Tripod Help

[mikescic]

Hi everyone,

I have a Nikon D300 and the tripod I place it on is sub-par. The camera really isn't that steady and some of the pictures I take with it don't come in as sharp as they should. I had one photographer recommend getting a stronger tripod and I was wondering if anyone could suggest one...any one?

Thanks!

[Japaslavian]

Manfrotto and Bogen tend to put of good quality tripods.
It all depends on how much you're willing to spend though, because they can go from between $50 and $500...

[Elmo]

You have a top of the line camera!! Also remember a good tripod is a once in a lifetime purchase, so expect to spend some serious money. But the question cannot be answered without knowing the types of pictures it is to spend most of its life shooting. How tall you are comes into play. Do you need lighter weight for carrying long distances.

Without knowing any of these needed criteria, my quick suggestion is Gitzo 3540XLS with a Really Right Stuff BH-55 Ball head. This should handle most needs up to about 300MM. The cost of this combo is about $1400.00. Seriously I would expend to spend Around $500.00 or more.

[mikescic]

I probably won't be carrying the tripod/camera far. I'm willing to spend a couple hundred for a tripod, so money is not too much of an issue. Is there something to look for in particular when shopping for a tripod?

[Sime]

Suggest one - Sure!

Manfrotto 190XProB
Manfrotto 486RC2 ball head!

I use a 100-400mm Canon lens on mine with a 30D / Battery grip body... Works great

look for: stability, the right height, something that won't tip over with a big lens / blow in the breeze.

Lovely!

[candleman]

depends what you want to use it for

i just bought a $20 tripod.. yes its flimsy.. but it still works fine.. just dont bump it.

Strong= lots of metal = heavy OR flimsy = little material = light

i chose a cheap one because its very light and i can carry it ip mountains and into the bush when i go hiking/tramping ..and it suited my budget and level of experience.

portrait photography will require a different tripod to bush/landscape photography.
unless you feel like carrying a massive Manfrotto up a mountainside.
is it worth it?

BUT you do have a fairly weighty camera.. (shrug)

[Ewie]

I wanted a solid tripod for making landscapes, panoramas and long exposures so I went for the best that I could afford which in my case is a Manfrotto 055 with the standard 3-way head. Cost me $365.00 New Zealand Dollars (roughly $300 USD)

With an aluminium frame, it's as solid as a rock and although it's a little large and a little heavy, I've taken it on several treks now carrying it on my shoulder without any problem. That sid, I'm looking to upgrade my gear bag to a backpack and I'll be sure to include the tripod holder as well.

Scott Kelby posted a comment on his blog which I think is very true;

"There are two kinds of tripods, ones that are light and easy to carry, and good ones...."

Good Luck, Ewie

[wanelad]

Yes its pointless having an expensive camera on a not so hot tripod; when i got home with my new canon 400d placed it on my "ebay" tripod with the zoom lense it striped the thread of the winder from the weight, lucky no damage to the camera. So off to the camera shop and ouch the hip pocket was hit hard but thats the price you pay for such a hobby I guess.

Anyway what I got I could not be happier with, it is so felxible and easy to use

Tripod Manfrotto 190X PROB
Combined with Manfrotto ball swivel head 322RC2
Price around the $400 but with negotiation and comparing to other stores if I remember rightly got mine for around the $380au.

Flexiblility and quickness to change set up is great squeeze trigger and on ball head means you can just swing the camera around all over the place real quick. Some write ups have stated the squeeze trigger is a bit tight but is adjustable and I have not found any trouble there. There are two locks to lock the camer into place, I have found that a little tricky at times but no real drama.

Reason it was chosen is strength, stability and flexibility

[Elmo]

Before upgrading to carbon fiber and going over the edge I used a Monfrotto 3221W for legs, I used several heads for different thing but it now has a modified Monfrotto 3 way head 3039. Most folks seem to like ball heads but for my use the 3-way works best, at least I compose better with it. And here I go recommending something without knowing its use.

My macro tripod is a Slik u-210 with Monfrotto 804 rc2.

[mikescic]

Thanks everyone for your help! We'll most likely be using the camera and tripod for portraits and product shots, so I won't be hiking with it anytime soon.