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06/04/2005 08:36:48 AM · #1 |
I'm still new to all of this but I have been looking into buying a tripod. I want something that is sturdy and will work with my current camera but also hold up if I move up to a SLR in the future. I dont want anything real expensive. If anyone has any suggestions. I was looking at the Slik U9000, does anyone know if it is a good tripod?
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06/04/2005 08:40:57 AM · #2 |
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06/04/2005 10:20:14 AM · #3 |
I loked and looked back in december..got a Rebel instead. Back to thinking the tripod thing over...
What i found was:
cheap one pice units (some are quite nice)
heavy tall units (i was thinking of one of these then.) Bogin 2021. Most tripods are too short for me - the theory being a tripod provides a stable base. If you have to extend the center pole, then you are reducing the stability, or you have to stoop over or kneel to use the tripod. Most are about 8" too short for me to use unless i bend.
The thing that stopped my was the weight of my choice, and which head to get. I hate, hate pan and tilt heads. I want a pistol grip ball head, especially now that i have a SLR. Much faster to aim than any other. The head will raise the cost of hte whole package...
heads (and tripods) come rated on how much they can 'hold'. seems to me if irecall, 3, 5 and 11 pounds more or less. 3 is a bit on the light side and 11 is beastly. 5 or 6 range would hold 995 of what you might get.
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06/04/2005 10:36:35 AM · #4 |
Slik are good mid-price tripods, I have the pro 400dx, but it does have the pan tilt head.
I used to have the Slik 88 Black Diamond, still one of the best they made.
Don't buy a cheap one, they are flimsy and unstable...for the sake of a few pounds/dollars, it's better to invest that bit more than see your new DSLR flat on its face on the concrete.
Steve |
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06/04/2005 01:53:53 PM · #5 |
anymore suggestions?
Message edited by author 2005-06-04 13:54:01. |
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06/04/2005 04:22:58 PM · #6 |
I just bought this Slik last week and think it's beyond great for the price. I carried it around a few days and didn't mind the weight at all. It's a rock, steady enough for my D70 with and a 70-300mm no problem. It can also get very low angle shots with it's removeable centerpiece.
I went cheap the first time and bought a Velbon that couldn't do the job, so I advise you not to make that same mistake. If you go very cheap you might be easily dissapointed, take blurry images(as I did)and have to go through the process all over again.
Message edited by author 2005-06-04 16:29:36.
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06/04/2005 10:44:38 PM · #7 |
What support weight does the average SLR need? Just wanting to know so I make sure I get one with enough support if I decide to get SLR in the future.
Message edited by author 2005-06-04 22:46:54. |
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06/04/2005 11:11:02 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by dmurphy:
What support weight does the average SLR need? Just wanting to know so I make sure I get one with enough support if I decide to get SLR in the future. |
Canon 20D is 1.5#.
The Canon 70-200L IS is 3.5# with the tripod collar (as an example) so hat would be 6 pounds. Most lenses are lighter, but the canon 600mm f4L is 11.8 pounds (and $7000...), so going that route you need a 13 pound capacity.
Most lenses are lighter..my Sigma 18-50 EX DC is under a pound, my Sigma 70-300 APO is 20 ounces...so i am figureing a 6# capacity or there abouts should suffice for the average user.
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06/05/2005 12:30:15 AM · #9 |
Shutterbug has a good comparison article this month on tri- and mono- pods.
Message edited by author 2005-06-05 00:30:32.
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06/05/2005 12:34:14 AM · #10 |
Support weight ratings on tripod heads are sometimes misleading. I suggest getting one that is rated at twice what you think you will put on it. If your camera, lens, and flash weight 5 pounds, get a head that is rated at 10 or 11lbs. The rating they give you represents a camera in horizontal orientation sitting directly on top of the head. When you rotate it to a vertical position, you can throw their weight rating out the window.
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06/05/2005 03:13:46 AM · #11 |
One other thing you might want to consider is what you are going to be using it for. If you will mainly be taking it around a city or somewhere you can drive, then I would go with something heavier. However, if you would be taking it hiking/camping/anywhere you might have to walk a ways to get to I would suggest going for something lighter.
I love to take hike and photograph nature/landscapes so I bought a Velbon MAX (can't remember the exact model, but its one of their most lightweight models) when I had a powershot G5. I now have a Rebel and still use the same tripod. The only problem I've experienced with it is that, since its so light, it shakes very slightly when fully extended and using a heavier lens so I use the timer (or remote) to fire the shutter. It's been perfect for me beacause its so easy to carry around town or pack for hiking.
But again, be sure to consider what you like to do and take pictures of in addition to statistics and everybody elses oppinions.
EDIT: I have a Velbom MAX-i 347E
Message edited by author 2005-06-05 16:35:25.
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06/05/2005 04:23:53 AM · #12 |
I have a Slik U8000 Which I swear by normally originally bought and still use with my film camera { Minolta 800si} but good for the fuji and I plan to use it when I upgrade to a D70s.
Message edited by author 2005-06-05 04:24:13. |
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06/05/2005 01:10:25 PM · #13 |
Let me start by saying I have learned that you get what you pay for, and I would rather buy once for twice the price than to learn expensive lessons a little at a time.
Being relatively new too, I initally purchased a Quantaray tripod....it was crap. I then purchased a Manfrotto model 3021PRO TRIPOD / Cat. No: 3021PRO 5.3lbs for $US175.00 it is Anodized aluminum and a Manfrotto GRIP ACTION BALL HEAD W/QUICK RELEASE PLATE / Cat. No: 3265 1.8lbs for $US92.00. This all worked great until I lugged it around the woods for a day or two. I returned the tripod and purchased the Manfrotto MAG FIBER TRIPOD (THREE SECTION) / Cat. No: 055MF3 4.4lbs for $US285.00 (mfg retail is 425.00). This has proven to be a very nice combination. I liked both of the tripods except for the weight on the aluminum 3021 because they have an easily removeable center column that doubles as a horizontal arm. Not only does this allow the camera to be offset from leg position for micro shots into my table box, but it provides the simplest way possible to shoot from directly overhead for copying. The Grip acton ball head is heavy but once I used it for a bit, I wouldnt part with it because of how quickly I can move the camera around. I looked at the more expensive "pro" Gitzo models but I like the click-locks instead of the twist-to-tighten leg extensions. I expect to have this model for a long time. I have even convinced my wife of the value of having the lighter tripod and am going to buy her the shorter version of the mag fiber. See their models here: //www.bogenimaging.us and buy them cheaper here: //www.acephoto.net
HTH,
Vince
Message edited by author 2005-06-05 17:38:17. |
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06/05/2005 01:15:03 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by vdoss:
...I like the click-locks instead of the twist-to-tighten leg extensions. |
I like the click locks as well, but find myself being extra careful with them. I've been careless several times and paid the price -- pinched fingers, skin, etc are not nice.
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06/07/2005 01:31:04 PM · #15 |
Does anyone have any experience with this tripod or know anyone with it that can tell me if it is any good?
Davis & Sanford Ranger Tripod |
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06/08/2005 04:33:25 PM · #16 |
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