Tripod Suggestions On A Low Budget

Any Suggestions for tripods seeing as I'm on a low budget? I've looked at Sunpak tripods and they seem pretty good for the value. I don't have gear that is overly heavy, but input from others would be great. I'm looking to get the best bang for your buck tripod without breaking the bank.

The one I've been looking at is the Sunpak 620-080 8001UT. I AM aware this is a cheapo tripod, but it seems pretty okay.

Suggestions anyone? Any input will help!

Budget $150 max. Anything in the ~$100 range would be perfect.

budget?

What is your budget range?

Sorry about that, I forgot that I didn't list my budget :X

Here's one.
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …XB_Tripod_Legs_​Black.html

As long as you dont put an SLR and dont need to move the head fast, seeing its not a ballhead then this should work fine. I don't recommend any SLR no matter how small it is to be put on this tripod. It would be very risky for your equipment, and although you might save on the tripod, you wouldn't be saving if your camera gear feel over.

Dolica Proline


I have a carbon fiber one that I paid $99 for way back, but you can still find a carbon fiber for around $150, and it's a great tripod. The ball head will hold a decent amount of weight, holds a gripped body/Sigma 150-500mm OS pretty good.

Your in socal so i would say pawn shops pawn shops pawn shops. there are three tripods at the one by my house. pretty nice too. ill check em out better when i go by tomorrow, maybe ill grab one and send it to you. I just picked up my sachtler that way. I dont dare say how much lol.

Second hand Manfrotto 190XPROB + 486RC2 (Discontinued Ball head).

The dolica's seem pretty good, but the used Manfrotto 190XPROB doesn't sound bad either.

Are Dolica's build sturdy? I seem to have read that they are hit or miss when getting one made without defects.

The Manfrotto would be great. Is the Manfrotto 190XPROB the same as the BOGEN Manfrotto 190XPROB?

Thanks for the input!

Yep, Bogen owns the Manfrotto company and Gitzo company.

yeah... Manfrotto...if only I could afford it that time...

I was eyeing for the 055xprob... instead I bought a benro A500ex for $80... not bad but I can see myself changing the ball head next time.

I paid $115.00 for my SLIK Pro 400DX and couldn't be happier with it. If you need something a bit taller, the 700DX can be had for around that, $130.00 I think. Both come with a 3-way tilt/pan head that works very well.

Try the used market. Many people are trading in older, quality tripods and heads for the latest carbon fibre units. You can get them for a small fraction of what they cost new. Assuming that you are not carrying them for a long distance, a pound or two won't matter. Eg. Got a used Manfrotto 3038 ball head - weight a ton, holds even more - for $60 - cost $240 new in 2004. Easily holds a 400 F4 + camera very steady.

Whatever you get just make sure it is sturdy. I was shooting at an overlook on the weekend. Met a young Danish guy who had just bought a cheap tripod for his 450d. It was preposterous! Any touch of the camera whatsoever set up a crazy jelly dance all over the tripod. It was short as well so he spent two hours hunched over peering through the view finder. My tripod is a massive ancient aluminum beast which takes patience to set up and adjust. But it is just a rock - camera and earth are one. Has a crank to run the mast up to six feet. He was aghast at the difference. He'll be further aghast when he downloads a couple hundred sixty second night shots with an artistic blur.