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02/10/2012 10:01:28 AM · #1 |
i know absolutely nothing about tripods other than i need one, i want to see what your recommendations for me would be.
challenge:
build the best tripod (legs and some sort of head) you can for the least amount of money. I'm willing to pay the money it will cost, within reason, but I'm not splurging for more than i need.
im going for best bang for my buck here. im willing to compromise on weight, material, type of head. however it definitely needs a quick release. canon 60D and eventually it may need to hold a 70-200/4L so spec it to that.
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02/10/2012 10:06:30 AM · #2 |
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02/10/2012 10:11:14 AM · #3 |
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02/10/2012 10:19:02 AM · #4 |
If you want cheap, just go to WalMart and buy a tripod.
It will hold up your camera.
The problem is you've provided an incomplete specification for what you want. You say you need a tripod, but what for? To hold up your camera at family gatherings so you can set the timer, run and give grandma rabbit ears? To hold a camera steady while you make hours-long exposures? To set up for macros while knee deep in swampwater? For studio? Carrying in the field? Or????
Message edited by author 2012-02-10 10:30:12. |
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02/10/2012 10:48:49 AM · #5 |
i have a cheap walmart tripod, it came with my video camera. i need better.
looking for a solid all purpose tripod. its not like buying a camera or lens where you can narrow your choices. i have no idea whats good and when i do look for a manufacturer there are many different makes and many different models.
in you repose to the other thread you say you are happy with manfrotto. manfrotto has a tripod on amazon for $49.99, $100, or $150 (they also have tripods for much much more) now i can only speculate it wont be worth my while to buy the cheapest even though he review suggest otherwise
its for landscape photography, mainly, needs to handle a breeze, not sludge
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02/10/2012 10:53:57 AM · #6 |
I have a Benro A-198EX. Ran me about $134 for the legs. Decently made, lots of handy features. and should last me many years, though its not as elegantly constructed as the Manfrotto equivalent. I've got a cheapo Sunpak head on it however, and plan to upgrade that soon. Looks like the current model is the A198OF, but I don't see it available on either Amazon or Adorama.
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02/10/2012 12:05:56 PM · #7 |
I think you can toss carbon fiber out of the running due to cost. I would start looking at the tripod "kits" where you get a head and legs together to get an idea of specific features you might want. Some things to think about: First consider the weight of what you're putting on the tripod you can eliminate anything that's designed for less weight and anything designed for larger format cameras. Also, what height do you want? Some of the smaller legs will barely get a camera to chest height fully extended. You should consider the articulation of the legs. Do you simply want a fixed spread angle? Or is it worth more money and some weight to be able to spread the legs to near horizontal. I think most of the Manfroto tripods allow you to reverse the centerpost and "hang" the camera underneath to position the camera low to the ground. Some allow you to position the centerpost horizontally as well, but again, the tradeoff is added weight and cost.
Then there are the heads to consider. Ball heads are faster to adjust, but less precise and generally can support less weight. Pan/tilt (or three way) heads are more precise and can usually hold more weight, but can take a bit more time. Fluid heads and geared heads are probably not what you want.
I have the 322RC2 head and the older equivalent to this
I cursed the price when I bought it, but I haven't cursed at it while using it. I've had it for several years and it's as good as ever. I used to have a tripod that I thought was a great buy, but I cursed at it everytime I used it.
Your wants/needs may lead you to something else. |
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02/10/2012 12:12:32 PM · #8 |
I have one of the (in)famous Rocketfish carbon fiber tripods from Best Buy. Bought it for less than $60 from fleabay. One of the biggest reasons they go cheap, is that Bestbuy does not carry replacement/additional camera mounting plates for the quick change head. However, I did find a US source of mounting plates, and now am the proud owner of 10 plates.
I've found it to be a nice sturdy tripod.
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02/10/2012 12:22:56 PM · #9 |
copied from other post
i have all manfroto
two legs 055c with a 115 two way head very stable but heavy has carrying strap ooption, 190prob with a 222 trigger head, mono pod with 486rc2 ball head all with quick release plates
excuse the camera phone...
Untitled by gilesbert, on Flickr
here they are set out with legs at full, the trigger head adds a good 8 inches to the 190prob, i used to have the ball head on it
the older 055c with pan tilt head is perfect height for me without any extensions(i'm 6'), older helios behind that was my first tripod its fxed spread
IMG_4766 by gilesbert, on Flickr
fully extended centre posts 55c is well over 7'
IMG_4767 by gilesbert, on Flickr
IMG_4768 by gilesbert, on Flickr
IMG_4769 by gilesbert, on Flickr
and i love my superclamps so much
IMG_4765 by gilesbert, on Flickr
basically its a trade off, started with the 190pro and then upgraded as i upgraded my bodys and lens t heavier kit
got a good mix now to cover most situation
Message edited by author 2012-02-10 12:24:11. |
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02/10/2012 12:43:27 PM · #10 |
| Another fun thing is that you can see the look on your wife's face when you tell her you want a three-way. Just make sure you can explain that you're really talking about tripod heads before she kicks your ass. |
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02/10/2012 01:33:46 PM · #11 |
seems like I started a tripod trend on DPC.
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02/10/2012 02:28:23 PM · #12 |
| should i go with a combo or get legs and a some type of head? |
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02/10/2012 02:36:43 PM · #13 |
I'm kindof at a tossup between Manfrotto and vanguard....I will get carbon fiber legs though...
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02/10/2012 02:37:41 PM · #14 |
If you want something very light and inexpensive and don't mind a fixed ball head, you can go with the Manfrotto 725B or whatever the equivalent is now. I've had one for years, and the only thing is that the head could lock a bit tighter for heavier lenses, but it's superlight, sturdy, and cheap. Not too long either. You can carry it around all day without noticing (well, as much as any tripod).
I did eventually upgrade to a carbon fiber tripod, because all the higher end aluminums were much heavier. Actually, I discovered that while my CF tripod is very light, the head adds considerable weight...so I still prefer to carry the 725B Digitripod/ball head combo.
//www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=detailsdisc&sku=BG725B
Old info...look for the equivalent...there's a newer model.
Message edited by author 2012-02-10 14:37:51. |
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02/10/2012 03:10:41 PM · #15 |
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02/10/2012 06:09:24 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by cowboy221977:
I'm kindof at a tossup between Manfrotto and vanguard....I will get carbon fiber legs though... |
You might want to look at Induro also, I have the CT214 with the Gimble head and love it so far. They have a pretty good selection. |
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02/10/2012 07:50:56 PM · #17 |
Originally posted by PapaBob:
Originally posted by cowboy221977:
I'm kindof at a tossup between Manfrotto and vanguard....I will get carbon fiber legs though... |
You might want to look at Induro also, I have the CT214 with the Gimble head and love it so far. They have a pretty good selection. |
Damn they look great too....now I have something else to research
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02/10/2012 10:53:48 PM · #18 |
I got myself this one a few months ago, as well as its smaller brother.
I am actually surprised that it turned up to be quite sturdy. I bring it with me all the time in my rucksack and treat it like my camera, not necessarily kindly. Not the heaviest tripod and it will suffer in strong wind, but it's reversible, has leg locks for low shots, the head works just fine. If you are planning on long walks it could be an option, perhaps in addition to an heavier one.
Amazon uk link |
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02/11/2012 08:01:10 AM · #19 |
Any input? I'd like order it this weekend? |
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02/11/2012 11:09:56 AM · #20 |
Used Manfrotto 3021 with 3055 ballhead
Best bang for your money, super-sturdy, great ballhead, built like a tank, will easily support your 70-200 or more. My brother and I have used these for years , we bought them all used from Ebay as they have been discontinued for a while. The 3055 is a great head and the hexagonal quick release plates are still being used in currently made Manfrotto ballheads, so, you will use he same plates if you ever update your equipment. Both the legs and the head are HEAVY, this is not a setup you will want to carry on your back while you trek up Mount Everest, but you said that is not an issue. Even the 'buy it now' price is a good deal, but the guy has no bids and only one day to go, so, you have a chance at getting it for less. Anything comparable in terms of functionality, performance and quality that you buy new will cost you no less that $350. |
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02/11/2012 12:12:28 PM · #21 |
Originally posted by mike_311:
Any input? I'd like order it this weekend? |
The next model up in the hierarchy (Alta Pro) allows you to cantilever the center column to multiple angles. This is an extremely valuable feature. Manfrottos do this too, but only to horizontal.
R.
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02/11/2012 02:31:57 PM · #22 |
ok, so the net one up is a good choice? anything else i should be aware of or want?
Message edited by author 2012-02-11 14:42:42. |
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02/11/2012 05:34:35 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by mike_311:
ok, so the net one up is a good choice? anything else i should be aware of or want? |
Well, choose your head based on your preferences. I dislike ballheads, at least the affordable ones, so I use simple, sturdy 3-way pan heads. Others swear by ballheads. For slow-moving photography, the pan head is just fine, and even preferable; you can establish a true horizontal orientation and then pan without disturbing it. The less expensive ballheads don't have that capability, they are just a ball in a socket with a friction clamp. You step up a level and you get the same thing mounted on a panning clamp, which is better, but still when you loosen the ball clamp to change the vertical angle it's hard to hold the same horizontal angle. Plus, ballheads can be an issue with heavy lenses, it's hard to set them precisely and get them to hold.
There's a whole other category of head called a gimbal mount, designed for use with super-long lenses, but you won't need to go there. Plus there's a category of thing called an L-mount that fits on your camera and allows you to switch between horizontal and vertical without flipping the head on its side, and these are very cool but they are in addition to the head, so you can evolve to that if you ever want to. Here's the thing of it: with a normal tripod head, when you switch from horizontal to vertical, you move the lens axis a few inches to the side of the center column and the whole rig is unbalanced. This is a problem, especially with the heavier lenses, as far as stability and vibration are concerned. Also, in the case of macro photography, those few inches completely change your POV on the subject and you have to move the 'pod. So tripod rings on the macro and long lenses are a real plus (you can rotate the camera without moving the head).
You want a tripod that sets at a normal working height for you (eye level to your height) WITHOUT extending the center column. Extended center columns encourage extended vibration, they are much less stable. But the 'pods you are looking at are all tall enough for you I think.
Unless you're a giant. Are you a giant?
R.
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02/12/2012 01:24:43 PM · #24 |
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02/12/2012 03:13:13 PM · #25 |
You'll be fine with these then.
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