Looking for a Tripod & Ball on a budget

Like the title says

1. Stable with a 60d & 70-200
2. Portable
3. Versatile
4. $250-300

Thanks

So, how about $300-400.

Looking at your gear this is the cheapest tripod that I would recommend:
http://www.feisol.net …od-ct3342-rapid-p-30.html
If you go cheaper then you will probably end up upgrading in a year or two.
A Sirui K30X ball head would probably do nicely on top giving you a setup that you will not be getting rid of for quite a while.
There may be other options but I have not used them personally so I would not comment on them.
Sorry it's bit over budget - but that's life!

obtaining a used in very good shape markins Q20 or rrs bh30 for appx $190-225 can be found in the buy\sell forums here ........buying a used midrange quality bh will save you from "buying twice" early on once you find that cheapo bh is junk.. induro legs are respected as an excellent product... metal 213 supports 22# can be had new for 143. http://www.indurogear.​com …s-8m-tripods-at213.aspx#3

what you want to guard against is buying as cheap\less than first time around because w\I 1yr you'll be doing it again.....its cheaper to buy the used midrange rrs or markins as a first priority because it'll do you thorough any leg upgrade you'll eventually want to make ...as long as youre lens lineup doesn't exceed heavy weight....kind of reasoning....good luck,

Good point Craig!
I should have mentioned used gear - especially as I have a nice tripod for sale! Pity I don't live closer to the OP.

http://www.holgacamera​.com …-carbon-fiber-tripod-kit/
This should do the trick. It's a great set of legs on a budget.

You will get what you pay for.

Heya,

Benro A2970F
Sirui K-40X

The ballhead is end-game easily, for life. The tripod is pretty much excellent for now. And if you need different features or more stability or less weight later, you can spend $400+ to get a real upgrade. But that tripod is super versatile, light weight, and really tall, while being very strong and stable. It handles my 600mm with grip setup like it's a feather. That tripod has the ability to take the center column and go horizontal with it for very creative uses. It also allows the tripod to drop to the ground for near-the-ground shots. Again, very versatile (yet still very sturdy).

Very best,

MalVeauX wrote in post #17254759
Heya,

Benro A2970F
Sirui K-40X

The ballhead is end-game easily, for life. The tripod is pretty much excellent for now. And if you need different features or more stability or less weight later, you can spend $400+ to get a real upgrade. But that tripod is super versatile, light weight, and really tall, while being very strong and stable. It handles my 600mm with grip setup like it's a feather. That tripod has the ability to take the center column and go horizontal with it for very creative uses. It also allows the tripod to drop to the ground for near-the-ground shots. Again, very versatile (yet still very sturdy).

Very best,

Not familiar with the tripod but I am very familiar (and happy) with the k40x head. Much as I like my k40x it is, I think, a bit of overkill for the OP. Currently my longest/heaviest lens is the Canon 800 F5.6 L IS and the k40x handles it quite happily - so yes it is superb head!
However it is a bit of a lump! Few of us use very large lenses with ball heads so I thought the k30x would be a better solution. I am sure the k20x would be far more than adequate but the k30x offers a bit more insurance without being too heavy.
I am sure the OP would be delighted with the performance of the k40x but, perhaps, not quite so happy ith the weight.

David Hobby (aka Strobist) has a good column on tripods HERE.

I have a Sirui K-40X and it's a solid beast. For the money I don't think you can beat it. It compares very favorably with my Really Right Stuff BH-40 which costs 2.5 times as much.

The Sirui stays in my car and is paired with a Manfrotto 190x with aluminum legs. I picked up the Sirui new for around $150 and the 190x used on Craigslist for $75. I keep them in the car so I always have a tripod handy, and for that price, I don't worry as much about theft.

Consider buying quality used gear if you can. With lots of folks upgrading to carbon fiber, some excellent aluminum tripods are being sold.

johnf3f wrote in post #17254891
Not familiar with the tripod but I am very familiar (and happy) with the k40x head. Much as I like my k40x it is, I think, a bit of overkill for the OP. Currently my longest/heaviest lens is the Canon 800 F5.6 L IS and the k40x handles it quite happily - so yes it is superb head!
However it is a bit of a lump! Few of us use very large lenses with ball heads so I thought the k30x would be a better solution. I am sure the k20x would be far more than adequate but the k30x offers a bit more insurance without being too heavy.
I am sure the OP would be delighted with the performance of the k40x but, perhaps, not quite so happy ith the weight.

Heya,

Yea, I get what you're saying, but a good ballhead for life will end this fellow's quest forever. The 30x is only $20 cheaper. So I went for the bigger one at the 40x to literally make it truly end game. OP could get away with a $40 Fancier and be totally fine. K40x however is again a suggestion for the "forever, for life" approach. Another alternative that is a diamond in the rough is the old name Smith Victor BH8. Big, heavy, durable ballhead, arca style, and only $60.

That Benro is a completely versatile travel tripod for budget/entry. It's very sturdy, great locking mechanisms for the legs and the extentions. Thick and big, and it goes very tall. Handles my 600mm with TC and gripped SLR behind it like it's not there. Holds my much heavier macro setup laterally with a counter weight nicely too. Very surprised by this tripod. All aluminum. Yet not that heavy. And can strap to a bag/backpack. Someone here on this forum recommended it as a light, budget friendly tripod and I gave it a whirl, and frankly now use it for everything these days. Blew me away for $150.

Here's an example of mine in use for a sunset at the coast where I live in one of it's many funky poses it takes on with that versatile lateral center column:

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/pEb4​6e

MalVeauX wrote in post #17254988
Heya,

Yea, I get what you're saying, but a good ballhead for life will end this fellow's quest forever. The 30x is only $20 cheaper. So I went for the bigger one at the 40x to literally make it truly end game. OP could get away with a $40 Fancier and be totally fine. K40x however is again a suggestion for the "forever, for life" approach. Another alternative that is a diamond in the rough is the old name Smith Victor BH8. Big, heavy, durable ballhead, arca style, and only $60.

That Benro is a completely versatile travel tripod for budget/entry. It's very sturdy, great locking mechanisms for the legs and the extentions. Thick and big, and it goes very tall. Handles my 600mm with TC and gripped SLR behind it like it's not there. Holds my much heavier macro setup laterally with a counter weight nicely too. Very surprised by this tripod. All aluminum. Yet not that heavy. And can strap to a bag/backpack. Someone here on this forum recommended it as a light, budget friendly tripod and I gave it a whirl, and frankly now use it for everything these days. Blew me away for $150.

Here's an example of mine in use for a sunset at the coast where I live in one of it's many funky poses it takes on with that versatile lateral center column:

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/pEb4​6e DPP_1931 by Mwise1023, on Flickr

Above is the Benro 2970 and the Smith Victor BH8 ballhead.

Very best,

Looks like a nice setup! Unfortunately we don't really see much of the Benro products in the UK so I couldn't comment.
I totally agree with you about the Sirui K40X, but it is a bit heavy when it comes to mobility. I am not afraid of carrying heavy gear, my wildlife setup is 50lbs - but I am NOT climbing mountains with that lot on my back! Walked a few miles with it today.
Where I live (in South Wales) I tend to find that the best landscapes (and we have some wonderful ones) involve a fair bit of walking - hence my concern about weight. If this is not too important to the OP then the K40X is hard to beat at a sensible price.
As I said before I am VERY happy with mine!

I hear ya.

Hrm. The K40x is actually lighter weight than my BH8 by 0.1lb. All together my A2970 & BH8 is a 6lb setup. So it's light enough that I don't notice it when I hike the swamp or hit the coast. I too do a lot of walking.

50lbs is quite a different story. I go way lighter than that, and I carry two cameras with this setup, but probably lighter lenses or fewer lenses.

Very best,

MalVeauX wrote in post #17255054
I hear ya.

Hrm. The K40x is actually lighter weight than my BH8 by 0.1lb. All together my A2970 & BH8 is a 6lb setup. So it's light enough that I don't notice it when I hike the swamp or hit the coast. I too do a lot of walking.

50lbs is quite a different story. I go way lighter than that, and I carry two cameras with this setup, but probably lighter lenses or fewer lenses.

Very best,

That setup I mentioned is 1 camera + 2 lenses with the bare necessities to run them. The trouble is that the camera is heavy (1.5 kilos) and the lenses are 300 F2.8 and 800 F5.6. So the bare necessities (Tripod, gimbal head, big backpack etc...etc) add a lot to the weight.
Of course, as you have already noticed, I am British! So naturally there is a nice big flask of TEA as well - not going anywhere without that!
All the best: John.

johnf3f wrote in post #17255096
That setup I mentioned is 1 camera + 2 lenses with the bare necessities to run them. The trouble is that the camera is heavy (1.5 kilos) and the lenses are 300 F2.8 and 800 F5.6. So the bare necessities (Tripod, gimbal head, big backpack etc...etc) add a lot to the weight.
Of course, as you have already noticed, I am British! So naturally there is a nice big flask of TEA as well - not going anywhere without that!
All the best: John.

Yea that beasty 800 F5.6 weighs a ton, with that 300 F2.8 along side it. Quite the hiking pack!

Very best,