looking to buy a tripod

[Lolkat]

Hi, all, I just got my DSLR several months ago and have been enjoying it immensely. My next move is to get a tripod. I would like to get your thoughts on which ones you all think would suit a beginner- I have a Nikon D90 with 18-105mm lens at the moment and don't see myself buying a huge zoom lens any time soon, so I'm not really looking for one that supports more than 5lbs. I guess my biggest thing is portability because I know myself, and I know I will be less likely to take it with me and actually use it if its too cumbersome. I guess its a necessary evil . budget wise- I'm looking at around $100ish. Thanks for any replies!

[ravncat]

I understand, wanting to spend as little money as possible on a tripod, and having a strong and lightweight tripod, to which, carbon fibre is the way to go - except that it`s downright, expensive.

I am going to link you to this article, which you may not want to hear - Tripods and Ball Heads by Thom Hogan - it`s well written and true.

The problem with tripods, is you have to generally choose the following, Inexpensive, Quality, Lightweight. You get to pick two really. For about 100 dollars and supporting, I`m not sure where is best to go. - Manfrotto / Bogen , Really Right Stuff, are the names I know - but tend to be expensive.

A friend recently found these - Best Vanguard Tripods: Reviews of Vanguard Camera Tripods and Small and Lightweight Travel Tripod Spreadsheet of Specifications

But, I`ve never used either vanguard or some of the other brands outthere - like slik. - I`ve found the velbon ones to be ok, but not really provide much support for a dslr - they`re a bit on the "weak" side of things.

Unfortunately, good tripods, don`t tend to be the most convenient to take with you - but a good tripod can make a world of difference in photography. And you`ll want a good tripod head to go with it.


Best of luck to you in however you proceed - if you end up going with vanguard - do let us know what you think.

[Michael_2010]

A budget tripod will end up being a waste of money and you will soon be wanting to upgrade to something more stable.

You might want to think about getting a table top, clamp or Gorillapod, while you save some bucks for a nice full size tripod. The small ones will always be a nice accessory for your gadget bag and also give you a chance to get used to using something to stabilize your camera.

[sk66]

You could buy one used of craigslist or similar possibly. Your budget doesn't allow for much.

Bump your price just a bit and a Benro Aluminum tripod should do...I have a Benro CF tripod like that one which I like well enough. Doesn't include a head, so you'll be around $150-200.
You could get a complete tripod like this one, but I'd consider it barely adequate

[Michael_2010]

Size and weight are going to turn into big issues with whatever tripod you ultimately choose. If it doesn't fold down into a reasonable length and is too heavy, you are not going to use it very often.

I like the legs of my Benro Travel Angel. Folds down to a manageable length, has the spring loaded hook on the center column and the column can be inverted for those ground hugging shots. I also like the twist locks that make a watertight seal, but some people do not like that at all.

The ballhead that came with it......... hmmmmmm........ would rather have a Manfrotto head.

[gs.davies]

Hi, I'm in exactly the same boat. Earlier this week I took advantage of being in London after the sun went down. My evenings shooting was totally spoiled by a rubbish tripod. There was a moderate breeze on Waterloo bridge and my £20 tripod at full height flapped about like a sail. I did better handheld in the end which was a real nuisance. In fact, so annoyed was I by it I left the tripod in a bin, and if LCE on The Strand had been open I'd have been in there, plastic swiped, and off shootin happy again.

I'm now on the hunt for a good quality tripod that doesn't break the bank...

Grateful to hear any recommendations!

Thanks, Gary.

[Aleix]

Originally Posted by Michael_2010

A budget tripod will end up being a waste of money and you will soon be wanting to upgrade to something more stable.

This is true. Very true. As a matter of a fact, it is exactly what happens to me right now. I'm now considering upgrading to a Manfrotto, but still have to look what are the alternatives, their specs and the prices.

[Michael_2010]

Originally Posted by Aleix

This is true. Very true. As a matter of a fact, it is exactly what happens to me right now. I'm now considering upgrading to a Manfrotto, but still have to look what are the alternatives, their specs and the prices.

My very first full size tripod came with some type of promotional kit with a bunch of cleaning stuff, etc. That thing felt so flimsy when fully extended I wouldn't put a small point & shoot on it much less my dSLR.

If the tripod is not solid and stable in normal weather conditions, it is pointless. One would be better off finding a good rock or rail to rest the camera on. Portability quickly becomes the major issue, unless you are a studio type photographer. Weight and bulk is a real killer when you start hiking up some narrow trail, looking for that illusive landscape shot.

I did recently buy a cheap clamp type pod that I can attach to a window in my SUV. I can even open the sunroof, invert the camera and clamp it there. Just a toy, but kind of fun to play around with. lol

[RichardTaylor]

Keep in mind a good tripod will last for years.
I am still using a Linhof studio tripod I purchased new in 1968, however it is very heavy.

For field work I am very happy with my Manfrotto 190XB aluminium tripod with a Manfrotto ball head.

[Aleix]

Originally Posted by Michael_2010

My very first full size tripod came with some type of promotional kit with a bunch of cleaning stuff, etc. That thing felt so flimsy when fully extended I wouldn't put a small point & shoot on it much less my dSLR.

If the tripod is not solid and stable in normal weather conditions, it is pointless. One would be better off finding a good rock or rail to rest the camera on. Portability quickly becomes the major issue, unless you are a studio type photographer. Weight and bulk is a real killer when you start hiking up some narrow trail, looking for that illusive landscape shot.

I did recently buy a cheap clamp type pod that I can attach to a window in my SUV. I can even open the sunroof, invert the camera and clamp it there. Just a toy, but kind of fun to play around with. lol

I bought my tripod on a trip to the USA, when I was starting to get serious into photography and had bought my DSLR just few weeks before. The place I bought it is "Best buy" and costed me around $50. Obviously I needn't comment further.

Some days later, with my camera mounted to the maximum height, I left my tripod unattended for few seconds, to grab a filter from my bag. Big, enormous mistake: because of the poor stability and the camera+lens weight, the whole thing suddenly felt frontally and the camera impacted directly against the floor (falling from 1.5m high).

Horror. But I was lucky, really lucky, and both the camera and the lens resulted unscathed. I still can't believe how this miracle could happen (well the K20D has a sturdy body, I must admit. But the lens?!). I'm aware the next time I won't be that lucky, so while I've still not grabbed a GOOD tripod, when using it the camera strap remains around my neck all the time. Lesson learnt, I swear.