Tripods - i'm lost

[reemas]

I want a tripod thats fairly inexpensive. $100 or less. I have no idea how much tripod go for, $40? $400??

I don't know what to look for either. To me they are all good, so any pointers will help. If possible, something I can take with me to public areas would be useful.

[Skip Souza]

Best bet is go to your local shop and play with some to get an idea of what you want in one, then look around on line for a signifcantly better price.

[Skip Souza]

I use a monopod. I've used my wifes cheapo and don't like it at all

[tim]

If you buy a cheap tripod you'll just end up buying an expensive one later, save yourself the money and get a decent one to start with. I 2nd the idea to go to a local store any play.

[Ian Parkin]

I'd second the answer of looking in a store for a suitable model.
But if you've gone to the trouble of going to a store and the staff/owner has spent time with you...buy it from them.....
Ian

[gasrocks]

You need to have some idea of what you are going to use it for. Macro? Long Lenses? etc. Each use might lean toward a diff. tripod. How tall are you? Make sure you get one that is tall enough - fully extended, without using the center post. How low will it go? Does each leg adjust seperately so it can handle uneven terrain? Experienced people buy the legs and head seperately. (Oops, I made it more complicated.) How easily does it adjust? Get one that seems too heavy instead of a "light, portable" one. Hope that got you thinking a bit.

[grooveandmelody]

I'd second the answer of looking in a store for a suitable model.
But if you've gone to the trouble of going to a store and the staff/owner has spent time with you...buy it from them.....
Ian

Totaly agree. Support your local shops if they are good to you. I am always happy to spend a bit more for knowledge and good service.

I went for the Manfrotto/Bogen 322RC2, 3001N combo for my first tripod. I definitly like the ball-head trigger. The 3001 is light weight and great for carrying around. It may be a hair flimsy for anything over a 300mm but it works perfect for me. It also may lack some height if you require it. The set-up cost me about $220ish. I cant remember exactly. My impression from both the photo store and this forum was that this would be the breaking point of where a quality tripod starts, and I am very happy with it.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Did you by any chance take the time to look at the sticky thread at the top of the page?

"Choosing a Tripod"

[reemas]

i did look at that stick and the posts and links withing. most were too confusing and specific. definately not for a beginner. except one link which made it seem like without $1000 i cant buy a good enough tripod.

im still a bit confused, and that is because i would like to know if there is some specific types of parts i should buy... such as a ball head or anything like that. how do i know if it will fit my canon 20d? etc.

[d'homme]

You want a good study tripod, that doesnt vibrate in the wind and that has some weight to it. You can buy the tripod and the head separately if you like. As suggested, don't go too cheap or too light weight or you'll be shopping for another soon, or posting on here asking why your photos are not focused. I paid about $200 for my tripod and the head. It's not light, but then it doesn't vibrate or shake easily either.

[Andrew B]

I was thinking of buying a Velbon V7000 because I need something that's sturdy as I have been asked to help with some wedding pictures. I have taken wedding shoots before but never with a tripod. Can someone point me at a lighter option.

many thanks
Andrew B

Canon 10d + battery grip
Canon 35-135mm USM IS
Sigma 135-400mm

[ScottE]

I now have a very expensive Gitzo carbon fiber tripod. It would have been about 1/3 of the price if I hadn't bought a series of increasingly expensive tripods until I finally got the one with all the features I wanted from the start.

In the long term you don't always save money by buying cheap.

Scott

[Belmondo]

I now have a very expensive Gitzo carbon fiber tripod. It would have been about 1/3 of the price if I hadn't bought a series of increasingly expensive tripods until I finally got the one with all the features I wanted from the start.

In the long term you don't always save money by buying cheap.

Scott

You've really hit on a fundamental truth. I've bought a succession of tripods over the last couple years starting with a cheapie chain store disposable wobbler, and ending up with a super-expensive, ultra-stiff carbon fiber set of legs with a humongous ball head.

Admittedly, a lot of people have trouble justifying the cost of a more expensive tripod, but if you buy a cheap one, do so with the understanding that it will only give you marginal service, and you will be replacing it before you ever feel you'v'e gotten your money's worth from it.

It is possible to buy a reasonably stiff tripods without spending megabucks, but it will be at the cost of extra weight.

Everything in life is a tradeoff. Tripods are no different.

[skyphix]

For those of you that play baseball - the chain store tripods make GREAT stands for portable pitching machines: other than that, not had any luck.

I've made the decision that I dont mind a bit of extra weight (my walk around is the 28mm 2.8 and probably one of the few lenses I'll actually be carrying my tripod with so that cuts the weight down) for extra sturdyness in the 100-130 dollar range.

I tried asking the question on several accessories, including a tripod, but didnt get many responses; I think the best thing to do is just go to the store and try them out.

edit: I should check my own threads first, I got a few responses, but Im still going to check out the local store and probably end up ordering the suggestions from here online anyway :)

[badrotation]

I have a solid metal tripod from like the 60's or 70's, and it is VERY sturdy (in fact, much more sturdy than todays tripods), but it is freaking heavy.

I got it from my grandfather, but he said it was very cheap, so expensive does not always mean better.

[Asmodeus]

My lightweight tripod is the Manfrotto 3405. It's handy, comes with a head (#390) and was right around $100. The quick release plates also work with the Manfrotto 3437 head I have on my 3021BPRO (my more "serious" tripod).

[KurtKuhn]

After reading thru the forum, esp. the tripod sticky thread to which CDS refers, I decided on the Bogen 3021BPRO with a Kirk BH-3 ball head. I expect these to provide me with many years of service. Only negative is that it may be on the heavy side for some, but I'll suck that up while I'm young & able. ;)

-KK

[reemas]

kurt, how much did that run you? and from where?

[KurtKuhn]

kurt, how much did that run you? and from where?

Bogen 3021BPRO from Onecall.com via Amazon.com web site: $146.95 + $13.79 ground shipping
Kirk BH-3 from Kirk Enterprises: $239.95 + $13.55 2nd day shipping

From what I have gathered, both Onecall & Kirk have established a great reputation for customer service.

I'm usually a B&H customer, but a $25 Amazon gift certificate was burning a hole in my pocket. ;)

-KK

[reemas]

question: why would you want a carbon fiber tripod, if that makes it light weight? isnt heavier better? seems contradictory

[KurtKuhn]

question: why would you want a carbon fiber tripod, if that makes it light weight? isnt heavier better? seems contradictory

There was a great post in another POTN thread that read something like:

"Light"
"Sturdy"
"Inexpensive"

"Choose two"

I chose not to go with carbon fiber because of the added cost. But, it would be certainly lighter to lug around.

To defend the use of a "heavy" tripod, you certainly have inertia on your side for stability. That being said, I would speculate that some folks with carbon fiber tripods add their camera bags as a slung weight or ballast to add to the intertia of the rig.

There is a relatively inexpensive carbon fiber tripod that some members have recommended / purchased. It's called Feisol, and I'm sure it'll show up if you search for it. It is sold on eBay from a vendor with an excellent rating.

-KK

[nantucketbob]

Strongest possible suggestion: get a good one. Gitso is very good. So are most of the other ones mentioned here but you need to look them over in a store. Sanford Davis makes a compact tripod for a good price. If you cannot find it on the web, write me. A ball head is essential. I have a Kirk which costs $400. Think carefully about what you want the tripod for. If you want it to extend up to 6 feet, you will need a really good one. If you want to go backpacking, or traveling, weight is a consideration. The most recent edition of Shutterbug has an article on tripods. Most people will say that buying a good one is wise. They don't go out of date. Mine is 28 years old and "like new" in performance (but it is scratched!).

[reemas]

thanks nantucket and everyone for the tips. i was especially looking for info like "a ball head is a must" etc. anything else essential? i cant afford past $200 right now. so maybe i'll just wait.

[lostdoggy]

Here is a local vendor for Feisol:http://www.thresholdconcepts.com/photo-ct3301.htm

Don't loose heart in your quest for the perfect Tripod. As long as you have money there will always be another one out there to replace it. That is the nature of Photography, when you think you got all the equipment you will ever need then comes another.

Here is my advice look for one that suits your needs and your photo style. Look for Tripod that will grow with you. That means buy pods that you can change heads. Don't look for pods that has center support attached to the center column. I find that they are usually the cheaper ones.

Since you have a budget constrain try Velbon and Slik they are not the best but they've been around. If you are willing to go higher like $200 the Bogen 3021 and 3021PRO are really nice pods

Here is an example Bogen 3021PRo w/ 3D Head: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=284776&is=REG

[kram]

Reemas, I was in the same position a month back. Make a trip to the store and try a few tripods.

The problem is that they have so many tripods starting from $30 to $500!! So, here's what I tried....after my research.

Manfrotto 3001 , 3011 and 3021. They get progressively heavier but have better features (and higher prices). Then try some heads - 486RC2 and 488RC2 which are ballheads and the 3030 which is a panhead. These combos are anywhere from 150-200USD and so within your budget.

Also try a few readymade sets which are cheaper - unknown brands, Sliks and Velbons. I think you will see the difference and be able to justify the investment you make.

But stay away from those that say Carbon fiber :) They are too expensive unless you really care so much about the weight.

And, take your time. Walk out if you dont feel like buying. I bought mine TODAY after visiting 7 shops over 2 weeks including some twice :)

[reemas]

sweet advice kram.

what the difference between a ball head and a pan head? is it a prefence or a level up?

[kram]

It is a matter of preference. I have read that panheads are more relevant for video cams. Some find it easier to use panheads as the movement across different sides is controlled by diff. handles in many cases. Eg. one handle for sideways shift, one for upward and downward shifts etc.

Ballheads are more flexible. It can be turned pretty much in any direction and can be setup for a shot faster.

Ballhead example (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=272449&is=REG)

Panhead example (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=5263&is=REG)

[tiefelj]

...Sanford Davis makes a compact tripod for a good price...


I bought a modified Sanford-Davis tripod with my Questar Telescope. I sold both and really regret letting the tripod go now that it is 20 years later. http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_sad.gif
While composite's are stiff and corrosion free and "state of the art" are they really better than aluminum for something as "lightweight" as a 20d and small zoom? By lightweight I'm talking quality--not cheap Wal-Mart stuff.