Tripod choices for under $100

[airshaq20]

What are my choices for under $100?
My budget may not be ideal but I will give this to my daughter when I have enough dough to upgrade it.

BTW, I'm not too concerned about weight (please dont recommend a brick or a big rock). I just need a smooth head (I think the ball-type would be nice since it will be the fastest and easiest to adjust), no play in any part of the tripod and should be strong enough. My camera is a 30D and my biggest lens is a 7-2.

[condyk]

You saying you want a decent tripod and ballhead suitable for a 70-200mm for less than $100? or just the tripod?

[airshaq20]

Both?
Is it impossible to get a decent set for my budget?

[TMc]

I picked up a Dynatran AT-6703 on eBay from Amnova for $75.00 I have the 20D w/ 70-200 no problems.

[T.D.]

Both?
Is it impossible to get a decent set for my budget?

I think your only hope is to find a smokin' used deal somewhere. Otherwise you won't be able touch that combo at that price. (not even close)

[airshaq20]

I think your only hope is to find a smokin' used deal somewhere. Otherwise you won't be able touch that combo at that price. (not even close)


What's a good used combo set that i could buy used at this price?

[TomHuckWa]

at the risk of sounding redundant, check ebay. It changes all the time. Also Adorama has a good used equipment dept, and maybe B&H.

[rdsmith3]

If you are patient, you can get a decent Amvona/Dynatran one on eBay in your price range. I got one last year for, I believe, $74 plus $24 s/h for a total of $98. I must have bid on 10 of them before I got a price I liked. Don't get caught up in the bidding. For some reason, Amvona sells these cheaper on eBay than throught their web site.

I got the 858 model with the ball head and pistol grip. The legs have two bubble levels and the head has one. Two of the legs have rubber grips for easier holding. It is very sturdy. I do not have an expensive brand to compare it to, but this certainly meets my needs. It is heavy, but it works.

[airshaq20]

How does it compare with these? Im not familiar with these two models (or any tripods) and I know they are over (just over a hundred bucks), but they are Bogens.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com:80/bnh/controller/home?O=5138&A=details&Q=&sku=428998&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

http://www.bhphotovideo.com:80/bnh/controller/home?O=5138&A=details&Q=&sku=319528&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

If you are patient, you can get a decent Amvona/Dynatran one on eBay in your price range. I got one last year for, I believe, $74 plus $24 s/h for a total of $98. I must have bid on 10 of them before I got a price I liked. Don't get caught up in the bidding. For some reason, Amvona sells these cheaper on eBay than throught their web site.

I got the 858 model with the ball head and pistol grip. The legs have two bubble levels and the head has one. Two of the legs have rubber grips for easier holding. It is very sturdy. I do not have an expensive brand to compare it to, but this certainly meets my needs. It is heavy, but it works.

[Linkzi]

I have many of Amvona products and VERY SATISFIED with their equipment. I am a hobbiest on that kind of budget. You still must consider the shipping costs on all items. Here is a link to Amvona on EBAY:

http://stores.ebay.com/amvona-com

I have noticed it is better to bid on weekdays, business hours, than on weekends. Be patient to get a good price and don't get caught in a bidding frenzy.

[airshaq20]

Yeah, I got one of their "ugly" laptop/camera backpacks for $14 + shipping.
I will be travelling a lot this summer and I wanted/need a backpack that can carry all my gear and at the same time, doesn't scream "steal me".

[beachbum2277]

What do you think of this tripod and head? Is it worth getting?

http://www.amvona.com/v7/shop/?page=shop/flypage&product_id=1624

[Linkzi]

What do you think of this tripod and head? Is it worth getting?

http://www.amvona.com/v7/shop/?page=shop/flypage&product_id=1624

I don't have the monopod/tripod unit in one. I have read of the monopod portion not locking up too well. For that reason I bought a separate monopod and tripod.

[beachbum2277]

I don't have the monopod/tripod unit in one. I have read of the monopod portion not locking up too well. For that reason I bought a separate monopod and tripod.

I just liked the macro option it offered by attaching the camera to the bottom portion of the center column. I'm not into macro yet, but would like to try it in the future. Can you do this on all or many tripods?

[airshaq20]

The macro function looks cool. But I cant find any "reputable" reviews regarding amnova's products regarding material and build quality.

[Linkzi]

I just liked the macro option it offered by attaching the camera to the bottom portion of the center column. I'm not into macro yet, but would like to try it in the future. Can you do this on all or many tripods?

My hiking tripod is able to do it because I can flip the center extention. My heavy urban tripod has a non-removable stopper to prevent the center extension from being removed.

The macro function looks cool. But I cant find any "reputable" reviews regarding amnova's products regarding material and build quality.

Search this thread for the pros and cons of the Amvona line of tripods, then you may decide then. I was skeptical too. I would recommend buying the Professional series only.

[beachbum2277]

Search this thread for the pros and cons of the Amvona line of tripods, then you may decide then. I was skeptical too. I would recommend buying the Professional series only.[/quote]



So, you'd recomend the one that I linked too? It's a pro model. I can get it cheap that's why i'm asking...

[Linkzi]

So, you'd recomend the one that I linked too? It's a pro model. I can get it cheap that's why i'm asking...

The only thing that concerns me on that model is that I don't see a level indicater on the base legs. It is built solid as my AT-828 and can support the a lot weight and it has about the same thinkness on the legs. There are levels on the head so you still will get level shots. But for panographics, when rotating the head, it will be much more difficult to keep the head level if the base is not level. Try and call them to see if a level indicator is on the base.

[DocFrankenstein]

This it the ultimate tripod. It's a classic and well tested. Very solid.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=2635&A=details&Q=&sku=169817&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

Beats manfrotto.

[beachbum2277]

Yeah, but that's a 3-way head... A ball-head is so much more fluid....

[august23]

A ball head may be more fluid, but for that price, and if it's tested to be strong, you can't beat it. Especially if you have no practical uses for a ball head.

[DocFrankenstein]

Yeah, but that's a 3-way head... A ball-head is so much more fluid....
Good eye. Indeed it is.

[sactown]

I have the Dynatran AT-828BL which I won for $70 shipped. Very solidly built. On the heavy side but works great for my studio shots. I also recently won the AT-L102T for $38 shipped then topped it with a Bogen 486RC2 ($65). Half the weight so I don't mind carrying this one around. My only 'complaint' about the L102T is that it has twist locks instead of the snap ones. But hey, for that price and quality I'm very satisfied.

[airshaq20]

Yeah, but that's a 3-way head... A ball-head is so much more fluid....


It takes 3 different adjustments to adjust 3 different axis and that will take 3 times more time compared to the ballhead.

My models (kids and wife) have been complaining a lot that I take too much time adjusting my tripod - not to mention my camera, between each pose and shot.

I would use a 3-way with my videocam, but still cam, i would go with a ballhead anytime.

[rdsmith3]

The macro function looks cool. But I cant find any "reputable" reviews regarding amnova's products regarding material and build quality.

I thought the same thing before I bought mine, but there were enough positive reviews on this site that convinced me to take a chance. I was not disappointed with the Amvona tripod. It really is solid. I can't answer your question as to how it compares with the ones you saw on the B&H web site -- I do not have any experience with those.

[airshaq20]

UPDATE!!!!

Scored last night a Bogen 3021N with a 3-D head (3025) - very nice and sturdy with smooth panning. Only downside is it has a 3-way adjustment but I could use it with my video cam. A lady sold it for me for $125 but I offered $90 and she took it!!!

Went home, used my $50 give certificate I got from work and ordered a 486CR2 for $64.95 shipped from Amazon. I know, I know, I should have bought the 488CR2 but remember, I got only $100 budget for the whole system.

Breakdown:

Bogen 3021N with 3025 head - $90
Bogen 486CR2 $14.95 (net)
Total spent = $104.95
Overspent = $4.95
Satisfaction = priceless!!!!

Thanks all for all your inputs. I almost settled for some $89+ unknown tripod from my local store (I thought I would have to spend $200+ for a decent combo). A little research, here and there, a little drive around town and BAMMM....got the sweetest tripod system I could hope for without breaking the bank.

POTN rocks!!!

[condyk]

Sweet!!

If you have the cash and are patient then there is always a bargain in decent gear to be had ;-)