Why are tripods so expensive?

[sgilder]

I'm starting to price a new tripod/monopod and the sticker shock is killing me. Can someone please explain to me why quality tripods and heads are so freakin expensive? We're not talking about precision made marvels of modern engineering here. What's the deal?

[Muskydave22]

They aren't expensive compared to what you potentially could put on them!!

Dave

[spamster]

Durability and supporting the equipment that goes on it. That's about it.

[FlyingPhotog]

Like the old motor oil ads said: "You can pay now .. or .. you can pay later."

[tvphotog]

Anti-rotation features and section locks that tighten better in some maker's products than others. Better metallury in metallic parts, lighter construction of leg tubes. Better QC in some than others. Made in Italy rather than China. Warranty differences.

Some will say you're paying for a name for the most expensive ones, but quality tells, and if you search a choice here, you'll find opinions supporting the better products.

[DANATTHEROCK]

Amusing, yet good question. I will echo the above sentiments of "pay now or later". I got into photography two years back and have now bought three sets of legs and 4 heads. Do yourself a favor and just get a decent tripod/head now. My basic rule of thumb, spend $200 on the legs and $100 on the head and you will have something that will serve you well. I currently have the Manfrotto 055xprob and Manfrotto 488RC2 head. For the first time, I have a tripod that won't need upgrading. The Manfrotto 190xprob would be lighter and suitable for most folks. I just wanted a beefier and taller tripod. I am 6'6" 310lbs so I don't mind the extra weight.

I should also admit that everyone told me to get a good tripod to improve my photography. I asked questions and read up on the best lenses. They kept saying, you want to improve your photographs, get a good tripod. I didn't listen. I wanted to buy new lens, filters, cool backpacks, etc.. The fun stuff. As it turns out, the tripod has improved my photographs more than anything else. Hate to admit it, but they were right:)

[Muskydave22]

I have the same setup and its awesome. Rock solid and not that heavy. Will last me at least 10 years.

Dave

[DANATTHEROCK]

Yep, this set up is very solid. Love mine. Especially the column going from vertical to horizontal so easily. I had the 190xb (trying to save money), but had to buy the 055xprob for macro. The xprob models are fantastic and I should have just got one in the first place. Great for macro shots. Just a slick tripod.

[mikekelley]

buy it right once, never buy another again

is more like it. if you buy a good tripod it will last forever. well worth it, to a point. with the high end stuff you're paying 80% more for 10% gain, but in the $300+ range theyre all gonna last forever and do their job well.

[Cyclop]

Photography in general is getting to be an expensive hobby and/or profession. Have you noticed the rising cost of lenses lately? You can still find good, quality tripods available at a fairly reasonable price. I saved my hard-earned money and went with a lightweight carbon-fiber Gitzo.

[Green_Tea]

I had roughly the same response when I went to buy a tripod. I looked at the Gitzo/Manfrotto options and decided that they were way to expensive. I was upgrading from the tripod my mom used during her undergrad years (and it was cheap when she bought it) so just about anything was better. I asked around and one of my friends had this tripod: http://www.calumetphoto.com/item/CK7316/ and was very happy with it. I bought it and after a few months of use have no complaints. It is rated for up to 11lbs(more than anything I will own in the foreseeable future) I have never pushed that limit but it is rock solid with my 40D,grip,70-200 2.8 IS, and 2xtc. It is a couple lbs heavier than the more expensive models but they say that when it comes to tripods you can pick two of the following: light, sturdy, and cheap. I went for the last two.
note: I have never used a real pro quality tripod so I have no real basis of comparison, but I can just say that I am happy with what I have.
-Trevor

[blackshadow]

If you've used a cheap tripod and a quality tripod you'll see and feel the difference immediately and you won't go back. It's more expensive to go the cheapie because eventually you'll realise you want a rock solid support and the cheap solution just won't deliver.

[MDJAK]

Well, a good monopod costs around 200 or more. Mine is the big fat Gizto carbon fiber which is around $350 I think.

So, monopod = one leg, tripod = three legs = three times as expensive.

Holy crap, I did math.

me

[gjman]

Well, a good monopod costs around 200 or more.............

$200 for a Monopod????!!

I use a manfrotto 681B and it cost me a whopping $50 and I will trust any type of set up on it.

[MDJAK]

$200 for a Monopod????!!

I use a manfrotto 681B and it cost me a whopping $50 and I will trust any type of set up on it.


Ya get whatchu pay for, son. $350.

The Gitzo GM5561T Traveler 6x Carbon Fiber Monopod is an extremely sturdy and relatively lightweight and compact monopod. This monopod, when completely folded, stands at a diminutive 16.3", weighs about 1.6 lbs, and might even fit into a larger camera backpack or case. At 61.2" when fully extended, this Traveler model rises as tall as most standard Gitzo monopods. This Traveler monopod also incorporates Gitzo's revolutionary 6X technology tube, which reduces overall monopods weight up to 25% percent without sacrificing strength or stability.
• 1mm Gitzo 6X Carbon Fiber Tube Gitzo was able to develop a six-crossed multilayer carbon fiber 30% lighter than the previous 1.5mm generation. It features the same exceptional performance of stability and vibration absorption and unbeatable quality.
• Anti-Leg Rotation (ALR) System The Anti-Leg Rotation (ALR) system makes it quick and easy to open and close the monopod. Simply turn all of the locking rings at once and the whole leg can be pulled out in seconds. • Cushioned handgrip • Wrist strap

A D30, a now outdated and 7 year old camera, still takes great pics and can probably be had for a hundred bucks, but most people don't use one.

A Yugo automobile would get you from point a to point b, but I'd rather be in a mercedes. But that's just me. ;)

[gjman]

"Outdated 681B" vs Fancy Gitzo GM5561T

Maximum Height
63.4" (161 cm) vs 61.2" (155.5cm)

Folded Length
26.4" (67 cm) vs 16.3" (41.5cm)

Load Capacity
26.4 lb (12 kg) vs 55.1 lbs (25kg)

Sections
3 vs 6

Leg Lock Type
Flip levers vs Twist

Male Thread Size
1/4"-20 & 3/8"-16 vs 1/4"-20 & 3/8"-16 (reversible stud)

Weight
1.7 lb (0.77 kg) vs 1.65 lbs (750g)

Cost
$60 vs $350

Incidentally, neither the Yugo or the D30 are still in production but the 681B is still being made and sold. So its more like a Honda Civic vs a BMW 328. You want to justify owning a 328 then go for it, but you really don't need one for commuting 50 miles. You can justify the Gitzo by saying that UNLESS you have a monopod that folds down to 17" of less it will affect your photography, UNLESS you have a monopod that can hold upto 25 Kg it will affect your photography. Incidentally the EF 800mm f/5.6L weighs in at 4.5Kgs so you have to use a body + head that weighs in at 7.6 Kgs to really see the advantage of a Gitzo. I can't think of any Canon body that weighs that much. Wait do you have a EF 1200mm ??? Coz that comes in at 16.5Kgs and you definitely need 25Kg class monopod to handle that....but...I have never seen one on a monopod....only a tripod.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/Canon-EF-1200mm-04.jpg

[e02937]

I would just chime in and agree, I think they are expensive as well. I think it's this way because the market will bear it.

I wouldn't hazard a guess to how good the margin is on a tripod but I bet it's pretty good.

[René Damkot]

The Manfrotto monopod mentioned above, or a similar tripod, might be able to support an 800mm lens weight wise, but it won't be stable.

There's more to a tripod / monopod then just being able to hold the weight. It should hold it stable.
And yes, that sometimes involves "precision made marvels of modern engineering" ;)

[ben_r_]

They aren't expensive compared to what you potentially could put on them!!

Dave
Exactly what i was thinking!

[net_tech]

I'm starting to price a new tripod/monopod and the sticker shock is killing me. Can someone please explain to me why quality tripods and heads are so freakin expensive? We're not talking about precision made marvels of modern engineering here. What's the deal?

Don’t think of it as you are buying a piece of metal, you are buying a product which is a result of hard work of engineers/designers. You can get a piece of canvas and some oil pain for $50, how come Picasso’s pictures sell for millions?

[JWright]

It's an old photography adage that there are three things a photographer desires in a tripod, rigidity, light weight and low cost. It's also an adage that you can have two, but never all three in the same tripod...

[Annie Social]

There are two kinds of people in the world: the kind who will proudly say "See this watch? I paid $2000 for this watch!", and the kind who will proudly say "See this watch? I paid $20 for this watch!"

Annie

[Hogloff]

I have the same setup and its awesome. Rock solid and not that heavy. Will last me at least 10 years.

Dave

Ever hike 20km with an elevation gain of 2000m with your tripod strapped to your back. I used to have a Manfrotto...still do, but it sure does not go on treks with me.

[Hogloff]

Don’t think of it as you are buying a piece of metal, you are buying a product which is a result of hard work of engineers/designers. You can get a piece of canvas and some oil pain for $50, how come Picasso’s pictures sell for millions?

Because there is someone around every corner that has more money than brains. Same goes with high end anything...it is more an image thing than a functional thing.

[argyle]

I'm starting to price a new tripod/monopod and the sticker shock is killing me. Can someone please explain to me why quality tripods and heads are so freakin expensive? We're not talking about precision made marvels of modern engineering here. What's the deal?

*You* may not think so, but engineers know better. ;)

[bps]

Simply put: superb engineering is not cheap...

Bryan

[gjman]

The Manfrotto monopod mentioned above, or a similar tripod, might be able to support an 800mm lens weight wise, but it won't be stable........ There's more to a tripod / monopod then just being able to hold the weight. It should hold it stable.......... And yes, that sometimes involves "precision made marvels of modern engineering" ;)

Wait.....are you saying that a $60 Manfrotto 681B Monopod is not going to be as stable as a $350 Gitzo GM5561T Monopod in holding up an EF 800mm??? Or are you somehow assuming that Gitzo GM5561T is a Tripod. I wont blame you, its usually tripods that cost $350.... not a Monopod.

If you say that one monopod is more stable than a monopod, I got a authentic Ansel Adams used DSLR to sell you. I will thrown in a copy of LR2 used by Ansel Adams for PP the The Teton and the Snake River pic.

Tripods are different cuppa tea from monopods, I jumped into this discussion when someone mentioned a $200 Monopod, sure if you want a lightweight, sturdy tripod you have to shell out a few beans for it....but a $350 monopod that weighs 20gms less than a $60 monopod ????

[ssracer]

Old cheap walmart tripod worked great for my little camcorder and point and shoots. Once I got my XS and added a battery grip and flash, the head would no longer support the weight.

I didn't go all out by any means, but I got a good set of legs and a good head (Manfrotto 055XProB Tripod / Manfrotto 488RC2 Ball Head) with the expectation that they will be the last ones I buy for a good long while.

[Nate P.]

Wait.....are you saying that a $60 Manfrotto 681B Monopod is not going to be as stable as a $350 Gitzo GM5561T Monopod in holding up an EF 800mm??? Or are you somehow assuming that Gitzo GM5561T is a Tripod. I wont blame you, its usually tripods that cost $350.... not a Monopod.

If you say that one monopod is more stable than a monopod, I got a authentic Ansel Adams used DSLR to sell you. I will thrown in a copy of LR2 used by Ansel Adams for PP the The Teton and the Snake River pic.

Tripods are different cuppa tea from monopods, I jumped into this discussion when someone mentioned a $200 Monopod, sure if you want a lightweight, sturdy tripod you have to shell out a few beans for it....but a $350 monopod that weighs 20gms less than a $60 monopod ????
It is a monopod: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/582860-REG/Gitzo_GM5561T_GM5561T_Traveler_6x_Carbon.html

If I had a 800mm, or even a 300 f/2.8, I am sure as hell spending the money to support it. Whatever it is, its not as much as replacing one of those lenses if the mono/tripod were to fail. Not even worth the risk.

[Cam97]

Do your homework well and buy something that you will not have to upgrade down the road. Luckily my nearby camera store has a big selection of tripods and heads. Yes i walked out the first time wondering the same thing....why so expensive?? Did plenty of different combos and finally came up with my present tripod a manfrotto 055 XDB and a 488 RCO with quick release. Plus checking Craigslist is a great way to pick up a good deal too.

[Snow001]

I have the 681B monopod. It was too big for me, and I felt like I was holding a big club while I was walking around. Yes the Gitzo traveler monopod is expensive. However I can clip this on my belt when I am not using it. Walk around with it without it being a burden and have Both of my hands free as well. For me this made a big difference and so I accepted the price difference.
I bought the Gitzo traveler tripod as well. I bought it not because I wanted the Gitzo prestige but because it was light and the size suited me. Of course this was before I learned of the Benro travel angel products. On both cases I accepted the price because the product suited my needs. In the end it is a compromise. You can have a cheaper product yet it will be heavier, bigger...etch. Believe me, if I could find all these qualities in a good cheap tripod, I would be all over that product.

[argyle]

There are two kinds of people in the world: the kind who will proudly say "See this watch? I paid $2000 for this watch!", and the kind who will proudly say "See this watch? I paid $20 for this watch!"

Annie

But you're not asking your watch to support close to $10k worth of gear and remain stable (possibly for a considerable amount of time) when exposed to wind and/or moving water. It all depends on one's expectations...

[oaktree]

My wife bought a Gitzo Reporter for $49 in 1972. 37 years...it's still the only tripod we have.

We also bought a $5 ballhead in 1972. That cheap ballhead was replaced in 2007 with a $125 Manfrotto. The Manfrotto OK but not completely steady. The camera moves a bit when I let go even when I really tightening the ballhead. Should have bought a better quality ballhead which could last for the next 37 years.

Expensive non-electronic camera equipment can last a long, long time!!

[eelnoraa]

The truth is they know they can charge that much. It has nothing to do with the cost of material and manufacturing, simple demand and product confident.

When you visit "not so rich countries" like China, they have tripod of the same or better quality for much much less money. Some even come out from the same manufacture assembly that makes G***o or other famous brand.

[FlyingPhotog]

There are two kinds of people in the world: the kind who will proudly say "See this watch? I paid $2000 for this watch!", and the kind who will proudly say "See this watch? I paid $20 for this watch!"

Annie

You forgot the third kind:

The ones that shake a box of parts and go
"Hear That? It used to be a $500 watch... Wish I'd spent $20 on a decent strap instead of $5 for a POS..."

[argyle]

The truth is they know they can charge that much. It has nothing to do with the cost of material and manufacturing, simple demand and product confident.

When you visit "not so rich countries" like China, they have tripod of the same or better quality for much much less money. Some even come out from the same manufacture assembly that makes G***o or other famous brand.

You can believe that if you'd like, but the quality of the materials that go into the construction also add to the cost. Knockoffs are knockoffs for a reason...cosmetically they're usually very good copies. Its what you can't see that you should be concerned about.

[czeglin]

We're not talking about precision made marvels of modern engineering here.Yes, actually, you are. Ok, "marvels" is stretching it. They are precision made, though, and a lot of engineering and testing goes into them.

[sgilder]

Marvels is definitely stretching it. It's cheap to make (or pay someone in Taiwan or China to make) a set of straight gauge CF tubes. It's probably the simplest/cheapest thing that factory will make all day! The rest of the hardware is probably legacy from pre-existing models, so you're development cost are pretty much zero. CF practically markets itself (It's lighter, it looks cooler, it's more expensive!) so you're marketing guys can take a break, too. The mark up on these modern marvels is starting to look pretty good!

Hope my sarcasm isn't putting anyone off. I do understand that you get what you pay for (to a point). I will probably end up with a midlevel bogen/manfrotto/gitzo type setup. It's just hard to justify the cost for these things looking at the cost compared to products using similar materials with much higher design/construction requirements, development costs, construction costs, R&D costs, etc, but a similar cost to the end user.

[cedm]

You can believe that if you'd like, but the quality of the materials that go into the construction also add to the cost. Knockoffs are knockoffs for a reason...cosmetically they're usually very good copies. Its what you can't see that you should be concerned about.

I don't think he was refering to knockoffs here. Goods in developing countries can be a lot cheaper than in the west, and I'm talking about same brands same models here. Demands and offers are driving a non-negligeable part of a product's cost. Another reason is the buy power in poorer countries, i.e. you would not be able to sell your product at the same price because too few people could afford it, so you sell the very same thing at a lower price.

Even between developed countries, we can see a large price difference. Take for example the price difference between Europe and USA in most electronic goods. Even with tax leveled, such goods can be sizably cheaper in the US. Or look at softwares licence sold online, it's even more obvious: it's very often more expensive to european customers than US customer, although there's no difference in the product itself, nor there is in the diffusion/distribution of it. Europeans are used to pay more, and that's one reason (among others) for a company to sell their products at a higher price.

[nureality]

Yep, this set up is very solid. Love mine. Especially the column going from vertical to horizontal so easily. I had the 190xb (trying to save money), but had to buy the 055xprob for macro. The xprob models are fantastic and I should have just got one in the first place. Great for macro shots. Just a slick tripod.

I love my 055XProB and the various heads I have for it (which I can use on my GorillaPod SLR-Zoom as well). It supports everything I have in my bag to chose from. When I bought it and the 322RC2 for it I bought these items based on what I was gonna put on them. So all my support choices were based on support needs.

But now, I'm working on cutting my packing weight wherever I can... and have decided I'll be buying the 4-section Carbon Fiber 055XProB sometime... I LOVE the maneuverability of the 055XProB but needed a lighter rig... the 3lbs of weight difference is an issue plus the 4-section version is shorter once its closed down... the 28-30" of the 055XProB w/ the 322RC2 attached strapped to my bag can be a hassle when you travel... (I've inadvertently hit people with it more times that I'd like to admit).

[dsldub]

Very true.
My 1st tripod was a SLIK (made in China)and included a head, for cheap (<$100 CAD), and just bought last week a new tripod, because I wasn't satisfied with it. Very flimsy.
My new setup is a Manfrotto 190XPROB w/ a 488RC2 ballhead. Pay now or pay later

[SuzyView]

I spent $300-$350 each, on the 2 tripods and heads that I use. Depending on the weight of the gear, weight of the tripod, you have to pay for the technology and materials. It's not something you need to do often, buy a tripod, I mean, so just get the one you know will last you (support the weight you may put on it) and call it good. Invest once and forget about it.

[oaktree]

There's also the old saying, "Tripods: cheap, sturdy, light...choose two." Since we're usually looking for tripods that are light and sturdy, that means the tripod is not going to be cheap...it's going to be expensive.

[ssracer]

There's also the old saying, "Tripods: cheap, sturdy, light...choose two." Since we're usually looking for tripods that are light and sturdy, that means the tripod is not going to be cheap...it's going to be expensive.

I think they 055XProB only fits in the sturdy category for me...lol

Compared to others (carbon fiber) I guess you could consider it "cheap", but it was still a good deal of $$$ for me.

And I don't think you could find a way to fit it into the light category no matter how hard you try :D

[Lowner]

I've just been reading about the stainless steel Gitzo "Ocean". Now that IS expensive for whats offered!

And I'm sorry, but I just don't like the twist leg locks. Give me snap locks every time.

[tvphotog]

The truth is they know they can charge that much. It has nothing to do with the cost of material and manufacturing, simple demand and product confident.

When you visit &quot;not so rich countries&quot; like China, they have tripod of the same or better quality for much much less money. Some even come out from the same manufacture assembly that makes G***o or other famous brand.

That's not true. Gitzo's are made in Italy, Benro and other knockoff with shorter warranties are made in China. IMHO, it just depends on how much time you have before you must buy another tripod.

[G Fountain]

That's not true. Gitzo's are made in Italy, Benro and other knockoff with shorter warranties are made in China. IMHO, it just depends on how much time you have before you must spend again to buy another tripod.

You are right sir.

[george m w]

I just bought a manfrotto "carbon one model 441" used from keh. I like !
Seems very sturdy. Yes, CF is expensive to buy, but part of that is the fact that proper construction of CF is more involved than one might think. The use of an autoclave is the preferred method to get the strength, ridgidity and light weight advantages the material offers. Yes....good tripods are expensive.