Budget Tripod.

I dont have a lot of money for one, but Id like to have one.
Would you guys recommend for the $100 range? I know thats very low for a tripod, but surely a cheap tripod is better than no tripod?

Ill mostly be using it for landscape photos.

Thanks.

Also, would it be a bad idea to save most of that money for a better tripod in the future and just get a monopod for a bit more stability until then?

clamber wrote in post #10722823
I dont have a lot of money for one, but Id like to have one.
Would you guys recommend for the $100 range? I know thats very low for a tripod, but surely a cheap tripod is better than no tripod?

It is until it collapses and dumps your hard-earned gear on the ground...

If you wait, save some more and then invest in a quality tripod, it will serve you for years and years.

I don't have one, but these are pretty widely reviewed and the legs get good reviews. Search around POTN to read more.

Slik 700dx ($140)
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ro_700DX_Tripod​_with.html

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #10722862
It is until it collapses and dumps your hard-earned gear on the ground...

If you wait, save some more and then invest in a quality tripod, it will serve you for years and years.

Thats exactly the response I figured I would get. Makes sense though.

Most of the times Ill be on the move (either on hikes or at the motocross track) and I mainly just need something for a little bit of support.
I was thinking maybe this would suffice for the time being, then I could invest later on a proper tripod.
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …630&is=REG#spec​ifications

merlin2375 wrote in post #10722878
I don't have one, but these are pretty widely reviewed and the legs get good reviews. Search around POTN to read more.

Slik 700dx ($140)
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ro_700DX_Tripod​_with.html

Yeah I was looking at that one, I just really dont have the extra $40 right now. I could just wait and not get any support until i have more money next month, but I really need something for next week.

I have the Benro A500ex + BH-01(if I remember correctly)... for only $80, I think the only complain I have for it is the ballhead, not really stable enough, I might replaced it next time if I have bigger lenses, but the Legs are pretty good. it holds my set up pretty good. its not that heavy though, D700 gripped + 70-300mm.

this tripod is rated at 6kg

my 1st choice was the Manfrotto 055xprob + 498 or any ball head in that range... but its around $200++... I still want it but for now this will do.

merlin2375 wrote in post #10722878
I don't have one, but these are pretty widely reviewed and the legs get good reviews. Search around POTN to read more.

Slik 700dx ($140)
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ro_700DX_Tripod​_with.html

+1 on the Slik 700dx, but it's super large and heavy, so very stable

Since you also need a head of some sort, within your budget have a look at the SLIK 330DX, which is lighter and more compact, good for traveling to vantage points and has a good 3 way pan head for landscape.

http://cgi.ebay.com …410?pt=LH_Defau​ltDomain_0

I first spent around US $25 for a cheaper-than-cheap tripod from Meijer,
while I still had only a PowerShot camera. With a creaky and lousy pan/tilt head,
it was relegated to the trash pile within weeks.

Next was a Manfrotto 725B DIGI. US $95(discontinued).
I love this tripod, and it's a great economy tripod. No more droop and faltering
adjustments, and it's a great tripod for the price. I managed to upgrade the center
column/head assembly to accept standard heads for only US $40, and put an Amvona
clone of the 486RC2 head on it. I still use it when I want light weight and portability.
There's a current replacement to this setup, and I'm sure someone else will chime in
with information about it.

Last, I decided to bite the bullet and get a 'real' setup: Manfrotto 055XPROB legs
with a Manfrotto 488RC2 ballhead. Super-secure rig, and it's almost as stable as
granite. Spent US $244 for the pair.
There are better choices of heads to be had now, as many will recommend the newer
498 over the 488, but the cost averages out to be around the same.


Make your choice:
If you want super-rigid performance, prepare to spend a good amount.
If you want passable and decent performance, go mid-level on price.
If you want to experiment, then keep spending $100 until you arrive at something
which suits your fancy, most likely well and beyond your first few expenditures
of $100.

Okay, i just ordered this:

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …712-REG/Slik_612_212.html


Reviews are good and it seems like it should be fine with the T2i and 55-250 at most.

Thanks

I hope you'll be happy with the pan/tilt head; most still photographers
really don't care for the limited adjustment & range of such a head,
not to mention the cumbersome transport qualities.

I expect you'll be wanting to replace the head with something a bit more
flexible, within the next year or less.

clamber wrote in post #10722940
Thats exactly the response I figured I would get. Makes sense though.

Most of the times Ill be on the move (either on hikes or at the motocross track) and I mainly just need something for a little bit of support.
I was thinking maybe this would suffice for the time being, then I could invest later on a proper tripod.
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …630&is=REG#spec​ifications

Yeah I was looking at that one, I just really dont have the extra $40 right now. I could just wait and not get any support until i have more money next month, but I really need something for next week.

If you just want "a little bit of support", for not very slow shutter speeds (maybe 1/30-1/60 sec.), have you considered getting a good monopod instead of a cheap tripod?

Yes, Jon offers a good point about considering a monopod.
I recently got one for less than US $50. Of course, it needed a head,
but those can be had on the cheap for a monopod rig.

clamber wrote in post #10723280
Okay, i just ordered this:

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …712-REG/Slik_612_212.html


Reviews are good and it seems like it should be fine with the T2i and 55-250 at most.

Thanks

That's actually quite an old design (25 years) , not as flexible low down due to the support struts. Also weight rating doesn't compare to newer designs. I've got one and it's not as stable as you expect for the weight.

For the same price I'd get the Slik 400dx or 500dx, if you want to stay with Slik, these newer models have greater stability, double the weight rating and a much simpler design. My 500dx has more than 30% more stability than the U212

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …00_PRO_400_DX_T​ripod.html

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_with.html#spec​ifications

Okay well thats good because I kinda decided against the lens I ordered too so Ill be changing the order monday morning. And since Im getting a different lens, Ill be able to spend more on a tripod.

Thoughts on Pro 580DX? And should I get the legs/head separately? If so, is there anything else needed to complete it.

clamber wrote in post #10723810
Okay well thats good because I kinda decided against the lens I ordered too so Ill be changing the order monday morning. And since Im getting a different lens, Ill be able to spend more on a tripod.

Thoughts on Pro 580DX? And should I get the legs/head separately? If so, is there anything else needed to complete it.

The legs of the Pro 580dx package is identical to the 500dx legs, the main difference is the 3 way pan head included in the package. The SH-70E (500dx) has a lower weight rating (1kg) then SH-806E (580dx). I would save the money and go for the 500dx unless your going to have super heavy kit.

I went with the SBH-320DQ ball head and the 500dx legs, purchased separately to reduce cost, that way you don't have to pay for the 3 way head.

I always love the "spend your kid's college fund on a tripod" crowd. I bought a POS Slik tripod for $30.00 off of eBay years ago and that thing is still going strong. It's so sturdy that I went with a $115.00 SLIK Pro 400DX tripod and couldn't be happier. The only reason I went with that is because it can be set up extremely low if need be and it has a 3-way pan/tilt head. Show me a test where images on my tripod somehow fall short of ones taken with a break the bank tripod.

Spend your hard earned cash on a 400DX, 700DX, whatever, and use what you saved on something else.