Tripod

[Peach]

Ok, here's the scoop.

I'm on a super limited budget. Think: Very little to no money until December 4th (I get paid on November 18th but most, if not all, of that cheque goes for bills). If I do happen to have money left over (which I'm really hoping I do), I would like to get a tripod because (among other things) next week's photography assignment is the "Golden Hour" and I have the PERFECT spot to take a sunset picture from. I also would like to experiment this winter with star trails and of course a tripod would be beneficial with my 50mm that doesn't autofocus on my d40x

So, bearing in mind that my budget is super-duper tight I have found these tripods and I would like your opinions. They're no Manfrotto's but they may be ok for a little while.

The first is:
SOLIGOR DIGIPOD - MEDIUM, Cameras | Walmart Canada - Save Money. Live Better.

It's selling for $40 locally. I can't recall how far it extends (unfortunately, the product description doesn't show it).

Now, I'd only be using this with my 50mm, (hopefully) my 35mm (when I get it), my 18-55 mm, and my 55-200 (hardly ever use this one, to be honest). I have no plans to get any bigger lenses b/c frankly, I can't afford them. Between photography and hunting dog training stuff I'm going more broke than I usually am (lol).

Would that one be "OK" for what I plan to use it for? A few landscapes, some star trails, and just pictures around home or whatever.

The second one is a bit pricier but still maybe manageable:

http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/produ...b4a8b38a9een02

Some of the reviews are not kind, but I rarely take anonymous reviews serious on the internet. I've seen this tripod in the store - it seems solid.

Again, it'll be used with the gear I have - unlikely anything bigger than that.

I would LIKE a Manfrotto, of course, but at $100, I just can't - not when I'm looking at $200 for my 35mm (I know, big spender, eh? lol)

I have looked on Craigslist but that presents another challenge: a) I hate going to meet strangers to buy something (too many cases locally where people were jumped and robbed) and b) a lot of them are beyond my budget.

Thanks!

[cyber3d]

I hate saying this but.... don't buy anything like these. It is a waste of money. a) they are not stable enough, b) they will break in no time at all. A DSLR is too heavy for these level of tripod, c) you'd do better to borrow from someone, d) save up for a decent one.

[sk66]

Instead, I would look at a clamp with ballhead...Maybe a Delkin Gator clamp for lighter gear.
Or a beanbag. I usually have a clamp with me even if no tripod, and I sometimes use a "puffin pad" from the car window.

[NathanFranke]

For $40 you can get a DSLR Gorillapod. It won't give you 6' of height, but it's sturdy enough to hold your camera plus the lenses you list. And tested for pro-grade DSLRs.

You'll have to set it on something, like a table or tree branch. I've got one and I love it. Makes a great light stand too, for strobist work.

[Peach]

I do have a Gorillapod DSLR-Zoom but where I'm going there are no trees. It's all flat rock and then ocean.

[inkista]

A lot of people will tell you that you have to spend about $200-$300 to get a good basic tripod and they're not wrong. They'll also tell you that getting a small light tripod is a waste of money. And again, they're not wrong. They're just not necessarily 100% right on that.

I own two tripods. A big heavy Manfrotto that was definitely worth the money. And a small light Velbon I've busted and had to replace (lifetime warranties are good things!). The thing is. I use the Velbon about 80% of the time. Depending on what you shoot and how you shoot it, a small light tripod might be "good enough". And, like a camera, the only useful tripod is the one you have with you. You can't do minute-long exposures with one, and I certainly wouldn't choose to use one to shoot in a high wind, though.

My suggest would be to see if you can save up another $20, and go for a compact Manfrotto, rather than getting a cheap no-name table-top tripod. Realize, though, that it's a compromise. With tripods, you can only have two of the following three things: cheap, light, steady. This is one of the cheap, light, tippy ones.

[Peach]

Fudge. *sigh*

We'll see what the pay cheque looks like tomorrow.

It's hard for me to buy online too, because I'm in Canada. Most places do ship here, but they add on a lot more shipping. Adorama wanted $30 more shipping to ship a lens to Canada; whereas it was free to ship it to one of the border towns. I can go down into the States, but the Ship Happens location is in Sumas, which is an hour's drive from me, plus I have to buy health insurance (sure, it's just a quick trip over the border but if something major happens and I'm incapacitated or something.. not having insurance can really, really, really suck).

[Peach]

Actually, looks like I won't need one right away. Pictures for the Golden Hour assignment are to be taken between the 2nd and the 16th. Earliest time I can get where I want to is the 19th (that's also the only time this week it's supposed to be nice out).

Guess that solves that problem!

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by Peach

It's hard for me to buy online too, because I'm in Canada.

The model Inkista linked to is sold by Blacks (here). Should be able to find it in-store or online.

[Peach]

London Drugs sells Manfrotto's too and they have a reasonably-ish priced one around $178. Nothing I can afford right now, however, but in the future.

I did pick up a tripod today - I really couldn't pass it up. It's not a great one, it is fairly light, but it'll do for now. It's an Optek or something. Anyway, it was $49.99 regular price but there was a sale on it for $19.99. When the guy rang it up (at London Drugs), it came up as $49.99. He thought maybe it was a smaller one that was on sale but that one was $39.99. So I showed him the sale tag. Turns out - it expired on the 15th. No one bothered to take the tag down yet lol So I got it for the sale price.

Maybe it's just being a chick - but you can't pass up on a sale like that :P

I'll get a Manfrotto in the future.