Tripod recommendation...

[tonytsang]

Hi All,

I have read full the sticky post and a lot of review but still cannot come up the conclusion of what tripod should i consider or buy.

My Gear is XSI (450D), with Tamron 17-55 or Canon 55-250 (most heaviest one). I am about 180cm tall

I need for travel around so WEIGHT is my absolutely requirement. I need it as light as possible, and easy to carry as possible too.

My next requirement is budget. I cannot afford 320$US for a tripod. The best I can go is 200US. Unless, I can (or you can) justify the extra cost to my wife. She cannot see the different between a tripod 70$ and a tripod of 300 tripod leg and 100 ball head. I explained to her that it will be more stable on expensive tripod but she didn't buy it as she cannot see it at all.

I saw everyone is recommend the 055xprob setup with the 488rc2 but it is too expensive and too heavy.

I like the Bencro travel Angel but it has too many sections at the legs which reduce the stability (i guess).

Could someone please help me out and suggest me something good or can help me to justify to my wife that extra dollar on tripod is worth.

Thank you all

[bohdank]

weight/stability/low price... you can pick any 2 from those 3 ;-)

[tonytsang]

weight/stability/low price... you can pick any 2 from those 3 ;-)

hmm....Weight is a must for me as I hand carry it a lot if i go travel. It is why i consider Bencro Travel Angel which is about 2.8lbs without the ball head. I cannot accept something like 5 lbs which is too heavy in long run.

Low price is another key for me for sure. I find 300US is too expensive... something around 150-200US is more reasonable for me to get.

Stability... be honest....is it really different for an XSI with even the heaviest lens i have (55-250) on a 150US tripod and 1000 US tripod? I read a lot of the post in this forum and i cannot justify it. You may say carbon fiber is more stable than aluminum. But i don't see it. I can only see the weight different.

so... I go for weight and price (+ easy to put into luggage and carry around)

[bohdank]

Well then you give up stability. Now, whatever you may end up with may be good enough for it's intended use. It's just that out of three, you are sacrificing some level of stability.

[tvphotog]

Enlist your wife to carry the heavy, inexpensive and stable tripod. She'll begin to understand. The Benro Angel has some decent reviews here.

[jjaenagle]

man... if weight is a huge thing for you, it may be hard to find one for $200.

Carbon Fiber is probably the best for weight and the cheapest legs i have seen are about $200

If you can save up for one, try and go for a gitzo tripod... they are expensive, but i hear they are the best. I cant afford that and right now i am trying to save up for cheap manfrotto aluminum legs and the 498rc2.

Check around for feisol... that name has been coming up around the forums a lot lately and they are all carbon fiber for $300+ i think

[advaitin]

The Benro travel angel is reported to be very good. It looks like a copy of the much more expensive Gitzo Traveler, which I have with a Benro head. Benro sells it all as a kit, so that should do the trick for you--if it is essentially the same as the Gitzo, the stability is more than adequate for what you have and up to a 70-200 zoom or a light 300 f4.

What you need to do if you are concerned is weight it down when you are shooting.

[tonytsang]

Thanks everyone....

I think Benro is my only option if I concern the weight and the budget.

I can find a Cabon fiber Benro travel angel in Ebay for 300$ US (man... i think 300US should consider the min cost for tripod now)

I can get a Aluminum one Benro travel angel too...for less than 200U.S. It is a bit heavy but it is only 1.2 to 1.4 Kg compare to CF for 0.84 kg....

Is there any other Aluminum tripod, that is light and small like Benro A069? Do other brand has it within 200U.S?

If not, then i believe that is one i should get...

Consider price, weight are perfect for me.

[tvphotog]

Thanks everyone....

I think Benro is my only option if I concern the weight and the budget.

I can find a Cabon fiber Benro travel angel in Ebay for 300$ US (man... i think 300US should consider the min cost for tripod now)



B&H has those Benro's for the same price. I would not deal on ebay for that kind of money, unless it's Adorama there. You want someone who will refund or exchange if there is an issue. It's worth the $5-10 more to get it from B&H or Amazon.

Get plastic accessories, lens caps and cable releases on ebay from HK, not major items.

[Cashoo]

Benro looks like the best choice.

Also the Canon 55-250 (390g) is the lighter lens, the Tamron 17-50(430g) is the heavier lens.

[tonytsang]

B&H has those Benro's for the same price. I would not deal on ebay for that kind of money, unless it's Adorama there. You want someone who will refund or exchange if there is an issue. It's worth the $5-10 more to get it from B&H or Amazon.

Get plastic accessories, lens caps and cable releases on ebay from HK, not major items.

You are right. However, I live in Canada so that Shipping cost and brokage fee will be another issue for me if I don't buy it from the ebay.

[tonytsang]

Benro looks like the best choice.

Also the Canon 55-250 (390g) is the lighter lens, the Tamron 17-50(430g) is the heavier lens.

Thank you for your clarification too... I didn't know that the 55-250 is lighter...haha :p

[StudioBin]

B&H has those Benro's for the same price. I would not deal on ebay for that kind of money, unless it's Adorama there. You want someone who will refund or exchange if there is an issue. It's worth the $5-10 more to get it from B&H or Amazon.

Get plastic accessories, lens caps and cable releases on ebay from HK, not major items.

+ 1 Totally agree. Have you looked at a brand called Feisol? Pretty good for the money as well.

[jdang307]

Benro A-068m8 (probably need to change the head), C-058m8, and Feisol CT-3402 are the ones I'm deciding between. Been going back and forth for so long I can't make my mind up.

[Sdiver2489]

http://www.amazon.com/Dolica-AX620B100-62-Inch-Proline-Tripod/dp/B001D60LG8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1263215476&sr=8-1

I got this one for Christmas this year. For the price I doubt it can be beat. Carbon fiber construction, ball head and fairly tall. Admittedly, I haven't used any of the real high end tripods but this one is far from cheap feeling. It's not the lightest thing ever but it sure isn't heavy. The head is removable in case you want to change it out later.

[bohdank]

Hmmm. It says aluminum.

[stickshift]

Honestly my tripod was my latest big purchase and I'm glad I splurged for it. I was shooting with my Rebel and kit lens on my Gitzo alongside another guy who had a 5DII and 24-70L mounted on a $200 Manfrotto....we were out in somewhat windy conditions and his tripod was shaking while mine held rock steady. Guess who got the shots?

[tonytsang]

+ 1 Totally agree. Have you looked at a brand called Feisol? Pretty good for the money as well.
I checked Feisol. But most of them are Carbon fiber which is over 300$US for sure....

As I said...Benro... Aluminum travel angel kit (with ball head) weight is about 1.2 kg....and the price is about 160$ US.... it is so far the best option if you consider about the quality too...

[tonytsang]

Benro A-068m8 (probably need to change the head), C-058m8, and Feisol CT-3402 are the ones I'm deciding between. Been going back and forth for so long I can't make my mind up.

Benro A069 isn't better as it is taller? A068 is aluminum and Feisol is Carbon fiber....and the price is totally different too...

[tonytsang]

http://www.amazon.com/Dolica-AX620B100-62-Inch-Proline-Tripod/dp/B001D60LG8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1263215476&sr=8-1

I got this one for Christmas this year. For the price I doubt it can be beat. Carbon fiber construction, ball head and fairly tall. Admittedly, I haven't used any of the real high end tripods but this one is far from cheap feeling. It's not the lightest thing ever but it sure isn't heavy. The head is removable in case you want to change it out later.
price is really good but 4 lbs is killing me... :p

[tonytsang]

Honestly my tripod was my latest big purchase and I'm glad I splurged for it. I was shooting with my Rebel and kit lens on my Gitzo alongside another guy who had a 5DII and 24-70L mounted on a $200 Manfrotto....we were out in somewhat windy conditions and his tripod was shaking while mine held rock steady. Guess who got the shots?

That's something I cannot explain to my wife.

How come an expensive tripod will be more stale under a windy condition? is it because your tripod is more heavy than the Manfrotto?

[jjaenagle]

well in the photography world, if you dont know it by now, you get what you pay for.

You shouldnt let your wife be the one to tell you what is good and what isnt.... i agree that carbon fiber is expensive, but if you really do want weight and price, you should go with the ones you have been looking at.

You really do have to pick 2 out of weight/ stability/ and price. If weight is the most important to you, then save up for a cheap but good carbon fiber. it will be more than you want to pay, but you will have that weight bonus and a little bit more stability.

I myself am deciding on my next tripod purchase and i know that i cant get one for a while... i will probably go aluminum with a good ballhead, but i i will just keep reading and saving... i may try and go with a feisol though... i have been hearing a lot of good things for this startup company.


my last tripod was an old velbon that kept trying to fall, was heavy, and the head broke off + was missing a part to hold the head level, so i really do want to go with a good tripod next

my wife doesnt know why filters can be so expensive and even some of the other camera equipment, and i cant explain it all to her, but she does know that the more you pay, the better it is.

But we have also learned to buy used and not all canon brand for some things.

Anyways, sometimes i will ask her what she would pay for a piece of equipment, like a tripod and she gives me an answer like $60 (because the ones at best buy are like $30 and if its double the price, it must be better!), and then i show her a gitzo that is like $800... and then $300 for a tripod isnt so bad lol.

--------------------------------------

[advaitin]

That's something I cannot explain to my wife.

How come an expensive tripod will be more stale under a windy condition? is it because your tripod is more heavy than the Manfrotto?

Carbon fiber tripods and monopods are stiffer than the equivalent weighted metal. There is even a newer material out there that is competing with CF--and more expensive. Then there are grades of improvements--how many wraps of CF in the tube. Using all this technology, the manufacturers charge more for lighter, but sturdier 'pods. Brand names in 'pods are like brand names in cars, you pay more for a Gitzo and you get a couple of enhancements that may not be equaled by the competition--or may. You have to shop and compare carefully.

I can afford the best right now, but there was a time when I couldn't and I bought what my budget would allow and made do. Amazon sells a Slik CF tripod for 249.95--I don't know how compact it is, but I would consider it if I was on a budget. After all, most any tripod can be made steadier by simply hanging a weight from a hook on the bottom of the extension pole.

[jjaenagle]

i usually just do a little bit of research on my next purchase and then tell my wife that i am either going to spend between $xxx much money or get XXX product next. My purchases havent been above $250 yet and this christmas she bought me the 55-250 IS (after 1 year, finally!) and she allowed me to buy a 430 ex II the next week! (I think its because i let her splurge when she went shopping for herself.)

i told her what my next few purchases were and what they would cost and she really has no problem but probably thinking, how are you gonna get that!
(right now its a new bag - about $130, tripod $250 - $300 and a new standard zoom lens $500 - $600 - she laughed at that one, but she knows im serious :))

[tonytsang]

well in the photography world, if you dont know it by now, you get what you pay for.
--------------------------------------

Thanks for your explanation.

I tried to explain to my wife or even to my friend because it proof if I understand why i need to pay more.

Is that I tell someone that 800$US Tripod is more stable under windy condition. Okay...but why? What an 800US tripod will be more stable compare to a decent 150US Aluminum tripod?

Feisol seems good as well. A lot of Asian user are using it now. It is all CF tripod and they don't have (or i miss it) aluminum tripod. They are not cheap as well.

It is why I still consider Benro A-069. Weight is 1.2kg which is really light in term of Aluminum tripod. Price is 160$U.S.... now...i am not sure about the quality and stability...

[tonytsang]

Carbon fiber tripods and monopods are stiffer than the equivalent weighted metal. There is even a newer material out there that is competing with CF--and more expensive. Then there are grades of improvements--how many wraps of CF in the tube. Using all this technology, the manufacturers charge more for lighter, but sturdier 'pods. Brand names in 'pods are like brand names in cars, you pay more for a Gitzo and you get a couple of enhancements that may not be equaled by the competition--or may. You have to shop and compare carefully.

I can afford the best right now, but there was a time when I couldn't and I bought what my budget would allow and made do. Amazon sells a Slik CF tripod for 249.95--I don't know how compact it is, but I would consider it if I was on a budget. After all, most any tripod can be made steadier by simply hanging a weight from a hook on the bottom of the extension pole.

Yes, i am doing the research and to understand why expensive tripod will be more stable. As you have mentioned. Some of them using same material (CF) but design it differently will improve the stability (less legs section, different lock mechanism etc).

Slik CF tripod looks good to me as well. I believe i will do more research on that one too.

[tonytsang]

i usually just do a little bit of research on my next purchase and then tell my wife that i am either going to spend between $xxx much money or get XXX product next. My purchases havent been above $250 yet and this christmas she bought me the 55-250 IS (after 1 year, finally!) and she allowed me to buy a 430 ex II the next week! (I think its because i let her splurge when she went shopping for herself.)

i told her what my next few purchases were and what they would cost and she really has no problem but probably thinking, how are you gonna get that!
(right now its a new bag - about $130, tripod $250 - $300 and a new standard zoom lens $500 - $600 - she laughed at that one, but she knows im serious :))

hahaa... your wife is funny. it is a bit off topic, but why you are going to get the 55-250IS? It is a decent lens, but if you can pay a bit more, you can get 70-200 L USM lens for 600 or 700US...

I know tripod is important and probably but once for long time. So i need to be careful to choose a good one.

[jjaenagle]

hahaa... your wife is funny. it is a bit off topic, but why you are going to get the 55-250IS? It is a decent lens, but if you can pay a bit more, you can get 70-200 L USM lens for 600 or 700US...

I know tripod is important and probably but once for long time. So i need to be careful to choose a good one.


well, i already got the 55-250 and the reason i wanted that was because of my budget. She got it for christmas for me and we have been wanting a telephoto lens since i got my camera practically...

She had also gotten me a new tv, and i didnt know she was getting me either. i told her about the 70-200 L and she even liked the idea, but i am still so new to photography that i couldnt spend so much on that and still be an amateur. I told her that i wanted the 17-40 L for my next lens which is $700 (when i actually start getting serious about my next lens, i will see about the canon L or sigma or tamron with an f/2.8 ).

I have a friend that just got into photography and all i could tell him is that its expensive.... i told him i was looking for a new tripod for about $260 and he asked if that was cheap or expensive... i told him its cheap but pretty good.

I will say that one thing about this forum is that its hard to get talked DOWN lol... people are always trying to talk you into the best and if you have a set budget, then go with it and learn from your own experience... im sure you can return the benro if you go with it and dont like it... or maybe go to some camera shops to really get a hands on.

If everyone here wanted everything they wanted... our signatures would be filled with BLANK mm L over and over and GITZO, and whatever else thats the best.

[advaitin]

This thread has given me a reason to go do a couple of tests. The Benro 00 ballhead is rated at about 13 pounds and the Gitzo is rated for 17.6 pounds. I mounted the 7D, 400mm DO with 2X TC equaling about 6.25 pounds. Every thing worked fine, no leg flexing, some vibration that settled quickly, but with that long a lens and camera combination, it would obviously need attention to detail rather than quick shooting.

Then I mounted an old 400mm f2.8 L and a 1DsM3. Immediately the ball head began to slip from the weight, which equals 15.46 pounds. I changed the head for a Really Right Stuff monopod head rated for 75 pounds (the easier to get to of my heads) It stabilized the big camera and lens, but the vibration levels were significant. The bottom (smallest) legs of the tripod seemed to flex or have an angle, but they held the weight. Adding a 5 pound bag the the center post hook did reduce the vibration, but I don't think I would go beyond this weight level. The only way to get a sharp image indoors with a long exposure was to put the camera on self-timer for ten seconds, prefocus and push the shutter and stand back and wait.

It worked, however, which means that even slender CF tripod legs can be used with a heavier than normal camera and lens combination as long as you adapt your shooting practices to the circumstance and have an adequate head.

[Calhoun213]

Check this out. Carbon tripod with a ballhead. I believe (don't know for sure) that the tripod is made by velbon or vanguard. I briefly looked at one this summer in the store. At this price (plus another $20 with the coupon if you order today) you will not find a better deal. And no I do not work for Cabela's, just spend a lot of money there.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0072477712590a&_requestid=26175

[Sdiver2489]

Hmmm. It says aluminum.

Sorry wrong link:

http://www.amazon.com/Dolica-CX620B104-61-Inch-Proline-Carbon/dp/B001MYL1BA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1263237182&sr=1-1

[bohdank]

I didn't check all the details but they are about the same size but the carbon one weighs more than the aluminum one. Almost sounds like carbon fibre is being used here as a marketing tool rather than actually being "better".

[jjaenagle]

Sorry wrong link:

http://www.amazon.com/Dolica-CX620B104-61-Inch-Proline-Carbon/dp/B001MYL1BA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1263237182&sr=1-1


I wouldnt go with the dolica... at least not as the primary tripod.

out of 12 people who reviewed it, half complained of quality issues.

maybe contact feisol.com directly or some of the authorized dealers and see about getting a discount. the worst that will happen is they will say no and even if the discount doesnt seem good enough, you dont have to go with it.

Feisol.com says they are looking for distributors and reps so they are still early in its business and the ones that are authorized to sell, use paypal as the main method of payment.

Anyways, im not a rep for feisol or anything, but i am a cheap shopper and try to get the best deal i can. I even got a 70-300mm lens from newegg for half the price, but sold it.

[advaitin]

Reviews of the Cabelas tripod had an interesting one. The center post cracked in cold weather. Carbon Fiber can become fragile under certain conditions, which is why the major manufacturers go to lengths to have extra layers and such--and price accordingly.

[Roger W. Spillman]

tonytsang, This guy has a great price on a Gitzo GT3530LS Tripod.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=808716
Roger

[tonytsang]

well, i already got the 55-250 and the reason i wanted that was because of my budget. She got it for christmas for me and we have been wanting a telephoto lens since i got my camera practically...

.

you are right. Everyone is trying their best and told me about the best option here.

I am really appreciated every single option in this post. It definitely gives me a lot of new information. THANK YOU EVERYONE.

The problem with Benro is that many of our local stores (Montreal canada) didn't have it at all. Which I don't really have a chance to try it.

[tonytsang]

tonytsang, This guy has a great price on a Gitzo GT3530LS Tripod.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=808716
Roger
too expensive for me ....sorry:p

[jdang307]

Benro A069 isn't better as it is taller? A068 is aluminum and Feisol is Carbon fiber....and the price is totally different too...
I'm not a tall dude so I don't need it really tall, plus I like to shoot low more often than not. The A-069m8 is indeed taller, and folds shorter too. But for some reason it's not much taller, and requires 5 leg sections. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'd rather have less sections if possible, and only 2-4 inches. The folded length is the key for me, and there is only a difference of .6 inches in favor of the A-069.

The Feisol is indeed more expensive, and doesn't come with a head. But it is carbon fiber vs. the Aluminum of the travel angels I'm looking at. The weight is about the same, and people don't question the quality of Feisol (mixed on Benro).

The only thing that keeps me from ordering right away is the folded length. 17.7 inches without a head. The Travel Angels fold over the head so no matter what, it's 14.8" inches.

One of these days I will order and be done with the search. At least until a wind ruins one of my shots and I have to spend $600

[tonytsang]

I'm not a tall dude so I don't need it really tall, plus I like to shoot low more often than not. The A-069m8 is indeed taller, and folds shorter too. But for some reason it's not much taller, and requires 5 leg sections. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'd rather have less sections if possible, and only 2-4 inches. The folded length is the key for me, and there is only a difference of .6 inches in favor of the A-069.


You gave me a better information for Benro now. Thank you once again.

I believe that I will go for Benro more after reading your reply. For me..Weight, budget is my priority. with 160U.S, light weight, folding size is small with the head (14.8 inch as you have mentioned), I believe that I will go for it more as i need it for travel around. Big, heavy tripod is already out of my mind.

[jdang307]

I know Tony, after writing that post I essentially made up my mind and will order soon (before I change it once again) for the Benro Alu. I had my mind set on Carbon, but I just don't shoot enough for the price increase. It would cost me over $300 for Feisol 3402 and Photo Clam head. I'd rather buy another lens to fit this huge hole in my lineup (22 - 50)

[michaelnel]

I just received the Benro TRCB068 from Amazon, and I am very impressed. I have owned several Gitzo CF tripods and RRS ball heads. In this case I wanted something really small and light to use with my G11 when I want to do HDR work. This thing fits the bill. The head works great too, and the whole thing is tiny and very light. I'm sure the quality is every bit as good as the Gitzos I have owned.

PS: This model is 4 leg sections, not 5.