Need Tripod Purchase Advice

[Hammonje]

I am in the market for a decent tripod. I will use mostly for indoor shots, but would also like to be able to take it outdoors on my Tamrac Expedition Backpack. I want it to be able to extend pretty high up so I can look down on a table to take photos. Also for eye level shots for portraits and such.

I don't need to break the bank with a professional level tripod. I want it to pan well, be somewhat light, and be stable. I have a cheap tripod ($20) and the head sags. It's useless.

Thanks again for any advice. Greatly appreciated.

[Sterling]

The prevailing wisdom on tripods is to spend as much as your budget will possibly allow. A tripod is an item that can last a lifetime if it is a quality piece. Or you can cheap out and end up buying a new one every couple of years and end up spending much more than if you had just purchased quality from the start. Don't forget that the tripod is usually only half of the expense. The head (ball or pan) can easily cost more than the legs. Tripods with built-in heads are usually the el cheapo variety.

[Hammonje]

Any specifics on model, make????

What to look for, examples of use and short comings????

I am trying to ask you to save the hassle of buying twice. I need it to hold a D7000 with a 60mm Macro lens. I am just totally new to having this level of equipment.

Thanks.

[Lorax]

I struggled with the same decision about a year ago. Bottom line is you need to figure out exactly what you want/need. Initially I thought I wanted a light and small tripod, which is too vague. Defining the weight and size you need will help your decision. I decided to go lightweight (2/3lbs) and extremely compact (closed length: 13in.) Unfortunately that combination is expensive. After extensive research I decided to go with the Gitzo GT1550T T6X Carbon Fiber Series 1 Rapid Column 5 Section Traveler Tripod. I replaced the lackluster head with the Gitzo GH1780QR Series 1 Magnesium Center Ball Head QR. It was expensive but for hiking and traveling the globe I couldn't be happier. I am not saying you need a Gitzo but instead need to think in terms of exactly what you need.

[Sterling]

Manfrotto and Gitzo are two popular, high quality brands. Then there are others like Velbon, Induro, Benro, and many others that form the second tier. Go to any of their sites and see what they have that will hold your camera and heaviest lens and then price out the results.

Things to consider would be extended height, 3 sections or 4, weight (lighter = $$). Higher priced tripods and heads have much better functioning controls. Poorer tripods will have legs that don't stay locked, they will wobble when extended, the legs will be difficult to extend in cold temperatures, etc.

[Hammonje]

Most of the tripod use will be for macro work. I like the Manfrotto 055XPROB. Just need a solid head that won't sag. I have a D7000 with a 60mm Micro, 18-105 f/3.5-5.6, and 35 f/1.8. I know should have saved the money and bought something brighter than the kit lens. Live and learn. I like lens with a bigger aperture for sure. My home has a lot of wood paneling so it's not the brightest place.

I need something that is not going to sag when taking a shot. I have a cheap tripod, but use it for my chronograph stand when developing handloads for service rifle competition. I am not putting my camera on it.

Ideas on the head???? I may want to try some panoramas from the top of Stone Mountain. I live in Atlanta, GA. I also like to shoot, fish, hike, mountain bike, all the outdoors stuff. Got a nice Tamrac Expedition backpack so I can take my gear out now.

Just need a tripod and figure out my lighting needs. Take some time to read up and study lighting. It's really the key for me to get the shots I want.

[Thunder_o_b]

Just to reenforce what has been said above, you get what you pay for. Buy the best you can afford, it will pay off in the long run.

[dlambert]

No specific advice on model numbers, but if you're going to shoot panos, you might want to stay away from a ball head. A pan & tilt head will let you sweep from side to side without moving up & down. There are high-end pano heads that do a better job of swiveling around exactly the right focal plane to help shots line up right, but I don't think you'll need that for casual use. Pan & tilt heads, unfortunately, tend to be less compact (and portable) than ball heads, though -- not as nice for packing.

[Krusty79]

If you scroll down on this page, I have collected a bunch of previous threads on buying tripods:

Everything you ever wanted to know about photography! On DPS!