looking for a tripod around $50

[sgogula]

Could someone suggest me a good tripod (light weight) for around 50 dollars. The height should be atleast 5 ft (60 inches).

[bryank930]

Check out Dynatran on ebay. Very quality stuff for not a lot of $$. Don't buy it now though...find one that's ending soon that's not bid up very high.

I got my at-858 or something like that for $45 shipped.

[sgogula]

Thanks Bryan for your response. This model is currently not available in eBay.

[Claytonian]

Check out Dynatran on ebay. Very quality stuff for not a lot of $$. Don't buy it now though...find one that's ending soon that's not bid up very high.

I got my at-858 or something like that for $45 shipped.

I'll second Dynatran from Amvona. However, mine is built like a tank so probably heavier than you want. Go to Amvona's eBay store and check their list of tripods. One should work for you and should be able to be had at a good price.

[sgogula]

Since amnova is not available in eBay. I looked at similar ones in Amazon and found this Slik Tripod (http://www.amazon.com/Slik-SPRINT-Travel-Panhead-Quick-Release/dp/B0006TOXAS/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1214533722&sr=1-6). Anyone using this tripod could share if this is good one or not?

[sunbeast]

http://home.amvona.com/

[JohnJ80]

Could someone suggest me a good tripod (light weight) for around 50 dollars. The height should be atleast 5 ft (60 inches).

You can get a tripod for $50 but don't be expecting much out of it in terms of capability.

J.

[sgogula]

You can get a tripod for $50 but don't be expecting much out of it in terms of capability.

J.

true but I don't use tripod alot..I can count how many times I have used in the last one year, I would say max of 10-15 times.

So, basically looking for a lightweight tripod with basic features. found one (Slik (http://www.amazon.com/Slik-SPRINT-Travel-Panhead-Quick-Release/dp/B0006TOXAS/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1214533722&sr=1-6)) in Amazon for 75 inc shipping but not sure if this is good one..

[JohnJ80]

true but I don't use tripod alot..I can count how many times I have used in the last one year, I would say max of 10-15 times.

So, basically looking for a lightweight tripod with basic features. found one (Slik (http://www.amazon.com/Slik-SPRINT-Travel-Panhead-Quick-Release/dp/B0006TOXAS/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1214533722&sr=1-6)) in Amazon for 75 inc shipping but not sure if this is good one..

I wouldn't buy it. Again, pretty much all the low end stuff is just that - really low end. You won't get the full performance out of your lenses unless you use good support.

Personally, I think it is money wasted to buy the cheap stuff. You just wind up either (a) throwing it in the closet because it works so poorly (heads slip, not stable etc...) or you (b) wind up paying the piper when it tips over with your expensive gear on top.

Read these:
http://bythom.com/support.htm
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/tripods_&_heads.shtml

J.

[Gmofftarki]

I'm in the same position as the OP. I want a tripod badly, but it doesn't need to be absolute rock-solid for my current purposes. I'm willing to lose 3-4 shots to blur to get one that works.

I spent 1,000 so far on camera/lenses/etc. I can probably spend ~150 for a complete tripod set-up.

I don't photograph for a living, so a tripod is not tax-deductable, and I'd like to have money for more lenses as well.

A $900 Gitzo/RRS combo is not going to happen. I wish it would, but it won't.

This might be at the far end of "Doable"
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/523085-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto__055XDB_Tripod_Legs_Black_.html

I'm a strong enough guy and can haul the tripod where it needs to go, anyway, and don't plan to take it on an airplane.

What's the lowest price at which I can get 75% of the optical performance of the GItzo/RRS combo?

[JohnJ80]

I'm in the same position as the OP. I want a tripod badly, but it doesn't need to be absolute rock-solid for my current purposes. I'm willing to lose 3-4 shots to blur to get one that works.

unfortunately, that is not going to work unless you can remove the vibration from your shooting evironment - like air movement. IMO, with this sort of expectation, you are basically wasting your money. For example, I have a sunpak 8000 (i think that is the model). The thing is a piece of crap and will actually resonate in a 10mph breeze - I can do better handheld. The head also slips after it is locked even with a relatively light load. It will also drop a bunch (1/3 frame at 200mm) when you try and lock the head in place before it stabilizes. That is sort of characteristic of the cheapies - they are a huge hassle and they don't work.

Also, unfortunate that you can't get the full performance (or, really, even close) out of your lenses unless you have some worthy support. Handheld is not good support. So, that sort of means that either you get good support for your lenses to be used at their capability, or else don't put as much money in your lenses. I suppose that is one way to look at it.

Having looked, and tested, several of these - and getting about the same results. I can only tell you that if you are even remotely serious about using a tripod, these sorts of <$100 or maybe even <$150 are really a waste of time and an exercise in frustration.



I spent 1,000 so far on camera/lenses/etc. I can probably spend ~150 for a complete tripod set-up.

I don't photograph for a living, so a tripod is not tax-deductable, and I'd like to have money for more lenses as well.

see this:
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essays/tripods_&_heads.shtml

for many types of photography, your tripod is as important as your lens in getting a quality image. Many top landscape photogs will tell you that they take a very, very small percentage of images that are not on a tripod. The fact of the matter is that if you want to get a critically sharp photo on demand and have wide exposure latitude, you need a tripod and a good one.



A $900 Gitzo/RRS combo is not going to happen. I wish it would, but it won't.

This might be at the far end of "Doable"
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/523085-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto__055XDB_Tripod_Legs_Black_.html

That would be a good choice. Also look at Feisol (http://www.feisol.com). If that is in the range of doable, then save your money and wait a bit to get it. That is a better choice that getting sucked into the crap of the cheapies.



I'm a strong enough guy and can haul the tripod where it needs to go, anyway, and don't plan to take it on an airplane.

Good expectation then. Asking for "light" and "cheap" is not going to happen. "Not light" and "inexpensive/cheap" is doable. Of "light", "stable" and "cheap" - you can have any two but not all three.



What's the lowest price at which I can get 75% of the optical performance of the GItzo/RRS combo?

I don't know how you can quantify this without some testing because the mfgs don't use a standard testing methods or even definitions of what a spec is. Load ratings are a good example - some use them as the load at which the tripod fails, some use them as the point at which you can't take a sharp image - and there are others somewhere in between.

What I would do is use Gitzo's focal length specs on each tripod as a point of departure. For example, if you want to shoot at 300mm, then convince yourself that the tripod you are looking at is 75% as good as a Gitzo 3 series.

I would also tell you that, for a point of reference, between the Series 2 and Series 3, the Series 3 will damp about 2X the amplitude that the Series 2 will.

Other than that, some good recommendations are the manfrotto 3021 (or whatever they call it now) and the 488rc2. I'd also look at one of the feisols at and put the 488rc2 on that.

I also think there are some really good deals out on some of the Gitzo Aluminum tripods. I've heard they are big time on sale around at some of the outlets. You also might be able to pick up a used Gitzo 1227/8 pretty cheaply somewhere too. Keep your eyes open for those. They are the pre-ALR legs.

Bottom line - if you are worried about money, don't go the cheap route. you will just be wasting cash. Like me, it sounds like you are not rich enough to afford poor quality.

J.

[Gmofftarki]

After hearing so much good stuff about the Dynatran tripods through ebay, decided to pick one up.

Got this one: http://www.amvona.com/?page=shop/flypage&view=1&product_id=3081 for probably 40ish shipped. Can't wait till it gets here.

Actually, might have been this one: http://www.amvona.com/?page=shop/flypage&view=1&product_id=2979

I remember it being 67 or 68" and 6.8 pounds.

[homersapien]

You can get a tripod for $50 but don't be expecting much out of it in terms of capability.

J.

I've got a $40 Gorrillapod that performs miracles. Nice sharp pics even though I wrap it around trees, my mountain bike, rocks, etc.

sgogula, you're best bet is Amvona on Ebay. You'll easily get your $50 out of it, and it should get your appetite going for something a little more capable, like Feisol or Gitzo.

[sgogula]

I've got a $40 Gorrillapod that performs miracles. Nice sharp pics even though I wrap it around trees, my mountain bike, rocks, etc.

sgogula, you're best bet is Amvona on Ebay. You'll easily get your $50 out of it, and it should get your appetite going for something a little more capable, like Feisol or Gitzo.

I have seen amvona in 50ish range but they don't have 3 way pan head. does it mean head is fixed and wont turn or rotate? I would like to take pictures vertical and horizontal so not sure if they have that in that range.

[sgogula]

OK I just increased my budget to little over $100 and looked at this Bogen-Manfrotto 728B (http://www.amazon.com/Bogen-Manfrotto-728B-Compact-Integrated-Carrying/dp/B00011X0X2/ref=pd_bbs_9?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1214908675&sr=8-9)in Amazon.

Could someone tell me if this is the best entry level tripod for the price?

[JohnJ80]

OK I just increased my budget to little over $100 and looked at this Bogen-Manfrotto 728B (http://www.amazon.com/Bogen-Manfrotto-728B-Compact-Integrated-Carrying/dp/B00011X0X2/ref=pd_bbs_9?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1214908675&sr=8-9)in Amazon.

Could someone tell me if this is the best entry level tripod for the price?

Somebody slap me for saying this - but I think you would be better off with the Amvona stuff than this. As much as I dislike Amvona's stuff (I think it is pretty - as in very -marginal and the company questionable), I think it would be better for you than this. This tripod is pretty much aimed at the home movie video cam crowd and would be a poor choice for dslr photography.

J.

[Reaperman]

I'm in the same position as the OP. I want a tripod badly, but it doesn't need to be absolute rock-solid for my current purposes. I'm willing to lose 3-4 shots to blur to get one that works.

I spent 1,000 so far on camera/lenses/etc. I can probably spend ~150 for a complete tripod set-up.

I don't photograph for a living, so a tripod is not tax-deductable, and I'd like to have money for more lenses as well.

A $900 Gitzo/RRS combo is not going to happen. I wish it would, but it won't.

This might be at the far end of "Doable"
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/523085-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto__055XDB_Tripod_Legs_Black_.html

I'm a strong enough guy and can haul the tripod where it needs to go, anyway, and don't plan to take it on an airplane.

What's the lowest price at which I can get 75% of the optical performance of the GItzo/RRS combo?

If you don't mind absolute vibration free (if that is possible) then you could consider a Monopod. Its a little more mobile, easier to adjust rapidly and light weight for travel.
Just a thought.
:lol:Reaperman

[kerrysroxy]

Tagging along! I am looking for a tripod willing to spend around 100 bucks, I was also looking for a small mini tripod.

Number one priority to buy is light weight