballheads are lightweight and simple and easy to use. And, you can actually get your hands on the well-spaced knobs so that you can adjust them; that is not the case with many other much too-heavy, much too costly ballheads.

Please note that denise and I use a ballhead only when mounting a camera body with a short zoom lens. We do not, nor do we recommend, using any ballhead with a super-telephoto lens. For all super-telephoto lenses we both recommend only the Mongoose M3.6, the lightweight gimbal head that I have been using for more than a decade. In addition, efficiency and performance when working with intermediate telephoto lenses such as the Canon EF 100-400mm L IS II, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens, and all of the 70-200 lenses will be vastly improved when working with the Mongoose rather than even the best ballhead. Learn more about the Mongoose or purchase yours by clicking here. Please e-mail for low foot or plate info for the Mongoose.

The BHM1 is a bit lighter and a bit slimmer than the BHM2 but is still rated to an impressive 22 pounds. Again, the BHM2 is rated to 30.9 pounds.

Here’s the rub, both of the ballheads above are no longer in production and will soon be replaced by “new” models, the virtually identical BHM1S and BHM2S Ballheads. You can save a bundle by ordering the last one of each right now by clicking here.

Note: Though each ballheads includes a matching Arca-Swiss style compatible QR Plate we strongly recommend that you place that in the product box and purchase he much more elegant and much more efficient Wimberley P-5 camera body plate by clicking here.

Important Note

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Since you learned of these great Induro tripods from BIRDS AS ART/A Creative Adventure, we would greatly appreciate using our affiliate link to order by clicking here. Many of those who wrote asking for advance notice on this topic, ordered their Induro tripods right off the bat. Right now, all are in stock. It is, however, possible that the model that is best for you will be back-ordered ; please follow through with your order, as OPG is set up for re-stocking within three days. That is much appreciated.

Create your vision, artie and denise

Questions Welcome

If you have a question, or wish to leave a tripod comment, please do so below. Please remember that denise and I will be offline nearly all the time from 22 OCT through 17 NOV as we travel the Southern Oceans.