Help on deciding on a tripod

I'm sorry so sorry if if this was asked before, but I'm in the point of upgrading to a nicer and better tripod, hate to say it I always buy the cheap tripods on sale in bb every year which never lasted a year lol, I casually use it it for portraits and landscape, now I want to go into long exposures and more serious macro photog.
Don't have a big budget so I'm torn between 3 brands.
The manfrotto mk294a3 with the photo video head, the benro a0580f and a bh0 head and the vanguard Espod plus 233cb. If anyone has experience with this tripods can you possibly help me in deciding. Thanks

First, don't buy from Best Buy. They do not have good tripods. Find a good local camera store or read the many, many threads on this forum about tripods and mail order from B&H or Adorama. Do your homework before ordering.

Second, don't get a "photo/video" head. Get a good ball head with an Arca Swiss type quick release. Be prepared to spend about $150 for the head.

Next, be prepared to spend about $100-$150 for the legs alone.

I know this looks like a lot of money but you will only need to do it once, not annually, and you will find out what a tripod is supposed to be. You already know about the dangers of bargain buying tripods. Don't make the same mistake again at a slightly more expensive level. If you must save money, look for reputable used tripods.

Manfrotto is a good start as is Benro but not the models you listed. I would not get Vanguard. I would start with Manfrotto 055PROB legs.

On a budget, Sirui has a good reputation. Also, many love their Feisol tripods. I had a Manfrotto (Bogen, it was that old) aluminum 3221 that was good but nowhere close to a good modern Carbon Fiber tripod. Plenty like Benro/Induro too.

The Sirui ballhead does well in this test: http://www.dpreview.co​m …ans-top-ball-heads-tested

How much have you spent so far on tripods that have gone into the trash?

What is your budget?

Don't bother with the Benro 0 series legs. I don't know about the other 2.

Personally, I always recommend spending more on your tripod and head. They will last longer than the rest of your gear combined if you get a good one, and it is critical to get it right the first time to avoid all the buy/sell/lose money shenanigans.

First figure out what you want from it. Do you intend to carry it around a lot? If so, you will probably want something light. If not, weight won't matter, and you can save money in that category. You will also want to get one that will go to your eye level without needing to bend down as that is annoying. But it should also be able to go very low for those low-angle shots. Twist locks or lever? I prefer twist. Do you need a centre column that can go horizontal? etc...

Once you've figured all that out, then you will have narrowed down your choices immensely.

Since you mention landscape, I guess that you will be carrying it around. Weight does therefore matter. Something carbon fibre will save weight. I suggest nothing lower end than the Benro 2 series CF tripods. They can be had with the B1 head for around $350, which is already on the very low end of things. Look for the C2680TB1 or C2690tb1 (1 extra leg section, folds smaller but slightly less stability due to thinner last section), those are both very good price/quality.

If you can afford more, I recommend Feisol. I've been using their 3441T for a few years now and it has stood up to quite a bit of abuse. Pair it with whatever head you want (arca swiss-compatible is recommended, something from Photoclam, Induro, Sirui, Triopo, or Horusbennu is good for those on a budget).

Still have more money to spend? Skip Gitzo, and go for RRS.

Thanks guys my budget is around 150 max on both head and legs.

angelIV wrote in post #16705805
Thanks guys my budget is around 150 max on both head and legs.

Is that budget a financial limitation or just you not wanting to spend more because its "just a tripod"?

It's actually more financial.

angelIV wrote in post #16705827
It's actually more financial.

Ah. That is unfortunate.

I would suggest looking for used tripods then. You may have to forget about carbon fibre, and stick with aluminium/magnesium. This will allow you to look at higher end tripods while keeping the cost down.

I think you'll find the Manfrotto 190xprob to be a good choice, it should be fairly common on the 2nd hand market and well within your budget. It will also be much sturdier than at least the Benro you listed originally. There's also the 055xprob which is taller and a bit beefier, though I'm not sure how much that goes for used, and it is getting a bit on the heavy side for a landscape tripod if hiking is involved. These two often come bundled with the 496rc2 or 498rc2 heads which aren't the best, but are affordable and aren't completely useless either.

edit: The 190xprob with 496rc2 head goes for $190 new on B&H at the moment. The legs are $110, which means you could add a Triopo head which, from what I hear, is better than either of the Manfrotto heads I've mentioned and still stay close to your budget.

Thank you.

The Manfrotto I90/055 suggestion is a reasonable one. But DON'T waste money on the standard ballheads, save up and buy something better. I'm not picking on Manfrotto particularly as 99% of all "normal" ball heads are rubbish.

Even if you go for a "fitted as standard" ballhead due to cost considerations now, plan to buy a better head (like RSA or Markins to name just two) when finances allow.

Dear angel,

Definitely consider a used tripod. In the past week I have seen Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod legs on sale either here on the sell board or on another photography website for sale for $ 100.00 or less several times. The unfortunate thing is you have to be quick because $ 90.00 to $ 100.00 for those legs in good or better condition is the market price.

You can buy a usuable ballhead with an Arca-Swiss quick release clamp for $ 60.00 to $ 75.00. The ball head will work, it will hold your gear, and it will last for a casual shooter. Look at a Smith-Victor BH8, the Flashpoint ball heads at Adorama Camera, some of the Horrus Bennu heads on ebay or possibly a deal on the for sale boards.

You don't need a carbon fiber tripod and you don't need a Markins ball head to take photographs. If you want them that is certainly your business but tens or millions of good photographs have been taken with tripods that many people people today consider to be back breaking heavy.

If you honestly think there is a noticable difference between schlepping 7 pounds of tripod and camera vs. 9 pounds of camera and gear then maybe you should hold off buying until you can afford to spend 3 to 5 times more money for your tripod? If two pounds isn't worth hundreds of dollars to you get a set of used Manfrotto 055XPROB legs and go take some pictures.

Regards,

Tim Murphy

Thank you guys, I have been looking for pre owned legs, found a manfrotto 3221wn, researching if it's ok.

check out the MeFoto tripods too...they're new & they've got rave reviews online. Arca-Swiss clamp too. $200 for the biggest one....aside from carbon fiber

I have been looking for a tripod for a while now, and I tried a bestbuy one (that I used for 1 day and took it back) and an oben 1410 (there is a newer version now) the, oben was not bad but you could definitely tell it was a very cheap 120 buck tripod. So now I am looking for something in the 300 or so buck range (to me that seem's like alot, but as everyone here will tell you that is about the lowest end of the usable tripods), so if you are stuck at under 150 bucks I would suggest buying just legs and seeing if one of your garbage best buy heads will fit while you save for a decent head.

there is this on the site here. far too heavy for me but you didn't specify a price and people seem to love this pod.
https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1361728