Tripods...what am I missing here?

Hello...I am relatively new to photography. I see there are many threads focused on tripods. When I am shopping online, I see that there is a huge price range...$20 up to a few hundred dollars!

What am I missing? Isn't a tripod just a way to steady a camera hands-free??

What makes the $$$$ tripods so incredible?

Longevity, ability to reduce shake (stability), features, weight, etc.

Go to a store and see the difference.

Do you drive a kia?

No, do you?

Texas_Diver wrote:
No, do you?

ROFL, great quote.

What he means is that there are plenty of different cars out there, some cheap some ultra-expensive. You get what you pay for.

Carbon Fibre tripods for example will set you back quite a bit. They are sturdy, and ultra-light weight.
Have a read through the forums, there's a great sticky on choosing the right tripod around here somewhere.

Thanks, Adam! I'll take a look at the sticky thread.

Different people have different needs when it comes to tripods. At the most basic level, yes, a tripod needs only to serve as a way to steady a camera. However, a plastic tripod that works fine for a small point and shoot camera won't work for a 12lb+ pro dslr setup. Also, tripods that feature very sturdy construction and lighter, more exotic materials generally cost more. There is usually a big price difference between plastic, aluminum, and carbon fiber tripods. Furthermore, different brands will command different price ranges - a carbon fiber tripod made in Italy would probably cost more than it's China-made counterpart.

Texas Diver:

Fellow Texan here. You don't have to spend a lot, but if you are even thinking about one and are going inexpensive, then I would do as was suggested: go to a store.

This particularly important because of the weight of your camera, and the lens attached to it. I bought a $50 cheapy Sunpak and used it three times with my gear before deciding to get a better one ($120 for a Manfrotto).

I then got cheap again and put on a very minimal cheap ballhead to go on the tripod (again, Manfrotto) for about $40. Guess what? It couldn't hold the weight of my camera and heaviest lens reliably. So, I went and spent a further $95 on a good tripod head (yet again, Manfrotto).

I am not saying your experience will be like mine, but everytime I go cheap, I end up paying more.

I got a Dynatran tripod from Amvona on Ebay for under $100, complete with ball head. It's very heavy and sturdy. I use it for weddings.

Thanks, Rumstation, dmstration and Liza!

Rumstation!

Texas_Diver - what sort of camera equipment do you have that you would put on a tripod? Knowing that can help us give you some serious recommendations.

Some folks, of course, buy the most expensive stuff out there. I, for one, try to find the most value in products like tripods, lighting equipment, etc. That doesn't mean that I go out to X-Mart to find the least expensive stuff, though.

Rumjungle wrote:
Rumstation!

Ooops...Rumjungle!

Giggle...

The Digital Rebel w/ the kit lens is all for now!

http://www.bythom.com/​support.htm

Here is another article that I found very useful ! I was going down the road of buy it cheap/inexpensive but after reading alot on the web/this article and the sticky in this forum, I decided to get a better one that will last me for a very long time. In addition, I tried several at a local store which was very helpful.. Good luck in your search

After using a cheap tripod for sme time I eventually upgraded to a Manfrotto. Not the most expensive mind. I put a ball head on there and it rocks, litterally solid as a rock! I would say however don't buy the tripod with you current gear in mind, think 12/24 months ahead....a good tripod will last a long time and need to support any future gear (and believe me that adds up quite quickly)!