Do you regret your Tripod purchase?

Ok, sort of a different question targeted to those that have purchased a Tripod and spent over $500.

I'm going back and forth in my mind on the merits of spending over $500 for a tripod/head. Do I shoot a ton? No. Do I really enjoy the hobby? Yes. Do I see myself becoming progressively more and more interested in this? Yes.

Current setup is Canon 50d, 24-105, 10-22, and 85 1.8.

Anyone out there spend way more on a tripod than they ever thought they would? Now, after having the tripod, do you have any regrets? Honestly.

Thx,

Don

I didn't spend enough. Should have bought the carbon legs.

GilesGuthrie wrote in post #10032657
I didn't spend enough. Should have bought the carbon legs.

Exactly. I regret wasting time and money by starting with an "affordable" tripod that I was dissatisfied with instead of just spending the money up front to get the tripod I wanted and eventually ended up buying anyway.

I'm ok with the general use 'pod I have (Induro CF) but I should have anticipated eventual large lens purchases and gone with something more substantial in that regard.

Now I'm staring down the barrel of both a Wimberly and a sturdier tripod (probably a Gitzo 3-series...)

I spent $1000 on my Gitzo and have never had a single regret! Its been awesome. Now, my last tripod setup was a Bogen 055XPROB with 488RC2 head and when i bought that I was moderately happy with it until I played with a Gitzo and Markins head and then I realized how huge and heavy my Bogen setup was and the reget set in! Since Ive upgraded, nope, Ive been 100% pleased with it.

Good question.

I started with a $50 plastic tripod, then a $200 combo, Manfrotto and Bogen kit. Then my third (and final) is a Gitzo and RRS kit. I personal like the Gitzo but it cost a lot more than my previous tripod. I still use both, and just last weekend, my older tripod was used in a pinch when my friend didn't bring his.

As for regrets. The only thing I would say is it's a big investment but I figured things like tripod rarely change. I knew from using my older tripods for years what I wanted and saved up, plus I use my tripod about 50% of my shooting so it's getting used, but not as often as I like with the current weather.

I would recommend if you're unsure about buying a high end tripod (anything above $500), first stop by a local photo shop or photo meetup, and look at the various styles. See what gets you for X amount, then what gets you X+$100, X+$200, and so on. Then decide what features you really need, and how much they cost.

Once you figure out that you need carbon fiber legs, but not a center column, you can budget out and start to search for the ideal tripod. Buying used is a great idea, or buying a good name brand, as you can sell it down the line for less of a price loss.

While I like my Gitzo, I wouldn't recommend everyone buy one. They are expensive and not worth while if you don't spend the time using a tripod.

Good luck!

Great responses so far... please keep them coming. I've read a few threads on this site and dpreview.com debating the merits of spending alot on a tripod. It's very interesting. Opinions vary quite a bit.

Right now I've got two little ones (3 and 5 yr old) and most of my shots are just of my kids. I am also drawn to landscape, but at this point in life most of my "free-time" is chasing down my little munchkins. I love this hobby, though... and definitely see myself going out and doing nature/landscape more especially as the kids start to age and my time may (I said "may"!) increase.

Anyway, I'm guessing the more serious you are about the hobby and the more you shoot, the more likely you are to respond as most have so far.

This is really insightful, though... please continue!

BTW, a related question... how many bought a tripod (good one, >$400) and found out later that they really didn't use it that much. This would be rationale for having post-tripod purchase regret I suppose.

Barso23 wrote in post #10032927
BTW, a related question... how many bought a tripod (good one, >$400) and found out later that they really didn't use it that much. This would be rationale for having post-tripod purchase regret I suppose.

I don't use mine that much - but there are certain times when I really need it, and at those times I wouldn't want to be shooting on a cheap, spindly $50 tripod...so no purchase regret here. Mine will probably last forever, and I only had to buy it once.

Got a great deal on my tripod. It's a bit heavy but it'll be good for a long time.

I got a Gitzo GT2530 and a RRS BH-40 ballhead with a Pro II clamp. That setup cost me about $950 and I don't regret the purchase one bit. When I use the tripod, it's far better than the aluminum Slik that I got back in the 1980s.

I regretted spending $300 on my previous setup. No regrets on what I use, now.

Fesol 3442 + M10 + RRS Lever Clamp

Feisol 3442 with a Markins M3 head. Great combination for hiking and biggest plus is that I don't have to continually justify the $$$ spent on it because the package is really quite reasonably priced. Would I have enjoyed spending twice that price for a "top of the line" setup...no way.

Barso23 wrote in post #10032927
BTW, a related question... how many bought a tripod (good one, >$400) and found out later that they really didn't use it that much. This would be rationale for having post-tripod purchase regret I suppose.

You would have better luck asking people selling expensive tripods in the for sale section that here. I doubt many people would honestly say "yeah, I bought too much tripod".

After much research and going back and forth, I wound up getting Gitzo 2541 CF legs and a RRS BH-40 head with a quick release clamp. I have no regrets.