Sturdy Tripod That Is NOT $400+ - DPChallenge Forums

09/04/2011 06:14:10 PM · #1

Hello. During a recent spill on a hike, my tripod snapped, leaving me without my most useful photography accessory...my tripod.

What would be a good upgrade to something sturdy, relatively lightweight, and all around good for landscape/wildlife photography? AROUND $100-$300? Thanks!

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

09/04/2011 06:22:13 PM · #2

Check out the Benro Travel Angel series. Should fit your price range, carbon fiber, folds compactly, and includes a ball head. I have one, and love it.

Message edited by author 2011-09-04 18:22:31.

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

09/04/2011 06:34:42 PM · #3

Bogen 190XPROB (my main tripod)� supports 11lbs, weighs 4lbs, center column swings easily to a horizontal position, and it's just under $100 shipped. B&H sells kits that include a ball head, too.

Message edited by author 2011-09-04 18:35:52.

kiwinick

Sony DSLR-A550

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

09/04/2011 06:50:41 PM · #4

cant beat this one TOPMAN TV 3230 BUILT LIKE THR PROVERBIAL

Yo_Spiff

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

09/04/2011 06:59:21 PM · #5

I have a Benro A-198EX. Very pleased with it. About $130 without a head.

Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM

09/04/2011 09:10:54 PM · #6

A lot to think about. I like the benro, but am concerned that it doesn't have the option of spiked feet. ??

I also like the bogen 190XPROB. Is 57.9 max height enough for landscape photography?

I am new to ball heads and such. What do I look for?

Sorry about all the questions... :)

Magnumphotography

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

09/05/2011 02:12:10 AM · #7

Another choice is the Manfrotto o55xb model. This is an aluminum tripod. Compared to the 190xb, it has the height advantage. Plus I believe the load capacity, is slightly higher. This has been my main tripod, for the last 8 years.
Check it out, the specs are great!
//www.henrys.com/9864-MANFROTTO-055XB-ALUMINUM-TRIPOD.aspx

spiritualspatula

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

09/05/2011 02:23:05 AM · #8

The 190XPROB is a great option. I personally have one of these though, and have been pretty happy with it. It is NOT a lightweight tripod. Don't skimp on your head, either. Having a solid tripod and a shitty head is no better than a great head on a shitty tripod. Unfortunately, tripods aren't really something that I would suggest skimping on, though everybody is apt to do so.
The mantra for tripods is that you can pick any two of these: sturdy, lightweight, cheap. Pick which one you want to have suffer and go from there.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

09/05/2011 05:17:32 PM · #9

Thanks!

If any of you has time, please expound on ball heads,or tripod heads...

Yo_Spiff

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

09/05/2011 05:41:46 PM · #10

Originally posted by ph0t0trip:

If any of you has time, please expound on ball heads,or tripod heads...

I am partial to a ballhead. Quicker and easier to adjust. I don't have need for the panning and fine positioning a tilt/swivel head provides. A ballhead is also more compact without those levers sticking out. The choice is very much a matter of personal preference for most folks. I have the aforementioned cheap head, however. Some $30 Sunpaks. An upgrade to some Manfrotto heads is in the future, though not a priority.

DCNUTTER

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF-S 15-85mm IS USM

09/05/2011 05:50:24 PM · #11

I know I paid more when I got the legs and head separately, but B&H has it as a kit now and it's well worth the money. I love my 055XPROB (tripod legs) and 808RC4 (3 way pan/tilt head). Very study and holds a good amount of weight. Very flexible with the center column that can be angled many ways including horizontally. With the center column raised and angled horizontally you can get right down to the ground etc. I'm tall (6'4") and with the leg sections extended and the release plate I can step right up to the tripod and look through the viewfinder of my 7D without even bending...Perfect...and that's WITHOUT the center column raised at all. If you raise the center column while in that configuration I would need a step ladder or stool to stand on to see through it. You won't find that with most tripods.

Again, well worth the money, and it gets great reviews. I'll include the link below..in addition to a photo I just happen to take of mine out in the field this past week.

Dave

Manfrotto 055XPROB w/ 808RC-4 Head

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

09/06/2011 12:16:09 AM · #12

The 055XPROB is just a bigger version of the 190XPROB. The 055 wasn't available when I bought my 190, and sometimes the extra height would be useful (I'm also 6'4"). However, that height comes at the expense of weight, and I wouldn't want to hike with an 055.

jagar

Samsung Galaxy S9/S9+

Sony Sonnar FE 2.8 35mm ZA

09/06/2011 12:44:15 AM · #13

I recently got the manfrotto CXPRO3 with the 322RC2 ball head joystick, the tripod is very lightweight and sturdy, for me it was very important that It would allow me to take very low down shots and this enables me to get right down to ground level, the ball head is maybe heavier than I would of liked but it's amazingly sturdy and so incredibly quick and easy to use.

Sony Sonnar FE 2.8 35mm ZA

09/06/2011 11:17:47 AM · #14

Only because of weight, I'd head towards the 190XPROB (don't worry, I'm not nearly as tall as some of you). While I'm checking in to heads that all of you have mentioned, I have one more question.

Aluminum tripods. That's exactly the metal my last tripod was made out of. If I tripped again, would these manfrotto tripods hold up?

jagar

Samsung Galaxy S9/S9+

09/06/2011 11:26:31 AM · #15

If you are worried about weight you would be better getting the CX190PRO3 it's a lot lighter because it's made of carbon fiber, it also seems really strong but I haven't tripped over it yet, weight was my main concern hence my choice.

Message edited by author 2011-09-06 11:28:21.

Garry

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

09/06/2011 12:37:33 PM · #16

Definitely going to be in the minority here, but I have a SLIK Pro 700DX tripod and find it does all I need it to do. Very reasonably priced too, but probably not in the class as the Bogens/Manfrottos.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

09/06/2011 05:01:01 PM · #17

Question for scalvert, or anyone who has a 190XPROB. If I could, I'd go for a carbon fiber tripod in an instant. But because I just got a 60d, I like the price of the 190XPROB. Is it sturdy enough for landscape photography? Is it light enough for 5-10 mile hikes?

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

09/06/2011 07:23:00 PM · #18

Originally posted by ph0t0trip:

Is it sturdy enough for landscape photography? Is it light enough for 5-10 mile hikes?

Yes to both, although you can get a carbon fiber version of the same tripod on sale for $250 (2.8lbs vs. 4lbs.). Smith Victor makes a carbon fiber model that's lighter than the Bogen 190, supports 7lbs more, and extends almost 4" higher for $165. I wouldn't want to give up the flip levers and swinging center column of the Bogen, though.

sailracer_98

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

09/06/2011 08:00:30 PM · #19

I can recommend the Adorama Flashpoint tripods for lightweight / affordable carbon fiber tripods. I first had a Manfrotto 055XPROB with a 488RC2 ball head and quickly discovered this was too much weight to comfortably carry for medium to long distances with my 40D and 100-400mm lens mounted on it. I then bought a Flashpoint F-2127 three section tripod and Manfrotto 496RC2 for just over $200. This combination is much lighter and easier on the shoulders. If you are carrying the tripod in a backpack their 4 section models pack up smaller. The Flashpoint tripod is very rigid but doesn't feel as stable as the 055XPROB, probably just because it is lighter weight. There is a hook on the bottom of the center column that I use to hang my pack from which creates a stable platform. The only fault I have with the Flashpoint is the leg angle locks feel like they are made of cheap plastic and I wonder how durable they will be.

Basta

Nikon D4

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

09/06/2011 08:55:08 PM · #20

for you to consider

ph0t0trip

Light weight is NOT the only advantage of CF over aluminum. Aluminum will transfer and amplify small vibration ( like a someone walking by or a car driving by) while CF does not.

If you are looking at" Manfrotto 190" take a good look at "Manfrotto 055"

If you are looking at ballheads, "Arca swiss B1" they are expensive , but you get what you pay for (better to get 190+ B1 than 055+some other head)

spiritualspatula

09/07/2011 07:09:39 AM · #21

Originally posted by ph0t0trip:

Aluminum tripods. That's exactly the metal my last tripod was made out of. If I tripped again, would these manfrotto tripods hold up?

Likely the legs on your old one were cheap and essentially thin Uchannel aluminum, which is horrible for resisting torquing and in general really weak. The models mentioned are all much sturdier than I imagine your old one was.
Since you live in my neck of the woods, I'd recommend checking out what they have in stock at Jax Outdoors (in Fort Collins). Last I was there, they had at least one of the 190's, and several other Manfrotto offerings.
Go check them out in person to get an idea of what they're like, if you're curious.

So far as heads go, I use an Acratech GV2, which is great but out of your price range. The ballheads that come grouped with many of the Manfrotto's seem to be decent, but I'd shy away from the pistol types, as I have heard some complaints about them (though some do like them quite a bit, admittedly).

09/07/2011 06:13:16 PM · #22

Well, this has given me enough to think over. I'll go poke around Jax. BTW, spiritualspatula, enjoy the weather and fall color comin' up. This is a fantastic area to enjoy...

Thanks for all the comments!

Nuno

Nikon D700