Tripod Recommendations?

[jeanneholverstott]

I am looking to invest in a tripod for my Nikon D90 with no real sense of what I should be looking for. I'm not interested in spending more than $100, if that is realistic. If not, I will spend more.

[RichardTaylor]

Keep in mind a tripod + head may be a once in a lifetime purchase
Or you can purchase lots of "cheap" ones until you finally buy a good one.

Questions to ask?
How high or low do you want it to go?
What weight do you want it to carry - keep in mind possible future gear purchases.
What weight are you willing to carry?
Do you want a horizontal centre column - can be very handy for some types of photography?

Keep in mind you will need to budget for a head.

I have a Manfrotto 190XB and I am happy with it
If I was buying a new one it would be a Manfrotto 190XPROB mainly because the centre column can be swung horizontally.

I also own a Linhoff studio tripod I purchased back in the late 1960's. It is a great tripod, however a bit heavy if you have to carry it very far

[Aegea]

Also, what specifically is your lack of a tripod is stopping you from doing? That is, what do you want to use it for? And what is the heaviest/longest lens you will want to use on it?

PS - I agree with Richard that it's worth getting a good one - buy cheap, buy twice.

[SwissJon]

Here is something I wish I'd read a while ago:

Tripods and Ball Heads by Thom Hogan

There really isn't much point in paying hundreds, or even thousands, on an expensive camera only to have your photos ruined by a cheap tripod causing you vibrations. Spend as much as you can afford, $100 isn't much, and you might as well spend $25 on a really cheap one while you're figuring out if you need it.

As the others said, if you buy cheap, you'll buy twice or even three times.. This isn't a cheap hobby and if you're going to take it seriously, you need decent kit.. I'm intending to sell my tripod at some point and buy something a LOT better.. (My tripod wasn't chap, it's just my chosen field (Landscape at twilight) requires a really steady tripod, and the one I have is not quite stable enough.

[Krusty79]

If you scroll down to my post, I've collected some threads on buying a tripod...

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

[jeanneholverstott]

Thank you to all of you! @SwissJon, you are right this is not a cheap hobby, though I'm not sure any are. I will have to wait on the tripod for a while!

[Michael_2010]

Every time I buy a new lens, or gadget I remind myself that it was cheaper than a boat. lol

How will you be using your tripod? Studio? Tabletop? Macro work? Or, do you plan on throwing it over your shoulder and getting some landscape shots?

In a controlled environment you can get away with any reasonably well built tripod that will support the weight of your camera and various lenses. If it is going out into the field with you, its weight becomes a very big issue very fast. Plus you will need one that will resist the elements. Those things combined turn into a problem that takes money to fix.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by jeanneholverstott

I'm not interested in spending more than $100, if that is realistic. If not, I will spend more.

You'll spend more. The one tripod I'm looking at, which is roughly what I need for the work I do and equipment I own, is over 3x your budget.

[jeanneholverstott]

Landscape will be its primary focus. I don't want it to be bigger or weight more than me, so I'm in a for a challenge!

[Frank73]

I'm on the hunt for a tripod as well (mostly landscape and macro) I am looking into the Vanguard Alta Pro 283CT Carbon Fiber with an SBH-100 Ball Head. In my opinion, I think the CF material is the way to go since it'll comfortable to carry around. Good luck!