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11/01/2004 01:28:31 AM · #1 |
| I am a beginning photographer and have just started using a borrowed tripod (‘70s vintage). It works fine but it is very heavy. I imagine there must be lighter ones available. Do you have any suggestions? What should I look for in a tripod? Thanks! |
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11/01/2004 01:30:52 AM · #2 |
Originally posted by Zippy:
What should I look for in a tripod? Thanks! |
Ummmmm..............3 legs?
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11/01/2004 01:34:51 AM · #3 |
Sturdy, lightweight, and doesn't require a 2nd mortgage.
If your budget is unlimited, so are the features. |
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11/01/2004 03:18:54 AM · #4 |
| you'll want one with a mounting plate instead of having to attach directly to the camera, so that you can quickly attach/detach when you need to. |
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11/01/2004 09:18:07 AM · #5 |
Originally posted by kirsty_mcn:
you'll want one with a mounting plate instead of having to attach directly to the camera, so that you can quickly attach/detach when you need to. |
Thanks for the helpful information. |
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11/01/2004 10:22:51 AM · #6 |
HEAVY is GOOD, when it comes to tripods and stability. Especially with a bigger camera like a DSLR. I have a smaller, lighter tripod that I've travelled all over Europe with, but I'll tell you, I wished many times that I'd brought my big Manfrotto tripod and ball head.
Still, if you're creative, you can make good use of lighter tripods in certain situations. I used rubber bands to attach my lightweight tripod to a railing at a lookout tower on top of the Schilthorn in the Swiss Alps. The silly thing wasn't tall enough to see over the railing, so I just folded the legs together like a monopod and attached it to the railing. :) |
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11/01/2004 10:32:38 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by skylen:
HEAVY is GOOD, when it comes to tripods and stability. Especially with a bigger camera like a DSLR. I have a smaller, lighter tripod that I've travelled all over Europe with, but I'll tell you, I wished many times that I'd brought my big Manfrotto tripod and ball head.
Still, if you're creative, you can make good use of lighter tripods in certain situations. I used rubber bands to attach my lightweight tripod to a railing at a lookout tower on top of the Schilthorn in the Swiss Alps. The silly thing wasn't tall enough to see over the railing, so I just folded the legs together like a monopod and attached it to the railing. :) |
Similar to this, one key piece of tripod advice I got was that the legs don't have to be on the ground.
It also doesn't have to be free standing, pointing downwards - you can brace a tripod against a wall for example, if you fold the legs down, and get a really stable platform for portrait orientation shots, while being mobile - good for night street shooting.
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11/01/2004 10:58:18 AM · #8 |
Originally posted by skylen:
HEAVY is GOOD, when it comes to tripods and stability. Especially with a bigger camera like a DSLR. I have a smaller, lighter tripod that I've travelled all over Europe with, but I'll tell you, I wished many times that I'd brought my big Manfrotto tripod and ball head.
Still, if you're creative, you can make good use of lighter tripods in certain situations. I used rubber bands to attach my lightweight tripod to a railing at a lookout tower on top of the Schilthorn in the Swiss Alps. The silly thing wasn't tall enough to see over the railing, so I just folded the legs together like a monopod and attached it to the railing. :) |
Weight will help reduce vibrations. If you have a light weight tripod, you can add weight by hanging your bag, a rock, or just about anything from the center post. I have a few nylon straps in my bag for this reason (among others). I have also heard of photographers leaning onto the tripod during exposure, to get the same effect, but haven't tried it myself. |
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11/01/2004 06:19:30 PM · #9 |
| Consider the Manfrotto line of tri-pods, distributed by Bogen. Very good quality and will not break the bank. A 3021pro with a 488rc2 ball head will be around 200 dollars US. This setup will last you for as long as you shoot photos. Dollar averaging over the next 10 years put this at 20 bucks a year. About the cost to develop and print 2 rolls of film. |
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11/03/2004 01:12:09 AM · #10 |
I've often read that heavy is good, which makes sense logically, but I have to ask...
why aren't there(or if there are, what ones exist) tripods that are lightweight, capable of supporting heavy weight, but basically have detachable a detachable mass to add weight when you want it but be able to have something light if you don't need it?
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11/03/2004 01:32:27 AM · #11 |
Depends on what you are planning on doing with the tripod. Bogen makes pretty good all-around tripods, the 3021 and 3001 are qute nice.
Meet my studio tripod:
For hiking and the like I use a Giottos MT-8180 Carbon Fiber tripod. Also, not really a tripod, but the Bogen Magic Arm is VERY useful (at least for me).
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