In regards to tripods...

[RachelR427]

Greetings,

My boyfriend within the past year started to get serious about photography. I've been involved with photography for a few years, but it's been off and on. (Kind of hard to get serious, when you don't have the money for a dSLR. :P) Anyways, tripods have never been an expertise of mine, and he's looking for a sturdy, black, with a bubble leveler tripod. We've visited Best Buy, and he really likes the Manfrotto brand, specificially the Manfrotto-Bogen 57.5" tripod... however, it doesn't have a bubble level. I want to surprise him by buying him one, but I was curious first which tripods would be best. I'd like to keep the prices fairly low, anything under $200 would be best, but I can shop around for prices, I was just curious for the make and model.

Thank you!

[chauncey]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=53864
should answer all your questions

[number six]

Well, the Manfrotto 055XPROB is the most often recommended tripod on POTN, but it's $240 for the legs only. You'll need a ball head too. It does have a bubble level.

The 190XPROB isn't as sturdy but it's still widely used. It's $160. A ball head will run about $100-150, and many of them have bubble levels. Most people use one of the Manfrotto ball heads.

I have the 055XPROB and Giottos MH-1000 ball head. I like the Giottos better than the Manfrotto offerings. Sturdier, cheaper and more features. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/423959-REG/Giottos_MH1000_652_MH_1000_Large_Ballhead_with.htm l

-js

[Kered]

Well, the Manfrotto 055XPROB is the most often recommended tripod on POTN, but it's $240 for the legs only. You'll need a ball head too. It does have a bubble level.

The 190XPROB isn't as sturdy but it's still widely used. It's $160. A ball head will run about $100-150, and many of them have bubble levels. Most people use one of the Manfrotto ball heads.

I have the 055XPROB and Giottos MH-1000 ball head. I like the Giottos better than the Manfrotto offerings. Sturdier, cheaper and more features. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/423959-REG/Giottos_MH1000_652_MH_1000_Large_Ballhead_with.htm l

-js

Actually, a new set of 055xprob legs is only about $180 right now. It is a sturdy tripod but I found it to be way too heavy for my liking.

With regards to the OP's question, I think it would help us give better recommendations if you told us what kind of camera and lens your boyfriend will be putting on the tripod, and how tall he is.

[PhotosGuy]

Think about a separate level: Which bubble level? (http://photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/00BoiM)

Adorama Double Bubble Spirit Level #5411 (http://www.adorama.com/TPBLD.html)

[waterj2]

Well, the Manfrotto 055XPROB is the most often recommended tripod on POTN, but it's $240 for the legs only. You'll need a ball head too. It does have a bubble level.

The 190XPROB isn't as sturdy but it's still widely used. It's $160. A ball head will run about $100-150, and many of them have bubble levels. Most people use one of the Manfrotto ball heads.

I have the 055XPROB and Giottos MH-1000 ball head. I like the Giottos better than the Manfrotto offerings. Sturdier, cheaper and more features. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/423959-REG/Giottos_MH1000_652_MH_1000_Large_Ballhead_with.htm l

-jsThe 190XPROB has a bubble level on the legs as well.

[PhotosGuy]

The 190XPROB has a bubble level on the legs as well. I wonder what the value of that is?

[[Hyuni]]

Think about a separate level: Which bubble level? (http://photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/00BoiM)

Adorama Double Bubble Spirit Level #5411 (http://www.adorama.com/TPBLD.html)
Wow, that is RIDICULOUSLY overpriced for what it is.
I ended up getting the SAME EXACT thing from:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.2341

Sure it takes about 2 weeks to arrive, but it's only $2.86 with free shipping!

[PhotosGuy]

They have some great prices there!

[Wilt]

Hardware store has nice circular bubble levels that can be perched on the hotshoe of the camera. OTOH if panoramic shooting is desired, the bubble on the tripod (while harder to set up a level tripod!) is more optimal in permitting a ballhead with pan control (or 3-way pan head) to be rotated quickly for multiple shots that will be stitched together.

[number six]

I wonder what the value of that is?

Yeah. With a ball head, the level(s) need to be on the quick release plate, after all.

My Giottos ball head has levels...

-js

[RachelR427]

Actually, a new set of 055xprob legs is only about $180 right now. It is a sturdy tripod but I found it to be way too heavy for my liking.

With regards to the OP's question, I think it would help us give better recommendations if you told us what kind of camera and lens your boyfriend will be putting on the tripod, and how tall he is.

He's currently using a 28-135mm for his Canon XSi but he'll probably buy a bigger lens in the future, since he's slowly getting serious, and he's about 5'9".

[Exposure101]

You can try out this Velbon tripod- http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8307405&st=velbon&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1173577949568

If he's serious about getting bigger bodies and lenses he should just make an investment into a good tripod now. However, if you want one that is strong and light, it's going to cost a fortune. For now, I think that Velbon one is good enough. Or you can go with the Velbon DF-60 (which I have and it works fine for me, for now).