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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> tripods - confusing
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 07/30/2005 12:16:36 PM · #1
im looking for a decent tripod around 100-150. i will be using it at different places, such as for landscapes, indoor, etc.

there is NOTHING i know about tripods except that i want a ball head. how do i know if a tripod is good or bad? also will it fit my canon 20 d?

thanks
 07/30/2005 12:28:52 PM · #2
Out of curiousity (coming from someone who knows very little about tripods as well), if you know NOTHING about tripods, how did you come to know for sure that you want a ball head? I'm not being a smart-a$$, by the way, I'm really curious, because I'm in the market for a new one and am not sure what to get.
 07/30/2005 12:34:10 PM · #3
There are light for outdoor and heavy(sturdy) for indoor studio shots.
There are tall 64 + inches and shorter ones.
There are tripods who can carry 15 lbs camera,10 lbs ,7 lbs etc...

Tripod heads with balls and clssic...for moving subjects and sports...
 07/30/2005 12:42:13 PM · #4
I got a nice carbon fiber tripod on eBay for $78 (seller ronthemon2). I also have the Manfrotto auto monopod (80.95 at Adorama) and use the same ball head for both: the Bogen - Manfrotto Compact Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect - Supports 13.2 lbs for 58.95 at Adorama.
They work great and the tripod is no heavier than my monopod.
 07/30/2005 12:43:20 PM · #5
aboutimage... thats a great question because i just found out what the difference was. i posted in another forum and found that ball heads let you moves the camera freely on the tripod. with a pan head, you move the 3 directions each seperately. most people recommended a ball head.

aside from that. i dont know know the difference between walmarts tripods and some $400 tripod.

im trying to figure it out so i can buy a decent one.
 07/30/2005 12:48:52 PM · #6
I'm not an expert, but I know a little bit. First off, all tripods use the same standard size screw, so anyone you get will work with your 20d as well as any camcorder , other digicam, etc. Second, they are many differing types, you will need to decide if you want an one piece, or seperate legs, & head. Then you need to decide how high you want it to extend, & how small you need it to collapse to. I'd suggest going to an online store & go through their selection. It will give you a better idea of what is out there. I have a Bogen/Manfrotto setup, & love it, but it ran about 250.
07/30/2005 12:49:28 PM · #7
I currently have a Giottos MT8180 and I love it. Might be a little on the expensive side but it allows me to get really low and be able to reverse the center column so I can shoot parallel to the ground. This tripod carries up to a 26 lb load. Everything you need is integrated in the tripod and head. The center column even acts as a boom for those "over-extended" shots. This also comes with dual heads.

I also added a Bogen ballhead with a quick release to make life a little more easier.

Make sure that your tripod and ballhead can carry up to at least 8.8 lbs. Oh by the way, I know sometimes you'll think about those cheaper ones found at Target or WalMart? Don't! I learned the hard way. I bought one and I thought it was decent because it was a Velbon. Much to my dismay when I setting up my shot and the whole damn thing tilted and fell over. Didn't even get to use it! It ended up breaking my 300D. good thing I had the Ritz Insurance policy. They replaced it. No questions asked.



Message edited by author 2005-07-30 12:56:46.
 07/30/2005 12:51:24 PM · #8
Originally posted by reemas:
aboutimage... thats a great question because i just found out what the difference was. i posted in another forum and found that ball heads let you moves the camera freely on the tripod. with a pan head, you move the 3 directions each seperately. most people recommended a ball head.

aside from that. i dont know know the difference between walmarts tripods and some $400 tripod.

im trying to figure it out so i can buy a decent one.


Put the Rebel 300 d with 200mmF2.8 L lens on Walmart $39 tripod (top of the Walmart line)and carry it for 100 yards,the tripod head will fall apart and you might break the lens or camera :-)

When I was in Arizona last year I got my tripod broken so I went to Flagstaff to buy a new one ,only store I found for camera stuff was Walmart and I got the best tripod there and lasted for 100 yards only in Grand Canyon !
 07/30/2005 12:54:53 PM · #9
pitsaman, thats funny... thanks for the tip though. it was easier to decide canon vs nikon, that it is to figure out all these brands for tripods.

thanks for all the recommendations, but is there any thing specific, i must look for and my tripod must have? and rikki11, how much wa$ your $etup?
 07/30/2005 12:57:54 PM · #10
Wow! Great information. Once again, (for the 3rd time this week alone) the $25 price for membership here pays for itself about 100 times over. Thanks , everyone for the great info.

rikki11, do you carry your Giottos MT8180 in the field? Seems kinda heavy, but I like how many things it can do.
 07/30/2005 12:59:03 PM · #11
Originally posted by reemas:
pitsaman, thats funny... thanks for the tip though. it was easier to decide canon vs nikon, that it is to figure out all these brands for tripods.

thanks for all the recommendations, but is there any thing specific, i must look for and my tripod must have? and rikki11, how much wa$ your $etup?


Mine came out to be around $400 all said and done. This included the tripod itself at around $299 and the ball head at roughly $100. The reason why is was a little on the expensive side is that it's a carbon fiber tripod and shaft. Although it's funny how aslightly heavier it seems with a magnesium ballhead :)
 07/30/2005 01:04:04 PM · #12
Originally posted by aboutimage:
Wow! Great information. Once again, (for the 3rd time this week alone) the $25 price for membership here pays for itself about 100 times over. Thanks , everyone for the great info.

rikki11, do you carry your Giottos MT8180 in the field? Seems kinda heavy, but I like how many things it can do.


Yes I do. I've taken it hiking and out and about in the City taking architectural photography. I don't find myself doing the rapid setups... just kinda take my time preparing the tripod. For rapid setups, IMO I found that the twist lock is far better than the knob locks. The MT8180 also has a carry strap attached to it.

See this link

I just added the link because the photos I show were from Giottos' website and this guy who also uses the same photos but a little more.
 07/30/2005 01:25:59 PM · #13
The Manfredo is a fine, fine tripod, but at a more affordable price range the Slik Able 300 is very nice at around 100 dollars. I use one myself.

I'm not a fan of ball heads on tripods. The plus side is that you can leave the friction clamps at a light setting and basically hand-hold the cmarea on the tripod for rapid panning and tilting when shooting moving subjects. The negative side is they are almost useless for such things as panoramic shots.

Since I use a tripod for static, carefully-composed images, I prefer being able to lock in my horizontal level and still adjust my vertical tilt. 3-way heads for me, makes way more sense. If I could have 2 heads, that might be different...

Robt.
 07/30/2005 03:20:03 PM · #14
I hate to bust your bubble, but IMO a decent tripod can't be found NEW for your price range. But the good news is good tripods seem to last forever, so there are many to be had on the used market. Since you are not dealing with sensitive parts such as shutters or electronics, buying used is virtually risk free. I have 3 gitzo tripods and their collective age is probably 50-75 years old. In fact gitzo warranties their tripods forever.

I have tried cheaper tripods such as the manfredo/bogen/3001 and I have found that they easily corrode if you get them wet.
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