new tripod question

[mknabster]

Hey guys, I think I'm not going to get that Dynatran after all. There was a big pricing problem that I discovered about the company that they were trying to swindle me. So, I think i'm going to go with the advice of using something like Gitzo, Giottos, Bogan/Manfrotto, or Slik. Which one would you guys prefer for it to come as a complete tripod package. Like with the head and tripod together, rather than buy them seperately. And which one would be the least expensive to get too? I don't want to spend too much, and yet I want it to be sturdy enough.

[kooldezign]

Gitzo is the best of the best from the design, material, and warranty they provided. I like Alum tripod better than carbon because it is very very sturdy I don't consider much about its weight. I have owned one set the 15 series the top of the line and a universal ballhead, I bought them used but I love them as much as my camera.

About your case, If you are not considering about the price and you would consider to upgrade your camera in future I think you should get a Gitzo at least from 14 or 15 series. It will stay with you for ever. You could get a used set for your limited finance.

If you are just looking for a set for your current camera that you have I think Gitzo G1120 or up and any other ballhead are more than enough. They can load up to 17lbs.

If you cannot afford for a brandnew Gitzo set you should look for used one. There is no problem with used one I bought my used all the time :).

If you cannot not again.... Considering other the brand. You must understand that "What you paid is what you get!".

[Mitcon]

From what I know those are all good brands all with their own good merits. Do give good thought to your purchase if later down the track you plan on a DSLR. Mostly think about how your going to use it and then look at features like pan 'n tilt or ball head.

Maximum hight (depending on your hight) and also how low they can go. Some go extremely low and others you have to invert the centre column. Some have removable heads some are fixed. In the end alot just comes down to personal choice.

[tim]

I bought manfrotto tripods and monopods and i'm happy with them. The only minor thing is they've a slight oil coating when you get them, which gets on my hands and then on my camera if i'm not careful.

[2goldens]

mknabster, I sent you a pm about you tripod issue.

You don't want to get a tripod that you will not be happy with. I would tell you to get one that will do what you want it to do and a bit more. As you get involved in photography more you will need it. Trust me.

[mknabster]

I think I just found a good tripod. It's called a Quanteray. I saw it at Ritz camera for $75. It goes up to about 75" and is about 6 lbs. Is that a good deal?

[tim]

You get what you pay for with tripods. You can buy a good tripod now, or you can buy a crap one now and then buy the good one later, it's really up to you. Manfrotto is a good brand name, are reasonably priced, and I regularly hear of people who've had theirs for 20 years.

[scott stokes]

mknabster I have a quantaray qsx ultra pro that i got from wolf it was $ 99.99,and the handle broke in 8weeks.they did not replace it but i was able to fix it.a friend of mine has one and his did the same.i will be replaceing it soon.

[kooldezign]

You get what you pay for with tripods. You can buy a good tripod now, or you can buy a crap one now and then buy the good one later, it's really up to you. Manfrotto is a good brand name, are reasonably priced, and I regularly hear of people who've had theirs for 20 years.

I would agree with Tim " You can buy a good tripod now, or you can buy a crap one now and then buy the good one later, it's really up to you. Tim said." My pick is always Gitzo.

To Mknabster: with $75 dollar I don't think you can buy a brandnew sturdy tripod with head Gitzo or Manfrotto unless you can make one for yourself. Hey good luck! What you paid for is what you get!

[2goldens]

I think I just found a good tripod. It's called a Quanteray. I saw it at Ritz camera for $75. It goes up to about 75" and is about 6 lbs. Is that a good deal?

DON'T DO IT!!!:eek: I have one and it is junk. I am glad I didn't pay for it.

[lostdoggy]

Quantarey, housebrand, same junk you get if yu bought a Samsonite or a Sunpak or a Sakar tripod. Don't waste your money. Gitzo is oned by the same company that owns Bogen/Manfrotto so the difference is like buying a Chevy and a Cadillac. They both will serve the the same but one will have more bells and whistles. If your limited in funds get the Manfrotto, check out the 3021Pro it was the one I was going to get until I found the Carbon Fiber Feisol 3301 (3lb). The only thing that I didn't like about the 3021 PRO was its weight (slightly over 5lbs). This is Tripod only. Head ,depends on your pesonal prefference. Some like Balls some like pan and tilt.

[SkipD]

I think I just found a good tripod. It's called a Quanteray. I saw it at Ritz camera for $75. It goes up to about 75" and is about 6 lbs. Is that a good deal?Like others have said - save your money for a while and get a decent tripod. I think the Bogen line will give you the best value (performance/cost ratio). I have a couple of Bogens. The lightweight is my 3021BPRO. It would be fine for you with your current camera and anything you're likely to get in the next 10 to 15 years. It will also last twice that long.

For the time being, why not try something that is very inexpensive but quite solid - a sandbag or beanbag. These, if they are the right size and weight, can be put on a myriad of surfaces and when you nestle the camera down into the bag, it will do rather well for you. You can even make your own, keeping the cost down.

Stay away from the Quantaray "brand". It is not really a manufacturer's brand name. It is a store brand that they put onto just about any junk that they have private labelled for them. The only good stuff that those stores sell are the items that have a real manufacturer's brand name on them.

[DG_Canon]

Quantarey, housebrand, same junk you get if yu bought a Samsonite or a Sunpak or a Sakar tripod. Don't waste your money. Gitzo is oned by the same company that owns Bogen/Manfrotto so the difference is like buying a Chevy and a Cadillac. They both will serve the the same but one will have more bells and whistles. If your limited in funds get the Manfrotto, check out the 3021Pro it was the one I was going to get until I found the Carbon Fiber Feisol 3301 (3lb). The only thing that I didn't like about the 3021 PRO was its weight (slightly over 5lbs). This is Tripod only. Head ,depends on your pesonal prefference. Some like Balls some like pan and tilt.


Samsonite makes camera tripods ?

[bolantej]

i have a quantaray tripod also...wherever it is. the cheap plastic head kept bending whenever i put anything like a camera or anything on it. planning on using the legs for a flash stand, when i find it. probably get another cheapy ballhead for that though. the pan/tilt that came with it is going in the trash. i, personally, would stay out of ritz. maybe it's just the baffoons that work at the one near me. i don't trust them.

[kooldezign]

It is really hard for a person who have a tight budget to get the best gadget. My recommendation again.... is to stick with what you currently have and then build-up your saving or finance from someone to buy a good one when the time come. Don't be so picky, our comments are so clear unless you don't trust.

[mknabster]

Well, I just wanted to get a replacement for the one I have right now. It's a cheap Wal-mart one, and I think the Quanteray will serve my purpose for the amount of times I use it, which isn't much. That's why I don't want to spend over $200 on a tripod yet. Maybe later in my career, but not now. I'm just starting out in photography right now, and I"m just a junior in high school, so I really don't think I need anything great. So I think this one will serve its purpose for what I'll be using it for.

[kooldezign]

Hey, You asked advices for Gitzo, Manfrotto, Slik... and now ended up with cheap stuff.... You should have said that "I have ONLY $75..." so we can find a better tripod that match-up what you have... What a wasting time. :evil:

[mknabster]

You know what, let's just disregard the post I just put up for my last one. I think I"m going to go for one of those Bogans or another one. Can you guys recommend any good websites where I could get a discounted one? Sorry about that before, I think I have been too quick to getting one, because I wanted to take my family's portrait new week at the beach, and I wanted to get another one before then. I have been feeling kind of rushed. My mom isn't allowing me to bring my camera onto the beach with my tripod now because of what happened last time, it blew over throwing my camera into the sand lense first. So, you can see the urgency in it.

[mknabster]

What do you guys think about the Bogen 728B Digi Tripod? Is that a good one? Is 3 lbs good? Or is that too light? Can you guys give me any websites where I can get it for less that $112?

[condyk]

... check out the 3021Pro it was the one I was going to get until I found the Carbon Fiber Feisol 3301 (3lb).

Minor thread diversion ... I have the Feisol top of my list at the moment. Do you have any initial impressions of it in use and what about a ballhead? Do you have one and, if so, how is it?

[bolantej]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=pagination&A=nextPage&Q=&catId=5138&compareCatId=5138&shs=&ci=5138&ac=&al=759_6862%2C0%2C0&bl=&sb=bs%2Cupper%28ds%29&sq=asc&fi=all&com_362124_REG=&com_362138_REG=&com_361966_REG=&com_361992_REG=&com_222311_REG=&com_284769_REG=&com_222249_REG=&com_221737_REG=&com_220390_REG=&com_220413_REG=&com_222094_REG=&com_284782_REG=&com_220400_REG=&com_5292_REG=&com_5303_REG=&com_220421_REG=&com_5531_REG=&com_5544_REG=&com_253179_REG=&com_253680_REG=&pn=2
b&h sells that tripod you asked about for the saem, $112. check out some of these on their website. mkae sure it comes with a head.

[mknabster]

Ok, I went to B&H, and I found one tripod that looked like it had more features than the other, but it weighed less. And it costed less also. Could you tell me the difference? Here are the 2 links:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=283759&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=303600&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

[kooldezign]

The price is different.... Don't you see.

[SkipD]

I just checked out Bogen's website. The 728B comes with a better pan head that uses the same quick release plate as the RC2 series of heads for the better tripods.

Of the two you pointed to, I would choose the 728B. However, it probably won't be much more stable in a windy situation as what you've experienced before. The legs don't appear to be able to be spread out any wider than in the photos. The 3021BPRO, for example, has four leg angle settings. This allows you to spread the legs way out - even so far as to put the center hub virtually on the ground. There are several models with that capability. If stability in high wind situations is important, this is something to look at seriously. Yes, they cost a bit more than what you're trying to compromise with, but they are worth it in the long run.

Being able to change the head on a tripod legset has significant advantages over a tripod such as the 728B with its permanently attached head.

[lostdoggy]

Minor thread diversion ... I have the Feisol top of my list at the moment. Do you have any initial impressions of it in use and what about a ballhead? Do you have one and, if so, how is it?


Sorry it took me so long to reply.
The construction is well made with the pivoting joins control by a simple spring loaded lever and the legs are adjustable with lock nuts. the legs all have cushion grips and the bgs is a little small andthin, but its better then no bag. The cushion and bag is extra on gitzo and Manfrotto. The tripod is stable so far and easy to adjust.

I have two head. I have the Manfrotto Action grip and the 390RC2 Pan & Tilt they both weight about a pound but capable of supporting 12lbs (maybe a little more). I just saw at the threshold site where bought th Feisol they have the Arca Swiss copy Carbon Fiber Heads. Little pricey. The Actin Grip is nie on the monopod but wouldn't recommend on the tripod, a little too tall. I tried the Compac bogen head but didn't like the one knob control no panning.

[lostdoggy]

Ok, I went to B&H, and I found one tripod that looked like it had more features than the other, but it weighed less. And it costed less also. Could you tell me the difference? Here are the 2 links:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=283759&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=303600&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

If you are looking for tripod to grow withthose are definitely not the one. Don't bother wasting your time ordering it thru BH, Just go to your neighborhood Walmart. The key info on tripod is the maximum weight capacity. One says 5lb and the other 7lb, a camera body with a lens is about 3.5lb. Add a flash and it'll be around 5lb. Thats not bad went you areindoor taking a ice family portrait. Now picture yourself taking a nice scenery off one of those scenic stops. cars are flying by your back a little rumbling. You grab a handful of pebbles to fill your pebble bag it should be able to hold about 5lbs of pebble to stablize the tripod. Ooopsthe tripod has exceded its capacity and there goes the camera and lens crashing down to the ground. If you see a tripod and the spec saids that the head is not replacable run away. Find that is. Also get one with quick release where can actually buy extra plates.

[mknabster]

Lostdoggy, what kind do you suggest for a good model to have? I didn't really want to spend over $200 now. But I'm looking for one with the complete tripod package, with 3-way pan head and tripod. And I did want the feet to be able to go out pretty far so that the center column would be able to touch the ground. Could you give me any ideas? Thanks!