Opinions on inexpensive tripod please

[Neon01]

What do you all think of the following cheap tripods? I will not spend more than about $100 on a tripod and I'm looking to get the most quality for my dollar. However, longevity isn't that much of a concern, I don't use a tripod much, but its got to be decently solid. Most of these are not name brands, but they look nice to me. Your opinions?

http://cgi.ebay.com/PROFESSIONAL-CARBON-FIBER-PHOTO-DIGITAL-TRIPOD-acf2_W0QQitemZ7547809573QQcategoryZ30094QQrdZ1QQcm dZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/PRO-CARBON-FIBER-CAMERA-TRIPOD-PHOTO-DIGITAL-VIDEO-acf_W0QQitemZ7547695383QQcategoryZ30094QQrdZ1QQcmd ZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/68-PROFESSIONAL-TRIPOD-PHOTO-DIGITAL-CAMERA-VIDEOapgl3_W0QQitemZ7547695343QQcategoryZ30094QQrd Z1QQcmdZViewItem

[JBillings]

I'll pass along my advice, and as usual advice is worth what it costs!

A cheap tripod is exactly that...cheap, and usually a waste of money. You could very well spend your money on something that doesn't work, or falls apart after a couple of uses. This cheap tripod could end up being a most expensive one.

The 3 selections you've linked to are to a no name brand...I wouldn't touch them with a ten foot pole.
Your better off saving a little longer and buying a good name brand tripod.

You asked...this is my opinion.

[DocFrankenstein]

I wouldn't touch them either. A leg will fall apart or the head will give creep.

If you want to fit in the budget, then shop around on local garage sales. You'll be able to pick up an old monster for pennies, maybe even a modern manfrotto or something similar.

That tripod for 85+30 is way too expensive for a non brand

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

Or better this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=333974&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

Good luck

[Neon01]

Thanks, I like the Slik Sprint Pro, but will 4.4 lbs capacity be enough? I have a 350D and plan on using nothing larger than a Canon 70-200 F/4L. I know the camera weighs about 1 lb, 1 oz. Just want to make sure this will be ok for everything i will need (maybe a flash someday too?).

[Neon01]

NM, just bought the slik sprint pro DocFrank prescribed. $90 shipped - seems like a decent deal. Hope it'll be a good decision.

Thanks for all the help.

[Mitcon]

It's a hard call sometimes, you can get some fantastic no name tripods but you need to be able to see them in person to be able to check the build quality. I wouldn't be too sure of a unit off Ebay unless I could see it in person or knew someone who already had one. Some of these out of China are perfect, but some are just junk too.

You should be happy with the Slik Sprint though, I have one of those and it's not a bad little unit. The wife now uses it mostly as I prefer a heavier tripod but I've not had any problems with it.

[DocFrankenstein]

Thanks, I like the Slik Sprint Pro, but will 4.4 lbs capacity be enough? I have a 350D and plan on using nothing larger than a Canon 70-200 F/4L. I know the camera weighs about 1 lb, 1 oz. Just want to make sure this will be ok for everything i will need (maybe a flash someday too?).
If it's not windy and you're using mirror lockup and cable release, then this tripod will function as it's supposed to. But if it's windy, or if you extend the center column, or if you use the 70-200 f/4 without the tripod ring then you'll get blurred images due to camera shake.

But for occasional use it's all good.

[Neon01]

If it's not windy and you're using mirror lockup and cable release, then this tripod will function as it's supposed to. But if it's windy, or if you extend the center column, or if you use the 70-200 f/4 without the tripod ring then you'll get blurred images due to camera shake.

But for occasional use it's all good.

Wow, that sounds like an awful lot of stipulations. :( First off I don't use cable release (don't have that equipment), but I do use the timer feature to avoid shaking the camera as I take the picture. I'm not sure what mirror lockup is, so no chance on that one. But for all the money (as far as I'm concerned $90 is still a decent amount of money for 4 telescoping metal bars joined at the center) I would really hope that I could at least use this thing without camera shake. :mad:

Can a long(ish) lens like the 70-200 F4L not be used without its optional tripod mount?

Most shooting will be performed with an EF-S 17-85mm 4-5.6 USM IS II lens mounted to the 350D. Hopefull this thing will be solid enough to even use the center column.

[sonnyJ]

just got the manfrotto 728b for a bit over $100. Has 3 way quick release head. Head is not removable. comes with carry case. Collapses to fairly small length. Has good weight capacity.
I have used it for spotting scope, Minolta maxxum 5 with 20-300 lens. Tripod is a bit heavy for birding but stable and compact

[Mitcon]

There are a couple of things you can do to help your images when using a tripod. Mirror lock-up is great and you can use it on your 350D/XT. Look in your manual on p150, read the section on custom function #7. When you select "Enable" and you set the 10sec timer mode on your camera the mirror will lock-up out of the way before the shutter fires/opens. The 10sec timer doesn't give you a 10second wait till shutter fire with the mirror lock-up enabled though I think it goes to a 2 sec time and then hutter will open.

With shorter focal lengths it's not really that important to use this but it does help a bit still. The other thing you can do is when using a tripod if there is a bit of wind or any other reason the tripod isn't rock-solid you can rest your left hand on the top of your lens right above the tripod collar/mount to help. Don't use any force or put your hand near the front of the lens or you will induce shake.

I would not use any lens that is heavier than the camera without the tripod collar/tripod mount.

[malla1962]

Go get yourself a manfrotto.:D

[Neon01]

Actually I canceled the order on the Slik thinking it might not be enough for a DXT with 70-200 f4/L (which I just bought). Went with the Bogen/Manfrotto 718B from B&H. It came with a free pack (I needed a case too) and I got the whole deal shipped for just over $100.

[Neon01]

There are a couple of things you can do to help your images when using a tripod. Mirror lock-up is great and you can use it on your 350D/XT. Look in your manual on p150, read the section on custom function #7. When you select "Enable" and you set the 10sec timer mode on your camera the mirror will lock-up out of the way before the shutter fires/opens. The 10sec timer doesn't give you a 10second wait till shutter fire with the mirror lock-up enabled though I think it goes to a 2 sec time and then hutter will open.

With shorter focal lengths it's not really that important to use this but it does help a bit still. The other thing you can do is when using a tripod if there is a bit of wind or any other reason the tripod isn't rock-solid you can rest your left hand on the top of your lens right above the tripod collar/mount to help. Don't use any force or put your hand near the front of the lens or you will induce shake.

I would not use any lens that is heavier than the camera without the tripod collar/tripod mount.

Thanks for the help! A couple follow-up questions:

With mirror lockup mode, it only functions if you've selected timed-shot mode correct? So I could leave it on mirror lockup and have the camera function normally when not using timer-mode? Also, if the mirror flips up and locks before the shot, do I really need to put the viewfinder cover on to avoid light coming in that way? This is what the manual recommends you do if you're shooting in timed mode with your face away from the viewfinder to avoid contamination of the sensor.

[DocFrankenstein]

Hopefull this thing will be solid enough to even use the center column.
You can use it, but it's gonna shake. Heck... even my 400$ gitzo shakes a bit when I extend it for more than a few inches.