Need a new Tripod...advice - DPChallenge Forums

08/18/2005 04:40:42 PM · #1

Advice please...

My tripod sucks. What should I look for in a good tripod. Keep in mind I have a moderate budget.

doctornick

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

08/18/2005 04:41:55 PM · #2

What's moderate?

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

08/18/2005 04:43:26 PM · #3

Originally posted by Fibre Optix:

Advice please...

My tripod sucks. What should I look for in a good tripod. Keep in mind I have a moderate budget.

Lame post.

Add tpye of camera

lenses used

type of photography

budget

and what kind of tripod you have now that you are so displeased with

Then will the advice and answers come forth

Flash

Nikon D700

08/18/2005 05:00:22 PM · #4

Originally posted by Fibre Optix:

Advice please...

My tripod sucks. What should I look for in a good tripod. Keep in mind I have a moderate budget.

You have a thousand dollar camera and a thousand dollars worth of glass. You need at least legs and head equivelent to support your current as well as proposed gear.

Manfrotto 3021 pro legs w/ 488RC2 QR ball head. Will be more than you need now and will support what you do in the future. 1 purchase, lifetime of service. I would suspect around 200 dollars US. Check B&H for sure. Legs probably 150-160 and head 40-70.

Features to consider in a tripod is the total height with the center column lowered. Locking mechanisms on the legs. Angle of spread of the legs. Weight. Ability to secure a weight or bag to the tripod for stability. Weight rating for support. Overall length collapsed (for packing). Feet type, rubber coated vs. spiked. Center column length and/or replacement options. Horizontal capability of the center column. Minimum distance from the ground allowable.

Ball heads = pan option. Weight rating. QR (quick release) plate option.

Message edited by author 2005-08-18 17:08:24.

TroyMosley

Canon EOS-5D

08/18/2005 05:02:52 PM · #5

Here is a great tripod, it has a ball head and one tightening nob, very sturdable made out of alumon alloy, good price also,

Tripod

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

08/18/2005 05:10:28 PM · #6

Originally posted by TroyMosley:

Here is a great tripod, it has a ball head and one tightening nob, very sturdable made out of alumon alloy, good price also,

Tripod

I'm pretty sure that is a P&S tripod. A little on the light side.

As a general rule, to ensure a steady mouting system, always get a tripod rated at at least double what you plan on putting on top of it.

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

08/18/2005 05:14:35 PM · #7

Originally posted by nsbca7:

Originally posted by TroyMosley:
Here is a great tripod, it has a ball head and one tightening nob, very sturdable made out of alumon alloy, good price also,

Tripod

I'm pretty sure that is a P&S tripod. A little on the light side.

As a general rule, to ensure a steady mouting system, always get a tripod rated at at least double what you plan on putting on top of it.

Maximum weight that it will support is 7.7 lbs. Not a heck of a lot when you consider the weight of some of the lenses you may use.

TroyMosley

Canon EOS-5D

08/18/2005 05:18:28 PM · #8

Yeah your right if you have a lens thats that heavey, thats what i use and i have no problems with it, and its very light and very compact when broken down, easy ot travel wiht,

08/18/2005 10:55:57 PM · #9

Originally posted by nsbca7:

Originally posted by Fibre Optix:
Advice please...
My tripod sucks. What should I look for in a good tripod. Keep in mind I have a moderate budget.

Lame post.
Add tpye of camera
lenses used
type of photography
budget
and what kind of tripod you have now that you are so displeased with
Then will the advice and answers come forth

Lame Post then don't reply.
What kind of camera? Look under my name.
lenses? 18 - 70mm and a 70 -300. Need more specifics look at my profile.
Tripod I have now is an Optex. Trying to take a leveled vertical shot is imposible. The extending neck lock slips. Portability is good though.
Budget? 50 to 100 bucks.

Basicly looking for a good all around tripod. What should I look for.

thanks

08/18/2005 10:57:08 PM · #10

Originally posted by Fibre Optix:

Originally posted by nsbca7:

Originally posted by Fibre Optix:
Advice please...
My tripod sucks. What should I look for in a good tripod. Keep in mind I have a moderate budget.

Lame post.
Add tpye of camera
lenses used
type of photography
budget
and what kind of tripod you have now that you are so displeased with
Then will the advice and answers come forth

Lame Post then don't reply.
What kind of camera? Look under my name.
lenses? 18 - 70mm and a 70 -300. Need more specifics look at my profile.
Tripod I have now is an Optex. Trying to take a leveled vertical shot is imposible. The extending neck lock slips. Portability is good though.
Budget? 50 to 100 bucks.

Basicly looking for a good all around tripod. What should I look for.

thanks

Find it yourself.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

08/18/2005 10:59:33 PM · #11

Thanks... I'll do that.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

08/18/2005 11:03:23 PM · #12

Originally posted by Fibre Optix:

Your best bet would be a used, no frills Bogen/Manfrotto or Gitzo. Try Ebay. You should double your budget at least for a new tripod. If you can't, then do yourself a favor and wait until you can afford a decent tripod. You'll wind up cursing it as much as you curse the POS you have now if you don't.

kyebosh

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 80-200mm f/2.8L

08/18/2005 11:06:24 PM · #13

I believe i've heard good things about Gitzo's... and I've heard mannifretto before too, so that's worth looking at.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

08/18/2005 11:20:46 PM · #14

Originally posted by nsbca7:

Find it yourself.

Geez, that's harsh. It's not out of line to ask for some general pointers, if you have no knowledge of what dirrection to go...

To the OP, definitely do some googling, but think about the following:

- What is the most weight I think I'll want to put on it? Think not just about today, but possible future uses as well
- Do I need it to pan "flat" (maybe a pan/tilt head is appropriate) or will a ball head suffice (may not be able to limit movement ot one axis)?
- What is highest and lowest required height. Do I need the center column to reverse or mount sideways? Do the legs need to splay out fully?
- What is the maximum weight I'll be happy with? Is this a travel tripod, or for use locally?

I personally have two tripods, a Bogen 3021B with a 3030 pan/tilt head and a Calumet "house brand" compact tripod with a compact ball head. I use the second only for travel, since it fits in a standard carry-on bag (with the head removed). The Bogen is an outstanding full-size tripod, very sturdy, lots of features, and not too pricey. In summing up, I have not seen any full-size, full-featured tripod legs for under $100 that I'd wholeheartedly recommend. The 3021 plus the 3030 head total about $210. The compact Calumet tripod was $69, and is a compromise as far as function and sturdiness. It's not gong to be as durable as the Bogen and lacks quite a few of the Bogen's features.
Hopefully this should give you some food for thought.

08/19/2005 12:43:59 AM · #15

Originally posted by kirbic:

Originally posted by nsbca7:

Find it yourself.

Geez, that's harsh. It's not out of line to ask for some general pointers, if you have no knowledge of what dirrection to go...

It gets that way some times. It is deffinatly not out of line to give a little information when asking for those general pointers.

"I need a new tripod. Mine sucks." Is not the way to start a thread.

08/19/2005 12:34:05 PM · #16

Actualy yes I think it's my fault.

I read "lame post" and took it the wrong way. After reading it again I think what nsbca7 meant was not enough info as opposed to "this is a stupid post".

Sorry nsbca7. My bad.

Message edited by author 2005-08-19 12:34:36.

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

08/19/2005 12:59:23 PM · #17

Originally posted by Fibre Optix:

In that case, get the best tripod you can afford. I would sugest a Bogen or a Gitzo. A $60 tripod is not going to do justice to a $2000 camera system. In my opinion your tripod can be one of your most important tools preceded only by your camera and your lenses.

My advice would be to up the budget by about $100 or so and see what you can find.

Bogan makes some good tripods in the $150 - $200 range.

Gitzo legs (my recomendation) start at about $180. Then all you need to do is to find a good head to go on them.

I also wouldn't short change Slik. The 700 DX sells for around $85 without the head and is one very durable and steady tripod. I've had one for years and it still goes into service right beside my Gitzos.

pawdrix

Nikon D700

08/19/2005 01:53:08 PM · #18

Mickey - I own this SLIK tripod. It's steady as a rock, can carry a lot of weight, the centre column is removable and the legs expand further out wards so you can get low angle shots as well. Not too heavy not too light.

While Bogen, Manfrotto and Gitzo are all fantasic (the best)tripod makers the salesman at BH steered me towards the SLIK. They told me at the lower end cost, this one would probably do a better job of carrying the weight than the lower end models of others which were lighter. If carrying the tripod around or the weight is an issue they suggested that I go for those better brands.

I trust those guys. They've never done me wrong. I hope this helps.

Message edited by author 2005-08-19 13:55:00.

theSaj

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

08/19/2005 02:03:38 PM · #19

Originally posted by nsbca7:

Originally posted by kirbic:

Originally posted by nsbca7:

Find it yourself.

Geez, that's harsh. It's not out of line to ask for some general pointers, if you have no knowledge of what dirrection to go...

It gets that way some times. It is deffinatly not out of line to give a little information when asking for those general pointers.

"I need a new tripod. Mine sucks." Is not the way to start a thread.

Nor is "Lame Post" the correct way to respond to a poorly worded post.

;)

But it's life and we all get a bit short and discourteous at times. Glad that it looks likes the hard feelings were resolved.

08/19/2005 02:17:26 PM · #20

Originally posted by pawdrix:

Mickey - I own this SLIK tripod.

My son has the 400DX. I wouldn't recommend that model as the quick plate in the head wears out with regular usage. The legs seem pretty stable and hold up fairly well and it is smaller then the 700DX, but I wouldn't recomend it unless you were going to replace the head.

08/19/2005 02:26:07 PM · #21

well the 700 dx sounds good. I'll go in to my local camera shop and check it out. Thanks for all the advice.

notonline

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT