Yay! Another tripod HELP question!

Greetings folks,

I am the proud papa of a brand new XSi w/ 18-55 IS kit lens. I am hoping to do some night/low light shooting and have found a new interest in trying some panoramic shots with the software included with the camera.

So, this brings to me a tripod. I have read the sticky and am overwhelmed with numbers and information!

I am a new/amateur photographer. I may upgrade to a 70-300 lens at some point making the weight of my camera from 23.9oz/675g (current) or up to 39oz/1105g with the future lens.

I do a fair amount of hiking and already have a Lowepro bag without the tripod mount, but I think I can make something up so a bag is not a concern.

Again my interest with this tripod lies in panoramic shots (stitching), low light/night shooting and wild life photography.

I would love to keep the price at or under $100 if possible!

Sorry for asking a question that has been asked a 100 times. I am confident someone here can point me in the right direction!

Thanks in advance!

Ouch, under $100 for something decent IMO is next to impossible to do. If you want to start doing night shots like stars and stuff youre going to want something that is at least moderately stable as with those timed exposures depending on how long they are vibrations will affect the quality of your images.

Try this LINKand sort them from Price: Low to High.

You can get a decent tripod...

You normally need to make your choice of two of these three factors in a tripod: Light - Sturdy - Inexpensive. You cannot usually have all three.

However, an older set of Manfrotto 3001 or even better 3001P legs is reasonably light - reasonably sturdy and is usually quite inexpensive purchased on the used market. I have used a tripod like this for years and have no great complaints. It is not a tall tripod but might suit your purposes.

Additionally, you can sometimes find a Manfrotto 486RC2 or 488RC2 ball head on the used market at a reasonable price.

Don't however get a tripod with a pan head which is usually used for video. Additionally, don't get a tripod which has supports from the center post of the pod to the legs, You cannot spread out the legs efficiently with this type of support attached. Additionally, don't plan to use the canter post of a tripod to elevate your camera very high. It is just not a stable way to work. Speaking about center posts; I like a center post which can be reversed to hold the camera below the apex of the tripod. This is a neat way to achieve low shots.

You don't need a tripod bag or an attachment for your camera bag. A strap for the tripod works just fine. They are available very inexpensively on eBay or you can just buy about a yard and a half of one inch nylon strap and make a loop at each end to carry the pod.

Thanks for the replies. The link to the B&H website was helpful. I think I will be able to choose a tripod from that selection.

The last thing I would like advice on is what type/style of head to purchase with it. Again night/low light shooting and panoramas are my target. Is a pan head to bulky/awkward? Will a ball mount suffice or will the vertical adjustment go out when I adjust it horizontally?

How about this?

http://blacksburg.crai​gslist.org/pho/7978664​79.html

or these:

http://www.amazon.com …oto&qid=1219952​497&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com …oto&qid=1219952​497&sr=1-3