Tripod recommendation

Looking for my first decent tripod. I have a budget of around $250. Would like to have something I can grow into with my photography for the next 5 years. No macro shooting, more for portraits, landscapes and night time shots.

DanFrank wrote in post #14775385
Looking for my first decent tripod. I have a budget of around $250. Would like to have something I can grow into with my photography for the next 5 years. No macro shooting, more for portraits, landscapes and night time shots.

250 for legs? or legs and heads?

for both

Look around for a Manfrotto 055x and a 498rc2 head, I sold mine for about that and it was like new

055xprob $100 used, if no macro, 055xb or 055xdb
498/488, $70-80 used or vanguard SBH-xxx (I don't have experience with them, but it has great reputation)
arca-style clamp if you buy manfrotto's ballhead, $50
$100 for L-bracket then, you all done.
Actually I once try to sell my 055xdb +486rc2 at $120, but gifted it to my friend. I mean you can find very good solution with 250 bucks.
As you're doing a lot of portrait, I strongly suggest you to go arca-style.

Right here: LINK

Went to local shop today and feel very comfortable with the Manfrotto 550proB. I didn't care for the Manfrotto heads though. Seemed stiff. I liked the vanguard GH100 pistol grip the best. Any thoughts? Will the of a FF camera and 70- 200 II down the road be a weight issue?

DanFrank wrote in post #14778323
Went to local shop today and feel very comfortable with the Manfrotto 550proB. I didn't care for the Manfrotto heads though. Seemed stiff. I liked the vanguard GH100 pistol grip the best. Any thoughts? Will the of a FF camera and 70- 200 II down the road be a weight issue?

If you have that setup in mind, do yourself a favor and get a Markins or RRS or Arca-Swiss head now.

I'm sorry, I don't know the difference. Why, will I eventually want/need one of those? What's the difference between the Vanguard pistol grip head and the ones you mentioned?

Thrs why we all ask questions, because people have had to make the same choices. I'd rather buy the proper setup now rather than later.

DanFrank wrote in post #14778746
I'm sorry, I don't know the difference. Why, will I eventually want/need one of those? What's the difference between the Vanguard pistol grip head and the ones you mentioned?

What is the difference between a 55-250 and your 70-200? What is the difference between a 550D and your 7D?
Night and day, pretty much.

Then you may want to save up more
The 055xprob is fine if you're going to be leaving it at home or putting it in the boot of your car and drive around, but if you plan on doing any activity with it, such as hiking, forget it, and spend more on a better, lighter, set of legs such as a Feisol or Benro, or even a Gitzo or RSS if you have the money (which not many do).
The head matters more even than the legs, a low quality one will, from the start or eventually, exhibit droop, sag, slip or all three of those. A good quality head will lock your camera where you set it, and not budge. That is the difference between a good experience using a tripod, and frustration at having to reframe your shot every time, or having a ruined long exposure because the head moved.

OK, so basically its just quality than of the head and lighter strong legs that im paying more for. I can understand that. I thought it was more of a feather with the ones Ben_R suggested that the Manfrotto and vanguard didn't have.

After looking around at the suggested brands, I think $500-$700 is a bit steep for someone learning. Id go up to $350 but all this money is taking away from a lenses or another something I might want later on.

ben_r_ wrote in post #14778705
If you have that setup in mind, do yourself a favor and get a Markins or RRS or Arca-Swiss head now.

Very much consider what he is saying!

I just recently watched a B&H presenter and he said:
- You'll buy your first tripod, and you'll leave it at home in the closet.
- You'll buy your second tripod, and you'll leave it at home in the closet.
- You'll buy your third tripod and you'll finally figure out that you need a sturdy but light tripod that you want to take with you everywhere and you'll actually use that one.

That's basically my sentiment exactly. Find one with the right weight and price and then save up for it. Otherwise the other two tripods will be a "noob tax".

That said, if you want to venture towards a Sirui aluminum tripod (like a T1004x) and G20 ballhead, it would fit your current needs. Could be had around $250 which is what I'm using for a 50D and a 70-200 F4 IS. But I don't hike a ton and money hasn't appeared in my lap for a heavier camera/nicer lenses.

Heh, I'm currently on my third tripod. But for different reasons to the B&H presenter.

Wanting something larger and sturdier than my ultraportable Slik CF tripod, but something smaller than my massive studio tripod that weighs 10kg+.

Was looking at the 'Frot 055s, but the quality issues i keep seeing pop up worry me slightly. Starting to think more about a Benro or Sirui or something similar. Budget is roughly the same.

055XPROB has been out tanding for me and I use it A LOT. Great value for the money.

My 10 history of tripods/heads as follows:
11 years ago Manfrotto with pan/tilt fluid head.
5 years ago put a Manfrotto 498RC2 (equiv back then)
Replaced the head with a RRS MH40 with a standard plate, then L Plates
Replaced old Manf legs with 055XPROB because I wanted a tilt column and the ability to get low to the ground.

The single most important - nicest - "worth going the extra $" piece of the gear, hands down, is the ARCA SWISS style quick release.

The RC2 can't hold a candle to it, period.