Tripods --in need of a 'beginner' tripod and need info

[steal_your_face]

greetings globe,



i was wondering if anyone could recommend a few good tripods for a beginning snap-shooter...just the basics..good and sturdy, are there any specific brands i should be looking at?

---thanks
justin

[5 Type]

I've bought a Velbron 540 : http://www.velbon.com.au/cx-540.html

And I'M totally pleased with it. It cost me 50 CND Dollars, so around 35 USD.

[atkinson1]

Funny you should mention this. I picked up a very good tripod for $25 (the equivilent of about US$12.50) the other day at a good second hand store. It folds up quite small too and came with a proper bag. I've been taking great night photos ever since.

[KurtKuhn]

Just bought my beginnner tripod: The Slik Mini.

It worked out great on our vacation. I used it for my S45.

It has a ball head that was compact enough to fit well in a back pack. The legs extended and locked quickly & securely.

I believe it comes in a taller size. Got mine from B&H.

[Buckeye Steve]

Hi to all,

Having just done much research on tripods since I need to get a lighter but still stable platform, I offer this info from a guy that's been shooting for 35 years.

I have a 30-year old Bogen 3030 with 3-way head that is still great but weighs in at about 8 lbs--used in my view camera days when lugging 20 lbs of stuff was no issue. Now older...sigh...and having reduced my gear to the absolutely necessary items, I need light-weight. Oh, just for giggles sake, the Bogen new cost $89.00 then.

I have found several tripods that will do the trick nicely. First, the Bogen 724, which does come with either a 3-way or ball-head, the B model, in black, is good at 99.00 US. Supports 7.7 lbs at only 3.1 lbs weight. Cons: 68" full max height and who's going to rack the column up 14" and still be stable? So usuable is really about 63" total. Also, legs don't unlock at the collar to go flat or at an irregular angle for uneven terrain. 1 year warr.

Second, the Sunpak 3300 Pro B, black, at less than 3 lbs is pretty nice also. It also comes in a 3-way head model without the B in aluminum finish. Cost ranges from $56.00 to 85.00 US per various online stores. It's well made and does have individual unlocking legs for varied terrain setup. The center column lock device is screw type which I prefer to the Bogen flip-lock. Big con is full height of 63" which means usuable of even less. The 3-way head has a solid quick release plate system. The lesser height is a concern to me being 6' tall. Lifetime warranty. Both tripods are compact when folded to go into luggage and come with cases. Fit & finish on both is excellent.

The Rolls Royce of the light tripod niche is Hakuba. The Carbon 503 will make you drool. Excellent fluid 3-way head, under 4 lbs, reaches 70" in height, lifetime warranty, all fit & finish details are immaculate. If a tripod can have sex appeal, this one does! All at a cost of almost $300.00 US, list 479.00. They also have a 504 model with slight differences. I have located one of the 503's for $250.00 and can't believe that I am really considering buying it. The only negative is price--a really big price. But, I just saved 700.00 by buying a great lens on the used market, so who knows. Ask me later.

Slik's Pro 330 DX, Velbon's Maxi 343E & 347E and Davis & Sanford's Ranger model also deserve mention and could serve someone well.

My apologies for such a long message. Hopefully, reading it will save much shopping time for those folks that are interested. Regards, Steve.

[atkinson1]

haha bogen 3030. What a cool name!

[steal_your_face]

up for any others?

[Matzzzy]

I bought a tripod this weekend, called "Vanguard DIGI 2"
Very small and carryable (don't know if that is even a word) and I really like it!!
Cost me about €29.99.
I'm using a A70, and it's perfect for carrying it in my innerpocket of my jacket :)

[paulcobben]

Hi,

I just bought the Velbon CX-640
http://www.velbon.com.au/cx-640.html

It can carry a Powershot G3 with a Speedlite 420Ex flash easily.

Best Regards,
Paul Cobben
The Netherlands.

[atotos]

I have a "hama Action 1", my brother has had for a few years, since he used it with an analogical Canon EOS.

I tried it only in a few daylight shots and the other night's lunar eclipse. Unfortunately it was very cloudy, so the shots are not terribly good. The tripod has two telescopic leg extensions, plus one for camera height, and two more regulation knobs for the camera inclination bit. I think overall it's quite a good tripod.

Will be able to tell you more about it tomorrow after I use it to take paintings stills. :) Does anyone have experience with the same tripod ?