Tripod purchase

[RoniisH]

Hello people! I'm new to photography, aquired a Canon 400D + 18-55 + 70-300 not too long ago, and now I'm gonna spend my money on a tripod. Now, I have no clue on what's a good tripod. I know it shouldn't be plastic, but that's it. I've got a list here of a couple of tripods which are within my price range. It's only for DSLR photography, not for filming. Not sure that it matters, but just so you know. so, the list: Manfrotto Digi 715SHB - $117 Hama Star 62 - $58 Hama Traveller 3 - $67 Manfrotto Modo 785B - $117 Manfrotto Modo 785SHB - $117 Many of them are called Manfrotto "Digi", but there's no description of the "Digi". Does it mean that it's for compact cameras only? Which one of these do you think is the best "bang for the buck"? thanks beforehand, Ron Sorry, haven't got a clue why it's lumping up like this.

[Jon]

Um . . . None of them? The Manfrottos have a load rating of a couple of pounds. The Hamas are about the same, although the site I was able to locate is singularly uninformative.

If you're prepared to spend more, and not find yourself re-spending to replace something that let you down, consider a Manfrotto 190XPro B and 488 RC2 head (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/480325-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto__190XPROB_Tripod_Legs_Black_.html) or their 055XPROB and 488RC2 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/505863-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto__055XPROB_Tripod_Legs_Black_.html) .

[v35skyline]

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=53864

It's very likely that most people will suggest the 055XPROB legs and 488RC2 ballhead.That's what I have and I love it.

[RoniisH]

There must be one that's better than the other. I'm not willing to spend a fortune on a tripod which I'm rarely going to use.

I've got a maximum budget of $130, £68 or whatever currency you want it in.

Technology in Sweden is expensive as heck.

[Anke]

There must be one that's better than the other. I'm not willing to spend a fortune on a tripod which I'm rarely going to use.

I've got a maximum budget of $130, £68 or whatever currency you want it in.

Technology in Sweden is expensive as heck.

Consider saving up a bit more for a better tripod, one that will last you a lifetime. You'll probably end up with an inferior unit and want to upgrade at some stage anyway.
Again, I'll recommend the 055XPROB, but that might take a bit more saving.

[RoniisH]

Thanks, but I'm still not going to spend that much money on a tripod.

Please, there must be one that's better than the other.

[v35skyline]

You've invested over $1k on your camera body & lens. Don't you think it's worth buying a tripod that will secure this investment?

Take it from someone who knows. I once thought all tripods are the same. They all have three legs and hold a camera after all, right? Wrong. My tripod tipped over with the camera/lens mounted. I was lucky that only the lens broke. Lesson learned.

You may not use the tripod very often, but it will last you 10+ years if you take care of it correctly. No, I'm not kidding. A good tripod will also have a much better resale value.

[alduin]

I'm in the same boat as the others. I had a cheap-o tripod that I bought a while back for my P&S and nearly had a heart attack when it toppled with my XTi and a 70-300. I wouldn't recommend any of the "cheap" tripods given the expense of the gear it's holding.

[v35skyline]

I'm in the same boat as the others. I had a cheap-o tripod that I bought a while back for my P&S and nearly had a heart attack when it toppled with my XTi and a 70-300. I wouldn't recommend any of the "cheap" tripods given the expense of the gear it's holding.

Assuming shooting with a tripod is necessary, then a good tripod is more of an investment than an expense.

[alduin]

^ Well said!

[RoniisH]

Appreciate your answers, but I'll save my money and buy none at all. I would never pay $450 for a tripod which is gonna be in the closet most of the time anyway.

[v35skyline]

Who said anything about $450 on a tripod?

Where are you located? I got my 055XPROB @ 488RC2 for under $300.

[René Damkot]

Why not search e-bay for a Manfrotto 3021 (predecessor of the 055); Goes for $100 - 150, including head.

[Anke]

.....for a tripod which is gonna be in the closet most of the time anyway.

Ahh, you say that now, but you wait until you've got one and realise how handy and useful it is. It'll change the way you take pictures, slow you down, make you think. Plus its great fun for low light/night time photography :D

[SuzyView]

I have 2 tripods and I have to say, they are well worth it. I have the 190XB and 488RC and that combo is light and over $250, but well worth it.

[emorphien]

I'm personally not a big fan of Manfrotto/Bogen (or Gitzo) ballheads. However, I will say make sure the legs and head you get are rated to hold more than you're going to put on them. It future proofs them more and gives you a steadier base. I eventually replaced my original set of Bogen legs & pan-tilt head which came in just under $200 I think with a much more expensive Gizto CF + Markins M10 ballhead setup and it was well worth the significant investment as the combination weighs little and is much easier to carry and use.

Buy a tripod that suits your budget, but more importantly how you're going to use it. In the US there are a number of good Bogen/Manfrotto clones that are quite cheap and are great tripods for around $100.

[hw_]

the 488rc head seems like overkill no?

i would think the 486rc2 is sufficient

[Jon]

the 488rc head seems like overkill no?

i would think the 486rc2 is sufficientIt may be able to hold your camera, but the 488 has a separate pan control; with the 486 if you want to pan, unless you can pan via your center column you'll need to loosen the tripod head and hold the camera as you track. That's why you'll see many of us using a 486 on a monopod and 488 on the tripod.

[Mystwalker]

Consider saving up a bit more for a better tripod, one that will last you a lifetime. You'll probably end up with an inferior unit and want to upgrade at some stage anyway.
Again, I'll recommend the 055XPROB, but that might take a bit more saving.

055XPROB + 488RC2 is what I have - LOVE IT!!!

If you do not want to spend ~$300, you can find a Velbon for around $125-$150. They seem steady enough when I yanked them around.

Also, there was a thread on here about some knock-offs that people liked. "Amvona" maybe? I know I see them on EBay a lot, and they seem to get decent ratings, but am weary about putting $3000+ worth of electronics on their heads.

[BrianB2]

The SLIK Pro 700DX is in your price range and is a decent choice for the money.

[RoniisH]

Let me get some things straight here:

1. I have a maximum budget of $100.
2. I live in Sweden, and technology is twice the price here as it is in the US.
3. Check this link:
http://www.scandinavianphoto.se/product/list.aspx?sid=7407107

Perhaps you guys could look something up there, for a maximum of 800 SEK.

if you need a currency converter, then check here: http://www.xe.com/

[TheHoff]

This is a place to get suggestions, not a personal shopping service. There is a reason you're not getting any ideas that match your price range --

Simply put, a decent tripod for $50 or $60 does not exist. You'd be better off saving your money or buying something else to improve your equipment list. Maybe a Gorillapod could be useful but it is no substitute for a real tripod.

[perryge]

Yeah Hoff's right, you're not gonna get anything worthwhile at that budget. I was gonna recommend the 055XProB + 488RC2 head combo as well. I use it and love it, and it's actually a very, very decent price. If you can save up for it, it's the way to go.

[Jethro790]

For your budget, just go to the local department store (we call them WalMart here) and get the one that is in your budget. It's really simple. Don't bother with the Manfrotto units you have listed above, they are no better at all then the one you can get down the street.

People here will only suggest tripods that are good gear. But if you just want a very occasional use tripod, anything will work, and suggestions here are useless.

[René Damkot]

Let me get some things straight here:

1. I have a maximum budget of $100.
2. I live in Sweden, and technology is twice the price here as it is in the US.


Again: Why not search e-bay (or a photography site, like POTN or FM) for a Manfrotto 3021 (predecessor / US version of the 055); Goes for $100 - 150, including head if you're lucky.

If those go over budget in Sweden, look for the 3001 (predecessor / US version of the 190), or another decent one. A few suggestions were made in the thread.

In your budget, getting a new tripod that's both light and stable, is *not* going to happen.

I'd then rather have a used one that's stable while maybe weighing a bit more, then a new, lighter, flimsy one that doesn't do its job. YMMV.

[SlowBlink]

There must be one that's better than the other. I'm not willing to spend a fortune on a tripod which I'm rarely going to use.

I used the same rationale when getting my first tripod and it's served me pretty well. I was limited in the conditions I could use it in but it held the camera steadier than I could. Anything longer than about five or six seconds and the quality issue became apparent.

A cheap tripod will stay in the closet. You'll enjoy using a good one. Get one you can comfortably afford and upgrade when you're sure you'll need a better one. Slik are fairly cheap and better than most store brand models.

[Riff Raff]

I love it when advice is asked for and then roundly rejected after it becomes obvious that everyone else agrees with it. :-) Photography is an expensive hobby - just take it step by step as you can.

[SlowBlink]

I know where he's coming from. I thought I'd use my first one for sunsets and night shots and it would sit in the corner the rest of the time. For me now it's just a lot easier knowing camera shake is not going to be a problem.

old tripod & new tripod. Now I need a good flash. :)