What did i get into? $$ to $pend

There is a long article on buying the right tripod, http://bythom.com/supp​ort.htm
Basically he's saying if you buy mediocre tripod and ballhead you'll end up replacing them with better stuff (more expensive), so in the long run you'll save money by buying the good stuff in the beginning.

I didn't see this article until I bought and returned two tripods, one no name tripod from Amazon for ~$100, the second one was SILK for ~$200. None of them was stable enough. After reading this article, I went for a Gitzo tripod and RRS ballhead, best decision ever.

A good tripod and ballhead might cost more than your current camera kit, but in the long term they will still prove adequate when your skills improve and camera upgraded. Think of it as a one time long term investment.

johnzzx wrote in post #14172885
There is a long article on buying the right tripod, http://bythom.com/supp​ort.htm
Basically he's saying if you buy mediocre tripod and ballhead you'll end up replacing them with better stuff (more expensive), so in the long run you'll save money by buying the good stuff in the beginning.

I didn't see this article until I bought and returned two tripods, one no name tripod from Amazon for ~$100, the second one was SILK for ~$200. None of them was stable enough. After reading this article, I went for a Gitzo tripod and RRS ballhead, best decision ever.

A good tripod and ballhead might cost more than your current camera kit, but in the long term they will still prove adequate when your skills improve and camera upgraded. Think of it as a one time long term investment.

Does make perfect sense! I won't skimp on the tripod! And thank you for the article.

I know I've been down the road described in this article http://bythom.com/supp​ort.htm, I suspect many here have been. Buy a good tripod and head, save yourself the hassle and expense of buying a few.

Don't skimp on the tripods! http://www.pixelatedim​age.com …ing-about-travel-tripods/

DrastiK wrote in post #14172136
This is what my basket contains (so far)...

[IMAGE TOO SMALL, NOT RENDERED INLINE]

How's that looking? I do also need some sort of lens cleaning kit.

And i am wondering if i should stray towards the quick release ball heads. Not quite sure if the Manfrotto 190x can acquire such.

Forget the Tiffen filter. It's junk, aimed at the consumer market that doesn't do its homework before buying. You really don't want to add cheap filter glass to a good lens. If you really think you have to have a UV filter (I think it's a questionable idea in the first place), get a good coated or multi-coated one (Hoya or B+W) that won't tend degrade your photos as much.

Just like the tripod, don't go cheap on something that's going to impact the images you capture.

Photography isn't a cheap hobby. Don't add to the cost by buying stuff that you will just end up replacing as soon as possible. Instead of buying everything at once, pace yourself and buy as you can afford better gear.

^ Agreed with the above. That filter is pure crap. You'd be better off with nothing than that. Everything else looks fine on the list though. The Manfrotto is a solid, basic tripod that gets the job done for a reasonable price. Depending on how much you use a tripod, it could very well last you a decade.