Best Tripod for $50-100?

Can anyone recommend anything? I currently have an old Velbon DF-40 tripod that is basic and not quite sturdy enough for my equipment these days.

hehehehehe, some or most people starting with this tripod then upgrade immediately, this company should produce new economic tripods but good enough quality.

I think you should look into Manfrotto tripods, there are many you can choose of, if you want something good but so cheap then look at Manfrotto 190XPROB models with head like 488RC2, if you can add little more bucks then go with 055XPROB+488RC2, there are another heads can be cheaper maybe, for example i have 804RC2.

Good luck.

DDWD10 wrote in post #6290004
Can anyone recommend anything? I currently have an old Velbon DF-40 tripod that is basic and not quite sturdy enough for my equipment these days.

Other than finding a lucky buy in the used-equipment market, it's my opinion that you will not find anything in the price range you have in the thread title worth using.

Increase your budget to the $150 to $300 (US) range and there will be a lot of worthwhile choices available to you.

If you cannot afford the budget increase for now, you could buy or make a bean bag or something like that which would give you a very solid base for your camera, though it would not be as versatile as a good tripod.

Dynatran by Amvona.....they have some really nice ones you can snag on eBay on the cheap.

My tripod/head setup is less than $100 and beefier than most $300 setups I've seen.

Hmm... I think I'll stick it out with my Velbon for a while longer and then maybe try some out at the Camera Exchange. I'm not ready to spend $100-300 on a tripod yet.

What I really need is a new computer! ANyone want my Mac mini G4?

http://www.amvona.com …ge&view=1&produ​ct_id=2647

this looks like the best bang for the buck. it holds 7.7 lbs.. and its just under 80dollars. within your budget. it will hold your set up.

shannyD wrote in post #6292885
http://www.amvona.com …ge&view=1&produ​ct_id=2647

this looks like the best bang for the buck. it holds 7.7 lbs.. and its just under 80dollars. within your budget. it will hold your set up.

Tempting... anywhere I can try it out before I buy it? Ritz, Camera Exchange, etc?

i have no clue.. i figure if you dont like it.. you can return it.?

i dont have many places around myself either to be able to try stuff out.

It sure had some great reviews on that site. I think I may go ahead and buy it Thanks for your help!

thank nw85887. he put it out there.. i just looked it up because im in the market for a new tripod. i purchased a manfrotto one a few weeks ago. and i do like it.. but i didnt realize my gear is almost too heavy for it. lol.

shannyD wrote in post #6292885
http://www.amvona.com …ge&view=1&produ​ct_id=2647

this looks like the best bang for the buck. it holds 7.7 lbs.. and its just under 80dollars. within your budget. it will hold your set up.

Just because a tripod is rated to "hold" 7.7 pounds (or whatever the weight rating is) does in no way mean that it will hold it in a steady fashion. All it means is that it won't collapse under the weight.

Before spending good money on a cheap tripod, it would really pay to physically test whatever you have in mind to purchase.

Mount your camera with the longest/heaviest lens you own on the tripod you want to test. Then, while looking through the viewfinder, rap on the end of the lens. Watch for how much movement there is and how long it takes to settle out to steady. Do this with different tripods and you will quickly learn that there are HUGE differences between the "cheapie" tripods and decent ones.

SkipD wrote in post #6293622
Just because a tripod is rated to "hold" 7.7 pounds (or whatever the weight rating is) does in no way mean that it will hold it in a steady fashion. All it means is that it won't collapse under the weight.

Before spending good money on a cheap tripod, it would really pay to physically test whatever you have in mind to purchase.

Mount your camera with the longest/heaviest lens you own on the tripod you want to test. Then, while looking through the viewfinder, rap on the end of the lens. Watch for how much movement there is and how long it takes to settle out to steady. Do this with different tripods and you will quickly learn that there are HUGE differences between the "cheapie" tripods and decent ones.

yeah you are right about that.. i totally forgot about that.

my bad.

I have found that for me to be satisfied with a tripod/head combination, it will more than likely be rated to "hold" about three times the actual weight of the equipment (or more) that I intend to put on it.

Under $100? Slik 790DX.

Some reviews and tips in the sticky:
-=FAQ=- Choosing a Tripod, How too and Reviews.

From that list, Benro or Feisol might fit the budget.
Other options (not all in budget): Slik, Amvona, Velbon El Carmagne, Manfrotto.

Although I agree with Skip that "you get what you pay for".