tripod for 350 with batt grip and heavy lense.....

my elcheapo sunpak is maxed out with my batt grip and new tam 28-75 lense......want to go ahead and buy a good tripod and be done with it, as ive been shooting more and more lately from a tripod....which one do i want to buy ?? no idea where to start....thanks in advance....

An excellent tripod that wouldn't break the bank is the Manfrotto 3021 series.

Before you go out to purchase a tripod, you need to look at what you are doing with it and what is your budget. Is it only at home or on short trips? If so, you can probably get away with $150-$200 for tripod & head. Do you use it on long hikes and need something light? If that's the case, you can easily spend 3-4 times that or more. Do you need low to the ground capability? What camera do you have and how much weight will you need to carry on it?

Check out this sticky: http://www.photography​-on-the.net …highlight=choos​ing+tripod

Good luck

Im not really sure why somebody would spend so much on a tripod. I just picked up a Sunpak 5800 for $28. It extends 59" and is adjustable in every way. It can be locked in all directions, comes with a nice head and two quick release bases, and even has levels.

DriftinS14 wrote in post #2458352
Im not really sure why somebody would spend so much on a tripod. I just picked up a Sunpak 5800 for $28. It extends 59" and is adjustable in every way. It can be locked in all directions, comes with a nice head and two quick release bases, and even has levels.

I bet you think the 18-55 kit lens is on par with an L lens too eh?

Seriously, you can argue that the top end tripods are over priced, but their quality over el-cheapo plastic "heck I can sell these for $28" tripods is very apparent. That said, if your $28 tripod fulfils your needs then to hell with all those $200 tripods.

DriftinS14 wrote in post #2458352
Im not really sure why somebody would spend so much on a tripod.

The main cost is finding a tripod that's BOTH Stable and Light. Cheap tripods can only be one of the above, never both.

For example, the tripod I use my SLRs on is stable enough (I've even used a 300 2.8 on it), but it sure ain't light. It's a pain to lug around all day, which is why I bought a monopod as an interim upgrade.

I have two tripods one was expensive the other was very expensive! The very expensive one is also very big and heavy, occasionally when I don’t want to lug it around I take the lighter one and invariably when it comes to taking the pictures I wish I had brought the heavy one.

You can not get images like THIS with a light cheap tripod.

DriftinS14 wrote in post #2458352
Im not really sure why somebody would spend so much on a tripod. I just picked up a Sunpak 5800 for $28. It extends 59" and is adjustable in every way. It can be locked in all directions, comes with a nice head and two quick release bases, and even has levels.

I have that tripod. I can't wait to get rid of it. The legs are so thin and flimsy and the head doesn't like to stay put with a big lens on.

From the cheap but stable series, what about Velbon CX?

There is little reason to go straight to the top of the price range, but get a nice one with a strong weight rated head. if it is rated for 10 or less pounds, skip it.

Check out dynatran tripods on ebay, they are good for around 100.00 and you can upgrade the head when you get into monster 30 pound lenses.

I have 3 tripods. I have a super light portable one, a super heavy studio one, and a middle one that mixes rock hard strength with portability.... as said above, consider your uses carefully. the bogen 3021 is highly recommended on forums, and my friend loves his, but i wasnt particularly impressed.

My tripod recommendation for general purpose use is the Bogen/Manfrotto 3021BPro (known as the 055ProB outside the U.S.) topped off with the Bogen/Manfrotto 488RC2 ball head.

This is a very sturdy combination with enough height for most folks.

It is an extremely versatile tripod/head combination, with many ways to support a camera. You can put a camera over a short wall, directly above a table pointing down, inches above the ground, etc.

The 488RC2 ball head has a feature that should not be ignored. That is the separate release for "panning". You can loosen the lever and rotate the camera horizontally without releasing the ball. This is great for scenic panoramic shots.

Here’s the combination at B&H: 3021BPro/488RC2

DriftinS14 wrote in post #2458352
Im not really sure why somebody would spend so much on a tripod. I just picked up a Sunpak 5800 for $28. It extends 59" and is adjustable in every way. It can be locked in all directions, comes with a nice head and two quick release bases, and even has levels.

You get what you pay for. As you get/use better equipment/tools you begin to realize that more and more. There's a huge difference when working on a car between using cheap tools and using really good tools or using tools "that will do" or using the right tool for the job. This same thing translates into any arena including photography.

SkipD wrote in post #2458774
Here’s the combination at B&H: 3021BPro/488RC2

Re my post above that is the less expensive of the two that I use, the really sturdy one is a Benbo 2 which you can see in this link, it will give you an idea of it's size

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=38831

Here is the B&H Link http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …&O=productlist&​sku=247269

tx guys....anybody else??

man i sure love how they keep moving my posts .....good grief....